Virginia Martin

Jefferson County Commission Sets Up $1 Million Virus Fund, Extends County Closings Through April

The Jefferson County Commission used its second emergency meeting of the COVID-19 pandemic to extend the closure of county facilities until April 30 and set up a $1 million COVID-19 fund to handle needs as they arise. The first $80,750 of that $1 million was used to purchase 55 hospital beds from Jett Medical Company in the event a “surge hospital” must be established. Such a facility will be set up if local hospitals become overcrowded. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Employee at Vet Home, Patient at Nursing Home Diagnosed With COVID-19

An employee at the Bill Nichols Veterans Home in Alexander City has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the state Department of Veterans Affairs announced this morning. In addition, a patient at the Cherryhill Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Forestdale has tested positive for the virus. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Lawyers: Set Parole Hearings, Prevent Virus Spread in Alabama’s Crowded Prisons

A group of law school faculty members and former prosecutors has written Gov. Kay Ivey urging her to have the state Board of Pardons and Paroles hold expedited hearings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to Alabama’s prison population. “The Board should prioritize the release, if necessary into 14-day quarantine, of prisoners age 50 and over and those with compromised immune systems,” the letter stated. “Alabama should recognize the parole system as one avenue through which to ameliorate the public-health threat posed by our overcrowded prisons.” Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Gun Sellers, Payday Lenders Remain Open in Alabama as ‘Essential Business’

A payday lender in Jefferson County said he’s seen a recent decrease in the short-term loans taken out by Alabamians, but advocates for more regulation on that industry are worried more people will turn to loans as businesses remain closed. Read more.

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Artist Shares Encouraging Words

Birmingham artist Veronique Vanblaere, who was the longtime owner of the Naked Art gallery in Forest Park, is working from her home studio and during sleepless moments has done some sketches that reflect life during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Courtesy of Veronique Vanblaere) Read more.

by Tom Gordon

‘Critical Shortage Everywhere’ of Personal Protective Equipment

Like a lot of places these days, the Homewood Public Library is closed. But on Saturday, Dr. Theresa Northern was sitting out front with large cardboard boxes, awaiting donations of personal protective equipment, or PPE. Northern is part of a Birmingham group for physician moms, which has organized donation drives the past two weekends. “We’ve gotten a lot of gloves and some masks as well,” Northern said. The group is specifically requesting N95 masks, or respirators, which have special filters that can help protect against the coronavirus. Other types of PPE also needed by health care providers include face shields and isolation gowns. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Rise to 831, With 6 Deaths

Confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 826 today, up 60 cases from last night, the Alabama Public Health Department reported. Four deaths from the virus have been confirmed by state health officials. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

ACHE Leader: Remote Learning for Universities’ Summer Semester Possible; Community Colleges Will Finish Semester Online

Read more. The executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education said Alabama’s universities may continue off-campus classes this summer because of ongoing COVID-19 concerns. In a letter to university presidents this week, Jim Purcell said institutions need to communicate with students and their families about what summer courses, which begin in mid-May, may look like. “As April approaches, you are no doubt considering how to conduct campus operations over the course of the summer,” Purcell wrote. “We all know that there are many factors in play in making this decision and not all of these are academic. Health of our communities, students, faculty and students must be paramount. “While many unknowns remain, it is important that institutions provide clarity for students, families and the public so that they can plan to continue or begin their studies over the summer. I would support maintaining the online/remote instructional environment through the summer 2020 terms.”

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Veteran Events and Rituals Canceled

The list of events canceled by the COVID-19 threat continues to grow, and it now includes all ceremonies at national cemeteries for the next month to two months. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Ordered to Stay at Home or Free to Wander? It Depends on Where you Live.

While a few municipalities — Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, in particular — have felt the need to institute stay-at-home orders with the force of law to slow the rate of coronavirus infections, most cities have taken a less restrictive approach. Some are suggesting that residents stay home. Others are saying only that they’re following the lead of the state and Jefferson County authorities. All of Alabama fell under an order closing non-essential businesses as of 5 p.m. Saturday. The Jefferson County Department of Health was the first entity to start strongly recommending people curtail their activities and almost two weeks ago issued an order closing all non-essential businesses and services, an order that was lifted when the statewide order took effect. But whether you’re required to abide by more restrictive measures depends on where you live. Read more.

by Nick Patterson