Student's Face Mask Proposal, DC Mask Requirement | Patch PM

There was plenty of news across Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on Thursday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here's a roundup of some of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

High School Junior's Coronavirus Mask Draws Positive Response

In Northern Virginia, 16-year-old Parnika Saxena set her sights on both the short term and long term when she started thinking of ways to help people survive the coronavirus crisis. Because she lives with both her parents and grandparents, Saxena knew she had to take all the necessary precautions to prevent the coronavirus from entering her home, especially with her grandparents living there.

Bowser: DC Food Shoppers Must Wear Masks Due To Coronavirus

Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order Wednesday outlining social distancing requirements for District food retailers and farmers markets in response to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Among the requirements will be that customers at District grocery stories will need to wear masks when they're shopping.

Coronavirus Deaths Increase By 34 In Virginia; 46 Outbreaks Found

The number of deaths resulting from the new coronavirus in Virginia rose to 109 Thursday, up from 75 on Wednesday. Cases of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 illness, increased from 3,645 to 4,042, according to the Virginia Department of Health's latest report. Virginia's positive cases include 685 hospitalizations, up from 615 on Wednesday.

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Fairfax County Fire And Rescue Confirms First Coronavirus Case

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said Thursday a member has tested positive for the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 respiratory illness.

• Second Staffer At Loudoun School Tests Positive For Coronavirus
• Alexandria Retirement Home Resident Positive For Coronavirus
• Loudoun Fights Plan To Raise Greenway Tolls During Coronavirus

Tea And Sympathy In The Time Of Coronavirus

As a resident of the Town of Herndon, Eisenfeld wanted to share her love of tea with the community and also see more small businesses, like a tea shop, open in the town. That was the catalyst for her decision to start The Elden Street Tea Shop (714 Pine St., Herndon, VA 20170) in November 2018.

3D Printers, Swimwear Maker Contribute Medical Protective Gear

As the coronavirus crisis leads to hospitals running low on personal protective equipment (PPE), communities are rallying to get medical staff the supplies needed to protect themselves. A few of these efforts can be traced back to Vienna, from 3D printing of shields to mask production.

• Customs Agents Process 14K Coronavirus Evacuees At Dulles Airport
• Arlington Shelter Offers Virtual Adoptions During Coronavirus
• Target, Giant, Safeway: Easter Grocery Store Hours In Virginia
• Coronavirus: Fredericksburg News And Updates In Time Of Crisis
• Coronavirus: Leesburg News And Updates In Time Of Crisis
• Coronavirus: Alexandria Grocery Store Hours For Seniors, Easter
• Burke Places Of Worship Hold Virtual Services Amid Coronavirus

Also Worth a Look

• Strong Winds Threaten DC, NoVa As Cold Front Moves Through
• 'October Flood' Unfortunately May Come Sooner
• 30-Year DC Police Veteran Dies Following Medical Emergency
• Teenagers Rob Manassas Store, Punch Owner: Police
• Police Identify Second Suspect In Woodbridge Wawa Robbery
• Narcotics Charge For Alexandria Woman Arrested in Clarendon

Across America

• U.S. Coronavirus Blog: NY Leads World In Cases; Job Losses Soar
• Amid Outbreak, Families Plan Easter Celebrations
• Coronavirus Is Leading Cause Of Death In U.S, Claiming 223 In LA
• Closing NJ Parks Amid Coronavirus Wasn't A Whim: Gov. Murphy
• Latest Coronavirus Myths: 5G, Malaria Drug, Face Masks