Coronavirus and District Updates

Getting Back to Business

Back here in Alabama, Governor Ivey instituted a new executive order that went into place at 5pm yesterday afternoon that loosens some restrictions on businesses, recreation, and health care services. As you know, I wrote the Governor last week and gave her my recommendations on how to begin that process. I am happy that the Governor took my recommendations seriously and implemented some changes that are beneficial for everyone in our state.

I think this is a solid step in the right direction and paying close attention to the results of this new order will be incredibly important as we continue to move forward and reopen our state. In case you did not hear the Governor's plan, here are a few highlights of what is changing:

• You are now encouraged to stay at home, not mandated.
• Most retail stores may open, but they can only reach 50% occupancy and must abide by social-distancing and sanitation rules.
• Beaches will be open but no gatherings of 10 people or more are allowed, and 6 feet of separation is required.
• Medical procedures are allowed but are subject to change if medical resources are needed to treat COVID-19 cases.

For more information on this order from the Alabama Department of Public Health, please click here.

Coronavirus Update

As I mentioned earlier, Congress passed a bill last week that will go towards replenishing the PPP and shoring up hospitals and health care providers that are suffering because of COVID-19. The Small Business Administration was able to re-start the PPP with the additional $310 billion we passed, and as of this week small businesses can again apply for the PPP. Additionally, the bill included:

• $75 billion for reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare providers to help bridge the gap for COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue.
• $50 billion for the Disaster Loans Program Account.
• $25 billion for necessary expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests.
• $10 billion for Emergency Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) grants.

Thank You Teachers

Teacher Appreciation Week starts on Monday and I want to take a moment and say thank you to all of the wonderful teachers across Alabama. The unique circumstance since March has presented teachers with new challenges in figuring out how to educate students through distance learning, while also keeping everyone on the right track. As a father, I know how important a good education is for your kids, and I also understand that no two students are alike, they all learn in different ways and at different paces. Teachers know this too, and they go the extra mile time and time again to care for students and ensure they have everything they need to succeed.

It's a shame we can't thank our teachers in person this year for their incredible and selfless work, but I hope we can all find a way to reach out and show our gratitude to all the educators we know and love throughout the course of this week. Thank you, teachers! 

4th District Art Competition

Each year, all 435 Congressional Districts across the country hold an art competition for students.  And each year, we normally have an awards ceremony somewhere in the district where we can personally recognize the students and have a reception with their teachers and family.

However, because of COVID-19, we had to cancel the in-person ceremony.  We normally have around 150 entries, but this year, because schools were closed, we only received 50 entries.  But from what I've heard from other Congressional offices, this was a great response.

We held our ceremony over Facebook Live this morning and it went well.  You can watch the ceremony here.

The drawing featured above won our Best of Show.  Guntersville High School student Courtney Lupton drew the picture.  She will receive a scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design and also get to come to Washington, D.C. for the national ceremony.

Congratulations to all of the winners!