Responding to the coronavirus pandemic, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms declared a state of emergency for the city on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Lance Bottoms tweeted that she enacted the measure to slow the spread of the virus, which is spreading in the metro area.
Coronavirus Pandemic: Atlanta Mayor Declares State of Emergency
“In an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, I have declared a State of Emergency within the city of Atlanta, prohibiting large public gatherings of more than 250 people,” she posted.
Lance Bottoms tweeted two pages of the declaration, which says,
In an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, I have declared a State of Emergency within the city of Atlanta, prohibiting large public gatherings of more than 250 people. pic.twitter.com/D8A3vwjtYW
The news came the same day that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommended that for the next eight weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies,” the CDC says in its guidance. “These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.”
After learning of the Atlanta-based CDC’s recommendation, Lance Bottoms later tweeted: “This is a quickly evolving public health crisis. The CDC’s recommendation of limiting public gatherings to 50 people came just as I was signing and announcing this Order. We will continue to evaluate and adjust our policies accordingly.”
Roads around the city on Sunday were unusually empty at times, a sign that residents were doing their best to stay at home during the pandemic.
What Does The Atlanta State Of Emergency Mean For You?
For individual Atlantans, the state of emergency means that many of the city’s annual large events are in limbo or canceled.
As of now, the city’s restrictions include:
No public gatherings of 10 or more
No dining inside restaurants
Closure of all bars and gyms
Some parks, local monuments and the Beltline remain open as of now, but the city is under pressure to close them as well.
Huge festivals that usually take place in venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia World Congress Center and even Piedmont Park are having to be reconsidered.
Atlanta has taken several steps already to curtail the coronavirus, including cancellation of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, Atlanta United matches and more.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. Here are some helpful links:
As you well know, thecoronavirus pandemic has changed society as we know it. the illness has made “social distancing” a reality for millions of Americans.
If you’re going to do this social distancing thing, you’ll need to stock up on some items (not toilet paper).
Checklist: Your Pantry List For Home Preparedness
We’re going to show you a list of what you need to buy for your pantry. At the bottom, get your FREE printable pantry list from Atlantafi.com.
Music artist, actor and former Stone Mountain resident Donald Glover dropped a new album overnight on Sunday, March 15, just what we need to enjoy our “social distancing.”
Glover, who stars in the FX series Atlanta, is a huge music star with hits like This is America, Feels Like Summer, Redbone.
Donald Glover Presents: New Album
The new Childish Gambino album is streaming on DonaldGloverPresents.com, a new website that was spread on social media byGlover’s manager Fam Rothstein.
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
The coronavirus pandemic is a global health crisis that has affected mankind for nearly two years. With vaccinations underway, COVID-19 has created a new normal. But what does that mean specifically for you?
There are some burning questions that you may need answers to and with information culled from various health sources, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, we’ve got them.
Coronavirus is the name of a group of viruses that include the common cold and other flu-like sicknesses.
Coronaviruses are named based on the Spanish word for “crown” (corona), which alludes to the crown-like spikes that protrude from the virus as it appears under a microscope.
The exact name of this coronavirus is “SARS-CoV-2”. The illness it causes is being called “Coronavirus 2019,” or COVID-19 for short.
The Delta variant first emerged in India in December 2020 and quickly spread around the world.
Chinese scientists discovered this novel coronavirus in December 2019, when cases began to be reported by Wuhan-area health clinics.
It has now spread to more than 100 cities across the world, including the United States.
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak an international health emergency.
On March 11, WHO declared it a pandemic.
How Many Coronavirus Cases Are In The US?
The cases of coronavirus continue to grow in the United States. Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, according to the Johns Hopkins University online tracker,
As of May 2020, every state has reported a coronavirus case, and many of them are seeing the numbers rise even as they re-opened their economies.
How Long Does Coronavirus Last?
As for how long does coronavirus last on surfaces?According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Princeton, and the University of California, Los Angeles, here’s what they say:
“We found that viable virus 36 could be detected in aerosols up to 3 hours post aerosolization, up to 4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on 37 cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel. HCoV-19 and SARS-CoV-1 exhibited similar 38 half-lives in aerosols, with median estimates around 2.7 hours. Both viruses show relatively long viability 39 on stainless steel and polypropylene compared to copper or cardboard: the median half-life estimate for 40 HCoV-19 is around 13 hours on steel and around 16 hours on polypropylene.”
If You Think You’re Sick, Here’s What To Do
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, the CDC says you may develop the following symptoms:
Fever
cough
difficulty breathing
If you experience any of those symptoms, the CDC advises that you call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Georgia health officials have been working hard to get more doses delivered to the state. Metro Atlanta now has several places that are doing inoculations for Georgia residents.
