Gene Marrano
(from Downtown Roanoke Inc.) Amid heightened concerns of community spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the State of Emergency issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (DRI) and our Board of Directors is announcing the cancellation of the 2020 Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival. This announcement comes after discussions with City of Roanoke administration and emergency services. We feel the only path forward is to follow their recommendation and cancel our portion of Saturday’s event.
We understand the disappointment from our businesses, community, and those who planned to travel here. We share in that disappointment not just for our organization and all the people who love this event but especially for our local businesses that may be impacted by this. We encourage everyone to support local businesses always, now more so than ever.
There wasn’t much new health-related information at this morning’s “Spread Facts Not Fear” update on COVID 19, organized by the Roanoke Regional Chamber, but the Virginia Department of Health and Carilion Clinic speakers again addressed the importance of hand washing and “social distancing” to prevent contracting or spreading the coronavirus. The VDH will also hold a series of public information sessions beginning with one at the South County Library at 6:30 on Monday night. On the 18th the Belmont Library in Roanoke City has a 2pm session; the Salem Library has one the next day at 10am and the Hollins branch hosts a meeting with the VDH on March 25th at 3:30. Chamber President and CEO Joyce Waugh says business preparation for future pandemics may include more routine working from home and online meetings:
A chili cook-off and cookie bake-off at Virginia Western this morning, with the leftovers being sold after the judging took place to raise money for the Student Co-op food pantry. The student pantry opened last year and provides food to VWCC students having a hard time making ends meet. Kroger helped get the campus-based co-op off the ground. Natasha Lee is the Student Activities Coordinator at Virginia Western: