coronavirus Archives - Page 104 of 108 - BirminghamWatch
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coronavirus

UAB Infectious Disease Expert With COVID-19 Says “Stay Home”

Dr. Michael Saag knows a thing or two about infectious diseases. He’s director of the Center for AIDS Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Right now, though, he’s a patient. Saag announced Tuesday that he’s tested positive for coronavirus. Saag said he was being vigilant by practicing social distancing, wiping down surfaces, washing his hands frequently and trying not to touch his face, but the coronavirus is so contagious he caught it anyway. His message to others? “Stay at home! Do not go out unless it’s essential,” Saag said. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

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

Samford Offers Website with Information About Coronavirus in Alabama

Samford University has developed a website that provides information about the coronavirus pandemic in Alabama. The pandemic data dashboard features information on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alabama, nationally and globally. It has a map showing the distribution of cases; users can click on any of the state's 67 counties for information about cases and risks there. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

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

Amid Historically Low Unemployment, Uptick Expected From Virus Impact

MONTGOMERY— State officials announced this week Alabama's January unemployment rate remained at a record low 2.7%, but an uptick is expected eventually as businesses and industries are affected by the coronavirus and efforts to slow its spread. To help those affected by business closures or slowdowns, the Alabama Department of Labor has modified existing rules to allow workers affected by COVID-19 to file a claim for unemployment compensation benefits. Read more.

by Will Whatley, Alabama Daily News

Schools Keep Feeding Students During Closures

At several Morgan County Schools today, administrators will be handing out grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts for what was supposed to be the rest of the school week to nearly 2,000 students who requested them. On Monday, staff will do it again, handing out 10 meals for students to eat during the week. At Russellville City Schools, there’s one pick-up point available Monday through Friday for any student in the system to get a lunch for that day and breakfast for the next day. Across the state, public K-12 school systems are figuring out how to feed the students who often rely on school meals while they’re closed at least through early April in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Read more.

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

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
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