April 2020 Newsletter

Posted on by

Protect Yourself from COVID-19
and Georgia Legislative Session:
What Happened on Cross-over Day?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the most accurate and up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak. The resources below align with CDC messaging and offer science-based information about supporting health with good nutrition. – Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Food and water. Although there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food or water systems, sharing food and beverages is discouraged. Home food safety includes promptly refrigerating foods, keeping raw and cooked food separate, and heating food to the appropriate internal temperature.

Wash produce. Rubbing fruit and vegetables under running water—and scrubbing those with hard skins—can help remove pesticides. But Rogers says there’s no data to show that COVID-19 is spread by consuming food. Other steps may not make much difference, since there is no evidence that frozen vegetables and fruits are more sanitarily packaged than fresh produce.

Washing hands is especially critical in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and should be done before preparing or eating food. Wash your hands with clean water and soap for 20 seconds at least after being in public, touching your face, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or using the bathroom. Until soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60-percent alcohol. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and countertops provide protection, as well.

Grocery Shopping. Grocery services and meal-delivery services are having huge spikes in business. Instacart FreshDirect, Shipt, Amazon Fresh and AmazonPrime Now reported big surges in orders.

Senior Shoppers. “For older people and those with underlying health conditions—the group CDC recommends stay home—I highly recommend using a grocery delivery service,” says Jim Rogers, Consumer Report director of food safety research and testing.

Whether you buy groceries in stores or have them delivered, you should sanitize nonporous containers, although FDA has no current evidence to support the transmission of the virus from food packaging. But if you prefer, wipe containers like glass or cans with disinfectant wipes.

If that’s not practical, wash your hands well after putting away all packaging, including paper boxes and bags. “It all comes down to hand hygiene,” says Liz Garman, a spokesman for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology in Arlington, Va. It also doesn’t hurt to wash your hands after opening the containers and using their contents.

One preliminary study found that the current coronavirus doesn’t survive on cardboard over 24 hours. So, wash your hands, counter, and other surfaces you touched after putting away your groceries. However, using a disinfectant isn’t necessary unless you share space with someone showing signs of respiratory illness or someone who has been exposed to the virus.

  • To read the rest of this newsletter in PDF format, please click here.

March 2020 Newsletter

Posted on by

Proposed: Major Changes in Current Law

Death Penalty Origin
In the year 2348 BC, when Noah and his family exited the ark just after the flood, God created capital punishment in Genesis 9:61: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.” Later, other crimes were so designated.

Georgia’s first execution was in 1735 AD2. Since that time, 1,022 executions have occurred in Georgia. That’s the fifth-highest total in the U.S. Treason, aircraft hijacking and murder are death penalty offenses in Georgia. However, murder must be accompanied by aggravating circumstances before the death penalty can be sought. If treason and aircraft hijacking were to be deemed a crime against the state, capital punishment may be an option.

The electric chair was used in Georgia in 1924 and, primarily, until October 5, 2001. After the Supreme Court declared electrocution cruel and unusual punishment, Georgia converted to lethal injection, which remains, currently.
From March 2014 – March 2019, Georgia imposed no death sentence. From 1983 through January 30, 2020, a total of 76 people were executed in Georgia. As of February 3, 2020, 43 men and one woman were/are on death row. The death penalty cannot be imposed without a unanimous jury decision. If a single juror rejects the death penalty, a life sentence is issued.

Clemency power is vested in the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, whose governor-appointed five members serve with advice and consent of the State Senate.
H.B. 916 Repeal Death Penalty introduced February 19th by Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague would (a) prohibit capital punishment in Georgia and (b) commute the sentence of death to life without parole for inmates currently on death row. Regardless of outrageous or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman torture, depravity of mind or aggravated battery to the victim, a death penalty could not be imposed or sought, if H.B. 916 passes as written.

ACTION – Oppose. Contact Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Representatives Efstration, Ch., 404 656-5105; Reeves, V-Ch., 651-7737; Gravley, Sec., 463-8143; Ballinger, 656-7153; Boddie, 656-0109; Cooper, 656-5069; Dickerson, 656-0314; Fleming, 656-5125; Kendrick, 656-0109; McLaurin, 656-0202; Momtahan, 656-0177; Sainz, 656-0177; Setzler, 656-7857; Silcox, 656-3949;Trammell, 656-5058.

  • To read the rest of this newsletter in PDF format, please click here.

February 2020 Newsletter – Part 2

Posted on by

As Promised: Officially Introduced Pre-filed Bills

The prefiling of a measure shall not constitute the official introduction of a bill or resolution, and a bill or resolution may be officially introduced only during a legislative session. O.C.G.A. § 28-1-17(b)

The January edition of Georgia Insight covered select pre-filed bills that would need attention if they were introduced, officially. Each bill in that issue ended with a promise that contact numbers for committee members would be provided for bills that were introduced and assigned to committee. Although committee chairmen may allow discussions or public hearings for bills, they also may, arbitrarily, “sit on” (pocket veto) bills or resolutions to prevent passage. The following bills, reported in the January issue, were introduced and are in committees.

S.B. 281 Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act introduced January 15th by Senator James puts automatic or semi-automatic weapons and large capacity magazines on Georgia’s list of illegal dangerous weapons. Gun show vendors would have to comply with National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NCIS) conditions, but could contract with a licensed dealer to do so. It, also, amends the Juvenile Code and the reporting of students by adding automatic or semi-automatic guns to current weapons laws affecting minors and students.

ACTION – Oppose. Contact Judiciary Committee members to vote NO on S.B. 281. Call Senators Stone Ch., 404 4631314; Cowsert, V-Ch., 463-1366; Tillery, Sec., 656-0089; Heath, 656-3943; Jones II, 463-3942; Kennedy, 656-0045; Ligon, Jr., 463-1383; Parent, 656-5109; Rhett, 656-0054; Strickland 656-7454.

  • To read the rest of this newsletter in PDF format, please click here.

February 2020 Newsletter

Posted on by

Are you ready to let 16-year-olds vote?

No person shall vote in any primary or election held in this state unless such person shall be: (1) Registered as an elector in the manner prescribed by law; (2) A citizen of this state and of the United States; (3) At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary or election in which such person seeks to vote; (4) A resident of this state and of the county or municipality in which he or she seeks to vote.
– O.C.G.A. 21-2-216(a)

H.R. 893 Vote at Age 16 in School District Elections, introduced January 16th by Democrat Representatives Sandra Scott (Dist. 76) and Kim Schofield (Dist. 60), provides for 16-year-olds to vote in elections for school board members and funding (sales and use taxes) for schools. Representative Scott’s district includes portions of Clayton and Henry Counties; Representative Schofield’s district is in portions of Clayton and Fulton County. When asked about her bill, Representative Scott explained that it is meant to encourage 16-year-olds to be more active in civics and become political activists.
ACTION – Oppose. Call Governmental Affairs Committee Representatives Rynders, Ch., 404 656-6801; Jones, V-Ch., 656-0213; Blackmon, Sec., 463-7853; Burnough, 656-0116; Collins, 656-1803; Gravley, 463-8143; Gullett, 656-0177; Lumsden, 656-5087; Nguyen, 656-0314; Oliver, 656-0265; Powell, Alan, 463-3793; Shannon, 656-7859; Taylor, 6560109; Trammell, 656-5058; Turner, 656-0152; Williams, M., 656-0287; Williams, R., 656-0287; Williamson, 656-5024; Fleming, 656-5125.

  • To read the rest of this newsletter in PDF format, please click here.