If you are at higher risk of getting sick, health authorities ask that you stay indoors as much as you can. Call your doctor to get 90-day prescriptions.
See if you can go to the grocery store to pick up supplies to last you several days. More importantly, if you feel sick, call your doctor.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some helpful links:
With the European travel ban due to the coronavirus pandemic in effect, many wonder if a domestic travel ban is next at Hartsfield-Jackson as well as other international airports.
The travel ban from parts of Europe went into effect Friday, March 13 as U.S. officials try to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
What Is The Travel Ban From Europe?
The European travel restrictions mean that Europeans are banned from flying to the United States for 30 days.
All U.S. travelers who have come back are being screened for coronavirus upon arrival at 13 U.S. airports.
What Are The 13 Airports Screening For Coronavirus?
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Massachusetts
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California
Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
Is A Domestic Travel Ban Likely?
Meanwhile the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says domestic travel restrictions are unlikely in “the immediate future.”
Fauci, speaking to ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, says domestic travel restrictions “have not been seriously discussed.”
“I don’t see that right now in the immediate future but remember, we are very open-minded about whatever it takes to preserve the health of the American public,” Dr. Fauci tells @jonkarl when asked if the U.S. could impose domestic travel restrictions. https://t.co/b3vhObQa4cpic.twitter.com/4lcY79Lg0m
Since Georgia’s governor declared an emergency, following that of the federal government, millions of Atlantans are sticking to a plan of self-isolation. That means movie time.
Coincidentally, one of the movies streaming on Netflix right now is Containment, about a disease outbreak in Midtown Atlanta. Sound familiar?
Containment, which stars David Gyasi, Christina Marie Moses and Chris Wood, debuted four years ago on the Sci Fi network.
The movie is about a viral contagion that spreads through Atlanta. Authorities impose a precarious quarantine on the city while trying to find a cure.
Here Are Some Other Netflix Movies Filmed in Atlanta
Gone are the days when production would commence in L.A. movie lots. Along with the megalist of movies filmed here, Netflix movies are being filmed en masse in Atlanta.
If you’re wondering which films, shows and docuseries, here is a list:
Stranger Things
The “Stranger Things” franchise has been a hit for three seasons now on Netflix. The weird fantasy-sci fi drama focuses on strange happenings in a small town.
The series has filmed in various places around metro Atlanta, including Gwinnett Place Mall for some spooky scenes.
This fantastical series debuted in the fall of 2019 on Netflix. The project centers on a little boy with special powers and a mother trying to process it all. Actor Michael B. Jordan played a major role in getting the project made and also stars.
The Netflix series “Ozark” stars Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde, a financial planner who relocates his family from Chicago to the Ozarks. Laura Linney plays his wife Wendy. Sofia Hublitz and Skylar Gaertner play the couple’s kids.
“Insatiable” is a movie about a teenage girl who loses weight and immediately becomes popular at school. All at the direction of a disgraced civil lawyer-turned-beauty pageant coach.
Made by High Noon Entertainment, Battlox is a Netflix series that is a game show. It is currently in production in Georgia and is set to debut in 2020.
Fall From Grace
Made by Tyler Perry Studios here in Atlanta, Fall From Grace is a movie that filmed in five days. It is a Netflix favorite.
The Hunger Games. is a sci fi series based on a dystopian future where teens Katniss and Peeta are drafted for a televised event pitting young competitors against each other. The movie was partially filmed in Atlanta.
Atlanta continues to be the epicenter of modern-day movie making in the United States. There have been more than 700 TV and movie productions in the last few years. And it’s not going to stop anytime soon.
If you have a great TV or film idea, you can shop it at Tyler Perry Studios or even film it with the movie equipment you need. Whatever, Atlanta is the movie capital of the world.
Delta Air Lines announced Friday that it is cutting its capacity by 70% as travel demand plunges to unseen levels due to thecoronavirus pandemic.
The Atlanta-based company said that it is experiencing “unprecedented revenue impact.”
The airline industry has been hit the hardest by the coronavirus pandemics, especially after the U.S. instituted a travel ban from most of Europe.
Coronavirus Pandemic Causes Delta To Cut Capacity
Cancellations are rising dramatically with net bookings now negative for travel over the next four weeks. To put that in perspective, we’re currently seeing more cancellations than new bookings over the next month,” the company said in a news release.
Other measures Delta is implementing include the following:
Suspending flights to continental Europe, except for London
Instituting a hiring freeze and offering voluntary short-term, unpaid leaves immediately
Parking up to 300 aircraft
Along with other major airlines, Delta is currently waiving change fees for all flights booked between March 1-31.
