The Parent Press: Important Coronavirus Updates, April 23
As you may have seen on my Facebook or Twitter, I disagree with Governor Kemp’s decision to reopen businesses (more detail on his order below) and think it’s too soon. Apparently Trump, Fauci, and Lindsey Graham do too. We saw 86 deaths from COVID-19 from Sunday night to Monday night, which is the most Georgia DPH has recorded within a 24-hour period.
Meanwhile, our testing still lags. Kemp indicated at his press conference that this shouldn’t cause a lot of concern because, while we are currently 45th in testing, we are ramping up so quickly that last week we were 28th fastest at ramping up testing. Personally, I do not believe that it is wise to be the first state out of the gate with re-opening when we have a large outbreak in our state and significantly lag the national average in testing capabilities. Kemp attempted to mitigate concerns about this by making an announcement that he has called upon Augusta University, home of the Medical College of Georgia, to lead the expansion of COVID-19 testing statewide. They will provide swabs as well by having the dental school print the swabs with a 3D printer. Augusta University is beginning to aid DPH Commissioner Dr. Toomey, the local departments of health, General Carden and the Georgia National Guard to stand up additional drive-through testing sites. A new location has opened in DeKalb TODAY at the Decatur Armory, 3736 Durham Park Road, Decatur, 30032.
Information provided by Augusta University regarding their virtual screenings is below. There are 2 documents; please review both.
Despite these steps forward, I have heard no specific plan that gives me any confidence that we will have the robust testing and contact tracing strategy necessary to open up by tomorrow. For example, the Augusta University virtual screening is a good step, it doesn’t account for asymptomatic transmission. It seems necessary to test a broader swath of the public. The current course of action is unnecessarily risky. You can hear more of my thoughts and concerns here, and watch a video presentation by experts as to the safe way to reopen here.
COVID-19 Cases in Georgia
As of Thursday, April 23rd, there are currently 21,512 cases in Georgia. Georgia DPH, the CDC, and the AJC are providing continuous updates on the number of cases and documenting cases by county. Out of the 21,512 cases currently, 1639 are from DeKalb County. DPH is updating their COVID-19 figures twice daily, at noon and 7 PM. They are now adding demographic data, including race, when it is known. However, as you can see from the Daily Status Report, there are still thousands of cases where the race is unknown, and there is admittedly a delay in DPH reporting cases and deaths at nursing homes.
Governor Kemp's Reopening of Businesses
On Friday, April 24th, bowling alleys, body art studios, gyms/fitness centers, nail salons, hair salons, barber shops, cosmetologists, estheticians, massage therapists, and their respective schools are all allowed to open with 20 guidelines, including but not limited to screening employees and customers for fever, increased sanitation, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, staggering shifts, and social distancing measures. You can read the executive order here.
Governor Kemp and the Georgia State Board of Cosmetologists and Barbers made an announcement on Tuesday about guidelines for reopening barber shops and salons.
On Monday, April 27th, movie theaters, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to open if they are following the specific social distancing and sanitation mandates.
Churches are allowed to hold in-person services despite several COVID-19 cases being linked to church and funeral services in Cartersville and Albany.
Bars, night clubs, amusement parks, and live-performance venues are to remain closed.
This morning the Governor sent this information to legislators as guidance for businesses reopening. Additionally, the Governor claims that his order does not allow local governments to implement different restrictions. Coronavirus Taskforce Members like Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms have expressed their surprise and displeasure about the new order because they were not consulted and now cannot enforce specific measures to protect their local jurisdictions.
Letter from Senate Democratic Caucus to Governor
I am proud to be a member of the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus. Yesterday leaders of the Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to Governor Kemp. Leader Henson and Chairwoman Butler asked the Governor to immediately rescind his executive order to reopen businesses on Friday and Monday. Our leaders are looking for decisions to be made based on science and data in order to prevent having an overwhelmed health care system and unnecessary deaths. Kemp’s decision is premature and doesn’t even meet the guidelines that the White House has recommended. I encourage you to read the letter in full and then contact our state’s top officials, including Kemp, Ralston, and Duncan.
