Coronavirus

Farm Product Prices Fall Amid Pandemic, but No Shortage in Food Pipeline

Alabama’s 33,000-member agriculture workforce continues to operate as essential, but the coronavirus has impacted how much some will get paid for their work. “Crops still have to get in the ground, cattle have to be doctored,” Brady Ragland, a commodity director for Alabama Farmers Federation, told Alabama Daily News. “Those activities have to go on.” Some agriculture enterprises — such as farmers markets and cattle auctions — have shifted online where possible because of the coronavirus. But even before the pandemic, farmers were bracing for a tough year. “Farm income is expected to be considerably lower,” Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate said last week. “Commodity prices including cotton, corn, milk and live cattle have fallen significantly. The coronavirus outbreak has affected commodity prices across the board and is likely to do so for several months.” Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Sign of the Times: Chin Up Alabama!

Fitz Hand Painted Signs, a Homewood business, left this message of encouragement on the side of Battle Republic, a boxing fitness club. (Source: Tom Gordon)

by Tom Gordon

COVID-19 Count for Alabama Reaches 2,229, With 65 Deaths

Alabama has 65 reported deaths of people who tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Public Health, reported today. Updated figures show that 48 of those deaths have been officially attributed to the disease, with the remainder under investigation. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state rose to 2,229. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Virus Tsunami Could Swamp Alabama’s Health Care, Particularly in Rural Areas

• 17 privately run hospitals have closed in Alabama since 2010, seven in rural areas. • 88% of rural hospitals operate in the red. • 36 counties have only one hospital, seven have no hospitals. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t hit its peak in Alabama yet, and when it does, it could be a major disaster for the state’s health care infrastruc-ture, according to Dr. Donald Williamson. “I’m seeing this whole thing as a tsunami,” he said. “Right now, for most of the state, we’re in that pre-tsunami period where the water is actually being pulled out to sea and everything looks quiet. I think you’re already beginning to see the tip of the tsunami in Birmingham and other places, and I think the tsunami will over the next several weeks and months wash over the state, causing great devastation to our health care sys-tem.” As president and CEO of the Alabama Hospital Association, Williamson has watched Alabama’s medical infrastructure deteriorate over the past 10 years. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

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

Birmingham Sets Aside $500,000 for Employee Hazard Pay

Birmingham will provide hazard pay to select city employees during the COVID-19 crisis, the City Council decided Tuesday. Mayor Randall Woodfin told councilors that the pay increase, which will last for one month, will go to 1,978 city employees “that engage in some form or shape with the public.” That includes 922 police and corrections officers; 607 fire and rescue service employees; 220 public works employees; 100 planning, engineering and permits employees; 90 municipal court employees; 29 finance department employees; and 10 City Hall security officers employed by the mayor’s office. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

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

Alabama Tops 2,000 COVID-19 Cases

Alabama has logged 2,006 cases of COVID-19 and 32 confirmed deaths, according to Monday night updates from the Alabama Department of Public Health. Officials are investigating another 21 deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus, which could push the state’s death toll to 53. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama Labor Department Urges Patience for Unemployment Claims

Alabama has seen a record number of unemployment claims because of the coronavirus. The state Department of Labor is trying to keep up. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

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