Alabama local/state Coronavirus updates (March 11)
This is our second in a series of collective Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from around the state. This update includes statements from Governor Kay Ivey about state agencies, the Alabama Department of Education and Birmingham Water Works. We also included previous notes from the University Alabama System. We will update this post throughout the day as more notices become available. For up to the minute and detailed information from the Alabama Department of Health please visit their resource center here. As of 1:50pm central there are still no confirmed cased of coronavirus in Alabama. Alabama Department of Education: Held press conference yesterday afternoon. Below are comments made by the state superintendent as reported by AL.com in summary: State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said that while there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Alabama, if a student, teacher or other school employee tests positive for the disease, the school will be closed for 24 to 48 hours. “We’re going to close that school,” he said. “We’re going to deep clean that school. We’re going to assess that community. We’re going to decide what is the best thing, on an individual basis for that school and that community.” But Mackey also said school officials are worried about parents keeping children home from school in an effort to protect them from catching it in the first place. “I would advise against that,” Mackey said. “Students need to be in school, need to be learning, need to be playing, need to be doing all the things kids do every day.” Governor Ivey memo to agency heads with state employee guidance for COVID-19: Key passage: The State Personnel Department is currently providing the following guidance: If employees who are on work-related assignments are quarantined due to the coronavirus, they will not be charged leave during the quarantine period. However, employees who contract the coronavirus, or are functioning as the caregiver for a family member with the virus, will be allowed to take their accumulated leave. Should that leave become exhausted, employees will be approved for donated leave. Rules requiring a doctor’s statement will be waived for coronavirus. Donated leave forms should be submitted through normal work channels should that become necessary. Recertification requirements will be waived for the coronavirus as well. Updates to this guidance will be provided as needed. See Full Memo here: Coronavirus Preparation Memo Birmingham Water Works via their Facebook page: Please visit: University Alabama Birmingham COVID-19 for additional resources
Dan Sutter: Socialism and the horrors of communism
Dan Sutter discusses the history fo socialism, which has been brought to the forefront of debate by Bernie Sanders’ candidacy for President.
In stunning blow, Donald Trump endorses Tommy Tuberville over Jeff Sessions
In a stunning blow to his former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, President Donald Trump on Tuesday night endorsed Sessions’ primary opponent, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, in the Alabama GOP Senate run-off. “Tommy Tuberville is running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Alabama,” Trump tweeted Tuesday night. “He is a REAL LEADER who will never let MAGA/KAG, or our country down!” Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) is running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Alabama. Tommy was a terrific head football coach at Auburn University. He is a REAL LEADER who will never let MAGA/KAG, or our Country, down! Tommy will protect your Second Amendment…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2020 Shortly after Trump’s tweet, Sessions responded with tweets of his own saying, “Of course, President Trump can endorse anyone he chooses for the U.S. Senate election in Alabama. But the Constitution expressly empowers the people of Alabama, and only them, to select their Senator. I intend to take my case directly to the people of Alabama.” Of course, President Trump can endorse anyone he chooses for the U.S. Senate election in Alabama. But the Constitution expressly empowers the people of Alabama, and only them, to select their Senator. I intend to take my case directly to the people of Alabama. (1/2.) — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) March 11, 2020 Meanwhile, Tuberville enthusiastically replied to the president’s tweet, “Looking forward to helping you drain the swamp and #KAG!” Looking forward to helping you drain the swamp and #KAG! #alpolitics #ALSen #MAGA https://t.co/KfXGfCESRT — Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) March 11, 2020 Sessions and Tuberville will go head-to-head in a runoff on March 31 and neither candidate amassed the 50 percent of votes necessary to outright win their party’s nomination. The winner will go on to face incumbent, Democrat Doug Jones.
Joe Biden adds Michigan to win total, delivering blow to Sanders
It’s a dramatic reversal of fortune for Biden, whose campaign appeared on the brink of collapse just two weeks ago.
Senate debates increased Confederate monument protections
Senators began debate on a bill that would increase the penalties for violating the 2017 Alabama Memorial Preservation Act from a flat $25,000 to $5,000 per day.
Inside the Statehouse: March 3rd primary analysis
Steve Flowers reviews last week’s primary results and the implications on the upcoming runoff.
