WABE’s Week In Review: COVID-19 At Schools And The Housing Haves And Have Nots
The United States Supreme Court struck down the federal moratorium on evictions this week. The move will impact thousands of people in Georgia. Meanwhile, the state is now offering rental assistance through its program.
Previously, many tenants and landlords had to seek help through their local county or city. Georgia received more than a billion dollars to help with unpaid rent. The state is now opening its portion of that money to all state residents in need — who will have to show they lost income during the pandemic and are at risk of being homeless.
This is significant. The state program with hundreds of millions of dollars in federal rental assistance is now available to anyone in Georgia. Previously, it was limited to those outside the biggest counties, which had their own programs. To apply: https://t.co/vElNof2LM2 pic.twitter.com/DhGg1InVxB
— Stephannie Stokes (@stephannnnie) August 26, 2021
Tenants or guests…
The Georgia Court of Appeals could decide if guests at extended stays ever become tenants. The question, which went before judges Tuesday, determines whether the hotels must follow state eviction laws.
From no home to no home to buy…
Potential buyers in metro Atlanta are facing what Engel & Volkers Atlanta managing broker Christian Ross calls “buyers’ malaise” due to the limited housing supply.
Atlanta Public Schools will require staff to submit to COVID-19 surveillance testing twice a week, starting after Labor Day. APS says 81% of employees who responded to a survey are vaccinated against the virus, but the district reports low staff participation in weekly Covid testing.
The district says almost 200 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-July with about half of those were vaccinated. (The Atlanta Board of Education holds WABE’s broadcast license.)
Eyeing vaccine mandates…
At a school board meeting Tuesday, the City Schools of Decatur board discussed requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for staff and eligible students. Board members agreed on the proposal presented by Superintendent Maggie Fehrman.
Implementing mask mandates…
Gainesville City Schools is the latest district to impose a mask mandate as coronavirus infections continue to surge in Georgia. Students, employees, and visitors will be required to wear masks in the Gainesville schools starting Monday. The district says the mandate is temporary and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Earlier this month, the Marietta City Schools put a mask mandate in place. Previously, masks had just been recommended.
Pfizer approved…
This week, the Food and Drug Administration finally gave their full approval to the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.
Millions of doses had already been administered under an emergency use authorization, or EUA. It’s a slightly lower regulatory bar meant for public health crises.
Trying to ease congestion…
“We’re now at a point that all of us feel that we have all the same amount of access to amenities,” said county commission chair Romona Jackson Jones. “And I didn’t think I’d see this in my lifetime.” https://t.co/gduPe6VDMa
— Emil Moffatt (@EmilMoffatt) August 25, 2021
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