Gov. Ivey Requires Face Masks In Schools, Extends Statewide Ordinance

 ========= 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
        )

)
1649863982 
1596020519

For teachers and students preparing to enter the classroom next month, masks will now be required for anyone in second grade and above. Governor Kay Ivey issued the new mandate Wednesday as an amendment to the statewide mask ordinance and Safer at Home order. The orders, originally set to expire Friday, have been extended through August 31. 

Wednesday’s announcement comes as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Alabama, with state hospital officials recently reporting ICU capacity at its lowest point since the pandemic began.

State health officer Dr. Scott Harris said overall case numbers are not encouraging right now, but face masks are one of the most effective tools to reduce viral transmission.

“If we want our schools to minimize the number of cases they have, and minimize outbreaks and the risk of closing again, we really need people to cooperate with continuing to wear face coverings,” Harris said. “It’s really more important now than ever.”

Many schools have recently announced plans to offer both in-person and remote learning options, with some districts opting for virtual-only instruction during the first nine weeks.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Ivey encouraged schools to return to in-person instruction as soon as possible depending on COVID transmission in their communities.

“While I respect those districts that have elected to go to virtual classrooms,” Ivey said, “I feel with all my heart that a slide [in educational progress] will come by keeping our kids at home.”

The amended order requires face masks be worn “where possible” in schools and colleges, as well as in public when interacting within six feet of people from another household. There are several exceptions, including for anyone with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a facial covering.

Safer-at-Home-Order-Final-7… by Mary Hodgin on Scribd

 

Soccer-loving ‘grannies’ go for the GOOOOAAAALLLL in their version of the World Cup

The players are women over 50. The oldest this year is 87. They took the field in South Africa for their "World Cup." One team was crowned the winner but all the players consider themselves champions.

Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with greeting in St. Peter’s Square

A convalescing Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday, in yet another reassuring public sign of his recovery from a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia.

Lies and consequences lend new weight to ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2

The second season of HBO's hit zombie series takes what works the first season and turns it upside down, mining new drama from the uncertainty.

More than 30 people killed in Russian missile attack on Ukrainian city of Sumy

More than 30 people were killed in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, officials said.

A retrial of Sarah Palin’s case against ‘New York Times’ begins Monday

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has the rare opportunity to retry her defamation case against The New York Times even though she lost it — twice in a 24-hour-period — in early 2022.

Will the SAVE Act make it harder for married women to vote? We ask legal experts

Legal experts say states could help married women who have changed their last names by accepting documents like a legal decree or a marriage certificate, but it might not fix the issue for all.

More Coronavirus Coverage