
Another month and several “public health orders” have passed since I wrote my last column. The most recent “Safer at Home” order issued by Gov. Ivey has allowed some of our businesses to operate under CDC guidelines for social distancing and limiting customers to half of the occupancy limit. Slowly, but surely, we are returning to some degree of normalcy.
I want to commend our citizens for taking the “Stay at Home” order seriously. Along with our sister cities, we have been able to slow the spread of the coronavirus throughout Alabama, and this has enabled the reopening of our businesses.
Now more than ever, we need to support our local businesses. Local businesses are the life-blood of our city’s economy. We must have them “up and running” to get our economy back on track.
That said, we still need to be vigilant in following the social distancing and hand-washing safety protocols.
During times of fear and uncertainty, the very best elements of human nature can prevail, as is the case in these coronavirus-related good news stories we’ve found from around the nation. They demonstrate the power of displaying care and kindness to those less fortunate or able than you in a crisis.
Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Dollar General and other retailers have announced that they will devote opening of shopping time to elderly customers. Utility companies, internet providers and other businesses are waiving late fees and payments to ease the financial burden of the shutdown. School districts across the country are still opening their doors to serve meals for kids and families.
On the local level, Leadership Vestavia Hills Hunger Awareness Project organized a food delivery program to provide meals for some 500 students who were receiving free or reduced price lunches. In partnership with area restaurants, they were able to raise the funding to support the restaurants and provide packaged meals. With the help of area churches, the program has continued beyond spring break with plans to continue throughout the school year.
The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club recognized the efforts of our first responders by donating gift cards from area restaurants to our police and fire departments.
Pastor Ron Higey with Birmingham International Church and one of the Vestavia Hills Chaplains has a food pantry set up to provide groceries to those in need.
It is refreshing to see our citizens, churches, businesses and civic clubs helping others in a time of need. We don’t know how long this will last, but I am certain that this, too, shall pass.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week that date falls in as Police Week. This year, Police Week was observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16. Peace Officers Memorial Day honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Join me in thanking our police and first responders for their service to our city.
I will leave you with words from Queen Elizabeth in a rare public address to the United Kingdom: “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return; we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”