adminAs we continue to learn more about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the world-wide impact, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates team is committed to keeping our members updated.
Florida officials have confirmed 314 cases and seven confirmed deaths and Georgia’s total is 197 confirmed cases with one death, as of Wednesday. Alabama has 46 confirmed cases with no deaths.
As the number of cases grows, the Federal Reserve announced it would slash interest rates to zero while buying government and mortgage-related bonds, at least $700 billion, in an effort to protect the economy from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
On the same day Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all nightclubs and bars to shut down for 30 days and restaurants must also reduce capacity to 50%. Despite that directive, Florida proceeded with the presidential primary Tuesday of this week as scheduled. In Georgia, officials made the decision to delay the primary until May 19. Alabama officials announced the March 31 primary election runoff has been postponed to July 14.
The Georgia General Assembly moved to grant Gov. Brian Kemp new expanded powers to address the coronavirus pandemic.
The special session vote gives Kemp emergency powers with the ability to:
- Suspend laws and regulations
- Take over or force healthcare facilities to provide services
- Commandeer private property
- Direct or force evacuations if necessary
- Use from the state treasury
As of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, more than 207,515 people, according to official counts, have been infected by the coronavirus. At least 8,248 people have died world-wide. More than 82,100 people have contracted the novel virus and made a full recovery.
