coronavirus

As hospitals take drastic action to conserve masks, staff worry they’re putting themselves and patients at risk

Some health care workers at DCH Health System’s facilities in Tuscaloosa County are being told not to wear personal protective equipment like masks as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to rise and hospitals rush to prepare for what’s ahead. Now a clinician in one of these units is showing symptoms of … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 23, 2020

Department of Conservation says most state parks will stay open

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said last week that most of their outdoor facilities remain open for recreation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ADCNR has made a number of temporary changes to its business operations for the safety of its employees and the general public. The changes will be in effect … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 23, 2020

Confirmed COVID-19 case at Irondale Community School

The Irondale Community School has a confirmed case of COVID-19, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin Jr. announced Saturday. In a letter posted to the City of Irondale’s Facebook page, Gonsoulin said an individual at the school tested positive for the virus, and that students and employees at the school may have been exposed. The … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 21, 2020

Families, advocates ask Alabama to release at-risk inmates amid COVID-19 outbreak

When Amber Faircloth learned Thursday of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in an Alabama prison, she worried that her husband, who has cancer, could be in jeopardy. Her husband, who’s serving time at Limestone prison, is one of more than 1,000 inmates most at risk of serious complications or death if the virus spreads … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 21, 2020

Alabama prisons halt intakes from county jails during COVID-19 outbreak

The Alabama Department of Corrections on Friday announced a 30-day moratorium on taking in inmates from the county jails amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ADOC on Thursday said an administrative employee in a prison tested positive for the virus, and that all staff who came into contact with the person are under a 14-day quarantine. It … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 20, 2020

Alabama schools to suspend state testing

State school superintendent Erick Mackey announced Friday that Alabama will ask the federal government for a waiver so that the state can suspend all state testing for the rest of the year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Speaking to reporters Friday Mackey said there will also be no report cards given out for the rest … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 20, 2020

Alabama scientists are trying to help find treatments for COVID-19

The Alabama Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that a number of Alabama firms, research institutions and scientists have been mobilized in the international effort to fight the novel coronavirus, which has killed over ten thousand people this year. Huntsville’s Diatherix announced that it has developed a highly sensitive and specific assay, or test, for the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 20, 2020

U.S. government report predicts 18 months of COVID-19 outbreak in America

A recent report by the federal government, backed by another in the UK, estimates the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. “will last 18 months or longer and could include multiple waves of illness.” The 100-page unclassified COVID-19 response plan drafted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and obtained by The New York … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 20, 2020

Sewell, Jones urge Ivey to extend unemployment benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, and Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Selma, sent a letter urging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and her administration to extend unemployment benefits for Alabamians impacted by the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. “As our state and nation responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging ‘social distancing,’ many workers in … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 20, 2020

Moore: “Economy is destroyed” by “tyrants who pander fear in the place of faith”

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statewide order that all restaurants close dine-in services. Bars have been closed across the state and nursing homes across the country are not allowing visitors. Infectious disease experts recommend that meetings of more than ten people be abolished to fight the spread of the coronavirus. This means that sports … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 20, 2020