By Rebecca Dillow
As of Monday morning, 77% of Virginia hospitalsâ intensive care unit (ICU) beds were occupied. The preceding Thursday night, Gov. Ralph Northam instituted new statewide restrictions, including a mask mandate and limits on gatherings.
Above all, he is urging residents to stay home. For many people in my Appalachian region of Southwest Virginia, staying healthy and safe at home is not an option.
Southwest Virginia has experienced a lack of resources and an economy unfit to adequately provide for our residents during much of our history. We see lower-than-average salaries and higher rates of poverty than the rest of Virginia. Families in my community â and across the country â struggle to secure homes they can afford, and end up living in unstable and unhealthy situations.