Health

Lieutenant governor criticizes state’s lack of preparation, response to COVID-19

Alabama hasn’t done enough to prepare for the “tsunami” of COVID-19 patients that will hit state hospitals and are putting lives at risk, Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth told the members of Gov. Kay Ivey’s COVID-19 Response Team in a letter obtained by APR. The letter, in which Ainsworth was highly critical of the state’s … Continued

Josh Moon

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March 25, 2020

First death from COVID-19 reported in Alabama

Alabama has reported its first death from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The Jackson County Commission, in a statement posted to their Facebook page Wednesday, said a county employee died from the virus. “The Jackson County Commission and the employees of the county offer the family of one of our part-time employees its heartfelt … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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March 25, 2020

Nick Saban and UAB hospital: “STAY HOME”

University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and UAB hospital have an important reminder for the public: STAY HOME. Medical experts are pleading with community members to stay home and keep your kids at home. Meanwhile, hospitals in the state are seeing a spike in patients being hospitalized for the virus. UAB continues to … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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March 25, 2020

Mayor Walt Maddox orders curfew in Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox signed an executive order Wednesday, establishing a mandatory curfew in the city from Friday night until at least April 3. The curfew is from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The goal is to reduce social gatherings, especially among young people in the community. “This may be the first of many steps,” … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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March 25, 2020

Groups file complaint against Alabama’s emergency plan for use of ventilators

Two groups filed a federal complaint over Alabama’s “last resort” plan that could ration ventilators during a pandemic like the COVID-19 outbreak, preventing many disabled people and those with other underlying medical conditions from getting the lifesaving treatment.  On Tuesday, the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program and The Arc of the United States filed a complaint … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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March 25, 2020

Alabama hospitals begin to see significant spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations

Alabama hospitals are already beginning to see a sharp increase in hospitalizations related to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 as the number of confirmed cases accelerates in the state. Data gathered over the last 24 hours by the Alabama Political Reporter show that more than 100 people are hospitalized statewide with a confirmed diagnosis … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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March 25, 2020

Simpson tells Mobilians: “My top priority remains your health and safety”

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said Monday that Mobile had its third confirmed case of COVID-19. “Tonight we had our third confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mobile County,’” Stimpson said. “My top priority remains your health and safety, and my team is fully engaged in the effort to protect you from this threat to our community.” … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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March 25, 2020

The White House and Senate reach deal on a stimulus

Early Wednesday morning, the White House and Senate leaders finally reached a deal on a massive stimulus package they are hoping can keep the American economy from falling into a deep recession due to the government-imposed economic shutdown to deal with the growing coronavirus threat. The final version of the Senate bill comes with a … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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March 25, 2020

Gov. Ivey says no plans for statewide “shelter-in-place” order

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday said there are no plans for a statewide shelter-in-place order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  “We have seen other states in the country doing that, as well as other countries, but however ya’ll. We are not California. We are not New York. We aren’t even Louisiana,” Ivey said on a … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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March 24, 2020