Science

Byrne to SBA: More Help, Clarity Needed for Small Businesses

Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Mobile, on Thursday led a bi-partisan letter to Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza asking the agency to offer more help and guidance for those seeking Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or EIDLs. In March, the SBA began allowing states to apply for the EIDL. The loan program helps qualified businesses and non-profit organizations recover from economic losses tied to the abrupt economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 disease and efforts to stop its spread. The program offers up to $2 million in assistance for an eligible small business, and advance grants of up to $10,000 are available. However, there are reports of “severe oversubscription” to the EIDL program and of the $10,000 advance grant being insufficient to meet the needs of businesses trying to survive in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the lawmakers wrote. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily New

Alabama’s COVID-19 Cases, Reported Deaths Double in the Past Eight Days

The number of people in Alabama who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, as well as those who are reported to have died, have roughly doubled in eight days’ time, according to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health. As of Thursday afternoon, the number of reported deaths stood at 133, compared to 64 on April 7. The number of those tested positive rose to 4,345 Thursday; the total was 2,107 eight days prior. Read more.

by Robert Carter

UAB’s Pastoral Care Team Counsels Health Care Workers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Hospital chaplains usually show comfort to patients or their families, but at UAB that has changed. During the coronavirus pandemic, the pastoral care team spends a lot of time counseling health care workers who are on the front lines. Read more.

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

Crime Slows as People Shelter from Coronavirus

Crime isn’t taking a coronavirus holiday, but law enforcement statistics show it headed in a positive direction as more people shelter from the pandemic. In fact, streets in the Birmingham area and around the world are not only safer from crime so far in 2020, but also from automobile accidents. Evidence indicates, however, that domestic disturbance calls in some communities are increasing as people spend more hours together at home. Read more.

by Scott Morris

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Top 4,000

UPDATED --- Alabama’s cases of COVID-19 rose to 4,075 Tuesday and the number of people who have been hospitalized since the pandemic began reached 525. Reported deaths in the state are up to 118. The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed 75 of those deaths and is investigating the remainder of the cases, in which people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 died. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Birmingham to Launch Ride Service for COVID-19 Patients

The city of Birmingham expects to launch a service this week to safely transport people to coronavirus testing sites. It’s an initiative through Birmingham Strong, a public-private civic coalition spearheaded by the city. Read more.

by Gigi Douban, WBHM

Alabama Makes Progress Slowing Virus’ Spread, Still too Soon to Reopen Economy, Ivey Says

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday said Alabama's social distancing measures appear to be slowing the spread of the coronavirus, but it is too soon say when shuttered businesses could reopen. Ivey expects to have recommendations by Friday from a small-business task force chaired by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth about how and when to allow different types of companies to resume operations. "And, as everybody knows, this is not a simple process like flipping on a light switch," Ivey said. Read more.

by Todd Stacy and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Blue Cross Waives Cost-Sharing, Co-Pays for COVID-19 Tests, Treatments, Hospitalizations

The state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, continues to waive cost-sharing, including co-pays, for those who need treatment for COVID-19. “We want our members to be assured that we are here for them as we navigate through this unprecedented time,” said Tim Vines, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s president, in a press release. “For our members diagnosed with COVID-19, we want them to have peace of mind knowing they have access to the care they need.” Read more.

by Will Whatley, Alabama Daily News

Alabama Parole Hearings to Resume May 18

Parole hearings will resume in Alabama in mid-May, under a supplemental emergency order issued by Gov. Kay Ivey. The order eases some of the restrictions set in Alabama statute about when and how parole hearings can be conducted as the state tries to limit person-to-person contact to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles said in an emailed statement that the May 18 start date follows the 30-day notice required for properly notifying crime victims and others. Leadership had halted hearings almost a month ago. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Auburn Professor to Start COVID-19 Vaccine Testing

An Auburn University professor will soon begin testing new COVID-19 vaccines to see how they work alone or with other ingredients to help slow the spread of the virus. Dr. Constantinos Kyriakis, an associate professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine, will head the testing while working with Professor Ted Ross, the director of the Center for Vaccines and Immunology at the University of Georgia. Kryiakis will begin animal trials to investigate the effectiveness of different vaccine candidates. The testing will involve vaccine candidates’ effectiveness at triggering an immune system response in pigs. The tests will see what other ingredients could trigger a greater immune system response, in order to make the most effective vaccine. Read more.

by Devin Pavlou, Alabama Daily News