The no-fee flight changes also apply to international flights previously booked and scheduled to fly in March.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some helpful links:
To Atlanta is one of the most convenient places to travel to and from. A large part of that is because Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is so accessible.
Not only is it the world’s busiest airport, but it’s state-of-the-art in every way. If you’re interesting in traveling around Atlanta via car or even on scooter, here’s what to know.
With so much anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic, you may be wondering what to buy from the stores. The thing is, don’t panic: That’s not going to help anything or anyone.
What you do want to do is take a measured approach to getting what you need. This article is going to show you some things you can pick up right now.
Coronavirus Cleaning Products: Buy These Things Online Right Now
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a list of products that can help fight coronavirus (COVID-19).
Here’s what the agency says: “An individual pesticide product may be marketed and sold under a variety of names. If you are seeking additional information about a pesticide product, refer to the EPA Registration Number (EPA Reg. No.), found on the product label, not the brand name. When purchasing a product for use against a specific pathogen, check the EPA Reg. No. versus the products included on this list.”
Here are some of the disinfectants the EPA recommends:
The FTC and FDA recently issued warning letters to seven sellers of unapproved and misbranded products that claim to be able to treat or cure the coronavirus.
The companies’ products include teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver, the FTC says.
Final Word
No matter what you do, the key is to take practical precautions and not to panic. As you’ve been hearing about, you can stay safe by following the following good hygiene:
Wash your hands frequently
Avoid touching your face
Cough into your elbow
Above all, stay safe out there.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some helpful links:
When it comes to investing in yourself, one of the most easiest and convenient ways is by contributing to a 401(k).
If you’re familiar with it, this article is going to be a wonderful refresher. If not, then we’ll educate you on what you need to know about a 401(k) and why it’s a smart investment.
What Is A 401(k)? And How Does It Work?
A 401(k) is a retirement plan that allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars. It is typically sponsored by your employer.
With most money transactions, the government adds a tax to whatever you do. But that’s not the case with a 401(k).
The plan allows employees to save and invest a portion of their paycheck. A 401(k) is a way for you to get more bang for buck because the contribution is untaxed.
However, when you make a withdrawal, you will then be taxed! But more on that later…
When Did 401(k) Plans Start?
The 401(k) originated in the late 1970s. That’s when the U.S. Congress enacted the Revenue Act of 1978, which included Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 401(k) stipulated that workers could defer taxes on compensation.
If You Leave Your Job, What Happens To Your 401(K)?
One of the most-asked questions is, “What happens to my 401(k) when I leave my job?” When this happens, you have some options:
You may be permitted to keep the money with your old company, although you’re allowed to move it without being penalized by paying income taxes.
You can “roll” your money to an IRA, (called a rollover IRA), which can be done by a banking institution of your choice.
You could take a “lump sum distribution,” which means you can cash out. If you do this, you will be hit with steep “early withdrawal fee,” perhaps as high as 10% (those age 59.5 and up are exempt).
Where Does Your Money Go In A 401(K) Plan?
A 401(k) can be viewed as a savings account, but it is more or less an investment account. There are three entities that operate your investment account. They are either:
A brokerage firm
A bank
An investment firm
Which ever one you choose, your money will usually get invested in mutual funds, stocks and bonds.
he money will be invested for your retirement, usually in your choice of a variety of mutual funds.
What Is A Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA?
The primary difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA is that a Roth IRA allows you to pay taxes immediately on your contributions.
This has several benefits, including the fact that you won’t be saddled with them when you retire on a fixed income.
Should You Open A 401(K)?
You should definitely open a 401(K) and the earlier the better. By some estimates, if you open a 401(k) with your employer when you’re 22 years old, you’ll have a $1 million in it by the time you retire.
If your employer matches your contribution (not all companies do), you’re in even better shape to fund your future retirement.
I hope this has been helpful so that you can see the benefits of a 401(k). If you have questions, let me know in the comments.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
Funkfest 2020 is happening in Atlanta on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 at The Home Depot Backyard located in the shadow of Mercedez-Benz Stadium.
Funkfest is a U.S. tour that brings some of the music scene’s best acts from the 1990s and early 2000s to the stage.
Funkfest 2020: Atlanta Music Lineup
Here is some of the music lineup we know about so far:
No outside food and beverages (including alcohol) are permitted inside the venue.
The following items are NOT permitted inside the venue and will be confiscated at the gate:
Outside food and beverages
Tents
Grills
Video recorders
Coolers
Pets (except as aids to persons with disabilities)
Motor homes or RV’s and golf umbrellas
No purses or book-bags will be allowed (except women’s wristlets)
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
