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<\/p>\nToday\u2019s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers:<\/p>\n
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Question: Our tax dollars at work? For the past several weeks, the city has been removing trees and the sidewalk in front of the Renaissance Hotel. They laid new concrete, which took about a week. Now, they are crushing and removing a large section of the new concrete! Plus, will they be replacing the trees when they\u2019re done? Can you please look into the intelligence of this?\u00a0<\/p>\n
My answer: Sure. Didn\u2019t find any.<\/p>\n
Real answer: Hey, everybody makes mistakes, right? Well, this is one of those times.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sidewalk work being carried out along Woodfin is part of a project to replace sections that had become non-compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards due to tree roots disrupting the concrete,\u201d City of Asheville spokesperson Kim Miller said via email. \u201cWe are currently repouring the specific section you mention to make sure the curb is installed properly. Admittedly, we didn\u2019t get it perfect the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miller says the city understands the reader\u2019s frustration and that of other taxpayers, \u201cbut we\u2019re working hard to make sure everything meets ADA standards so our community is accessible to all.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was not a costly mistake.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe estimated cost of the work to bring the curb in line with ADA standards would come in just over $2,000, including materials, equipment and labor,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n
On the tree front \u2014 always an important topic with Asheville residents \u2014 Miller had good news.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe trees will be replaced, but in a nod to being good stewards of taxpayers\u2019 dollars, the replacement trees will be a different species,\u201d Miller said. \u201cThis change allows the trees to grow and flourish without disrupting the concrete sidewalk \u2014 avoiding future costs associated with a need to replace the sidewalk again.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Question: I remember that they can measure COVID-19 levels in wastewater. Do they measure other stuff, too? Flu, strep, and so on? I ask because never in my life have I fallen ill more often or more severely than I have in the fall of 2025 in Asheville, and I\u2019m wondering if it\u2019s just me.<\/p>\n
My answer: I haven\u2019t even answered this question yet, and I\u2019m pooped.<\/p>\n
Real answer: This is indeed a fascinating subject, because our local sewage plant in Woodfin, run by the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County, does test for evidence of illnesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are testing for COVID, influenza and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus),\u201d Tom Hartye, general manager of MSD, said via email.<\/p>\n
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services updates an online dashboard<\/a> that tracks the three illnesses, and it looks like all three have been declining in recent weeks.<\/p>\n The latest data run through Nov. 5. The levels are reported as \u201cgene copies per person.\u201d<\/p>\n For COVID-19, it shows that Buncombe County peaked this year at 47 million gene copies per person on Sept. 3. As of Nov. 5, that measurement had dropped to 3 million gene copies per person.<\/p>\n For influenza, the peak came Jan. 29, at 41 million gene copies per person. The levels dropped precipitously through spring and summer and remained there as of Nov. 5, at 1 million copies.<\/p>\n RSV numbers have been low all year, although they did peak at 4 million copies on Jan. 11. By late October they stood at 1 million copies, and at zero by Nov. 5.<\/p>\n The DHHS explains how these measurements work on the website, noting it tests wastewater samples from water treatment plants across the state. Besides Buncombe, other western North Carolina facilities that are in the program include Hendersonville, Marion, Spruce Pine, Cherokee and Jackson County.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople with these respiratory viruses shed viral particles in their stool,\u201d the website states. \u201cThese viral particles are pieces of each virus, which causes disease when still intact. In wastewater, the particles are no longer infectious but can still be measured.\u201d<\/p>\n Testing for the particles allows the state to track disease trends.<\/p>\n \u201cData from these sites serve as a supplemental metric to understand the impacts of respiratory diseases at the community level,\u201d the website states, noting the project is a collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina system researchers, wastewater utilities, and public health departments.<\/p>\n The state added measles testing at 28 sites in June 2025.<\/p>\n As far as respiratory illnesses, the state says, \u201cCore pathogens have been following expected seasonal trends over the last quarter.\u201d COVID-19 levels are \u201cmoderate and decreasing after a peak in September, and the flu (type A) and RSV levels \u201chave remained low since their peaks last winter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been a few Flu B detections over the summer, after peaking in the spring,\u201d the site states. \u201cThere have been no measles detections since we started monitoring in late June.\u201d<\/p>\n So, my friend, I think you\u2019re just experiencing some bad luck, although I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll all get a chance to join you in the coming flu and respiratory illness season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, wash your hands frequently, folks! And use hand sanitizer!<\/p>\n Asheville Watchdog welcomes thoughtful reader comments on this story, which has been republished on our Facebook page<\/a>. Please submit your comments there.<\/p>\n Asheville Watchdog<\/a> is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Got a question? Send it to John Boyle at jboyle@avlwatchdog.org or 828-337-0941. His Answer Man columns appear each Tuesday and Friday. The Watchdog\u2019s reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org\/support-our-publication\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers: Question: Our tax dollars at work? 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The Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County\u2019s facility in Woodfin tests for evidence of COVID, influenza and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) in wastewater. \/\/ Photo credit: MSD<\/p>\n