Health

About half of Americans asked say they’d take COVID-19 vaccine

While most Americans believe a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available in 2021, only around half say they’ll get vaccinated according to a recent study.  A leading infectious disease expert at UAB worries, however, that there’s no guarantee researchers can create a safe, effective vaccine for the virus at all, and that if a vaccine … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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May 27, 2020

Confirmed COVID-19 cases among Alabama prison workers reaches 51

The number of prison workers in Alabama who’ve tested positive for coronavirus ticked up to 51 on Tuesday. The Alabama Department of Corrections said just a single inmate has an active case of the virus.  The Alabama Department of Corrections in a press release Tuesday said three more workers at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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May 26, 2020

Birmingham’s mask ordinance to expire Friday

Birmingham’s ordinance requiring citizens to wear masks while in public is set to expire Friday.  Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin in a statement Tuesday cautioned the public against letting their guard down, however, and said despite the expiration of the ordinance, the public should continue to wear masks while out to help prevent the spread of … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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May 26, 2020

Opinion

Opinion

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With COVID-19 policy, don’t blame your umbrella. The rain got you wet

Monica S. Aswani, DrPH, is an assistant professor of health services administration and Ellen Eaton, M.D., is an assistant professor of infectious diseases. Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this perspective are those of the authors. As states re-open for business, many governors cite the devastating impact of physical distancing policies on local and state … Continued

Monica S. Aswani and Ellen Eaton

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May 25, 2020

New COVID cases in Alabama increasing faster than 46 other states

Alabama reported more cases of COVID-19 last week than any other week since the pandemic began, and the increase in new cases reported last week compared to the previous week was higher than 46 other states and the District of Columbia. An analysis of data collected by The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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May 25, 2020

Talladega will hold GEICO 500 on June 21 without fans in the stands

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) has announced that the GEICO 500, MoneyLion 300 and General Tire 200 automobile races have all been rescheduled for the weekend of June 20 to 21. They will be raced without fans in attendance. “We are excited that NASCAR has announced the rescheduling of our April … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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May 25, 2020

Alabama nonprofit hopes federal food aid for children continues through summer

Almost half of Alabamians experienced a loss in income since the COVID-19 crisis began, and more than 13 percent said they hadn’t had enough to eat during the prior week, according to a recent survey, but there is help for families with children struggling with food insecurity.  Two federal programs combined can help keep Alabamians … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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May 24, 2020

Alabama AG warns against nursing homes taking stimulus checks

Alabama’s top law enforcement officer on Friday warned against nursing homes intercepting federal stimulus payments to long-term care residents who are Medicaid recipients, but the state’s Nursing Home Association says it’s not aware that is happening, and it hasn’t been contacted by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office over the matter.  Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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May 22, 2020

Jefferson County extends closure of night clubs, theaters and other entertainment venues

The Jefferson County Department of Health has extended closures of “high-risk” entertainment venues in the state’s most populous county as those types of businesses can begin opening in the rest of the state. “Even though things have been opening up, it does not mean that things are better in our community in terms of the … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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May 22, 2020