CENTRE It was good news for small business owners and others last week after legislators in Washington hammered out a deal for an additional $350 billion in loans to help them get back on their feet during the coronavirus epidemic. US Rep. Mike Rogers gave an update via teleconference during last week's Cherokee County EMA video press conference.

AL.COM The CDC released a statement Friday recommending all people to wear cloth masks to help prevent the spreading of COVID-19. This advisory came the same day that Gov. Kay Ivey placed a stay-at-home order for Alabama until April 30. Under the order people are only able to leave their home to perform essential activities including getting food for people or pets, prescription medicine, gasoline and materials needed for work or education. use of non-medical, cloth- based coverings as a voluntary public health during his daily briefing on the health crisis. What you can and can't do under the stay-at-home order in Alabama. Many Alabamians began wearing masks even before the CDC recommendation. Several statewide health care providers and churches have been giving masks to individuals for several weeks now. were already wearing masks before (the CDC recommendation) but I definitely see more now, especially with homemade Barnes, shift supervisor at the CVS pharmacy on West Valley Avenue in Birmingham. Hannah Hutson, an essential employee working in commercial insurance in Birmingham, was given a mask at Church of the Highlands. Hutson believes that wearing masks is a necessary if you're a carrier, even if you don't have any symptoms you could still have the virus and security around you while you're wearing a mask and it helps with not passing (COVID-19) off to other people you might see at the grocery store or just walking

By Terry Dean POST-HERALD NEWS EDITOR tdean@cherokeeherald.com By Terry Dean POST-HERALD NEWS EDITOR tdean@cherokeeherald.com

"We ran through $350 billion in two weeks," said Rogers. "We have agreed to put another $310 billion into it and $75 billion to go to Rogers said the funding can go to any hospital, not just those treating victims of the coronavirus. rural hospitals just like the one in Cherokee County. This money will be able to replace lost revenue from not being able to do elective surgeries, their main source of revenue." Rogers said he expects additional rounds of federal funding in the near future. Eric Watson with the Alabama Marine Patrol reminded residents about proper safety protocols on Weiss Lake. "We have had a lot of traffic on the water, not just on Weiss, but all that we have had accidents starting earlier than they usually do. We need everybody to make sure that you have enough life jackets for everybody in the boat." Watson said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency last month released a statement regarding alcohol use and boat safety. Weiss Lake is dry, and this is a dry have any alcohol whatsoever on the lake. That is something we are out looking for." Watson said one problem he has had to deal with is gatherings larger

TURN TO PAGE A2 CHEROKEE COUNTY COVID-19 ONE GOOD THING

Cash coming; no alcohol on Weiss

CDC says everyone needs mask

Depts. turn out for b'day parade

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

VOLUME 83, NUMBER 18

2 Sections, 18 Pages

50 CENTS PER COPY

AGRICULTURE

PAGE A

CHEROKEE COUNTY POST FAVORITES Chamber holds first- ever virtual breakfast Shane Givens and Pete Riehm columns

Last week's day-by-day virus-related updates Pork farmers panicked as virus threatens

NATION & WORLD

PAGE A5 PAGE A7 PAGE B7

April 27 at 9 a.m.

Weiss Dam Powerhouse

Herald

FAVORITES STILL INSIDE

change of

SAND ROCK There's no question that the COVID-19 virus has robbed everyone of the pleasures of family gatherings, worship services or simply going to the beauty shop. But at least one local family and community has proven that the deadline disease can't spoil all the fun. On April 18, Sand Rock resident Carson Cleere celebrated his eight birthday. Because of social distancing rules in place, his community and many friends showed their love for Carson in a unique way. Community and friends rallied, together with the Tucker's Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, the Sand Rock Volunteer Fire Department and the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Department, by parading past Carson as he stood outside his home. "He had been talking about a big birthday party since Christmas," says Carson's mother, Crystal. "When we learned about the stay-at-home order I went to Facebook to request his family and friends send him a card through the mail to lift his spirits from not being able to have a party." Crystal says later that day, Tuckers Chapel Fire Chief Michael Bearden informed her he was putting on a parade for Carson. "Nothing was ever asked

Lettie Harris, a radial technologist at Floyd Cherokee Medical Center, believes that a hurting or scared patient needs a little TLC and understanding no matter the age of the patient. Pictured is Harris (center) with some of her co-workers. For the full story by Terry Dean please turn to page A3 of this edition of the Cherokee Post-Herald.

STORY A3

Rep. Rogers

Carson Cleere welcomes the Sand Rock Fire Department and other volunteer departments that took part in his birthday parade Saturday, April 18. Most of Carson's eagerly anticipated birthday plans had to be amended because of COVID-19. PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE POST-HERALD