A Restless Commonwealth: Is Virginia Ready to Re-Open?
The expression “The Natives Are Getting Restless” allegedly originated with the 1933 film Island of Lost Souls. Dr. Moreau declares this about his hybrid animalistic creations. According to the website, Phrases.com, the term means, “A group of agitated people—such as a set of residents, customers, or citizens—is expressing annoyance, distress, or other discomposure.” There is no better locution that captures the mood in Virginia.
While the polls state that groups like “Virginians For Constitutional Rights” are in the minority with their thinking about the lockdown; they are still a very loud and growing minority. A close monitoring of the group’s online activity shows more and more businesses and entrepreneurs re-opening even before the Governors May 8th schedule.
A new press conference was looming at 2 pm at the time this article was written. During the previous press conference, the Governor seemed to sense that despite Virginia not exactly meeting the CDC requirement of two weeks of positive progression, that some leeway was needed. It almost sounded like the Governor was looking for a way to re-open despite the stats.
It’s May 1st, 2020. Today ABC 13 reported that, “Va. sees an increase of more than 1,000 coronavirus cases in one day”. It’s unclear what the governor will do with the mood of the people going in one direction and our health stats going in the other direction. There is one thing that is clear though.
The natives are getting restless.
Tony Ares was raised in Fayetteville, NC. Before graduating high school, Tony joined the Army during Operation Desert Shield and served with the Presidential Honor Guard. He has since become a preacher and later founder of the Hill Ministry in Dumfries. In addition to his community activism, he is a prolific writer through AFreshWord.org. He is married with two daughters, a loving church, and an eternal legacy.