As Alabama nears the completion of its second full week of having a stay-at-home order in place, an element of restlessness has set in, particularly with employees and owners of small businesses that have been deemed non-essential.
A growing sense of urgency to get back open has shown up on social media and even from some owners willing to defy the state government mandate for the survival of their business.
Thursday, during an interview with Huntsville’s NewsTalk 92.5FM/770AM, State Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) offered an update from his Senate District 8 that occupies the northeastern corner of the state. According to Livingston, there have been some challenges for his constituents to adhere to some of the guidelines.
“When the order came down, I think it had a lot of people really concerned about where we were headed and what the future was,” Livingston said. “There was a lot of anxiety, and over time it has gotten a little bit easier, and people are trying to learn how to stay at home. This has been difficult, but even this week, as the sun has gotten to shine a little and after the weekend of storms, we’re starting to see more and more people moving around. Most of the small businesses in Scottsboro are closed down, unfortunately — and same in DeKalb County. But you go to the Walmart, the Home Depot — I know they are trying to social distance, but they’re still struggling. There’s not that much. But our stores, our grocery stores are getting re-stocked. We just had a run, but things are getting better. Things are definitely getting better.”
Livington stressed the desire of some to get the economy back up and running, which, as he revealed, was reflected in a letter he sent to Gov. Kay Ivey urging action.
“We’ve got some stores that may not be considered essential, but if you ask that business owner, I guarantee you both he and his bankers are going to tell you it’s absolutely essential because most likely he’s got some merchandise in there he owes the banker for,” he added.
“I took the liberty of sending a letter to Governor Ivey earlier this week — asking her to let us get our small businesses back open,” Livingston said. “It’s time. They can operate under the same plan that the grocery stores are operating under right now — so 20% of their capacity or whatever that number is and [not] be within six feet of each other. They can operate in that same capacity, same concept. I did that earlier this week. She’s received. I know she has got a lot on her mind. She’s not just talking about the economy, she’s talking about people and got to consider people’s welfare, too.”
The Republican said he agreed with comments made by State Senate President Pro-Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) a day earlier regarding the multifaceted approach to getting back up, and reminded listeners that economic activity is what funds state government.
“I think what Senator Marsh said — I don’t think there’s a one-step process that fits all,” he said. “I think it’s going to have to be selective. I think we’re going to have to look at multiple entry points to bring companies back online, or businesses back online. You can start with simple things first and work forward. I think the fact that we’re testing way more people in Alabama than we have in a while — I think the number is almost 37,000 today, and more kits will continue to come online. The further down the road we go, we’re going to have more availability of testing kits.”
“Until we get there, we’ve got to figure out how we’re going to open back up,” Livingston added. “I think you’re going to see that the topic of conversation the next few weeks. I think Alabama, as you understand — we have to get back to work. The state won’t run off of revenue that is nonexistent.
@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.
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