Representatives of Jefferson County Unified Command expand on ‘safer-at-home’ order update

Following Gov. Kay Ivey’s morning press conference, the JCUC also held one Friday afternoon to discuss the changes to Alabama’s “safer-at-home” order, which will allow many businesses in the state to reopen Monday, May 11. 

The new order will be effective at 5 p.m. Monday, May 11, and will expire at 5 p.m. May 22. Businesses that may re-open include restaurants, bars, breweries, gyms, barbershops, hair salons, nail salons and tattoo shops.

Dr. Mark Wilson, Jefferson County Health Officer said that even though some restrictions are relaxed, residents should proceed with caution. 

The order issued Friday morning removes the 10 person limit on social gatherings, but Wilson said he is very concerned about the fact we do not have decreasing incidents of disease in the community. He added that just because something is allowed, it’s not necessarily the right or smart thing to do.

“COVID-19 is still quite steady and we are still seeing it in the community,” Wilson said. “I believe it was a decision that had to be made. We need to get back to business and work, but I am going to issue a strong recommendation that in Jefferson County, and if possible surrounding counties, people remain from having public gatherings greater than 10 people including worship services for at least two weeks until we see the effects after this.” 

Dr. Wilson said for those that are going out, he cannot urge enough how careful people need to be. He said the hospitals are doing okay, but doesn’t want them to be overwhelmed. 

He encourages people to get tested if they have any symptoms or believe they might have been exposed. Testing sites are still being expanded and will be listed on the Alabama Dept. of Health website. 

“There is currently plenty of testing capacity in Jefferson County,” Davis said. “Reasons to get tested have been broadened. They included cough, difficulty breathing, fever, chills... but now other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, diarrhea and loss of taste or smell.”

Face coverings are no longer required, but are strongly recommended. Dr. Wilson said he wants to get away from focusing on rules but for people to take responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This was a tough decision to make, and I’m sensitive to economic issues, but it does make me nervous,” he said. “If it were three months from now, I’d still be nervous about it. I want us to all work together and get this right.”

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, division director of infectious diseases at UAB said she echoed Dr. Wilson’s caution and that Jefferson County is well ahead of other parts of the state thanks to early implementation of social distancing measures. 

“Getting our activities back to normal really has to be done with excessive caution,” she said. We have really managed to maintain a steady rate of infections and it is very important to keep a manageable rate of people being hospitalized and require ventilators.”

Dr. Marrazzo said that a concern with the opening is if people don’t continue to take this evidence forward, the county will experience a backslide. 

“All the gains we’ve made in the last two months could be lost very quickly,” she said.

She still recommends people wear masks, stay at least 6 feet apart and practice aggressive hand hygiene. The challenge with the virus is that half of infections happen before people develop symptoms.

The COVID-19 symptom tracker remains a tool for Alabamians. It can be found at uab.edu/fightcovid19 and tracks progression of symptoms of communities in real time.