Contact Georgia’s Top Leaders with Reopening Concerns
If you are as concerned as I am, then please contact Governor Kemp, Speaker Ralston, and Lieutenant Governor Duncan as they were all apparently part of this week’s decision and announcement.
Governor Brian Kemp -
404-656-1776, https://gov.georgia.gov/contact-us/constituent-services
Speaker David Ralston -
404-656-5020, david.ralston@house.ga.gov
Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan -
404-656-5030, Geoff.Duncan@ltgov.ga.gov
DeKalb CEO’s Executive Order
This afternoon DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond issued a new executive order called “COVID-19: The Path Forward,” a 30-day transition plan to reinforce pandemic mitigation measures and restore the economy. This order will go into effect tomorrow. Thurmond recognizes that while he cannot create and enforce a stricter order than the Governor’s, he can urge, advise, encourage, and implore residents, businesses, and organizations in DeKalb to take enhanced measures to protect the community from COVID-19. He encourages all residents of DeKalb to follow the CDC’s recommendations, including but not limited to wearing a cloth face mask in public, avoiding contact with sick individuals, washing hands often for 20 seconds, and disinfecting common surfaces frequently.
The order emphasizes that people who are over 65, live in a long-term care facility or nursing home, or who are “medically fragile” are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. People with underlying health conditions, including chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, severe obesity, and immunocompromisation, are at an increased risk as well. Those individuals are strongly advised to stay in their homes, except to seek medical care. The CEO notes that African Americans have been disproportionately affected by this coronavirus.
Additionally, Thurmond details 25 measures DeKalb County Government has put in place to protect employees and citizens and prevent the spread of COVID-19. He advises businesses who decide to open to not only follow the 20 guidelines from the Governor but also ten more “enhanced measures.” Churches and other houses of worship are encouraged to hold services remotely, but if people come onsite, they are asked to wear masks, limit the number to 10 people, and practice “social distancing.” You can read the complete order here.
CDC Recommendations for Making Your Own Mask
As I have said on social media, please continue practicing “social distancing” and stay home if you can. If you need to go out in public, please protect yourself and others by following the CDC’s recommendations and wearing a cloth mask. You can find out more about ways to make your own mask via the CDC.
Georgia Primary Ballots
The first wave of absentee ballots has gone out to 650,000 registered voters in the state. If you haven’t turned in your absentee ballot request form, please email, fax, or mail it to the DeKalb Board of Elections as soon as possible. Then be on the lookout for your ballot for the June 9th primary in the next few weeks. There will be at least two ballot dropboxes in DeKalb, but I am working with DPG to request more.
Email: absenteeballot@dekalbcountyga.gov
Fax: 404-298-4038
Mail: DeKalb County Registration & Elections
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300
Decatur, GA 30032
Testing at DeKalb Board of Health
The DeKalb Board of Health COVID-19 Call Center, which provides information about risks, symptoms, prevention, testing and community resources, is open Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, know you have been directly exposed to the virus, or are a worker on the front lines, call (404) 294-3700, then select Option 1, to schedule an appointment. Residents must be scheduled first in order to receive information regarding the location of the testing site and have access to it.
Apply for DeKalb Medical Reserve Corps
If you would like to apply for the DeKalb Medical Reserve Corps, call the DeKalb County Board of Health at 404-294-3700 or email dekalb.mrc@dph.ga.gov.
More information can be found at the following websites:
DeKalb: https://www.dekalbhealth.net/
Georgia: https://dph.georgia.gov/medical-reserve-corps-mrc
Federal: https://mrc.hhs.gov/HomePage
New Superintendents Announced
This week, Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Public Schools both announced new superintendent finalist candidates to lead their respective systems. APS plans to hire Dr. Lisa Herring and DeKalb County has announced Dr. Rudolph F. "Rudy" Crew.
Stay safe, stay well, stay home.