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On Virginia–Tennessee Border, One Side Is Open for Business While the Other Is Still on Lockdown

On Virginia–Tennessee Border, One Side Is Open for Business While the Other Is Still on Lockdown
A pedestrian crosses State Street in downtown Bristol. Salena Zito
Salena Zito
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Commentary

BRISTOL, Tenn./Virginia State Line—Joe Deel is behind the chrome-trimmed turquoise counter of his legendary diner, the Burger Bar in Virginia, working with his wife, Kayla; daughter Emily; and sous chef, Corey Young. They can see people going to lunch at the State Line Bar and Grill in Tennessee, just across the street and less than 50 yards away. But their round, black-topped stools remain as empty as they were nearly two months ago when the coronavirus first shut down the country.

Salena Zito
Salena Zito
Author
Salena Zito has held a long, successful career as a national political reporter. Since 1992, she has interviewed every U.S. president and vice president, as well as top leaders in Washington, including secretaries of state, speakers of the House and U.S. Central Command generals. Her passion, though, is interviewing thousands of people across the country. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through the lost art of shoe-leather journalism, having traveled along the back roads of 49 states.
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