Doug Jones: ‘We Don’t Want To Overrun This System.’

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2019/03/Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1999;s:6:"height";i:1125;s:4:"file";s:44:"2019/03/Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:13:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:45:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-1536x864.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:864;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:42:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:44:"Senator_Doug_Jones_Book_Headshot-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:13:"Ralph Alswang";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:1996:"Washington, DC-2018
Senator Doug Jones has spent his life working to make Alabama a better place. He was born in Fairfield in 1954, to a U.S. Steel worker and a stay-at-home mom. He grew up in Alabama during a period of great change, and played a critical part of helping the state and her people overcome some of their darkest days. His early years forged his values and a deep sense of responsibility to treat everyone with dignity and respect.  As a product and life-long resident of the state, Senator Jones represents the best qualities of what it means to be an Alabamian. 

The Senator grew up during the tumultuous era of the desegregation of Alabamaís public schools. But from childhood, he was drawn to both leadership and to fighting for what was right.  He also found a love for politics and organizing. Through volunteering ñ campus affairs at Alabama, a statewide campaign to modernize Alabamaís court system, and Young Democrats ñ the power of one, determined young person became clear to him. He later served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama beginning in 1997. It was while serving in this position that Senator Jones successfully prosecuted two of the four men responsible for the 16th street church bombings - finally getting justice for the four little girls after more than 30 years.  Along with taking on the Ku Klux Klan, he prosecuted terrorists like Eric Rudolph, and many others who sought to use fear, hatred, and violence to inhibit the rights of others.

Senator Jones took that same passion with him when he ran in the 2017 Special Senate Election in Alabama and became the first Democratic senator elected from the state in 25 years. He understands that public service is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of making the country better for all Americans, not just those who look like us or agree with our politics. He will continue to fight for every Alabamian in the Senate to increase affordable access to healthca";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:10:"1529452800";s:9:"copyright";s:13:"Ralph Alswang";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Ralph Alswang
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_rs_image_updated] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1603135463:26
        )

)
1648748829 
1584461501

Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones likens the spread of coronavirus to a forest fire.

“Only you can prevent this forest fire,” Jones says. “That’s how we need to approach this.”

Jones says that means individuals should follow the advice of public health officials and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the disease. Health officials caution people not to go out unless necessary and wash hands frequently.

Jones spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about coronavirus testing, the federal response, and its effect on Alabama’s upcoming runoff election.

Testing

Long lines of cars headed to a drive-through testing site off U.S. 280 Tuesday, ultimately shutting down Assurance Scientific Laboratories early for the day. Jones says people are rightly concerned about coronavirus, but at this point they should seek testing only if they have symptoms. That way, while supplies are at a premium, the tests can be used for the most critical cases.

“We don’t want to overrun this system which is already under stress,” Jones says.

Jones says he was confused by President Donald Trump’s comments Monday that states should buy their own medical supplies rather than depend on the federal government.

“People just can’t go down to the Walmart and buy a ventilator and respirators,” Jones says.

Supplies from a national stockpile are being distributed, according to Jones, but it’s not enough to meet current demand.

Federal Response

The U.S. Senate is considering a bill this week that would address paid sick leave, emergency food assistance and testing, among other items. Jones says daycare for health care workers is an important issue now that many schools are closed. He adds there are many unknowns with the situation.

“[The bill] is a work in progress. It is not something that Congress is going to fix today,” Jones says. “We’re going to have to continue to assess where we are and move forward.”

Another package of economic measures is under discussion. Proposals include direct payments to families, tax deferments and aid for airlines and the hospitality industry. Jones say the focus right now should be on individuals.

“I want to take care of people that are in a supermarket, not in the stock market,” Jones says.

He says people need assurances they can still pay bills or won’t lose their jobs while fighting the coronavirus. Helping companies can wait until the full impact of the pandemic is known, Jones says.

Runoff Election

Alabama is still scheduled to hold a runoff election March 31st. The most high-profile race is that of the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate between former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill says he can’t legally move the election, but has asked the state attorney general for a legal opinion on whether the governor can move it. In the meantime, Merrill says voters can use COVID-19 as an excuse to vote absentee. Jones says that’s not enough.

“I support the efforts to try to delay the runoff,” Jones says. “In a health crisis like this, we need to try and figure out a way.”

Jones says Alabama could be affected by a national crisis in the future, so changes should be made to accommodate that.

 

Charity-seekers from all over Pakistan flock to Karachi at Ramadan to collect alms

The annual influx of charity-seekers to Pakistan's biggest city has gained increased government attention this year as Pakistan steps up efforts to curb begging.

The head of Africa CDC thought news of a U.S. aid freeze must be ‘a joke.’ Now what?

Dr. Jean Kaseya is now figuring out how to cope with the new foreign aid landscape.

How much will that surgery cost? Hospital price lists remain largely unhelpful

Health care price transparency is one of the few bipartisan issues in Washington, D.C. But much of the information is not helpful to patients, and there's no evidence that it's lowering costs.

French court finds far-right leader Marine Le Pen guilty in embezzlement case

A French court found Marine Le Pen guilty on Monday in an embezzlement case but didn't immediately say what her sentence might be and how it might impact the far-right leader's political future.

Cesar Chavez Day celebrates a lifetime fight for justice for farmworkers

Cesar Chavez Day celebrates the life and legacy of the labor rights icon.

A folk legend gets a reunion he didn’t sign up for in this melancholy charmer

An affable lottery winner decides to bring his favorite singer to a remote island off the coast of Wales for a private concert. Turns out, he's invited the singer's ex-bandmate/ex-girlfriend, too.

More Coronavirus Coverage