>> GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS AFTERNOON ISSUED A NEW EMERGENCY ORDER RELATED TO THE ONGOING SURGE IN CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS DELTA VARIANT IN THE STATE.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS INITIATED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, NOR DOES IT INCLUDE ANY MASK MANDATE.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT THE GOVERNOR'S NEW EMERGENCY ORDER FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, WHICH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY STRESSED BECAUSE OF THE RAPID SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> THIS ALLOWS OUR HOSPITALS A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY WITH SOME OF THE RULES IN PLACE.

WE HAVE CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE THAT GET IMPLEMENTED WHEN THERE'S A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THAT MEANS HOSPITALS HAVE THE ABILITY TO ALTER, SEEING NON-EMERGENT CASES AND ALLOWING THEM TO PUT PEOPLE IN SPACES IN THE HOSPITAL THEY MAY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDE CLINICAL CARE.

IT CHANGES THEIR NURSING TO PATIENT RATIOS AND GIVES ABILITY TO DO THAT.

IT IS ALMOST A TECHNICAL THING THAT INCREASES THE FLEXIBILITIES OF THE HOSPITALS.

>> COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE STATE, WHICH DR. HARRIS SAYS ARE STILL MOSTLY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED, ARE APPROACHING RECORD LEVELS.

HE SAYS THE STATE COULD GO OVER THE PREVIOUS HIGH OF JUST ABOVE 3,000 WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

SOME 40 CHILDREN ARE AMONG THOSE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID, AND WITH A LOT OF STATE KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL NOW, DR. HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE HAS GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD.

>> THIS IS A PERFECT STORM.

WE HAVE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE LARGE NUMBERS OF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VARIANT THAT EASILY SPREADS PERSON TO PERSON AND NOW WE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE BACK FROM MULTIPLE HOUSEHOLDS IN TO SETTINGS, SCHOOL, WORK OR ANYWHERE ELSEWHERE THEY SPEND A LONG TIME TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

>> DR. HARRIS SAID OUR VIRUS POSITIVITY RATE IN THE STATE IS UNPRECEDENTED, AT AROUND 25% AND AS HIGH AS 40% IN SOME POCKETS OF ALABAMA.

THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

> WITH MANY OF ALABAMA'S SCHOOLS BACK IN SESSION NOW, THE ISSUE OF MASK WEARING IS THE SUBJECT OF A LOT OF DEBATE.

WHETHER OR NOT TO REQUIRE OR RECOMMEND MASKS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS REMAINS A LOCAL DECISION, AND THE RULES DIFFER FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WAS ASKED ABOUT THE ISSUE THIS WEEK.

>> I TRUST THE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND PARENTS WORKING THROUGH THIS ISSUE.

WHATEVER THEY DECIDE I THINK WILL BE BEST BECAUSE EVERY LOCAL AREA IS DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER.

PEOPLE DON'T NEED GOVERNMENT TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO.

SO I'M TRUSTING THE PARENTS AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS.

>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO CONTINUES TO URGE ALABAMIANS TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS, SAYING IT'S THE BEST WAY FOR RESIDENTS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

THE STATE'S VACCINATION NUMBERS HAVE SEEN A SLIGHT UPTICK OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND IVEY SAYS SHE'S HOPEFUL THAT THE TREND WILL CONTINUE.

>>> THE ALABAMA BOARD OF EDUCATION THIS WEEK APPROVED A LONG-ANTICIPATED RESOLUTION THAT WOULD BAN CRITICAL RACE THEORY-TYPE TEACHINGS IN STATE SCHOOLS.

THE VOTE WAS ALONG POLITICAL AND RACIAL LINES.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> Don: AFTER WEEKS OF DISCUSSION THE ALABAMA BOARD IS CONVENING TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION THAT BANS CRITICAL RACE THEORY COURSES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE ASK THAT YOU ONLY TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT ALABAMA AND OUR GREAT STATE, THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT THE TRUE HISTORY OF OUR STATE, THAT SLAVERY ALTERED THE POSSIBILITIES AND THE LIVES OF ME AND PEOPLE LIVING LIKE ME TODAY.

>> THIS IS CULTURAL MARXISM.

WHITES ARE VILLAINS, BLACKS AND BROWNS ARE VICTIMS.

WHITES ARE GUILTY.

BLACKS -- NO MATTER WHAT -- YOU ARE RACIST.

THAT'S WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT.

>> NATIONALLY CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS A HOT TOPIC.

IN ALABAMA RAISING QUESTIONS SUCH AS IS IT ALREADY BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS CAN?

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT EXACTLY.

QUESTIONS THAT APPEAR BEFORE BOARD OF EDUCATION AGAIN.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE TEACHERS ARE GIVEN AUTONOMY TO USE THEIR EXPERTISE AND DO WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

I WILL GO ON THE RECORD VOTING NO FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

>> I BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN DESERVE TO BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY SAFE, WHERE THEY FEEL VALUED, WHERE THEY CAN APPRECIATE THEIR HERITAGE AND THEY CAN HAVE A DAY FILLED WITH DIGNITY AND PEACE.

I WILL NOT SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION AS IT IS WRITTEN.

>> THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED ON A 7-2 VOTE.

