coronavirus

No Party, No Disco, No Fooling Around. State Closes All but Essential Businesses and Services.

Gov. Kay Ivey today announced intensified efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak in Alabama, with the state health officer prohibiting all non-work gatherings of 10 or more or of any size where people can’t stay 6 feet apart. The new order goes into effect starting at 5 p.m. Saturday and is expected to remain in effect until 5 p.m. April 17. The new order is from the state health officer and follows the lead of other authorities that have mandated a wide range of businesses and activities deemed non-essential most close or not operate. In announcing the order today, Ivey said: “Rather than shutting the entire state down, I propose a different solution. Today, I join Dr. (Scott) Harris in announcing a specific list of non-essential businesses that will close until April 17. If you can stay home, you are safer at home.” Read more.

by Nick Patterson

3 Deaths, 604 Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Alabama

Three people have died of COVID-19 in Alabama, the Alabama Public Health Department reported today as the number of confirmed cases of the disease rose to 604 in 52 of the state’s 67 counties. All three of the deaths were in the Tennessee Valley in north Alabama — one each in Jackson, Lauderdale and Madison counties. The Birmingham area continued to be the hot spot, with 179 cases in Jefferson County and 67 in Shelby County, according to the Health Department. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

BAO Finds Workarounds to Continue Services Despite COVID-19 Threat

Birmingham Aids Outreach hasn’t let up on the services it provides to HIV-positive clients and members of the LGBTQ community. But the demands of social distancing have demanded the group re-create how it’s doing some usually ordinary things, said Karen Musgrove, CEO of BAO. See how the group is working around the difficulties.

by Tom Gordon

Public Schools Closed for the Year; State Will Offer Alternative Learning Opportunities

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday afternoon that public school students will not return to the classrooms this school year. Beginning April 6, the state will offer alternative learning methods of instruction. The state education superintendent is to complete that plan of instruction, Ivey said during a press conference. “Local school districts will make staffing decisions and determinations related to access to school buildings” based on state health directives, Ivey said. “We want to prevent a slide in students’ learning and achievement, and we are doing the best we can,” she said. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Speaker: No Date Certain for Resuming Session; Senate Talks April 28

UPDATED: MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature is on hold for now, and it’s unclear when legislators will return to Montgomery. The regular session ends May 18, and House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said he’s not sure whether the House could reconvene before that, making a special session likely. On the Senate side, leaders are talking about returning to the State House on April 28. Budgets and other important legislation had not been passed when legislators left Montgomery to combat the spread of COVID-19. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Alabama Schools Close Through the End of the Year

Schoolhouse doors will be closed in Alabama through the end of the term to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Kay Ivey and state school Superintendent Eric Mackey began a press conference to announce the decision at 4 p.m. Going forward, schools are directed to use alternative methods of instruction. A full story will be published after the press conference.

by BirminghamWatch

As COVID-19 Cases Increase, Medical Staffing Shortages a Concern

As Dr. Don Williamson saw the coronavirus approach Alabama, he said he worried about three areas of potential shortages in the state. First was the number of hospital beds, ventilators and other equipment that would be needed. Second was personal protection equipment for medical professionals to shield them, and then others, from the virus. Third was the medical staff itself. “I have real concerns about COVID-19 on health care workers,” Williamson, the executive director of the Alabama Hospital Association and former state public health officer, said. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Number of Alabama COVID-19 Cases Rises to 466, Spread Across 48 Counties

There have been 466 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama, the state Department of Public Health reports today. The disease has been reported in 48 on Alabama's 67 counties, led by Jefferson County with 142 cases, Shelby Count with 50 and Lee County with 45. One death from the disease has been reported, that of a Jackson County resident. The person's name and other information about the case have not been disclosed, except for the fact that the patient was a part-time employee at the county courthouse in Scottsboro. a href=" https://birminghamwatch.org/number-alabama-covid-19-cases-rises-449-spread-across-45-counties/ "> Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Senate Passes $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill

The Senate late Thursday night voted 96-0 to pass at $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. Both of Alabama’s senators voted for the bill. Members of the House of Representatives have been called back to Washington to take up the bill Friday morning. Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat, said the bill wasn’t perfect, but it did include a lot of good things for the state. Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, a Republican, said the bill would help state and local governments that are in desperate need while grappling with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

Rush Hour on 22nd Street

The scene on the usually congested 22nd Street South near the UAB area was much different than usual Wednesday. (Source: Tom Gordon)

by Tom Gordon