Some businesses, including barbershops, nail salons, beauty parlors, bars, restaurants and breweries are still awaiting word from the state of Alabama they can reopen, and guidance on when they open for what should be put in place as the coronavirus pandemic continues its impact on the economy. Also left out of the first phase of reopening were religious gatherings at houses of worship.
State Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed (R-Jasper) indicated he was optimistic that word from Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris was coming soon on those elements.
During an interview with Huntsville radio’s WVNN on Wednesday, Reed discussed those issues, primarily as they were related to his State Senate District 5, which includes Walker and Fayette Counties and portions of Jefferson, Winston and Tuscaloosa Counties, and what he heard from his constituents.
Reed indicated there were two key takeaways: the COVID-19 threat and reopening the economy.
“I’m hearing a lot of folks that are saying we are concerned about the virus,” he explained. “We’ve been trying to do the right thing. I’m proud of the people in my district, as well the people of Alabama who have listened carefully to the requirements on social distancing and some of the threats that are there from the virus and have done a very good job in being able to apply those, even though we don’t want to, to our daily lives. That is what I’ve seen and heard that has begun as a very significant practice of people that are in my district.”
“At the same time, I hear from people in my district saying, ‘We want to get back to work,’ or, ‘We want to get the economy started again,’” Reed continued. “And I was proud to see Dr. Harris and the governor be able to open up, for all businesses to be able to move back — small businesses and the like. But I also still hear from folks in my district that say, ‘We want to get a haircut,’ or, ‘We want to get our salon business started again,’ or, ‘We want to be able to have the opportunity to be able to go out and eat at a restaurant.’ Restaurant owners are saying, ‘We know curbside is available. Drive-thrus are successful, and we’ll still be doing that. But can we find a way to navigate, to be able to allow folks to sit in our restaurants, to be able to have the opportunity, as well.’”
“I have encouraged the governor and Dr. Harris and others, as I sit on the coronavirus task force appointed by the governor — it is very important that we look for as soon as possible a way those things can begin again,” he said. “I’m hoping and trusting that some information is going to be going to the governor. I understand that even today from the coronavirus executive committee, which is a group from our task force that looked very specifically at some of these issues related to potentially churches some advice on houses of worship, as well as the personal service industry, salons and the like — and of course restaurants and some other businesses that fall in those kinds of categories. We’ll see what transpires there.”
Reed added that he had been pleased with the people in his district for understanding the serious nature of the coronavirus. He also predicted the next possible significant task for the legislature to tackle was how the state should deal with federal monies and resources allocated for handling the fallout from the pandemic.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly and host of Huntsville’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 2-5 p.m. on WVNN.