>> I SUPPORTED THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE OUR JOB IS TO TEACH A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT IN MATH, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION HELD ITS FIRST MEETING IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK.

THE GROUP WAS CREATED AS PART OF LEGISLATION APPROVED THIS YEAR THAT LEGALIZES THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

THE COMMISSION NAMED DOTHAN ONCOLOGIST DR. STEVEN STOKES TO BE ITS CHAIR.

HE SPOKE WITH AL.COM.

>> THE LAST FOUR YEARS AS AN ONCOLOGIST, I HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBING MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR NAUSEA AND VOMITING RELATED TO CHEMOTHERAPY, ESPECIALLY SOME DRUGS.

I GIVE IT FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

CANCER PATIENTS LOSE WEIGHT, CAN'T EAT AND IT HELPS WITH THAT AND FINALLY FOR CHRONIC PAIN.

>> THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION WILL OVERSEE A SYSTEM TO REGULATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA FROM THE GROWING OF THE PLANTS TO PROCESSING AND TESTING THE PRODUCTS TO SELLING THEM IN DISPENSARIES.

>>> U.S. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY MARCIA FUDGE WAS IN ALABAMA THIS WEEK TO TOUT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S ALMOST $1 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT PASSED THE SENATE ON TUESDAY.

FUDGE WAS IN BIRMINGHAM TO TOUR A LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AND SHE WAS JOINED BY OFFICIALS INCLUDING ALABAMA CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA.

>> THE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY.

THE LARGEST, WHICH INCLUDES, AS TERRI SAID, CLEAN DRINKING WATER.

OUR CHILDREN SHOULDN'T BE POISONED DRINKING LEAD-BASED WATER IN SCHOOL.

IT GAVE MORE MONEY TO BROADBAND THAN ANYONE CAN IMAGINE.

OUR CHILDREN SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO AND SIT IN A PARKING LOT TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

IT'S A BILL THAT'S GOING TO FIX ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT ARE LONG OVERDUE.

>> THE SWEEPING FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IS NOW HEADED TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHERE IT WILL NEXT BE VOTED ON.

DEMOCRATIC ALABAMA CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL SAID THIS WEEK THAT THE TRILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG IS HUGE, BUT SHE BELIEVES THAT IT'S WORTH IT.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN FIGURING OUT HOW TO PAY FOR IT AS A HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS MEMBER ON THE COMMITTEE OUR JOB IS TO GET THE PAY FOR IT.

OUR UNDERSTANDING IS WE SHOULDN'T LEAVE A DEBT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE BEHIND MOST INDUSTRIAL NATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND THAT HAS TO STOP.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS LAID BEAR THE DISINVESTMENT IN BROADBAND, IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

SO WE ARE PLAYING A FIERCE GAME OF CATCH UP AND I'M HONORED TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM WORKING WITH THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION TO DO JUST THAT.

>> REPUBLICAN ALABAMA LAWMAKERS LIKE U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE OF AUBURN SAID THIS WEEK THAT THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

IN A STATEMENT, HE CONTENDED THAT DEMOCRATS MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER THE BILL THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TRULY NEED.

AND THAT INSTEAD, THE FINAL LEGISLATION WAS LOADED WITH GIVEAWAYS TO BIG CITIES AND PET PROJECTS THAT HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH REAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

TUBERVILLE ALSO HAD SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH A $3.5 TRILLION FEDERAL BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT PASSED THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

HE SUCCESSFULLY ADDED AN AMENDMENT TARGETING SOME EFFORTS TO DEFUND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> LOCAL LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DECIDED THE WOKE THING TO DO IS CANCEL THEIR CITY'S POLICE FORCE.

MY AMENDMENT IS PRETTY SIMPLE -- IF YOUR CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO DEFUND THEIR POLICE, DON'T EXPECT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS IN ALABAMA HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB FOR LOCAL LEADERS IN OREGON AND MINNESOTA WHO VALUE THE WOKE, DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT OVER THEIR OWN COMMUNITY'S SAFETY.

>> SENATOR TUBERVILLE WENT ON TO SAY THAT OPPOSING HIS AMENDMENT WAS A VOTE IN SUPPORT OF 'DEFUNDING THE POLICE' AND AGAINST OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE, A DECLARATION THAT BECAME THE SUBJECT OF A LOT OF POST- BUDGET VOTE DEBATE.

>>> IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, WE EXAMINE EFFORTS TO HELP THE HOMELESS AND ONE ORGANIZATION, IN PARTICULAR, THAT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

THE MID-ALABAMA COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS ASSISTS RESIDENTS IN MONTGOMERY, AUTAUGA, BULLOCK, ELMORE AND LOWNDES COUNTIES THROUGH A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK FOR US TONIGHT.

>> NOBODY SAYS AS A CHILD THAT I WANT TO BE HOMELESS WHEN I GROW UP.

THAT MEANS SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT WAS UNEXPECTED OR NOT PLANNED FOR AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED.

ALL ALONG THE LINE THERE IS NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE THING THAT HAPPENED.

THERE'S NO GOOD RESPONSE SYSTEM BUILT IN OR THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE AND AD KUWAIT RESPONSE TO WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THEM.

THE RESULT IS HOMELESSNESS.

