Gov. Ivey Closes Beaches Through April 5

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2020/03/Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167.png
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:702;s:6:"height";i:394;s:4:"file";s:63:"2020/03/Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167.png";s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-140x140.png";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-336x189.png";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-80x80.png";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-600x338.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-300x300.png";s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:300;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-554x311.png";s:5:"width";i:554;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-470x265.png";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:63:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-e1584648742167-125x125.png";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";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] => David Smith
        )

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

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

    [_wp_attachment_backup_sizes] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:9:{s:9:"full-orig";a:3:{s:5:"width";i:702;s:6:"height";i:467;s:4:"file";s:40:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM.png";}s:14:"thumbnail-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-140x140.png";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:11:"medium-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-336x224.png";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:14:"wbhm-icon-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:46:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-80x80.png";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-600x338.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:25:"wbhm-featured-square-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-300x300.png";s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:300;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:23:"wbhm-featured-home-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-467x311.png";s:5:"width";i:467;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:27:"wbhm-featured-carousel-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-398x265.png";s:5:"width";i:398;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:19:"post-thumbnail-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"Screen_Shot_2020-03-19_at_3.11.07_PM-125x125.png";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}}
        )

)
1647662064 
1584630795

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health issued a new statewide health order Thursday in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama. It remains in effect through April 5.

You can read the full order below, but some of the highlights include:

  • All gatherings of 25 people or more are prohibited. This includes gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between each person.
  • All restaurants, bars and breweries can’t have on-site consumption.
  • All beaches will be closed effective Thursday at 5:00 p.m. This includes all public and private beaches in Alabama.
  • Preschools and childcare centers will be closed beginning this afternoon. Some exceptions include licensed childcare centers that provide services to state and local governments, first responders, law enforcement, hospitals etc.
  • All hospitals and nursing homes must prohibit all visitors except for certain compassionate care situations such as maternity and end-of-life.
  • All elective dental and medical procedures will be delayed, effective immediately.

“Despite our best efforts, the threat of the Covid-19 [sic] virus continues to spread and, unfortunately, we have not yet reached peak impact,” Ivey wrote in a press release. “After many rounds of conversations with local leaders, in which we discussed several options, I have decided to close beach access in any form. Since we do not want to promote social gatherings, keeping the beaches open sends the wrong message to the public. At this moment, the safety and wellbeing [sic] of Alabamians is paramount.”

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris says failure to comply with the health order could result in a misdemeanor charge and/or a fine.

“We understand that the health orders issued will be a hardship on Alabamians. We must, first and foremost, protect the health and safety of our citizens,” Harris said in a press release. “This decision has not been made lightly and will help to prevent the spread of this virus.”

Alabama State Health Office… by Miranda Fulmore on Scribd

Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) issued new restrictions Thursday afternoon. Those amended the previous order which limited groups of more than 25 people. Now, groups larger than 10 are prohibited.

The new health order also says all non-essential businesses and services in Jefferson County are closed until further notice. Dr. Mark Wilson, health officer for JCDH, says non-essential services include entertainment venues, recreational facilities (swimming and gyms), nail salons, museums, social clubs, and tattoo, tanning or massage parlors.

Read More: The Full List Of Non-Essential Services

Wilson says there are currently no restrictions on grocery stores under the new order. Wilsons says he has no plans to change that as of now, but he does warn that “we’re in for a long ride.” Wilson says there is currently no countywide curfew in place.

Photo by David Smith

 

Federal judge blocks Trump effort to ban transgender troops from military service

The decision by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes blocks the Department of Defense from carrying through with a policy directive designed to remove transgender service members from the military.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sues Trump administration over canceled contract

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a government-backed overseas broadcaster, sued the Trump administration in an attempt to get it to release funds appropriated by Congress.

Alabama’s celebrity weatherman pleads for the National Weather Service

With the life-saving Weather Service in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump and chainsaw-wielding billionaire Elon Musk, weather forecasters like James Spann are speaking out to defend the agency that provides the backbone for their work.

Aurelio Martínez, ambassador of Garifuna music, has died

The Honduran musician, one of the most recognized proponents of a Caribbean culture dating to the 17th century, died Monday in an airplane crash.

Lady Gaga’s ‘Mayhem’ shakes up the charts at No. 1

As expected, Lady Gaga's Mayhem storms to a No. 1 debut, becoming her seventh album to top the chart.

Vice President Vance has a new gig: fundraising for the Republican National Committee

Vance will be the first sitting vice president to serve as party finance chairman, according to the RNC. The move places a top Trump ally within the party's campaign wing ahead of the 2026 midterms.

More Coronavirus Coverage