This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
As the city of Albany, Georgia, slowly reopens after a statewide shutdown, Pastor Orson Burton and other church leaders are sounding the alarm about the dangers of a second Covid-19 surge.
Albany became an epicenter for Covid-19 in April, with hundreds of cases traced to two funeral services, leading to one of the highest death rates in the country. Pastor Burton lost members of his congregation in the surge, including his wife's father.
"It was like a tornado that nobody prepared for," Pastor Burton said. "Our churches weren't prepared for it, and before we knew it, people were dropping like flies."
On April 20, Governor Brian Kemp announced that small businesses could reopen less than three weeks after enforcing a statewide shutdown. However, for the Burtons, the restart is too soon.
"Already reopening is like a slap in the face," Pastor Burton said. "We've seen how coronavirus can hit our city, our family, our church, and it is not worth it. The harsh reality is, there is no more business as usual."
Pastor Burton is now on a mission to prevent a second spike, appealing to people who feel conflicted about returning to work.
"When the owner of the shop first told me, we can go back, I was excited," said a barber who wished to remain anonymous. "But that day, I thought about it in my head like, it don't feel right, you know?"
Church leaders across the city are telling members to stay home through livestream videos and drive-in services. The virus has hit black residents particularly hard, with some 30 black and white church leaders uniting to remain closed.
"We believe that it is in the best interest of our congregations and community that we not resume meeting at this time," they said in a joint statement.
Dr. James Black, head of the emergency department at Phoebe Putney Medical Memorial, the only hospital in the Albany region, has seen a decline in cases but remains wary of a rush to reopen.
"It took us no time at all to get to 160 Covid patients in the hospital, so we're afraid of a second wave," Dr. Black said. "We're just not over it yet. The fact that places are being allowed to reopen is a scary prospect for a lot of us."
As the city reopens, many residents are now forced to decide between safety and their bottom line. Dougherty County, where Albany is located, has experienced a 4,500 percent hike in jobless claims since March.
"At our salon in Albany Ga., we decided that we would go ahead and open up Friday after Governor Kemp said that we could," said a salon owner who wished to remain anonymous. "I am single and totally dependent on myself, and so far, I have not gotten a stimulus check because I am self-employed. I just didn't have a choice anymore."
However, not everyone is reopening. Marcus Scott, who manages Masterpiece Barbershop, has decided to keep his shop closed for now, with the support of a local pastor.
"We, as the church, have decided to give each one of these barbers a certain amount of resources," Pastor Burton said. "For some of these barbers, this is their only income."
As the city grapples with the aftermath of the Covid-19 surge, Pastor Burton and other church leaders are urging residents to remain cautious and prioritize their safety.