>> SHE IS THE MOCK MID ALABAMA COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SHE SAID THE RIVERS REGIONS CONNECTS INITIATIVE IS ONE WAY THEY ASSIST THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> WE TYPICALLY HOLD IT AT THE MULTIPLEX AND HAVE 45 TO 50 VENDORS AND SEE 100, 125 GUESTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THIS YEAR'S EVENT WAS SCALED BACK.

IT WAS HELD AT MONTGOMERY'S RIVER CITY CHURCH WHERE THEY OFFERED A FEW KEY SERVICES.

>> OUR CLIENTS WILL BE ABLE TO GET A STATE-ISSUED I.D.

THAT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE BUT AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN ACCESSING ANY TYPE SERVICE OR GETTING A JOB.

THEY WILL HAVE MEDICAL SCREENINGS DONE.

WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR HEALTHCARE.

>> THEY SAY THE BEST WAY THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS BY TREATING THEM THE WAY THEY WANT TO BE TREATED, WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

>> WE CAN BE ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS.

WE SHOULD TREAT THEM AS WE WOULD TREAT OUR NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE IN THE FINE HOMES NEXT DOOR TO US BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

>> RESIDENTS IN MONTGOMERY, AUTAUGA, BULLOCK, ELMORE AND LOWNDES COUNTIES WHO NEED SERVICES CAN CALL 211.

ANYONE WANTING TO HELP CAN GO TO THEIR WEBSITE.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH KIMBERLY BOSWELL IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

COMMISSIONER, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

SO GLAD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> YOU STOOD WITH GOVERNOR IVEY IN A CEREMONIAL RIBBON CUTTING IN MOBILE FOR A HEALTH CRISIS CENTER.

THIS IS CALLED ALTAPOINTE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT IS A HUGE TRANSITION.

IT OPENED AS A RESULT OF THE FUNDING THAT GOVERNOR IVEY AND THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED IN THE BUDGET.

IT WAS A HUGE CELEBRATION FOR US.

IT WAS NO SMALL TASK FOR ANY OF THOSE CENTERS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IN EIGHT MONTHS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID.

WE'RE JUST SO VERY PROUD OF ALTAPOINTE AND HUNTSVILLE AND MONTGOMERY FOR DOING THAT AND KEEPING THE COMMITMENT WE MADE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I'LL POINT OUT FOR OUR VIEWERS THERE ARE THREE CRISIS CENTERS, HUNTSVILLE, MOBILE AND MONTGOMERY WITH PLANS FOR A POSSIBLE FOURTH ONE TO POSSIBLY BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

ALTAPOINTE WAS ALREADY UP AND RUNNING.

IT JUST CEREMONIALLY CUT THE RIBBON THIS WEEK, RIGHT?

>> THEY STARTED DELIVERING SERVICES ON MAY 1st.

THERE IS A REAL SENSE OF URGENCY AROUND GETTING THESE SERVICES STOOD UP.

THEY PUSHED THE ENVELOPE AND GOT THE SERVICES UP AND RUNNING IN MAY AND THEN WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GOVERNOR IVEY DOWN FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING AND A REAL CELEBRATION OF HER COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH IN THIS STATE.

>> LET'S REMIND VIEWERS ABOUT THE SENSE OF URGENCY YOU REFER TO HERE WHERE THESE SERVICES ARE CONCERNED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT WE SEE -- WHAT'S REALLY DRIVING THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN OUR STATE IS THE FACT THAT OFTEN PEOPLE ARE TAKEN TO JAIL OR TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY ARE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT'S NOT THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM.

SO A BIG PART OF OPENING THE CRISIS CENTERS IS WE WANTED TO HAVE 24/7 CARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CRISIS AND WHEN THEY ACTUALLY NEED THE HELP.

>> IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT OVER A COUPLE OF YEARS WORTH OF DEBATE THAT SOME OF THESE FOLKS WHO END UP IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM REALLY ARE IN NEED OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES VERSUS BEING A PRISONER.

>> THAT'S VERY TRUE.

ONE OF THE GROUPS THAT I ALWAYS GET REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THEIR FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS.

YOU MAY HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S LIVED A PRETTY NORMAL LIFE BUT IF THEY EXPERIENCE THAT FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME BEHAVIORS THAT ARE REALLY CHALLENGING.

THEY MAY ACTUALLY BE IN AN ACT OF DELUSION WHERE NOT IN THE SAME REALITY WITH THE REST OF US.

OFTENTIMES THAT'S A SITUATION WHERE WE SEE SOMEONE COMMITTING, SOMETIMES A MISDEMEANOR CRIME, NOT EVEN REALLY A SERIOUS CRIME AND THEN THEY WIND UP GETTING THROUGH THE JAIL SYSTEM AND THROUGH THE PRISON SYSTEM, WHEN IN REALITY THEY NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING SITUATION WHEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS LIKE THAT.

IT IS DANGEROUS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND IT'S ALSO SOMETIMES DANGEROUS FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THAT.

SO THAT'S REALLY A BIG PART OF THE CRISIS CENTERS IS HAVING A PLACE.

THEN ALSO HAVING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO CO-RESPONSE.

