The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia sees first COVID-19 death; events canceled
The coronavirus crisis in Georgia took a grim turn Thursday with the state’s first death, which occurred against a background of school closings, canceled sports events and travel restrictions.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said the victim was a 67-yearold male who was hospitalized at Wellstar Kennestone. State officials said the man, who tested positive for the COVID-19 illness on March 9, also had “underlying medical conditions.”
On the same day the disease took its first Georgia victim, a cascade of public facilities began closing their doors to protect against the spread of the virus. While the governor did not mandate schools be shuttered, one system after another announced closings. Two-week hiatuses were announced by Marietta and Atlanta schools, and Cobb Schools are “closed until
further notice.” Emory, Brenau and Atlanta University announced that students will take classes online.
After stating early in the day Thursday that its campuses would remain open, the University System of Georgia said later that the schools will switch to online learning.
That was one of several reversals in a day of rapid developments.
The NCAA stated Wednesday that the men’s NCAA Tournament would take place in an empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, but then announced Thursday that all games were canceled. Major League Baseball suspended spring training and postponed the new season, and the National Hockey League suspended play indefinitely.
The loss of the NCAA Tournament was a big blow to the city of Atlanta, which had been expecting an economic infusion from thousands of March Madness visitors. It also scuttled other cultural events that would have accompanied the games. An example: Taylor Swift planned to play a free concert in Centennial Olympic Park, but that has been canceled.
In the wake of the NBA suspending its season indefinitely, Hawks owner Tony Ressler announced that he would implement a plan to make sure employees of State Farm Arena have some income, according to Sports Illustrated.
“We feel strongly it’s both the right thing to and good business,” Ressler told the magazine. Ressler has not said how he might implement his plan.
Kemp rejected pressure this week from Democrats to shorten the legislative session — he called it “fear-mongering by partisan activists.” But Thursday, the House and Senate announced they will suspend the session indefinitely.
Kemp also announced at a press conference Thursday that state employees will now work from home and that he was banning nonessential travel.
These events took place after President Donald J. Trump announced that travelers from most European countries would be banned from entering the United States. The stock market responded to the president’s directive by diving into bear country, dropping more than 8%.
The coronavirus continues to spread in the U.S., and in Georgia. As of late Wednesday evening, Georgia had 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and 19 presumed positive cases awaiting more testing. That number changes daily. Go to www.ajc. com/coronavirus for the most up-to-date numbers.
Most of the cases are in metro Atlanta, though several have been reported in rural areas.
The elderly and those with compromised health are advised to stay away from crowds. That includes crowds at courthouses. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton said Thursday that judges across Georgia should consider suspending jury trials for at least two weeks to protect people from the virus.
By contrast, the amusement park Six Flags will remain open. The park will enhance sanitation “with the primary effort in public areas,” park officials said.
Grocery stores and restaurants were taking steps to ensure the safety of patrons and to keep supplies from being hoarded. Kroger grocery stores said on its website it will limit the number of “Sanitization, Cold, Flu and Household Essentials to 3 each per order.” Waffle House also announced measures to keep diners safe, including removing condiments from the tables and making those available only on request.