Georgia Funeral Directors Association

Visit https://www.gfda.org/governor-brian-kemp for more information about the new COVID-19 Guidance Executive Order from Governor Kemp. Per Governor Kemp's press release, the "Key provisions of the new executive order" are: 1. Modifies the social distancing and sanitation requirements for residents and visitors to strongly encouraged.... 2. Eliminates the restaurant and bar table distancing requirements and workers mask requirement. 3. Eliminates all specific requirements for gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, body art studios, estheticians, hair stylists, and massage therapists. 4. Reduces the requirements for Conventions. 5. Eliminates the requirement that childcare facilities prohibit all unnecessary visitors. 6. Provides that Live Performance Venues, regardless of seating capacity, are only required to follow the guidelines for all Organizations, and such venues may implement additional measures in conjunction with the performer or organizer of an event. 7. Maintains that professional, collegiate, and high school sports organizations and events shall operate pursuant to the rules or guidelines issued by their respective league, conference, or association. 8. Clarifies that graduation ceremonies are only required to follow the guidelines for all Organizations.

Visit NFDA.org/emergingleaders for more details.

Here are important reminders about the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. Visit GFDA's website page, https://www.gfda.org/fema-covid-19-funeral-assistance, for updated information under the Frequently Asked Questions section. We encourage you to share this information with the families you serve.

We regret to inform you Douglas Richard (Rick) Ballard, 74, of Jackson, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The Family will receive friends Saturday evening, May 1, 20201, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Sunday May 2, 2021 in the Chapel of Haisten Funeral Home and burial will follow in the Jackson City Cemetery. Mr. Ballard’s full obituary and online condolences may be found by visiting https://www.haistenfuneral.com/

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Registration opens in June. Learn more by visiting www.nfda.org/conferences.

If you plan to join us, register today! Visit https://www.gfda.org/webinars for more information about our programs and presenters and your registration form. Please note, these are live events and no recordings will be available. Registration closes this Friday, April 16 at the close of business.

APRIL 13, 2021 - DPH Follows FDA and CDC Guidance Pausing J&J Vaccinations in Georgia Atlanta Following the guidance and recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is pausing J&J (Janssen) vaccinations in Georgia until further notice. The FDA and CDC are reviewing data involving six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot occurring in women ...aged 18-48 about a week after vaccination. None of the six cases are in individuals vaccinated in Georgia and are unrelated to the reactions reported last week at the Cumming Fairgrounds site. DPH and District Health Departments are working to provide Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for individuals with previously scheduled appointments for the J&J vaccine. In some cases, this may require rescheduling, and we ask for patience while scheduling arrangements and adjustments are made. Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare, but out of an abundance of caution DPH will temporarily stop the administration of the J&J vaccine while scientists review the data around these cases. More than 124,000 doses of J&J vaccine have been safely administered in Georgia. Individuals who have received the J&J vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care providers. DPH urges all health care providers to be aware of the potential for these adverse events and plan for appropriate treatment required with these types of blood clots. Vaccination remains one of our best tools for stopping the spread of COVID-19, along with basic prevention measures wearing a mask, distancing from others, avoiding large gatherings and frequent hand washing. DPH will continue to monitor the situation with J&J vaccines and provide additional information as it becomes available.