WE ALSO HAVE BEEN DOING A PROGRAM CALLED CIT, CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WITH SOME OF THE ARPA FUNDS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE, WE WILL DO A STATEWIDE TRAIN THE TRAINER MODEL SO WE CAN BETTER TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT HOW TO DEESCALATE THOSE SITUATIONS.

BUT OFTENTIMES, THAT'S WHERE WE SEE SOMEONE, ONCE THEY HAVE COMMITTED THAT CRIME, IF THEY GET THROUGH THAT JAIL PORTAL AND GO THAT WAY, THEN IT IS HARD TO GET THEM OUT OF THAT SYSTEM AND GET THEM THE TREATMENT THEY NEED.

>> OF COURSE I WILL LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES THE BEST THEY CAN WITH SOME OF THESE MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS, BUT TRAINING WILL GO A LONG WAY.

BEING ABLE TO DIVERT THEM QUICKLY TO CRISIS CENTERS WILL BE IMMEASURABLY HELPFUL IN OUR OVERALL PRISON REFORMS, WILL IT NOT?

>> IT WILL.

THE CO-RESPONSE OF THAT, WHICH IS PART OF OUR NATIONAL STANDARDS, WE HAVE HELD THOSE CRISIS CENTERS TO A SET OF NATIONAL STANDARDS AROUND CRISIS CARE AND A BIG PART OF THAT IS CO-RESPONSE WITH FIRST RESPONDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE YOU CAN TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HOW TO DEESCALATE THE SITUATION, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY NEED A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL THERE WHO UNDERSTANDS HOW TO GET THEM TO TREATMENT AND GET THEM THE RIGHT CARE.

>> ALONG THESE SAME LINES, I WANT TO TOUCH ON WHAT'S CALLED THE 988 COMMISSION.

I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH IS PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

>> WE ARE.

IT IS ACTUALLY A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF DECOUPLE POLICING FROM A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT IT.

AS YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW, WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN CRISIS THEY AUTOMATICALLY CALL 911.

THIS WOULD CREATE AN EASY TO REMEMBER NUMBER SO INSTEAD OF DEPLOYING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, YOU DEPLOY A MOBILE CRISIS TEAM.

YOU DEPLOY THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, SO THAT INSTEAD OF OFFICERS RESPONDING TO THAT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS YOU GET MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS RESPONDING TO THAT CRISIS.

REALLY 988 IS SORT OF THE THREAD THAT BRINGS TOGETHER ALL OF THE CRISIS SERVICES THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE ACROSS THE STATE.

SO, IT IS SORT OF MIRACULOUS TIMING THAT THERE WAS NATIONAL LEGISLATION THAT THAT IS GOING TO CONVERT 911 TO 988 AND IT WAS PERFECT TIMING FOR US BECAUSE IT WAS SORT OF REALLY THE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THAT SORT OF BROUGHT THAT TOGETHER.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RAFFERTY IS COMING UP ON THE SHOW NEXT AND HE IS A ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS THAT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE 988 COMMISSION.

>> HE IS VERY COMMITTED TO THE 988 COMMISSION.

A BIG PART OF THAT IS SERVING VETERANS AND MAKING SURE THAT VETERANS HAVE A WAY TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AS YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE RAFFERTY IS A BIG PROPONENT OF SERVICES FOR VETERANS, IS VERY PASSIONATE -- >> HE IS A VETERAN.

>> EXACTLY.

IT IS A PERFECT FIT FOR HIM.

WE SPENT PROBABLY AN HOUR AFTER THE LAST MEETING TALKING TO REPRESENTATIVE RAFFERTY ABOUT HIS VISION OF 988 AND HOW THAT COULD HELP INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY AND VETERANS ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL.

>> COMMISSIONER, THESE ARE MAJOR STRIDES.

THESE CRISIS CENTERS BEING ACTIVE NOW, THE ONSET OF THIS 988 COMMISSION.

WE'RE ON OUR WAY, RIGHT, TO ADDRESSING SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS?

>> YES, WE ARE.

WE'D LOVE TO SEE ALABAMA RETURN TO ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND WITH SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR IVEY AND THE LEGISLATURE WE BELIEVE WE CAN DO THAT.

>> THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, KIMBERLY BOSWELL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> HI.

I'M RANDY SCOTT.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE'RE JOINED IN THE STUDIO BY ANDREW SORRELL FROM MUSCLE SHOALS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

>> APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME IN.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, FOR BEING HERE.

LET'S JUMP INTO IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT IN SESSION IT IS DOWN TIME FOR THE LAWMAKERS AND THEIR STAFF BUT IT'S.

NO YOU HAVE BEEN QUITE BUSY, HAVE YOU NOT, ESPECIALLY WITH SOME POSSIBLE BILLS COMING UP BECAUSE WE MAYBE BUSY SOONER THAN THE NEXT REGULAR SESSION, RIGHT, SIR?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

I CARRIED 19 BILLS LAST YEAR AND YOU DON'T WALK IN AND HAVE THEM READY TO GO.

IT TAKES PREP WORK, BILLING SUPPORT, FINDING CO-SPONSORS AND FINDING OUT WHICH COMMITTEE CHAIRS MAYBE MIGHT BE WILLING TO MOVE YOUR BILL.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION.

AND THIS IS NO EXCEPTION.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET BILLS PREPPED FOR NEXT YEAR.

