Glenn Stephens

Volunteers Step Up to Face the Challenges of the Pandemic

Efforts in Birmingham to thwart the spread of COVID-19 stretch from volunteer organizations that have stitched more than 18,500 cloth face masks to tech companies and businesses using prototyping, fabrication and 3D printers to create face shields and ventilator adaptors, as well as prototypes for portable intensive care units. As Jack's restaurants CEO Todd Bartmess said, "In the South, we take care of each other." See some of the things organizations, companies, service groups and individuals are doing to help those affected by the pandemic. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Blacks Make Up Disproportionate Percentage of COVID-19 Deaths

Blacks make up a minority of the population of Alabama, but they account for more than half the number of people who have died of COVID-19 in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The department on Wednesday reported that 61 people who tested positive for the disease have died, and 48 of the deaths were confirmed to be the result of COVID-19. Officials were verifying whether the remaining 13 died from the coronavirus. The figures covered reports through Tuesday, April 7. The racial breakdown of the 48 who were confirmed to have died of the virus showed that 52.1% were black; 37.5% were white; 7.7% were Asian; and the rest were of unknown race. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Working at Home with Kids: How the Pandemic is Changing the Work-Life Balance

While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people apart, it has also created a common ground for millions -- by making many work from home. For some workers who are also parents, functioning in the home office environment has brought a particular challenge into focus: managing the job and the kids at the same time. To get some perspective on how big a deal this might be, consider this: two years ago, it was estimated that 3.6 percent of the American workforce was working at home -- 5 million people, according to GlobalworkplaceAnalytics.com, drawing its conclusions from the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau. Since the coronavirus pandemic prompted office closures and other social distancing measures, even more people have retreated to their home offices. How many? One estimate has 56% of the workforce with jobs compatible with remote work. Read more.

by Nick Patterson

Where to Get Tested for COVID-19

Updated Dec. 12, 2020 — COVID-19 cases are on the rise statewide and predicted to continue increasing into January, at least. The Alabama Department of Public Health has advice if you’re considering getting tested for the disease and locations where the tests are being administered.See a list of screening sites and how to contact each.

by BirminghamWatch

COVID-19 Count for Alabama Reaches 2,089, with 55 Deaths

Alabama has recorded 55 deaths of people who tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Public Health, reported today. Updated figures show that 39 of those deaths have been officially attributed to the disease, with the remaining 16 still under investigation. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state stood at 2,089. Jefferson County led  with 449 confirmed cases of the disease. The county has recorded 11 deaths of patients who tested positive, with five of those confirmed to be from COVID-19. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

In Alabama, Renewed Talk of Expanding Medicaid

The spread of the new coronavirus, the resulting strain on hospitals and the possible infusion of federal relief money is rekindling talks of expanding the state's Medicaid program For 10 years Alabama has resisted expanding its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act, mostly on fiscal grounds. Some estimates show expanding the program to include 360,000 more residents would cost the state about $170 million in the first year alone, with increasing costs going forward. However, now the state could be in receipt of funds to lighten that bill. The coronavirus economic relief package known as the CARES Act contained $150 billion to help states and local governments recover from the financial impact of the outbreak and specifically included provisions to help states shore up their Medicaid programs. Analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows Alabama coffers could receive as much as $1.7 billion, though much of that is likely to be earmarked toward specific programs.  Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

231 Hospitalized in Alabama with COVID-19, Death Toll at 31

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported Sunday that 231 people were hospitalized statewide with COVID-19 diagnoses. Deaths in the state from the disease COVID-19 stood at 31, and authorities are investigating 14 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. In total, the state has had 1,676 confirmed cases of the virus. Jefferson County accounted for 397 cases, with four deaths from the disease and five more involving people who were diagnosed with it. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Getting Government Services During Pandemic Requires Patience, Persistence

Alabama residents who need to renew their driver’s license during the coronavirus shutdown will have to do it online. Teenagers who have waited 16 or more years to get their first license will have to wait longer. These are just two of the ways the growing pandemic is making it tougher for people to obtain government services. With state and local governments forced to weigh public health against public services, the scale sometimes tilts toward health. This is true for services ranging from automobile tag renewals to court trials to in-person access to public meetings. Read more.

by Scott Morris

Alabama’s COVID-19 Death Toll Up to 26

The Alabama Department of Public Health this morning raised the number of deaths in the state from COVID-19 to 26, up by five. Authorities are investigating 15 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbed today to 1,543, growing by more than 50% since Wednesday morning. One week ago, the state had 604 confirmed cases and three deaths. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama’s COVID-19 Toll: 1,315 Confirmed Cases, 21 Deaths

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama climbed today to 1,315, and the state Department of Public Health reported 21 deaths from the disease. The agency is investigating 13 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. Jefferson County leads the state with 325 confirmed cases, and officials are investigating five deaths in the county of patients who were previously diagnosed with the disease; none of those were confirmed to be the result of COVID-19. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch