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Alabama is setting up the ability to contact doctors with telehealth

The Alabama Senate earlier this month approved a $5 million supplemental appropriation to the budget to combat the spread of COVID-19, a condition caused by a novel strain of coronavirus. Much of that funding was to set up coronavirus testing, but the state is also working on setting up the ability to contact doctors with … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 19, 2020

Catholic Bishops suspend all services through April 4

Tuesday, Bishop Robert Baker, of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, announced that all masses and church activities including Stations of the Cross are hereby cancelled through April 4 due to concerns about spread the coronavirus. Archbishop Thomas Rodi, of the Diocese of Mobile, has similarly cancelled all worship services. The Archdiocese of Mobile comprises the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 19, 2020

Toyota-Mazda, Honda to halt production at Alabama plants, will continue to pay workers

Honda North America, which operates a plant in Lincoln, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, which jointly operates the massive Toyota-Mazda plant in Huntsville, announced on Wednesday that it would be shutting down its operations beginning March 23 in order to thoroughly clean its plants as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread. The companies also said they … Continued

Josh Moon

March 18, 2020

University of Alabama goes online for rest of semester, commencement cancelled

The University of Alabama on Wednesday announced that students would not be returning to class after spring break, and commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors have been canceled. The university’s decision to take more drastic measures came as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continued to rise. There were 51 confirmed cases across the state … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 18, 2020

“It’s their choice. Individual freedom:” Alabama beaches to remain open for now

The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism president said that the families and college students at Alabama’s beaches this week are there by “individual choice.” As beaches in some parts of Florida closed in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Alabama’s coastline this week remained busy. Photos shared widely on social media show … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 18, 2020

Around Auburn, where officials had trouble controlling bars, a growing number of cases

UPDATE: The owner of the largest bar in Auburn has said they will not reopen this week, according to The Auburn Plainsman. Lee County, Alabama—the home of Auburn University, where officials have been having trouble discouraging young people from visiting bars—now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 18, 2020

Red Cross: COVID-19 concerns causing canceled blood drives, severe blood shortage

The American Red Cross issued a statement calling for healthy individuals to donate blood due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Peter Marks, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said that people need to start turning out “in force” to … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

March 18, 2020

SEC orders schools to cancel spring football games

Auburn Athletics Director Allen Greene announced Tuesday that Auburn University has had to cancel it’s annual A-Day football scrimmage after the SEC ordered all spring athletic activities shut down. This includes not only spring football games, but also pro-days, and spring football. “I love living in Auburn. Christy and I always enjoy having the kids … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 18, 2020

UAB infectious diseases specialist tests positive for COVID-19

A physician in UAB’s Division of Infectious Disease, one of the groups leading the state’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, has tested positive for the virus. Dr. Mike Saag, a physician in the division, tested positive, UAB’s president said in a statement to the UAB community Tuesday evening. “He wishes to make his case … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 17, 2020

Senior Services in need of help feeding Alabama seniors during COVID-19 crisis

On Tuesday, the majority of Alabama’s senior center’s closed down—a move designed to protect the state’s most vulnerable population from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But while Alabama’s seniors might be better protected by not gathering in groups at the centers, they might also be hungry. Alabama’s Department of Senior Services feeds more than … Continued

Josh Moon

March 17, 2020