I HAVE A GOOD FOLLOWUP BILL FOR THE BILL THAT SENATOR WARREN AND I GOT THROUGH THIS YEAR.

HOPEFULLY MORE JUSTICE BILLS AND ANTIMASK MANDATE BILL THAT I WILL ASK YOU ABOUT SOON.

>> YES, SIR.

THAT'S A BIG TOPIC ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DARE I SAY AROUND THE WORLD.

YOUR MANDATE IS -- CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, IS NOT PRO MASK OR ANTIMASK BUT IT IS CALLED BASICALLY AN ANTIMASK ORDINANCE FOR THE STATE.

>> YOU DESCRIBED THAT REALLY WELL.

THE BILL IS NOT PRO OR ANTIMASK.

THE BILL -- HONESTLY, I DON'T THINK IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH MASK BUT FREEDOM, LIBERTY AND FREEDOM AND PROTECTING PARENTS' RIGHT TO CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MAKE THE BEST HEALTH DECISION FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

IT SAYS K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS CANNOT ENFORCE A MASK MANDATE.

IF THEY DO THERE WILL BE PENALTIES AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF GRANT FUNDING OR SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES.

THE REASON BEING WHY IS THE SCHOOL BOARD MAKING THIS DECISION.

IT IS NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

PARENTS ARE BETTER QUALIFIED BASED ON INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS WITH THEIR CHILDREN TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION WHETHER OR NOT CHILDREN SHOULD WEAR A MASK TO SCHOOL.

I BELIEVE IT IS MEDICAL TREATMENT ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THE PARENTS ARE BEST TO MAKE THE CHOICE AND I THINK A LOT OF ALABAMA AGREE.

IT IS A HOT TOPIC WITH THE SCHOOLS STARTING UP AND THE SCHOOLS COMING OUT WITH MASK MANDATES, SOME OF THEM CAME OUT RIGHT AFTER THE PARENT TEACHER REGISTRATION, AT THE LAST MINUTE.

SOME OF THE SCHOOLS ARE SLIPPING IT IN.

THE WAY THEY ARE GOING ABOUT IT, I DON'T THINK IT IS THE RIGHT WAY IF THEY ARE TRYING TO GAIN PARENTAL SUPPORT.

THERE ARE SEVERAL GROUPS IN ALABAMA THAT HAVE FORMED TO TRY TO PROTECT THEIR LIBERTIES AND FREEDOMS AND THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THEMSELVES TALLAHASSEE.

I WAS APPROACHED BY ONE OF THOSE GROUPS FROM HUNTSVILLE AND THEY ASKED IF I WOULD CARRY THIS LEGISLATION AND THAT IS THE GENESIS OF THE BILL.

>> WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THAT.

I ASKED YOU HAD OTHER PLACES AROUND THE STATE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH YOU?

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM ANYONE ELSE AROUND THE STATE ABOUT THIS?

>> I HAVE BEEN REACHED OUT BY INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THE BILL AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS BILL.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MY BILL WITH OTHER LEGISLATORS, SOME PRO, SOME AGAINST.

IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR ME TO GET ENOUGH SUPPORT TO MOVE THIS BILL.

BUT THAT BEING SAID, YES, THIS BILL IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

EVERYONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THIS BILL.

WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENFORCE A MASK MANDATE, WHEN THERE ISN'T ONE NOW, SHOULD LOCAL ENTITIES ENFORCE THEM IN SCHOOL WHEN QUITE HONESTLY THERE IS NOT STATISTICAL EVIDENCE THAT MASKS DO ANYTHING FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH, FLORIDA AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

IS IT TRUE THAT SOME OF WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON IS SIMILAR TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN FLORIDA, WHAT GOVERNOR DeSANTIS HAS INSTALLED IN FLORIDA.

>> YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

MY BILL, I ASKED LRS TO MODEL MY BILL AFTER THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT RON DeSANTIS DID IN FLORIDA.

HE DID THAT TAKING A STRONG STAND TO PROTECT LIBERTY AND FREEDOM IN FLORIDA.

I HOPE WE CAN ADDRESS IT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE THE LEGISLATURE DEAL WITH THIS.

I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

I AGREE WITH WHAT HE IS DOING BUT I WISH THE LEGISLATURE ACTED TO DO IT IN FLORIDA INSTEAD.

WE HAVE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE A STRONG POSITION ON THIS IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

WHEN YOU HAVE A BILL THAT HAS THIS MUCH ATTENTION ON ALL SIDES, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO SPEAK ON THAT ISSUE AND I HOPE WE DO THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED A SECOND AGO THAT POSSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION OR SESSIONS COULD BE COMING UP.

IS THIS AN IDEAL PROPOSAL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION OPPOSED TO A REGULAR SESSION?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY IS.

LET'S IMAGINE I INTRODUCE THE BILL IN THE REGULAR SESSION WHICH DOESN'T START UNTIL MID JANUARY.

IF THE BILL PASSES IN MARCH THE SCHOOL YEAR IS ALMOST OVER AT THAT POINT.

IT IS A MOOT POINT.

PEOPLE WANT IT DEALT WITH NOW.

WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION FOR REDISTRICTING.

