Bill Hightower calls on Congress to investigate China, WHO’s coronavirus ‘cover-up’
Former state Senator and Congressional-hopeful Bill Hightower believes the Chinese government and World Health Organization (WHO) are covering-up details of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and wants Congress to investigate. “While there are many unanswered questions looming, the trajectory of this pandemic is undeniable. The Communist Chinese government knew more than they told the world for too long, but it is clear we may never get straight answers from them,” said Hightower. “That is why it is critical that Congress holds public hearings to hear from officials from the World Health Organization about what they knew, when they knew it, and what protocols they had in place to address it.” He continued, “This information will enable us to hold people accountable, but will also help us put the systems in place to better manage future events of similar nature. American tax dollars fund this organization and American lives are being lost as a result of communist misinformation. It’s time we learned the truth.” Congress has previously called on the WHO to complete an in-depth analysis of the coronavirus outbreak, but the WHO has yet to do so. Hightower faces republican Jerry Carl in a Republican primary runoff for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Bradly Bryne. They will face one another on July 14.
Loan and mortgage relief searches spike in Alabama Alabama amid coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has deeply disrupted the U.S. economy, which in turn has hurt the incomes of many Americans and Alabamians alike. Businesses across the country have been forced to lay off workers as they struggle to survive during the crisis, which led more than 22 million Americans filing for unemployment since mid-March. In order to determine where people are most in need of loans as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, personal finance site WalletHub combined internal credit report data with data on Google search increases for three loan-related terms in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and found Alabama ranks the 4th highest state with people searching for loans and financial relief during this pandemic. Alabama residents’ need for loans due to COVID-19 (1=biggest need; 25=avg.): 18th – “Loans” search interest index 11th – “Payday loans” search interest index 16th – “Home equity loan” search interest index 2nd – Change in average inquiry count April 6, 2020 vs. January 1, 2020 Here’s how the state compares to the rest of the country.
More than $54M in CARES Act grants going to Alabama airports
Airports across the Yellowhammer State are slated to receive a combined total of $54,047,529 in federal grant funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) caused drastic reductions in air travel and the CARES Act provided nearly $10 billion to U.S. airports to help mitigate the economic impact of the crisis. The funds are available for airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments. “This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell helped champion the funds coming into her district. “While we must continue to prioritize health care and safety initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must also do everything possible to mitigate the economic devastation caused by these necessary health care restrictions,” said Sewell. “Our airports are vital to our local economies, and while I continue to strongly encourage every Alabamian across the 7th Congressional District to stay home and avoid travel, I am equally committed to ensuring the stability of our airports.” Below is a list of Alabama airport recipients and how much they have been awarded:
Jeff Sessions calls for immigration moratorium until Americans return to work
Since mid-March, more than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment. With that knowledge, former U.S. Attorney General and Alabama U.S. Senate-hopeful Jeff Sessions on Thursday called for a moratorium on employment-based immigration until the U.S. unemployment rate goes back down below 3.5%, where it was in February 2020. “American families and workers must come first. It is morally wrong and economically disastrous to import more foreign workers when millions of Americans are out of work through no fault of their own,” said Sessions. “Before the pandemic, our economy was booming with record low unemployment and wage growth. President Trump’s leadership has proved vital to restoring American economic strength. But the Chinese government’s dangerous and deceitful behavior has enabled the Wuhan Virus to explode worldwide and savage our health and our economy. 22 million Americans filing for unemployment equates to roughly 12 percent of the American labor force going without a paycheck.”In Alabama, more than 200,000 workers have claimed unemployment in the past few weeks. This number is continuing to grow,” Sessions added. “It is insanity for this nation to invite foreigners to come in and take any of the few jobs available during this crisis. Sessions explained the United States issues more than 1.4 million ‘temporary’ visas to foreign workers per year, not counting new green cards (permanent residents), refugees, illegal aliens, or those who illegally overstayed their visas from previous years. “Now is the time to suspend employment immigration so that we can make sure that jobs are available to the millions of Americans who have been displaced by this pandemic,” he concluded.
Alabama National Guard to disinfect state’s nursing homes
The Alabama National Guard has been called on by Gov. Kay Ivey to disinfect nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state that have COVID-19 positive residents and employees and will train staff on the techniques of donning and doffing personal protective equipment. According to the Alabama National Guard’s Facebook page, the Infection Control Teams on site ensures all residents are kept in safe areas of the building while specially trained Soldiers and Airmen clear the facility’s rooms and common surfaces of potential contaminants. “The Alabama National Guard is here to serve our citizens, and I’m glad Governor Ivey asked us to take on this important mission,” said Major General Sheryl E. Gordon, adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard. “Our specially trained soldiers are prepared to assist nursing homes as they fight the spread of COVID-19.” “Our members are grateful for this assistance from Governor Ivey, the Alabama National Guard and ADPH,” added Brandon Farmer, President & CEO of the Alabama Nursing Home Association. “Alabama nursing home caregivers have been working hard since February to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This service will greatly supplement our infection control efforts and allow us to focus on caring for our residents.” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said, “Nursing homes have taken the threat of this virus seriously from the start. The Alabama National Guard team will provide a valuable service which will allow more time for the nursing home staff to focus on patient care.” The disinfection mission is part of the Alabama National Guard’s continuous effort to respond to COVID-19.
