Ben Smart

Journalist, medical student

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

@CityofWS Questions I would like answered: (1) how was the 1-mile radius of evacuation determined? (2) given how comparative amounts of ammonium nitrate have reacted, what is the estimated blast distance range? And how is this calculated? @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

@AshleaOnAir Working with you made me a better journalist… you are so good at what you do and are going to be missed!

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Residents in Southeastern Winston-Salem describe feeling the 2.4-magnitude earthquake around 9 a.m. Sunday morning. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

There is a press conference happening now. NC and Guilford County educators and parents are calling for increased school funding for teachers, air conditioning, bus drivers, and more. The state budget is currently two months late. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

To clarify, this new rule applies to elementary schools only

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

The Randolph County Superintendent says starting tomorrow kids will now eat lunch in classrooms and not in the lunchroom. He will inform principals after the meeting. He says “Our data is not good”. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

BREAKING: Randolph County Board of Education passed the mask mandate in schools indoors from August 30 at least until October 15. Motion passed 4-3. People left abruptly shouting angrily at the board. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

The superintendent said he wants the media to know there has been significant discussion throughout the pandemic between board members and himself. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Debate and discussion is continuing about implications of possible mask mandate, case/vaccination rates, the COVID schools toolkit from NCDHHS, past actions by the board during the pandemic, impacts of virus on children, and more. No decision made yet. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

RCS Board Chair getting emotional sharing the story of his child who had Kawasaki Syndrome from a virus. He says he would not be able to have a sick child in the schools on his conscious. He pointed to the flag and said he is a God-fearing Republican like the audience. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

The mood is getting extremely tense. The board chair said he is ready to have officers escort people out. Two people left out of frustration. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

The crowd became heated and several people shouted when they were told by the board chair that there would be no public comment today, due to the fact that there was no public sign up available beforehand. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Four out of roughly 60 people in the audience are wearing masks - one of the focal points of today’s board meeting. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Randolph Co Health Director is speaking now. Crowd is interrupting with side comments and the board chair had to step in, and ask the crowd to respect her and allow her to speak @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Superintendent is reading his recommendation aloud for a mandate that effective August 30- cloth face coverings required indoors in classrooms. Grumbling from the audience. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

RCS Superintendent: “The issue today is face coverings”@WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Superintendent: 150 more children have quarantined after COVID reported this weekend @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Currently one person sitting with the RCS board of education is wearing a mask. @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

RCS Superintdent: We sent 530 students to quarantine from Saturday Aug 21- Friday 27 during the first week of school due to COVID exposure @WFMY

[Ben Smart @BenSmartJourno]

Security personnel are on hand at the meeting. @WFMY