WE KNOW THAT IS COMING AND QUITE POSSIBLY FOR PRISONS AS WELL, ONE TO TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.

I'M NOT ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH THIS ONE BILL.

I'M SAYING WE HAVE ONE OR MORE COMING, WHY DON'T WE INCLUDE THIS TOPIC IN THE CALL OF THE SPECIAL SESSION AND THEN LET'S HAVE A DEBATE ON IT.

LET'S GET A FLOOR VOTE AND SEE WHERE EVERYONE STANDS.

THAT'S MY IDEA.

I'M POLITICALLY CALLING FOR THIS BILL TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CALL OF ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL SESSIONS.

>> NO DOUBT, YOU SAID, PLENTY OF TIME TO TALK TO LAWMAKERS IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, THEY CAN COME AND TALK TO YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I AM ENCOURAGING PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE TO NICELY REACH OUT TO THEIR LEGISLATOR AND TELL THEM WHERE THEY STAND FOR OR AGAINST.

THAT'S HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS AS LEGISLATORS.

I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS IN THE STATE WOULD REFER TO MAKE THE MASK DECISION FOR THEIR OWN DECISION RATHER THAN THE SCHOOL BOARD MAKE IT FOR THEM.

THAT'S MY PERSONAL BELIEF BUT LET'S LET THE LEGISLATORS HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS AND SEE IF IT IS TRUE.

>> JEFFERSON COUNTY, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE STATE DECIDED TO GO FORT WITH THE MASK MANDATE AND OTHERS HAVE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO.

IT IS A POLARIZING TOPIC HERE IN THE STATE.

LET ME CHANGE GEARS FOR A SECOND ABOUT THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH ONE AND NO DOUBT IT HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE.

I'D BE WILLING TO BET YOU BUT YOU HAVE MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT YOU ARE NOT COMING BACK FOR ANOTHER ONE AS A LEGISLATOR?

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I HAVE 15 MONTHS LEFT AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

I HAVE ENJOYED MY SESSION HERE.

I GOT ELECTED IN 2018 AND SERVED THREE SESSIONS ALREADY AND HAVE ONE SESSION LEFT.

THE UPCOMING 2022 REGULAR SESSION THAT BEGINS IN JANUARY.

I HAVE A LOT OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS, A LOT OF THOSE 19 BILLS I CARRIED LAST YEAR.

18 I'M STILL WORKING ON.

I'LL NARROW MY FOCUS AND GET MY TOP PRIORITY BILLS IN THE EIGHT TO TEN NEIGHBORHOOD AND INTRODUCE THOSE AND MOVE THEM IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

ONE MORE SESSION TO GO.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU WHEN THE SESSION KICKS OFF OR SPECIAL SESSION.

>> I'M SURE I WILL SEE YOU BEFORE REGULAR SESSIONS.

PROBABLY SIX WEEKS OR SO.

>> THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR NOW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

WITH YOU CAN CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE NEIL RAFFERTY IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE, NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> YOU TOO, DON.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

NEIL, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE NEW BILL PREFILED FOR NEXT YEAR THAT DEALS WITH TRANSGENDER YOUTH MEDICAL CARE.

THE SAME LEGISLATION THAT WAS BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES THIS YEAR, PASSED THE SENATE AND DIED IN THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD BAN CERTAIN MEDICAL PROCEDURES, PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND CERTAIN HORMONE TREATMENTS.

YOU WERE A STAUNCH OPPONENT OF THIS LEGISLATION.

YOU HAVE BEEN CREDITED BY SOME DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES OF SEEING THE BILL DIED IN THE HOUSE.

I ASSUME YOU ARE OUT AGAINST THE NEW VERSION THAT WILL BE OUT NEXT YEAR.

>> I WILL BE OUT AGAINST THE NEW VERSION.

ONCE AGAIN IT IS A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE MUCH BIG ISSUES TO DEAL WITH IN THE STATE.

IT IS INCREDIBLY INVASIVE TO THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF FAMILIES TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS ALONG WITH A TEAM OF DOCTORS FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

IT IS A SHAME WE ARE TRYING TO USE TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AS POLITICAL FOOTBALLS TO SCORE POINTS AND PANDERING.

I WILL BE FIGHTING IT AS HARD AS LAST YEAR.

I CAN'T TAKE CREDIT FOR KILLING ANYTHING.

I WOULD SAY I HAVE A LOT OF PASSION ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I HOPE IT COMES THROUGH AS I TRY TO PAINT A HUMAN PICTURE OF THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT WE DO HERE DURING SESSION.

>> IT WAS CLOSELY WATCHED AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SESSION BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP FOR A HOUSE VOTE AND I THINK IT WAS ON THE HOUSE'S WORK AGENDA A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT NEVER GOT TO IT.

>> IT WAS ON THE CALENDAR A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT WE HAD MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE WE HAD TO TAKE UP TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THROUGH THE CALENDAR.

JUST NEVER GOT TO IT.

>> YOU SAID YOU THINK IT BOILS DOWN TO FAMILY CHOICES.

THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THIS LEGISLATION SAID THEY THINK CHILDREN, MINORS ARE TOO YOUNG TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH WILL BE PERMANENT IN THEIR LIVES.

THAT'S THEIR PRIMARY MOTIVATION HERE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY TWO THINGS ABOUT THAT.

