Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
On Thursday, unemployment reached new highs and the state’s primary election was once again pushed back. Here’s your Friday morning update:
• There are now 10,885 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia, 696 more than yesterday morning. 412 people have died, 64 more than yesterday morning. 2,298 have been hospitalized. 41,085 tests have been conducted. [GA Dept. of Public Health]
• Georgia’s primary election had been moved for the third time, now set to take place on June 9. [GPB]
• The Georgia Department of Labor processed 133,820 unemployment claims last week, the highest ever for a single week. WABE’s Jim Burress had a pretty damming way of putting this amount in perspective. [Georgia DOL]
For some perspective on how many *new* ppl @GeorgiaDOL says filed for unemp. in JUST a week- It’s like every man woman & child in:
Alpharetta
Kennesaw
Lawrenceville
Duluth
Brookhaven
Dunwoody
Smyrna
& Marietta
… *combined* lost their jobs. Every one. In a week. @wabenews— Jim Burress (@jimburress) April 9, 2020
• Are you interested in making your own cloth face mask and need a pattern? Do you want to start sewing them to donate to others? Do you just want to buy one? We created a guide to all things face mask here.
• Good news for those of you with spring birthdays—the state is extending the renewal deadline to May 15 for vehicle registrations that expire between March 16 and May 14. [AJC]
• MARTA plans to distribute 250,000 masks to employees and is also increasing emergency sick time for employees impacted by COVID-19. [AJC]
• In Buckhead, Aria is now selling bottles from its extensive wine list at half off. Family-style meals can also be ordered for takeout, and the restaurant is offering curbside pickup. [Eater Atlanta]
• The Atlanta History Center is already beginning to document the COVID-19 crisis, and they’re looking for Atlantans to submit personal photos, videos, audio, and written works sharing their particular coronavirus experience. Learn more about the project here. [AHC]
• Atlanta United has put up a new set of billboards, shifting it’s Untied We Conquer slogan to represent healthcare workers and essential employees. [Twitter]
https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/1248385448084271110?s=20
• Looking for a way to help Atlanta artists? The Atlanta Artist Lost Gig Fund is raising money to help those whose gigs and events have been cancelled. The fund has already raised more than 29,000, thanks in part to a 15,000 donation from Mailchimp. Donate here. [AALGF]
• The city glowed a little differently last night as it took part in the national #LightItBlue event, in which landmarks all across the country turned on blue lights to honor healthcare workers, first responders, and essential employees as part of the #MakeItBlue campaign. We’ll have a full roundup soon, but here’s one cool video of aerial footage from last night. [Instagram]
