Alabama Power is no longer offering its customers a grace period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company announced that beginning Monday, September 28th, all accounts would be subject to late fees and disconnections.

While I understand that life has to return to normal at some point and that we are all responsible for paying our own bills, I would like to say that I don't think this is fair.

The novel Coronavirus pandemic isn't over. I wish it was, as I am so tired of seeing my life and the lives of those I love negatively impacted, but it's September and we are still in the midst of this crisis.

In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey's "Safer at Home" Order remains in effect. We may have reopened our bars and restaurants, but they're still not at full capacity--neither are our entertainment venues.

Many people are still without jobs and they're struggling because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. What about these Alabamians? Do they not deserve a grace period?

Imagine, for a moment, that you work at a concert venue. All the shows at your place have been cancelled. You've been looking for a job, but you haven't been able to find anything. You were able to get by for a while thanks to unemployment checks, but that extra padding from the COVID-19 assistance plan has run out.

You haven't been able to pay your power bill for the past few months, as you've been struggling just to cover rent, food, and the supplies your kids needed for a new year of school.

Now you have a few weeks to come up with, say, $600 or your power is shut off.

How is this fair?

I think Alabama Power should at, the absolute least, wait until the "Safer at Home" Order has been lifted before asking customers to get caught up on their bills. What do you think?

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