Birmingham To Launch Ride Service For COVID-19 Patients

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2020/04/FullSizeRender.jpeg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:3024;s:6:"height";i:4032;s:4:"file";s:27:"2020/04/FullSizeRender.jpeg";s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-140x140.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-336x448.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:448;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"FullSizeRender-768x1024.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:1024;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"FullSizeRender-771x1028.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:1028;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"FullSizeRender-80x80.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-600x338.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-300x300.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:300;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-233x311.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:233;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-199x265.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:199;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"FullSizeRender-125x125.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:3:"1.8";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:9:"iPhone 11";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:10:"1585999342";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:4:"4.25";s:3:"iso";s:3:"320";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:17:"0.016666666666667";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"1";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

)
1664415319 
1586883064

The City of Birmingham expects to launch a service this week to safely transport people to coronavirus testing sites. It’s an initiative through Birmingham Strong, a public-private civic coalition spearheaded by the city.

An estimated 12% of Birmingham residents live in a household without a car. Officials say that’s been a problem for people who want to be tested for coronavirus or who need medical care.

Starting this week, health care providers will be able to schedule free rides using an app, according to Josh Carpenter, the city’s innovation and economic opportunity director. The city trained four drivers this past weekend. Carpenter says it works like most ride-sharing services, except the entire back seat of a car is enclosed in a vinyl-type material. The material stretches over PVC pipe to create a barrier between the front and back seats.

The driver can drop off a patient, remove that vinyl, “sanitize their car and get paid to serve in that capacity,” Carpenter says.

City of Birmingham
The back seat is enclosed to keep drivers safe.

“We didn’t have a particularly effective mass transportation program before, and it’s pretty dangerous actually to transport people in buses if they think they might be COVID-positive,” Carpenter says.

He says the city worked with a company to design an app that could be integrated across local health systems so that health care workers could easily coordinate patient visits.

Drivers can also take patients to clinics and isolation housing. It’s designed for one patient at a time, but a companion can come if necessary.

 

Stowaway found dead in landing gear of American Airlines flight in Charlotte

Police say maintenance workers discovered the body Sunday morning after the plane landed from Europe.

Suspect held in waterfront bar shooting that left 3 dead in North Carolina

The attack took place at the American Fish Company, a bar and live-music venue. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting to contact them.

Ryder Cup MC steps down over foul-mouthed chant aimed at golfer Rory McIlroy

Some of the golf at this year's Ryder Cup has been overshadowed by interventions from passionate and unruly fans, as Americans tee off against Europeans in one of the sport's biggest events.

1 person dead and 9 injured in shooting at Michigan church, police say

Multiple people have been shot at a Mormon church in Michigan and the shooter is down, police said Sunday.

Palestinian death toll tops 66,000 as Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump

The death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has topped 66,000 Palestinians, Gaza's Health Ministry said, a day before the Israeli Prime Minister heads for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Maine’s food pantries stare down volunteer shortage while anticipating cuts

Maine has long been one of the most food insecure states in New England. In March, the Trump administration cut more than $1 billion from two U.S. food programs.

More Coronavirus Coverage