CORONAVIRUS: Donald Trump An Example Of Purposeful Leadership, No Hide And SeeK In Alabama
In an odd tragic way, the coronavirus is proving to many that Donald Trump is right on many of his Policy Directions. From the beginning, he made it clear that there is a need to vet the random migrants flooding into the United States. He was criticized and called names for the stand he took to protect the lives and properties of Americans against some extremist.
It is appropriate to say that the fear of coronavirus is the beginning of Wisdom in Caution, this is part of the measures being taken by the United States government.
As a way to prove his leadership acumen and Leadership by example, President Trump had to bow to calls for him to undergo coronavirus testing which he initially declined to do. Unlike what is obtainable in Nigeria and other African countries where leaders are not accountable to citizens.
Of course, the test result again proved him right as it turned out Negative. After testing himself, he went ahead to make it public.
Other leaders in America have taken great care to contain the spread of the coronavirus. A case in view is the coverage on the latest information on the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Alabama and resources to be prepared and keep your family safe.
As of 10 p.m. Saturday, the Alabama Department of Public Health said there were 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in six counties in the state, including five in Jefferson County and two in Tuscaloosa County. One of the Jefferson County cases is a Mountain Brook resident, according to city school officials.
CASE COUNT:
▪️ 5 in Jefferson County
▪️ 2 in Tuscaloosa County
▪️ 1 in Baldwin County
▪️ 1 in Elmore County
▪️ 1 in Limestone County
▪️ 1 in Montgomery County
▪️ 1 Out of state
COVID-19 HOTLINE:
ADPH has established a 24-hour hotline for persons who do not have a health care provider. Please call 1-888-264-2256 to speak with someone and to ask questions about coronavirus testing and/or health care providers. Getting a busy signal? Don’t give up! Try to call again.
Spread the word about the hotline.
Some school systems have announced they will excuse any student absences through March 18 while others are choosing to close prior to March 19. Hoover City Schools and Jefferson County Schools are excusing absences next week.
Schools now closing immediately:
- Alabaster City Schools
- Bessemer City Schools
- Birmingham City Schools
- Fairfield City Schools
- Homewood City Schools
- Hoover City Schools
- Jefferson County Schools
- Oneonta City Schools
- Pelham City Schools
- Shelby County Schools
- St. Clair County Schools
- Tarrant City Schools
- Vestavia Hills City Schools
Mountain Brook City Schools will be e-learning only from March 16 through March 18 before closing until April 3, and you can check with your child’s school if you have any questions or concerns about class next week.
The Alabama State Department of Education put together resources for parents as they prepare their children to be out of school for an extended period of time.
ALABAMA’S FIRST CASE
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Friday confirmed the first presumptive case of coronavirus in the state. Health officials said the person is a Montgomery County resident who recently traveled to a state with “community spread.” Watch the ADPH news conference update above or on WVTM 13’s Facebook page.
The governor later announced she was issuing a state of emergency to help with response efforts and said all K-12 schools will be closed starting March 19. All school sporting events have been canceled as well.
SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS
The Alabama Board of Education said it is seeking a waiver from the USDA to continue feeding students after schools close due to coronavirus.
“ALSDE CNP School Programs staff is seeking a waiver from the USDA for program requirements for serving meals in a congregate setting and the requirement to serve meals at school and non-school sites for Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) meal service to children during unanticipated school closures due to COVID-19.”
Click here for the ALSDE’s latest announcements regarding child nutrition programs.
The USDA said Friday it intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve the child nutrition programs:
“During an unexpected school closure, schools can leverage their participation in one of USDA’s summer meal programs to provide meals at no cost to students. Under normal circumstances, those meals must be served in a group setting. However, in a public health emergency, the law allows USDA the authority to waive the group setting meal requirement, which is vital during a social distancing situation.”
Click here to learn more or visit www.usda.gov.
ALABAMA SUMMARY
In December 2019, a new (or novel) human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) type emerged in China. At this time, it’s unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath appearing anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure.
This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The Alabama Department of Public Health and the CDC are providing updated information and guidance as it becomes available.
BIRMINGHAM RESPONSE
The city of Birmingham held a news conference shortly after the announcement to discuss its response plans. Hear what Mayor Woodfin and other city leaders said here
TUSCALOOSA RESPONSE
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox discussed the city’s latest plan for response and prevention of coronavirus after someone tested positive in Tuscaloosa County on Friday. Watch his news conference below or on Facebook here.
ALABAMA IMPACT
List below shows when Alabama colleges and universities will transition to distance learning only due to coronavirus:
- Alabama Community College System – March 17
- Alabama State – March 30
- Auburn University – March 16
- Jacksonville State University – March 13
- Miles College – March 30
- Samford University – March 16
- Shelton State Community College – March 30
- Troy University – March 16
- University of Alabama – March 30
- UAB – March 24
- University of Alabama Huntsville – March 16
- University of Montevallo – March 30
HOSPITAL RESTRICTIONS
Effective March 13, all Birmingham area hospitals and medical facilities will temporarily implement the following visitation restrictions to protect patients, staff, visitors, and our community from the potential spread of illness:
Visitors are limited to two per patient at this time.
Please do not visit if you have flu-like symptoms and/or cough, fever, and/or shortness of breath, runny nose/nasal congestion or sore throat.
It is highly recommended that children below the age of 14 not visit at this time, even when accompanied by adults.
Please do not visit if you have returned from a country the CDC has designated as “high risk” within the last 14 days.
Visitors are required to sanitize their hands when entering the clinics or hospitals and entering or exiting patient rooms. Visitors should continue to wash hands frequently during a prolonged visit.
MESSAGE TO CHURCHES
Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said Friday that churches should keep their services to 500 people or less. Wilson said if churches do not comply with the health department’s recommendation, legal action could be taken. Learn more in the video below or here.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY
President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to address the spiraling coronavirus pandemic as he seeks to calm a panicked nation amid mixed messages and growing criticism of his administration’s scattershot response. Trump said Saturday that he was tested for the coronavirus and was still awaiting the results. The White House said later the president tested negative forCOVID-19
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
RISK OF EXPOSURE
The immediate risk of being exposed to this virus is still low for most Americans, but as the outbreak expands, that risk will increase. People with the highest risk of exposure include:
- People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure, with the level of risk dependent on the location.
- Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
- Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
- Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure, with the level of risk dependent on where they traveled.
RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:
- Older adults, with risk increasing by age.
- People who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and/or lung disease
Alabama, Auburn spring football practice – Suspended
Indy Grand Prix of Alabama – Canceled
SWAC basketball tournament at Bartow Arena – Canceled
NCAA DII Track & Field Championships at CrossPlex – Canceled
SEC all organized team activities – Suspended until April 15
NCAA March Madness tournament – Canceled
NBA season – Suspended
MLB spring training – Canceled (Start of season delayed)
Birmingham Barons – Start of season delayed
PGA Tour events – Canceled thru Valero Open
United Soccer League (Birmingham Legion) season – Suspended
U.S. Space and Rocket Center – Closed until April 3
Elevate the Stage at Legacy Arena – Canceled
Greater Birmingham Humane Society Adopt-a-Thon – Postponed
Birmingham Heart Ball – Rescheduled to May 9
Our prayers are with you as you continue to provide your people with purposeful leadership always.
