Government

Emergency Coronavirus Funding Approved, More Relief to Be Debated Next Week

Voterama KEY VOTES AHEAD Congress will take up its third coronavirus relief package in the week of March 23, a measure that could promptly send at least $500 billion in direct payments to individuals and households and provide bailouts to industries including the airlines. WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday, March 18, passed a $100 billion safety-net and economic stimulus package to help families, individuals and small and medium-size businesses cope with the first wave of the coronavirus outbreak, and the president signed it the same day. The Senate vote was near to a sweep with 90 for and eight against. Both Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, a Republican, and Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat, voted for the measure. Read more.

by Voterama in Congress

Prisons Close Doors to Many Incoming Inmates Because of COVID-19

UPDATED — Stepping up its response to one of its employees’ testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Friday its prisons will not take in any “new inmates from county jails for the next 30 days.” Others subject to the moratorium include those who have violated terms of their parole or probation and those ordered back to prison by a court. In a news release, the department said it would “continue to receive inmates with severe medical or mental health conditions, subject to the usual review process by the Department’s Office of Health Services.” It said it would screen those inmates to ensure they have no symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Ivey Authorizes National Guard Activation, If Needed, as COVID-19 Cases Rise to 106

Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday gave authorization for up to 100 National Guardsmen to be activated if needed in the battle against COVID-19. “While there is no immediate need for us to deploy our Guard, I have given authorization to Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon to be on standby, should our first responders and health care providers need additional support,” Ivey said in the statement. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

First COVID- 19 Case in a Prison Reported

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 has surfaced in the Department of Corrections, the department stated in a news release. The department said the person who tested positive was an administrative employee, not an inmate. Citing privacy and security reasons, the department did not disclose the individual’s name or workplace. “We will closely monitor inmate health at all facilities,” the department stated. “All individuals within the Department who have been in direct contact with the individual who tested positive are now in self-quarantine for a 14-day period." Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Dine-In Service and Beaches Closed; Could See a Shortage of Ventilators

The Alabama Department of Public Health on Thursday prohibited any gatherings involving 25 or more people, closed state beaches and child care facilities, prohibited on-site dining in restaurants and canceled non-emergency medical procedures. Gov. Kay Ivey said the order, effective through April 5, is the best way to contain the spread of the coronavirus and to stop a possible surge on Alabama hospitals and medical resources. “Despite our best efforts, the threat of the COVID-19 virus continues to spread and, unfortunately, we have not yet reached peak impact," Ivey said in a statement. “While I am pleased that many of our citizens are self-regulating and are practicing social distancing, we want to ensure that Alabama is doing our part to flatten the curve." Late Thursday, Ivey said her office and the Department of Public Health would offer further clarity on the 25-person rule for public gatherings and how it would be applied in business environments. As of Thursday afternoon, 78 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed statewide, up 28 cases from a day earlier. Jefferson County had the most cases at 34, followed by Lee County at 10, Shelby County at 9, Madison and Elmore Counties at 5, Tuscaloosa County at 4 and Montgomery County at 3. Baldwin, Calhoun, Chambers, Limestone, Mobile, Talladega and Walker Counties reported 1 case each. So far, in the U.S., 10,442 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed and 150 deaths are attributed to the disease, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Runoff Election Delayed to July; Political Campaigns Rethink Strategy

MONTGOMERY— Alabama political campaigns that were set for primary runoff elections on March 31 have to now adjust their strategies after Gov. Kay Ivey moved the election date to July 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ivey on Wednesday said delaying the election was the best way to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus while also allowing people to exercise their right to vote. “The ability to hold free and fair elections is an inherent right as citizens of the United States and the great state of Alabama, but the safety and well-being of Alabama citizens is paramount,” Ivey said. The decision greatly changes the political landscape in an already heated campaign season. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

In Public Health Emergency, Agencies Make Plans for Vulnerable Populations

State agencies that interact regularly with the public are now having to navigate new ways of reaching them, including vulnerable populations such as seniors and children. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Ivey Delays Alabama Primary Runoff Election Until July 14

 Gov. Kay Ivey today moved Alabama's primary runoff elections from next Tuesday, March 31, until July 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Exercising my extraordinary powers under the Emergency Management Act, I am setting Alabama’s Primary Runoff Election for July 14, 2020,” Ivey said during a news conference this morning. “The ability to hold free and fair elections is an inherent right as citizens of the United States and the great state of Alabama, but the safety and wellbeing of Alabama citizens is paramount." She said recommendations that people practice social distancing and avoid crowds would be difficult to maintain in election day. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Birmingham’s Coronavirus Response Includes Loan Program for Small Businesses, Increased Funding for First Responders

The Birmingham City Council will vote next Tuesday on an ordinance that would provide emergency loans to certain small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — but the program will need additional votes next week to take effect. The loan program would allocate nearly $1.2 million to revenue-generating small businesses affected by the novel coronavirus; individual businesses would be eligible for up to $25,000 in loans, with an anticipated average of $10,000 per business. The funding would come largely from the city’s general fund, which would contribute $1 million; the remaining $200,000 would be provided by the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “Part of what we have to do is bridge small businesses into a new economic environment in what is really a turbulent time,” Dr. Josh Carpenter, the city’s director of innovation and opportunity, told the council Tuesday morning. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Doug Jones: ‘We Don’t Want to Overrun This System Which is Already Under Stress.’

Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones likens the spread of coronavirus to a forest fire. “Only you can prevent this forest fire,” Jones says. “That’s how we need to approach this.” Jones says that means individuals should follow the advice of public health officials and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the disease. Health officials caution people not to go out unless necessary and wash hands frequently. Jones spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about coronavirus testing, the federal response, and its effect on Alabama’s upcoming runoff election. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM