Amy Yurkanin
Alabama Media Group
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. — Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon won’t enforce orders to keep business and churches closed, according to the Cullman Daily News.
“I’ve told my deputies not to go into businesses and churches and stop either,” Moon said, according to the Cullman Daily News Facebook page.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Blount County has 40 cases of coronavirus and no deaths. Cases have been creeping up in recent days, but still lag far behind nearby Jefferson County, which has more than 900. State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) expressed his support for Moon and said the two messaged back-and-forth about the post.
“I think the Sheriff is correct by telling his officers not to go into businesses and churches,” Shelnutt said. “I wish more leaders across the state would follow his lead. Last I checked government should have limits as to what they are allowed to do. I trust the people of Blount County and Alabama to have the personal responsibility to do what is best for themselves and their families.”
Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced a “Safer-at-Home” plan that discourages unnecessary travel and keeps dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms and salons closed. On Friday, the state ended closures of retail businesses, but decreased capacity to 50 percent. Church services are still prohibited under the order, which expires May 15.
According to his Facebook page, Moon is a pastor at Countyline Baptist Church, which held a drive-in service this morning.
“Moon noted that he cannot force himself to go after the hard-working people and churches for doing what they feel is the best thing for them, their families or congregations,” the short post also said.
https://www.facebook.com/CullmanDailyNews/photos/a.106147330742500/259056438784921/?type=3&theater
A couple barber shops, including one in Shelby County, have opened in violation of the state’s public health order. Law enforcement officials shut down a barber shop in Mobile that opened in April, after health orders prohibited its operation.