June 5, 2020: Coronavirus Community Call -

Ben gave the following updates concerning the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state, and local news sources:

Wall Street was set to rally on Friday, as stocks around the world rose on hopes that government support would support an economic recovery.

Federal health officials announced Thursday that laboratories will be required to report race and ethnic data about each person tested for the coronavirus to ensure that those tests are being carried out on an equitable basis.

A pleasant surprise that went against all reporting and projections from major news sources over the last 24 hours:
This morning it was announced by The Department of Labor that the U.S. jobless rate fell to 13.3% in May and payrolls rose by 2.5 million, as signs suggest jobs are returning.
The unemployment rate was 3.5% in February and surged in April to 14.7%, the highest level for records dating from 1948. Census Bureau research shows the jobless rate peaked in the 20th century at about 25% in 1933.

As of this morning, GA has had 49,847 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,147 deaths from the disease.

And as of this morning AL has had 18,766 cases of COVID-19, with 9,355 of those individuals listed as recovered, with 651 deaths.

Mayor Henderson gave the following updates:

Continuing to monitor everything closely; expected the numbers to go up due to more accessibility to testing and loosening of restrictions
As of this morning, the positive cases are 697 with a total of 21 deaths in Muscogee County
Continuing to monitor the hospitalization rate; it went down a little yesterday; resources are not in danger of being depleted
The city is continuing to look at intelligently opening some recreational facilities
On June 12, the city will revisit opening athletic fields for recreational activity but not organized activity just yet
Strong reminder to citizens that the virus is still here and to practice social distancing, wear mask and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors

Pat gave the following updates:

Planning for rehousing programs going forward; guidance from Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Homeless System Response: Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization to Support and Respond to COVID-19 https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Changes-to-Coordinated-Entry-Prioritization-to-Support-and-Respond-to-COVID-19.pdf

Betsy gave the following updates:

Decisions for next week grant awards start today
Continue to help the fund help organizations; visit cfcv.com/coronavirus for more information and to donate
To date grant awards total $970,556; this is remarkable; grateful for our community

Melody gave the following updates:

All services are open
Slight increase in hospitalizations that has stabilized over the last few days; they are doing well
Appreciate all the support from the community