COVID19

Alabama health officer: More testing doesn’t account for spike in cases

Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said Thursday that the spike in new COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks is not totally attributable to increased testing and that the Alabama Department of Public Health believes there is ongoing, widespread community transmission of the virus. “We’re extraordinarily concerned about the numbers that we have … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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May 28, 2020

Opinion

Dodge the Economic Impact Payment card fees

My wife received her $1,200 stimulus payment as a direct deposit several weeks ago. I did not get one, even though we file a joint income tax return, she makes more money than I, and our money is deposited into the same bank account. I just figured there was some kind of mix-up. That’s fine; … Continued

Joey Kennedy

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May 28, 2020

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

Opinion

Marsh hurls accusations at Gov. Ivey. Is he barking mad?

Appearing on the latest edition of Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” Sen. President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, blamed Gov. Kay Ivey for the loss of some 450,000 jobs in Alabama. It’s an absurd accusation that any thinking Alabamian knows is a lie. But Marsh wants to hurt Ivey because she exposed him as little … Continued

Bill Britt

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May 27, 2020

“We’re surging:” Alabama reports largest COVID-19 increases to date

Alabama saw its largest single-day increase in new COVID-19 cases Monday, according to the state, as daily case counts continue an upward trend and hospitals across the state report increasing hospitalizations. Alabama blew past 15,000 confirmed cases of the virus on Monday, according to the Department of Public Health’s daily case count. The state had … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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May 26, 2020

Opinion

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

Amid the pandemic, a campaign adapts

He stepped up to the podium, an American flag behind his right shoulder, an Alabama flag to his left. These briefings are much like any other press conference the senator has given since he took office in January 2018, except these are streamed on Facebook Live, and Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama wore a camouflage … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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May 24, 2020

Sen. Doug Jones: COVID-19 relief should not be a partisan issue

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, said Friday during a live-streamed press conference that the Senate should begin debating the next COVID-19 relief package, and Republicans in Congress should stop playing partisan politics with urgently needed COVID-19 relief. “That bill is not perfect at all. There are a number of things in there that I don’t think … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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May 22, 2020