Virginia Martin, Author at BirminghamWatch - Page 287 of 480
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Virginia Martin

‘Drastic Efforts’ in JeffCo Aim to Curb the Spread of Coronavirus

Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson announced a series of orders to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. At a press conference Monday evening, Wilson said the department is aware of 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, but that number is certain to be a “major under-representation.” Beginning Tuesday and until further notice, all gatherings of 25 people or more are prohibited countywide. All Jefferson County bars, breweries and restaurants are to prohibit in-person dining and drinking for one week. During this time, establishments can offer take-out and delivery and are “strongly encouraged” to offer online ordering and curbside pick-up. Hospital food service areas are exempt from this order. Also, all senior centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must be closed to visitors. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

ABC Temporarily Closing 78 Stores

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is temporarily closing 78 stores and reducing hours at others today in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Because of staffing requirements and health concerns, we believe that closing some of our stores will provide the greatest amount of employee/customer protection, while ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency,” ABC’s government relations manager, Dean Argo, said in an email. Stores remaining open will operate from noon to 7 p.m. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Alabama Sees More Closings to Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending cancelation of any planned gatherings of 50 or more people in the next two months, an extraordinary measure but just the latest of the dominos to fall in the effort to dampen the spread of the novel coronavirus. The federal and state governments already have declared states of emergency, and the Jefferson County Commission voted this morning to declare a state of emergency and close county facilities at the end of business today. As part of the state’s preventative measures, Gov. Kay Ivey said in a memo to department heads on Sunday that, other than departments that provide essential services, they should instruct any workers who can to work from home until April 6. If employees can’t work from home, they are to be placed on paid emergency leave and stay away from their workplace until April 6. UAB and Samford University followed similar patterns, saying only essential personnel should enter the campuses. Workers who can work from home will be doing so, and those who can’t will be on leave for the next two weeks. The number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama rose to 28 on Monday — 17 in Jefferson County; three in Tuscaloosa County; three in Shelby County; and one each in Baldwin, Elmore, Lee, Limestone and Montgomery counties. Nationally more than 3,400 cases of the coronavirus and 68 deaths have been reported. Read more about developments on the coronavirus front.

by Virginia Martin

Woodlawn: Change and Challenges Define a City Neighborhood

On one side of First Avenue North, Bayles Restaurant and Catering serves everything from thick hamburgers to lentil soup for a steady stream of residents, workers and even police officers. Across the street, other people flow into the soup kitchen offered by Grace Episcopal Church. A few blocks down at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, volunteers load boxes with meat, dry goods and vegetables for a regular food distribution to needy families. You don’t have to look far to see both the success of redevelopment and the challenges that remain in Woodlawn. The Health Community Assessment Tool compiled by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ranks Woodlawn among the top tier of Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods in business retention and economic health. The community ranks near the bottom on public safety and blight. Neighborhood leaders say change is coming and Woodlawn has seen rebirth in recent years – thanks to nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and a community of residents who refuse to let their neighborhood die. “We just had to stand up,” said Donna Hall, a former officer in the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association. Read more.

by Sherrel Wheeler Stewart

House Passes Coronavirus Relief Funds; Alabama’s Byrne Is in the Minority Opposing the Spending

Voterama in Congress WASHINGTON — The House overwhelmingly approved a coronavirus relief and economic stimulus coronavirus-related spending bill Saturday that would spend tens of billions of dollars in stimulus and safety-net spending to cushion the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., was among the minority voting against the bill, which passed 363-40. He said in a statement that representatives were given a 110-page bill and asked to vote on it 26 minutes later. “Although I agree with many of the provisions in this legislation, this is no way to govern. We should be sending a message of calm and steady leadership in the face of this crisis, not forcing through bills in the dead of night,” he said in the statement. Read more.

by Voterama in Congress

Schools, Food Banks Prepare to Feed Children During Coronavirus-Forced Closure

Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY — The Alabama State Department of Education as well as food banks throughout the state are working to feed children when schools close next week in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday that all public K-12 schools will be closed after Wednesday with the goal of reopening on Monday, April 6. Ivey also announced a state of emergency Friday. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said students on free and reduced-price lunch will still be given meals during closures and food banks around the state said they are prepared to help with the need. Several school systems have announced they would close as of Monday, earlier than the state-mandated closing, and that they would continue serving meals to children at the schools. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Life Goes on Despite the Coronavirus Threat

Many folks may be lying low because of the coronavirus threat or locked in lines under harsh fluorescent lights trying to stock up on toilet paper. But you would not have known it Saturday afternoon in Railroad Park. As passing clouds competed with the sun, people of all ages and backgrounds were in the park’s walkways and open spaces. There were dog-walkers, families, skateboarders, picnickers, Frisbee enthusiasts, sunbathers, kids on scooters and even a young lady in a ballgown celebrating her Quinceañera (15th birthday) with about a dozen friends, relatives and photographers. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Centers on Lockdown

Alabama nursing homes and assisted living facilities went into lockdown Saturday in the wake of the president declaring a national state of emergency from the COVID-19 virus. The facilities are implementing a no-visitors regulation from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald
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