WMRA and WEMC | Public Radio of the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville: More News, Less Noise.

Fighting Pandemic Anxiety With Lisa Jakub

Anxiety and depression are running high these days over concerns of COVID-19. Charlottesville resident and author Lisa Jakub has written about her own struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. She recently spoke with WMRA's Chris Boros about some techniques that can calm a racing heart.

Rockbridge Activist Group Turns Focus to COVID-19 Aid

New York, 'Still In Search Of The Apex,' Sees Another Spike In Coronavirus Cases

Karate Classes Pivot Online

By Randi B. Hagi • 3 minutes ago

While businesses struggle to adapt to social distancing guidelines in response to COVID-19, one business in the Harrisonburg area -- Brian Mayes Karate -- is “pivoting” instead of “panicking.” WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi reports.

Checking In: Staunton & Harrisonburg

By Matt Bingay • 22 hours ago

As part of a new series on WMRA, we are checking in with mayors from our region about how they are managing the new coronavirus crisis. We spoke on Monday, March 30th with Staunton Mayor Carolyn Dull and Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed.

Governor Northam Issues 'Stay at Home' Order Effective Until June 10th

By Matt Bingay • Mar 30, 2020

In a statement on Monday, March 30, 2020, Governor Northam has ordered all Virginians to limit all non-essential movement and stay at home effective immediately.

Local Food Banks Brace For Growing Need

By Bridget Manley • Mar 30, 2020

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank has issued a call for volunteers for their area food pantries to help serve a growing need. WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports.

JMU Students Leave Campus, and Wonder What's Next

By Calvin Pynn • Mar 30, 2020

Most Virginia universities and colleges have abruptly closed their campuses and moved classes online for the rest of the semester due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This past week, students at James Madison University had to pack up early and leave their dorms behind. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn reports.

Amid School Shutdown, Harrisonburg Continues Offering Food to Students

By Randi B. Hagi • Mar 26, 2020

With all Virginia schools closed for the rest of the academic year due to COVID-19, the Harrisonburg City Public Schools have decided to continue the program they started last week to provide bags of free food for all their students under age 18. WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi reports.

Now Socially Isolated, Some Turn To Cats For Companionship

By Randi B. Hagi • Mar 25, 2020

As folks stay home to avoid contracting or transmitting COVID-19, some are turning to fostering cats for companionship, which is good news for nonprofit animal rescue Cat’s Cradle. But others are having to give up their pets, for the same reason. WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi reports.

Harrisonburg Nonprofit Helps Those In Need During Coronavirus Crisis

By boroscd • Mar 23, 2020

A local Harrisonburg nonprofit has been providing and promoting social well-being to the citizens of Rockingham County for years. Hope Distributed provides relief to low-income individuals and families with food and clothing in a dignified and respectful manner.

COVID-19 Forces Changes, Including For One Bike Business

By Randi B. Hagi • Mar 23, 2020

As Virginia adapts to life with COVID-19, many local businesses are scrambling to operate in creative ways in an effort to stay open. But one small business owner says that he may stand to gain some customers, thanks to social distancing. WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi reports.

Virginia Schools Closed for the Remainder of the Academic Year

By Matt Bingay • Mar 23, 2020

Monday, March 23, Governor Northam announced new steps to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Virginia. K-12 schools will now remain closed for the remainder of the academic school year, recreational and entertainment business must close until at least April 23rd, and public gatherings above 10 people are now banned.

The Latest from NPR

Outbreak On U.S. Aircraft Carrier 'Accelerating,' Commander Warns Pentagon

By David Welna • 1 hour ago

Updated at 5:08 p.m. ET

After Surge In Cases, Michigan Now 3rd In Country For Coronavirus Deaths

By Bobby Allyn • 1 hour ago

Michigan now ranks third in the country for coronavirus-related deaths, trailing only New York and New Jersey, after the Midwest state on Tuesday reported a new surge of cases.

State officials confirmed another 1,117 cases, bringing the coronavirus tally in Michigan to 7,615.

Officials on Tuesday said the virus claimed the lives of 75 more people, pushing up the number of COVID-19 fatalities to 259.

Should We All Be Wearing Masks In Public? Health Experts Revisit The Question

By Huo Jingnan & Allison Aubrey & Carmel Wroth • 1 hour ago

A few months ago, it may have seemed silly to wear a face mask during a trip to the grocery store. And in fact, the mainline public health message in the U.S. from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been that most people don't need to wear them.

But as cases of the coronavirus have skyrocketed, there's new thinking about the benefits that masks could offer in slowing the spread. The CDC says it is now reviewing its policy and may be considering a recommendation to encourage broader use.

At Least 5 Rabbis From Ultra-Orthodox N.J. Community Have Died From Coronavirus

By Anastasia Tsioulcas • 1 hour ago

At least five rabbis from the close-knit ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood, N.J., have died in the past few days from coronavirus, reports from local media say.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Is 'Still Not Satisfied' With Trump Administration Response

By Heidi Glenn • 1 hour ago

A day after issuing a stay-at-home directive to Maryland residents, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said he and other governors are still "not satisfied" with federal assistance in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Hogan, who is also the chair of National Governors Association, issued the directive on Monday as did leaders in nearby Virginia and Washington, D.C., to combat an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the mid-Atlantic region.