The COVID-19 outbreak has proven to be a challenging and difficult time for us all. With statistics and reports changing daily, it is a time filled with great uncertainty. As of March 31st, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 nation-wide has grown to 163,539. However, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that it could take up to 14 days after exposure for an individual to display symptoms, meaning this number is most likely higher. Because this virus spreads fast and there is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease, the CDC urges that the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. This means avoiding close contact with others, washing your hands often, and staying home if you are sick.

While these guidelines ensure a majority of us will thankfully never come in close proximity to the disease, this is not a reality for some. Essential personnel have been putting themselves at risk daily to ensure the well-being of the general public. Our healthcare and public safety personnel, law enforcement, first responders, grocery store and pharmacy workers, are just a few of the unsung heroes supporting our society during this time. These individuals are putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure our society maintains some sort of normal. By showing up day in and day out these individuals have maintained our safe streets, kept our shelves stocked, and allowed for an increase in disease testing. These individuals are working to protect us, we want to let them know that we support them and extend our thanks. We also challenge you to find smalls ways of expressing your support and gratitude for essential personnel during this time.

Because of our medical personnel, over 7,249 individuals have been able to get tested in the state of Alabama. Northern Alabama has 14 clinics alone in which individuals who have had contact with, or are showing symptoms of, COVID-19 can go and get tested. Our medical personnel are also working tirelessly in our local hospitals, treating individuals with COVID-19 complications.

As a small token of our appreciation, we at Martinson and Beason sponsored dinner from Zoe’s Kitchen for the ER night staff at Huntsville Hospital on Thursday, April 2, 2020. We are honored to extend gratitude in this small way to those making a difference during this trying time. We want to challenge our fellow attorneys and business owners to do the same.

Here are some ways you can get involved: consider a monetary donation to the  Huntsville Hospital Foundation, donation of medical protective supplies and equipment to the North Alabama Medical Center, or consider sponsoring a meal from one of these local restaurants open for curbside pick-up and to-go orders. If you are not in the North Alabama community consider making a donation to your local hospital or these national organizations: American Red Cross,  UNICEF, and Direct Relief.