Jefferson County health providers ‘well equipped’ for The World Games

 ========= Old Image Removed =========1Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2022/06/6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage.png
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:6:{s:5:"width";i:1200;s:6:"height";i:700;s:4:"file";s:44:"2022/06/6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage.png";s:8:"filesize";i:1384417;s:5:"sizes";a:11:{s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-336x196.png";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:196;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:117445;}s:5:"large";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-771x450.png";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:546545;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-140x140.png";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:38755;}s:12:"medium_large";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-768x448.png";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:448;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:542185;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:42:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-80x80.png";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:14508;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-800x450.png";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:560924;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-600x600.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:548024;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-533x311.png";s:5:"width";i:533;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:274526;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-454x265.png";s:5:"width";i:454;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:203889;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-125x125.png";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:31726;}s:13:"crp_thumbnail";a:5:{s:4:"file";s:44:"6-29-22_World_Games_FeatureImage-150x150.png";s:5:"width";i:150;s:6:"height";i:150;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";s:8:"filesize";i:43978;}}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:{}}}
        )

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

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:4:"full";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:1384417;s:14:"optimized_size";i:452986;s:7:"percent";d:67.28;}s:6:"medium";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:120:"The size medium is not authorized to be optimized. Update your Imagify settings if you want to optimize it.";}s:5:"large";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:119:"The size large is not authorized to be optimized. Update your Imagify settings if you want to optimize it.";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:38755;s:14:"optimized_size";i:14579;s:7:"percent";d:62.38;}s:12:"medium_large";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:126:"The size medium_large is not authorized to be optimized. Update your Imagify settings if you want to optimize it.";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:14508;s:14:"optimized_size";i:6062;s:7:"percent";d:58.22;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:560924;s:14:"optimized_size";i:192606;s:7:"percent";d:65.66;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:548024;s:14:"optimized_size";i:191870;s:7:"percent";d:64.99;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:132:"The size wbhm-featured-home is not authorized to be optimized. Update your Imagify settings if you want to optimize it.";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:136:"The size wbhm-featured-carousel is not authorized to be optimized. Update your Imagify settings if you want to optimize it.";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:31726;s:14:"optimized_size";i:12162;s:7:"percent";d:61.67;}s:13:"crp_thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:127:"The size crp_thumbnail is not authorized to be optimized. Update your Imagify settings if you want to optimize it.";}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:2578354;s:14:"optimized_size";i:870265;s:7:"percent";d:66.25;}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => The World Games
        )

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

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

)
1666549453 
1656520068

The World Games

Thousands of people from across the globe will gather in Birmingham next week to celebrate The World Games, an influx that will increase pressure on local health providers. 

Officials with the state’s largest hospital said during a press conference Wednesday they are prepared to care for athletes and spectators.

The biggest concern is heat-related illness. 

“Y’all may have noticed, but it’s really hot outside,” said Dr. Sarah Nafziger, vice president of clinical support services at UAB Hospital.

Nafziger said area hospitals and nursing schools are collaborating to staff first aid stations and medical tents to care for spectators at every venue.

Cooling stations will be available with ice, fans and hydration. 

For more serious injuries, medical providers are working with the Jefferson County Emergency Medical Services to coordinate transportation to hospitals. 

Nafizinger said UAB has increased staffing and added telemedicine capacity. 

She said the hospital is prepared for a possible surge in patient volume, but the goal is to treat as many people as possible onsite at The World Games.

“We’re setting all this up in an effort to hopefully not overload the local system of emergency departments and urgent cares,” Nafziger said. 

Jefferson County, and most of Alabama, continue to face a high level of community spread of COVID-19. County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson encouraged event spectators to wear masks indoors and get vaccinated against COVID-19, although neither is required. 

COVID testing will not be provided at venue medical tents, but the health department recently opened a new rapid COVID testing site downtown that can test around 300 people per day free of charge. 

Wilson said local and state health departments are also monitoring the global spread of Monkeypox, but he said it shouldn’t be a big concern for people attending The World Games. 

“We have not had cases detected yet in the state of Alabama,” he said. “That doesn’t mean they don’t exist, but we are prepared to do testing and contact tracing if needed.” 

UAB medical personnel will work with Andrews Sports Medicine to care for athletes with orthopedic injuries and other needs. 

“Lots of planning that’s been going on over the past two and half years,” said Dr. Irfan Asif, chief of UAB Sports Medicine. “I think we’re well equipped for the things we’ll probably see in the next few weeks.”

 

Democrats invited Republicans to a town hall. Here’s what happened

Imagine getting an invitation to a town hall from someone across the political aisle. That was the idea behind a recent event sponsored by the Calhoun County Democratic Committee. They asked their members to invite Republican friends in an effort to bridge the divide. 

Anglican Church Archbishop accused of sexual misconduct

Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church of North America, faces of sexual harassment allegations. This marks the latest in a string of crises to rock the small, conservative denomination.

NBA coach Chauncey Billups, player Terry Rozier arrested in FBI gambling probe

Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, was investigated by the NBA in 2023 in connection with suspicious gambling activity on a game that he exited early.

Its the deadliest year for ICE in decades. As detentions rise, the trend may continue

There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.

In an era of techno-dystopia, Sudan Archives’ ‘The BPM’ imagines a liberated future

On her stunning new album The BPM, the multi-instrumentalist Sudan Archives explores the freedom of augmented reality and technology through the sounds of club music.

Families describe deaths, violence in Alabama prisons as they push for change

Family members of people incarcerated in Alabama prisons packed a Wednesday meeting of the Legislative Prison Committee and then held a rally on the steps of the Capitol.

More Coronavirus Coverage