Category: Coronavirus
Shut It Down: Jefferson County Officials Close the Doors of Bars and Restaurants, Make Gatherings of 25 People or More Illegal
The chief medical officer of Jefferson County laid down the law this evening in the war against the coronavirus, ordering “drastic efforts” to avoid contact with people who might have the disease.
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. That policy will be reevaluated at that time. They may, however, offer delivery and curbside take-out.
Also, all senior centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must be closed to visitors.
Dr. Mark E. Wilson said authorities are aware of 17 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Jefferson County but believe there are “many, many more.” Based on initial disease investigation, he said officials believe there is community spread of the virus within Jefferson County, not just spread from contact with people who have been out of the country. Across Alabama, the state Health Department is reporting 29 confirmed cases of the disease. Read more.
‘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.
Avoid These Myths About the Coronavirus
Desperate times call for desperate measures, the director of UAB’s Infectious Diseases said Monday in response to a question about various rumored remedies and treatments for the coronavirus that are being bandied about.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo said she has heard about supposed remedies ranging from gargling with Listerine to taking plant-based medicines.
She warned that suggested ways to avoid or treat the virus that don’t come from the medical world “are probably not credible.”
And there are many myths out there, such as statements that “everyone with COVID-19 dies.” That’s not true — or even close to being true.
What’s the Name of the Virus Causing this Pandemic?
What’s the Name of the Virus Causing this Pandemic
So, what is causing this pandemic? Coronavirus? COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2?
Same virus, different names. The formal name is SARS-COV2, but COVID-19 can be used, as can coronavirus.
Read more.
Alabama to Follow Feds on April 15 Tax Deadline Change
The Alabama Department of Revenue expects to delay the April 15 tax payment deadline for state tax filers but is waiting for direction from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Read more.
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.
Jefferson County and Birmingham Under Emergency Declarations for Coronavirus
The Jefferson County Commission and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin declared states of emergency for the county and city Monday in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The County Commission approved an emergency declaration and voted to close county facilities, effective at the end of business on Monday, until April 6. The commission will reevaluate the situation then.
Woodfin, in declaring the state of emergency for the city, suggested that events be limited to attendance of 25 people or less.
Read more.
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.
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.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Rise to 22, 12 in Jefferson County; Residents Continue Scavenging Supplies
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have risen to 22, 12 of them in Jefferson County. Also Sunday, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommended canceling any gathering of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Otherwise, Alabamians through the weekend flocked to stores, clearing out entire sections as they stocked up on supplies. Read more.