FIRST IS THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING THAT THE CHILD IS TOO YOUNG TO MAKE THIS DECISION, I'D SAY THERE IS NO DISAGREEMENT WITH THAT.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A TEAM OF MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PARENTS AND FORMING THE TREATMENT STEPS AND HOLDING IT BACK AND JUST MOVING FORWARD WHEN THEY ARE READY FOR IT.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERMANENT CHANGES.

THIS IS ANOTHER MYTH PROMULGATED BY PROPONENTS OF THE BILL.

THE MAYO CLINIC IN ITS OWN LITERATURE SAID THESE MEDICATIONS ARE SAFE.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING PERMANENT BEING DONE TO THIS CHILD.

ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A VERY STEP WISE, INCREMENTAL APPROACH, THE GENDER AFFIRMING THERAPY, THAT IS DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PARENT'S CONSENT AND A TEAM OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

>> HB-1 IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU ARE CALLING IT IN THE ALABAMA PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT.

GIVE US THE GIST.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES -- RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TWO FEDERAL STATUTES, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OR THE ADA AND THE PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION ACT.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT AND WHY WE NEED THIS BILL HERE IN ALABAMA IS A THE ADA ONLY APPLIES TO PROTECTING PREGNANT WOMEN AFTER THERE'S A PROBLEM.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS FROM A PREVENTION LENS FOR ONE.

FOR TWO, WE HAVE THE PDA OR THE PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION ACT WHICH SAYS EMPLOYERS SHALL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO PREGNANT WORKERS.

THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS A BIG GAP WHICH EXPOSES BUSINESSES TO LIABILITY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SPELL OUT WHAT A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IS.

THIS BILL DOES SPELL OUT WHAT THOSE WOULD BE AND THEY ARE ALL LOW OR NO COST AND BASED IN EVIDENCE AND WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY PROVIDE FOR A BETTER HEALTH OUTCOME FOR THE MOTHER AND CHILD.

THERE'S NO SECRET WE HAVE A TERRIBLE -- ALABAMA HAS A HORRIBLE MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY RATE.

WE ALSO HAVE THE LOWEST PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND FEMALES IN THE WORKFORCE.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I SEE THROUGH A HEALTHCARE LENS AND THROUGH AN EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS LENS TO MAKE SURE THAT PREGNANT WOMEN ARE ABLE TO -- THEY DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE DIGNITY OF EARNING A LIVING FOR THEIR GROWING FAMILY OR HAVING A HEALTHY PREGNANCY AND HEALTHY BABY.

SO, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THAT REASON.

IT ALSO GIVES A GUIDE HERE WHERE HR DEPARTMENTS, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES CAN SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT CONDITIONS FOR THAT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WOULD BE.

SO IT DOESN'T JUST KIND OF LEAVE IT UP IN THE AIR AS THE ADA DOES.

INSTEAD, IT SPELLS OUT WHAT WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE LOW OR NO-COST REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IF YOU DON'T MIND.

ANY CURRICULUM THAT PROMOTES ONE RACE OR GENDER OVER THE OTHER WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RESOLUTION?

>> I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE CAUCUS, BUT I THINK THE UNDERSTANDING -- I UNDERSTAND THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC BUZZ WORD ISSUE BUT I FEEL THERE IS A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING AS FAR AS WHAT IT IS.

FOR INSTANCE, IT IS NOT TALKING ABOUT OR PROMOTING ONE RACE OR GENDER OVER THE OTHER.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SYSTEMS OF POWER WHEN IT COMES TO CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WHICH IS VERY COMPLICATED AND COMPLEX AND REQUIRES VERY IN DEPTH STUDY INTO HISTORY AND UNDERSTANDING THE IMPLICATIONS THAT WE ARE STILL LIVING IN THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT HISTORY.

WHILE I SEE THEY HAVE PASSED THAT RESOLUTION, I WOULD SAY IT IS UNNECESSARY.

THAT WE STILL HAVE A LOT MORE VERY IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL ISSUES TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW, PARTICULARLY HOW TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE.

WE ALL KNOW THIS DELTA VARIANT OF COVID THAT IS RIPPING THROUGH THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY IS AFFECTING CHILDREN.

WE ARE SEEING CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO GET VACCINATED.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT THEM WHILE THEY ARE IN SCHOOL SO THEY HAVE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING A SICK.

>> YOU THINK THEY SHOULD PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON THAT AND LESS ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> THIS IS THE MOST PERTINENT AND IMMEDIATE ISSUE.

LIKE THE ORIGINAL VARIANT OF COVID-19, THE DELTA VARIANT IS MAKING KIDS SICK AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO GET VACCINATED.

IF THEY ARE UNDER 12, THEY CANNOT GET VACCINATED.

IT IS INCUMBENT ON ALL OF US WHO ARE 12 AND UP TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY, NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES, OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS BUT ALSO FOR THESE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE A CHOICE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NEIL RAFFERTY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> PLEASURE, DON.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE, APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, ALABAMA BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER JACKIE ZEIGLER IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES VOTED ON CLOSELY WATCHED RESOLUTION DEALING WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY THIS WEEK.

WE JUST HEARD FROM REPRESENTATIVE RAFFERTY.

