coronavirus

Lawyers: Set Parole Hearings, Prevent Virus Spread in Alabama’s Crowded Prisons

A group of law school faculty members and former prosecutors has written Gov. Kay Ivey urging her to have the state Board of Pardons and Paroles hold expedited hearings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to Alabama’s prison population. “The Board should prioritize the release, if necessary into 14-day quarantine, of prisoners age 50 and over and those with compromised immune systems,” the letter stated. “Alabama should recognize the parole system as one avenue through which to ameliorate the public-health threat posed by our overcrowded prisons.” Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Alabama COVID-19 Numbers: 935 Confirmed Cases, 6 Deaths

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose by more than 100 to 935 today, the Alabama Public Health Department reported.  Six deaths from the virus have been confirmed by state health officials. The coronavirus has now been reported in 59 of the state's 67 counties. While the official death count stood at six, more deaths have been reported by hospitals; the state has a process to verify the virus was to blame before including deaths in the official numbers. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama Bankers Association CEO Says Banks Are Secure During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has many people wondering about their economic future and the safety of their money. Banks report experiencing more cash withdrawals in the last few weeks. In fact, demand was so high at one Manhattan bank that it temporarily ran out of $100 bills.  Experts say hoarding cash can be risky, both financially and to your health.  Scott Latham is President and CEO of the Alabama Bankers Association. He says banks across the state have been preparing for a crisis of this magnitude for years with help from the Alabama Recovery Coalition. Read more.

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

No Need to Worry About Drinking Water During the COVID-19 Crisis, ADEM Director Says

Public drinking water is safe, and one thing Alabama residents don’t need to worry about, as the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the state, the director of the Alabama Department of Environment said. “With so many things Alabamians have to worry about – their jobs, social distancing, the welfare of loved ones, gathering food and other necessities -- the safety of their drinking water shouldn’t be one of them,” ADEM Director Lance LeFleur said. “The water they get from their tap, whether it’s from a large municipal system or a small, rural utility, is 100 percent safe due to the proven safety requirements they are required to follow and that ADEM enforces. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Gun Sellers, Payday Lenders Remain Open in Alabama as ‘Essential Business’

A payday lender in Jefferson County said he’s seen a recent decrease in the short-term loans taken out by Alabamians, but advocates for more regulation on that industry are worried more people will turn to loans as businesses remain closed. Read more.

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Coronavirus Scams Peddling Fake Cures and Work-at-Home Schemes on the Rise

There’s been a sharp uptick in malicious online activity in Alabama and elsewhere in recent weeks. Scammers are increasingly using fake emails, social media posts, and text messages to steal passwords, money, and personal information from unsuspecting users. Gary Warner, head of research in computer forensics at UAB, says scams around COVID-19 have proliferated. Retailers are peddling all sorts of bogus remedies. Spam email subject lines say things like ‘Are you safe from Corona?’ and ‘Would you like to protect your family from Corona?’ Following these links can redirect users to download a program that infects a computer with malware to steal passwords. Warner says high anxiety around coronavirus has created the perfect panic moment for scammers. Read more.

by Gigi Douban, WBHM

Artist Shares Encouraging Words

Birmingham artist Veronique Vanblaere, who was the longtime owner of the Naked Art gallery in Forest Park, is working from her home studio and during sleepless moments has done some sketches that reflect life during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Courtesy of Veronique Vanblaere) Read more.

by Tom Gordon

UAB to Test Potential COVID-19 Vaccine

The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the biopharmaceutical company Altimmune Inc. will test a potential vaccine for COVID-19, the university announced today. Testing of the vaccine, AdCOVID, which was developed by the company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, will begin in mice during the second quarter of this year. That phase of testing, designed to show the immune response to the drug in mice, is expected to take one to two months, UAB said in announcing the collaboration. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

‘Critical Shortage Everywhere’ of Personal Protective Equipment

Like a lot of places these days, the Homewood Public Library is closed. But on Saturday, Dr. Theresa Northern was sitting out front with large cardboard boxes, awaiting donations of personal protective equipment, or PPE. Northern is part of a Birmingham group for physician moms, which has organized donation drives the past two weekends. “We’ve gotten a lot of gloves and some masks as well,” Northern said. The group is specifically requesting N95 masks, or respirators, which have special filters that can help protect against the coronavirus. Other types of PPE also needed by health care providers include face shields and isolation gowns. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Rise to 831, With 6 Deaths

Confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 826 today, up 60 cases from last night, the Alabama Public Health Department reported. Four deaths from the virus have been confirmed by state health officials. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch