Atlanta’s latest coronavirus updates: Tuesday, May 12

A quick roundup of what's happening in metro Atlanta and what you may have missed

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Atlanta coronavirus updates
The mostly empty Battery at Truist Park on March 26. The AP reported that MLB is looking at a proposal to start baseball games in July.

Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

On Monday, MLB officials pondered this year’s season and APD chief Erika Shields updated Atlanta City Council on how crime has been during the pandemic. Here’s your Tuesday morning update:

• As of publication time, a total of 34,635 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Georgia. 1,461 people have died. 262,179 tests have been conducted. A total of 6,130 of those tested were hospitalized at the time. [GA Dept. of Public Health]

• The AP is reporting that Major League Baseball owners approved a proposal that would see spring training resume in mid-June and games start in early July. According to the AP’s source, MLB officials will present the proposal to the players’ union and will need their support to continue. However, a proposed 50-50 revenue split is thought to a major point of contention for players. Meanwhile, at Truist Park, the grounds crew is keeping the field maintained and ready to go for whenever baseball returns. [AP/Fox 5]

• “What up, it’s Killer Mike, but the real killer is COVID-19, and it’s still out here.” You might soon hear this PSA on local radio stations and see the Run the Jewels rapper on billboards and ads reminding Atlantans about the dangers of coronavirus. The campaign was launched DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and is primarily aimed at young black Atlantans, according to WSB-TV. Thurmond told the TV station that many black households are multigenerational, and he wants young people to understand the danger of unintentionally exposing older family members to COVID-19. Killer Mike also told the station, “I just don’t want to see people who look like me die unnecessarily because of cabin fever.” [WSB-TV]

• Atlanta Police Department Chief Erika Shields spoke about crime during the pandemic at yesterday’s Atlanta City Council meeting. “Part 1” crimes, such as murder, robbery, arson, and car theft are down 26 percent, violent crime is down 13 percent, rape calls are down 86 percent (Shields attributed this to bar closures). However, aggravated assault calls are up 4 percent and domestic violence calls are up 42 percent. 56 percent of the domestic violence calls involved a current or former romantic partner. [11 Alive]

• MomoCon won’t be taking over the Georgia World Congress Center on Memorial Day weekend as once planned, but it will be take over Twitch. The anime convention has announced plans for a virtual event, dubbed “MomoConline,” that will feature livestreamed panels, a digital cosplay showcase, a shop for merch and memorabilia, and even a MomoCon-themed Animal Crossing island. MomoConline runs from May 21-24. [AJC]

• Just as Atlanta United did last week, the Atlanta Hawks have re-opened their training facility for individual workouts. [WSB]

• The final round of ATL Food Bingo is underway. Mark off five local restaurants on one of these bingo cards by spending least $20 at each on takeout, merch, or donations, the submit your card by 11:59 p.m. on June 1 to win prizes. The five restaurants can be in any order on the card—you don’t need a “bingo,”—and be sure to keep your receipts, as they’ll be verified if you win a prize. [ATL Food Bingo]

• We’re now about two months into social distancing and sheltering-in-place, and the isolation combined with fear and worry can take a severe toll on your mental state. If you feel you need help or someone to talk to, Georgia has a COVID-19 emotional support line at 866-399-8938. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also has a support hotline at 1-800-950-6264.

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