HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —
We heard Gov. Ivey’s plan to reopen the state’s economy Tuesday, local leaders admit it’s a little different from what they were hoping to hear.
Officials shared their thoughts during Wednesday's Madison County COVID-19 briefing.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle says, “One size does not fit all in this case..." as he discusses Governor Ivey’s plans to reopen Alabama’s economy.
Mayor Battle explains he hoped the state would be evaluated regionally. But, the governor’s plan applies to the entire state. He says, “Our industries here have to do the same as those areas with hot spots. So, we’re trying to work through that.”
Mayor Battle says his main concern is local restaurants. He adds, “They were profitable before this happened, and today they are looking at losing everything they have. They’re looking at going into bankruptcy.”
Mayor Battle says plans to come up with a timeline so restaurant owners can have an idea of when they can reopen their doors. Battle says, “I would love to do it by the end of this week, maybe the end of this next week, we can give them an idea of when they can possibly at least possibly reopen”
The county budget has taken a hit with all the closures. Mayor Battle says, “Our overall hit will be around 15 million dollars. It could be 20 million if you want to count some of your secondary subsidiaries such as the Von Braun Center, the museums and others.”
Retail stores will be open starting Friday. When asked if they felt safe shopping in retail stores, local leaders had this to say.
David Spillers, CEO of Huntsville Hospital says, “I don’t want to be in a closed environment like that with people who are not masking and continuing to try to keep a safe distance from people.... I have a 90 year old mother who lives here. I’m a little more concerned about taking her out in public.”
Mayor Battle says, “I’d feel well. I’d wear a mask when I went out, but I’d feel very well with it.”
Officials advise locals to wear masks in close-proximity public spaces, Madison County does not have a universal masking policy at this time.
Mayor Battle says that for every day the court systems are closed, about 90 new cases are added to a pretty long list. He says, “As we put courts off from actually being reopened, we have a pretty big backlog that is coming in.”
But, Mayor Battle is hopeful. Battle says, “If we keep doing what we’re doing and the rest of the state follows suit, we should be out of this quicker rather than later.”