Gov. Ivey Extends COVID-19 Mask Order

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2020/07/50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1920;s:6:"height";i:1080;s:4:"file";s:37:"2020/07/50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:13:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:38:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:35:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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:37:"50166332583_b6c8fb43d4_4k-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: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] => Hal Yeager
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => Office of Gov. Ivey
        )

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

    [_oembed_31ced7d149b4547ba3fb29ab871d7619] => Array
        (
            [0] => Coronavirus Update Press Conference
        )

    [_oembed_time_31ced7d149b4547ba3fb29ab871d7619] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1601487803
        )

)
1647487252 
1601473159

Gov. Kay Ivey extended a statewide face mask order through Nov. 8. The order requires face masks to be worn in public to try to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Ivey made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday. The rule was set to expire Friday, but the new deadline extends it past Election Day and much of the remaining high school and college football seasons.

The governor said she’s heard from many residents who are eager for the mask order to be lifted. Ivey said she wants to do that sooner rather than later.

But the reason we are extending this mask order up until after the national election, which is November 3, is because it’s important to have a safe environment for our poll workers, poll watchers and those of us who would like to vote in person,” she said.

The Alabama Hospital Association and a doctor’s group earlier this week urged the governor to keep the mask order in place.

“The one thing that seems to have changed in the course of the pandemic is when the mask order was implemented,” said Dr. Don Williamson, head of the state hospital association. His group supports keeping the requirement through at least the end of the year.

Ivey said the state has made progress over the last two weeks in the fight against COVID-19.

Thankfully, we did not have a surge in COVID-19, as was predicted, after the Labor Day weekend,”she said, “but my friends, this isn’t just luck or coincidence.”

Ivey attributed the decrease in hospitalizations and new daily cases to the statewide mask order she implemented in July.

Ivey also announced changes affecting residents in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, and people who are hospitalized. The new rule allows people to be accompanied by one caregiver or visitor “unless there are compelling reasons to limit access.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

The March Madness men’s bracket is out, and the SEC dominates with a record 14 teams

In an all-time record, 14 of the tournament's 68 teams all come from one conference — the SEC. The women's bracket will be unveiled at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Games tip off this coming week.

Pope Francis seen praying in first photo since his hospitalization a month ago

In the image published online by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff was seated in a wheelchair and praying in the private chapel of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

3 dead in Alabama after tornadoes pummel the South

The deaths came in Dallas and Talladega counties.

Hundreds of alleged gang members deported from U.S. despite court order

It was not immediately clear if the deportations happened before or after a federal judge in D.C. on Saturday issued an emergency order that told the administration to stop using wartime powers to deport anyone, and turn around any planes already in the air.

The missing children of Syria: Hidden in orphanages under Assad, where are they now?

Assad's forces detained mothers and children and sent many of the youth to orphanages. Syrians whose children vanished during the war are now seeking information on their fate. NPR investigates.

51 dead and more than 100 injured in nightclub fire in North Macedonia

A massive nightclub fire killed 51 people early Sunday in North Macedonia 's eastern town of Kocani, and injured more than 100. The blaze broke out during a concert by a local pop group.

More Coronavirus Coverage