Friday, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) thanked several Alabama companies for stepping up to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.
“Throughout the past few months, it has seemed like only negative news gets reported anymore. It’s a sad reality of the 24-hour news cycle that we constantly are subjected to, and it’s easy to fall into the mindset that nothing good is happening in Alabama or the rest of the country,” Aderholt wrote in an email to constituents. “Well, as we move into the mid-point of June, I think it would be beneficial for us all to look at the good happening right here in our backyard. There are many companies across our state who have stepped up and made significant contributions to the fight against COVID-19, with several of those being in the 4th District, and I want to take a moment to highlight some of the amazing work being done by our fellow Alabamians.”
“One of the most vital PPE products right now is face masks, and we are fortunate to have a company here in our community that is leading the charge on producing them,” Rep. Aderholt continued. “HomTex, which is based in Cullman, is on pace to become the largest producer of masks in North America. This is a great accomplishment, and it’s something we can all be proud of. They answered the call for help at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and are projected to make over 400 million masks a year.”
“Red Land Cotton in Lawrence County is known for their sheets and other home products made from North Alabama gro-*wn cotton. However, like HomTex, the owners of Red Land stepped up and began making masks,” Aderholt wrote. “They first started supplying them to local nursing homes that were facing shortages, but then also began shipping them to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.”
“Another essential need that has been met during this health crisis has been the lack of hand sanitizer,” Aderholt continued. “Thanks to brewing and distilling companies like Back Forty, Alabamians are no longer facing the shortages and price gouging of hand sanitizer that was an initial problem back in March. There are many companies across the state that are making this product currently, but Back Forty is in Gadsden, and I am incredibly thankful for the work they are doing.”
“While WebbDX has assets in both Alabama and Tennessee, I think that the amazing work they are doing is worth mentioning,” said Aderholt. “If you are not familiar with them, WebbDX is in the process of creating a rapid antibody test that detects both COVID-19 infections and past exposure – which would potentially indicate if you have immunity to the virus. This is an innovative solution that will benefit our state and our country for the foreseeable future. Helping WebbDX navigate the FDA was something I was proud to do, and I am hopeful that this test will be readily available to all Americans in the near future.”
“I want to take a moment and say thank you to every company, organization, and employee who have been involved in the fight against the Coronavirus,” Aderholt concluded. “I have always been proud of the way the good people of Alabama have risen up to meet a challenge, but the hard work and care that has taken place in our state throughout this crisis has been unbelievable, and I am very honored to represent all of you in Congress.”
The coronavirus global pandemic has affected people in every county in Alabama. There have been 25,892 confirmed cases if coronavirus in Alabama in the last 87 days and 769 deaths. The global pandemic has already killed 439,561 people worldwide.
Aderholt is in his twelfth term representing the people of Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District.
