Health

Coronavirus task force’s Dr. Deborah Birx says Alabama should extend statewide mask order

Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force, said Thursday that Gov. Kay Ivey should extend her statewide mask order, set to expire on Oct. 2. She also responded to a CNN report that cited those close to her as saying she’s “distressed” with the direction the White House coronavirus task force … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 24, 2020

UAB doctor urges public get flu vaccine as COVID-19 continues to spread

As the flu season nears, Alabama health care providers are encouraging the public to get flu vaccines to prevent stressing hospitals, which continue to care for COVID-19 patients. “We just are really encouraging everyone to go ahead and get vaccinated,” said Dr. Erin DeLaney, assistant professor in the department of family and community medicine at … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 24, 2020

Alabama declines to release COVID-19 data associated with child care centers

APR has asked for that data and whether ADPH was aware of the number of cases associated with child care centers statewide.

Eddie Burkhalter

September 23, 2020

SPLC report: Despite COVID-19 deaths, Alabama isn’t releasing older, at-risk inmates

A report by the Southern Poverty Law Center published Tuesday found that almost 200 older state inmates, at greater risk from COVID-19, were eligible for parole, but either had no hearing or were denied parole over the summer. Alabama’s three-member Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for 44 people who were 65 and older … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 23, 2020

Alabama has fourth highest rate of coronavirus cases

Alabama has the fourth-highest per capita rate of COVID-19 cases in the country, trailing only fellow Southern states Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi.

Brandon Moseley

September 22, 2020

Study: Those with COVID twice as likely to have dined in restaurants

"Masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use,” the study notes.

Eddie Burkhalter

September 18, 2020

Report: Transitioning to electric vehicles could save Alabama millions in health costs

Alabama would experience approximately 500 less asthma attacks per year, about 38 fewer premature deaths and prevent more than 2,200 lost workdays annually.

Micah Danney

September 17, 2020

CDC director: Vaccine won’t be available to general public until mid-2021

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during testimony Wednesday before a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee said a vaccine won’t be widely available to the public until mid-2021. Wearing a mask is the most important public health tool we currently have in the fight against the deadly disease, he said. “I might … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 17, 2020

Jones: Trump, Senate GOP leadership not serious about another round of COVID-19 relief

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, on Friday said it’s unclear whether Senate Republican leadership or the White House will work with Democrats to draft another round of meaningful COVID-19 relief for a country in need. Jones, speaking to reporters during a Facebook Live press briefing, said Sen. Mitch McConnell’s paired-down bill, which he and all other … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 11, 2020

Alabama Arise: Republican COVID-19 relief bill was “wholly inadequate”

The scaled-back COVID-19 relief plan offered by Senate Republicans that failed to pass on Thursday didn’t do nearly enough to address real needs of everyday Americans, said U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama. His sentiments on the failed bill were backed by the nonprofit poverty advocacy group, Alabama Arise, whose executive director, Robyn Hyden, in a … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 11, 2020