For Pope Francis at the Vatican, and for Christians worldwide from churches large and small, this will be an Easter like none other: The joyous message of Christ's resurrection will be delivered to empty pews.

Beginning Monday, April 6, Athens City Schools will offer drive-thru pick-up meals for students in Limestone County from 10 a.m. until noon Mondays and Thursdays at Athens Elementary School, 601 S. Clinton Street, Athens.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Tens of thousands of medical workers across the United States are suddenly out of work as operating rooms and doctor's offices go dark, casualties of urgent calls to prioritize coronavirus patients at overwhelmed hospitals and of the economic waves the crisis is churning.

NEW YORK (AP) — Casper ter Kuile lights a candle in front of his computer screen. And then the music begins.

ODENVILLE (AP) — The old cinder block stage across the street from Odenville United Methodist Church hadn't been used for so long that brush had grown up and covered it, but by Sunday morning (March 29), it was the focus of outdoor church.

Stress is abundant these days, and sugar is a proven stress reliever. So, when faced with a closed movie theater but plenty of movie-theater candy, Cinemagic Theatre staff had an idea: share it with some of the most stressed members of the community today.

After previous measures failed to produce the desired results, Gov. Kay Ivey joined the growing list of governors across the United States ordering their citizens to stay at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, like many residents, is looking forward to the sunny skies forecasted for this weekend. However, he advises everyone to use a bit of common sense when enjoying them.

The IRS and the Treasury Department say Americans will start receiving their economic impact checks in the next three weeks.

Officials with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management say there's no need to hoard cases of bottled water during the coronavirus crisis, as residents' drinking water is safe.

MONTGOMERY (AP) — More than 5,000 medical masks that Montgomery County received from the national stockpile were rotted, the local emergency management director said Thursday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists offered more evidence Wednesday that the coronavirus is spread by seemingly healthy people who show no clear symptoms, and the federal government issued new guidance warning that anyone exposed to the disease can be considered a carrier.

Background checks required to buy firearms have spiked to record numbers in the past month, fueled by a run on guns from Americans worried about their safety during the coronavirus crisis.

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — doubling a record high set just one week earlier — a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

County arrests

In their most recent endeavor to stay connected while maintaining social distance, Cedar Hill Elementary School faculty and staff orchestrated a drive-by parade — music, signs and cheering included.

Gov. Kay Ivey and state superintendent Eric Mackey announced last week that school buildings would remain closed until at least June 5. Local school officials have been hard at work ever since to make sure student education doesn't suffer as a result.

As millions of job cuts tear through the U.S. economy, a faint glimmer of light has emerged: Some employers are trying to maintain ties to the staffers they're letting go so they can more quickly rehire them once the viral outbreak has passed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 3,000 sailors aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier where the coronavirus has spread will be taken off the ship by Friday, Navy officials said Wednesday as they struggle to quarantine crew members in the face of an outbreak.

The new coronavirus COVID-19 is bringing the new reality of social distancing to us all. Social distancing leaves everyone with more time on their hands than usual.