HIS SENTIMENT THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT MAYBE THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO FOCUS MORE ON COVID THAN IT DOES ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT?

>> WELL, ANYTIME THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT COMES FORTH THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR CONSTITUENTS, TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA IT IS SOMETHING ABOUT WHICH WE NEED TO ADDRESS, NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DEEM MORE IMPORTANT.

IT IS WHAT THEY DEEM IMPORTANT IN THEIR WORLD THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE, AS BOARD MEMBERS, ARE NOT AFRAID TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE THAT MIGHT NOT BE, YOU KNOW, OF THE MOST COMFORTABLE OR ONE THAT BRINGS FORTH A LOT OF DISSENSION ON BOTH SIDES.

OF COURSE COVID IS, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE WE CAN'T DO BOTH.

COVID IS A CONCERN.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS THE ISSUE THAT WAS BROUGHT IN FRONT OF US.

EXCUSE ME IF I'M TELLING YOU SOMETHING, I'M SURE YOU ALREADY KNOW, BUT IT'S THE MONTH PRIOR.

THE WORK SESSION IN JULY IS WHEN WE DETERMINE WHAT IS GOING TO BE VOTED UPON THE FOLLOWING MONTH.

SO THAT WAS ALREADY A PRE-DETERMINED VOTING.

SOMETHING CAN BE ADDED OR REMOVED, BUT THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA UPON WHICH TO VOTE.

>> BEFORE WE DIG INTO CRT, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT THE STATE IS DOING IN THE REALM OF COVID AND THE BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON.

ARE WE DOING ALL WE NEED OR CAN DO?

>> I'M SO EXCITED THAT ACROSS THE STATE AND BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK ALL THE SCHOOLS WILL BE OPEN AND OUR KIDS ARE GOING BACK.

PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW CRITICAL IT IS TO GET OUR KIDS BACK INTO SCHOOL.

NOW, WITH THAT, THERE ARE ALL THE PRECAUTIONS THAT NEED TO BE DONE OF WHICH THE LOCAL SCHOOLS -- THE BOARDS NEED TO DETERMINE, THE PARENTS KNOW BEST WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

SO MASKING, VACCINATION, THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION TO BE MADE BY THE PERSON IT MOST IMPACTS AND THAT'S THE MOTHER AND DAD TO THE CHILD AND THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.

SO, WE'RE HEARING -- IT WAS FUNNY.

AT MY CHURCH WE HAD A BACK TO SCHOOL FOR OUR PARTNER IN EDUCATION WHICH IS THE SCHOOL IN OUR BACKYARD OF THE CHURCH AND WE BROUGHT 125 FACULTY AND STAFF IN.

AND IT WAS SO EXCITING TO BE TOGETHER.

THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO BE TOGETHER AND TO CHITCHAT AND THE ATMOSPHERE WAS JOY AND HAPPINESS AND THEY ARE THRILLED TO BE BACK AND THEY COULDN'T WAIT TO BE READY FOR THE KIDS.

SO THAT, I THINK, IS EQUALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THE KIDS ARE WANTING TO BE BACK WITH US.

I THINK CAN WE DO MORE?

WE ALWAYS CAN, BUT I THINK WE LEARNED A LOT LAST YEAR, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE PRECAUTIONS AND IT'S NOT LIKE WE ARE GOING TO MAKE ONE DETERMINATION.

IT IS FLUID.

IT IS GOING TO BE A CONSTANT DETERMINATION OF WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS IN YOUR AREA, IN YOUR DISTRICT, AROUND YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND THAT WILL BE WHAT WILL GUIDE THAT BOAT.

>> DO YOU WORRY ABOUT OUTBREAKS?

>> OF COURSE WE DO.

IF I HAD THAT CRYSTAL BALL, IT WOULD BE MARVELOUS BUT WE DON'T.

ALL WE CAN DO IS BE VERY COGNIZANT ABOUT THE NUMBERS AND IN MOBILE, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR OWN HEALTH OFFICIAL.

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL, A TALENTED, BRILLIANT, PHYSICIAN WHO IS GIVING US THE NUMBERS THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE NEED TO GO IN MOBILE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, JEFFERSON HAS THEIR OWN AND THEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT, THEN, OF COURSE, WE HAVE DR. HARRIS.

>> SO YOU WILL REACT ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD WILL, DEPENDING ON HOW THE SCHOOL YEAR UNFOLDS?

>> RIGHT.

WITH THE BOARD WE WON'T BE MAKING ANY DECISIONS BUT IF THE GOVERNOR DECIDES SHE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING, SUCH AS SHE DID, WHAT, A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

IT SEEMS LIKE FIVE YEARS BUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHEN SHE DETERMINED THAT EMERGENCY.

SO, UNTIL THEN, THE LOCAL SYSTEMS HAVE THEIR OWN DETERMINATION OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> MS. ZEIGLER, YOU WERE PART OF THE MAJORITY THIS WEEK THAT APPROVED THE RESOLUTION DEALING WITH THE TEACHING OF SO-CALLED CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

IT BASICALLY SAYS THAT NOTHING WILL BE TAUGHT TO OUR KIDS THAT RANKS ONE RACE OR ONE GENDER ABOVE THE OTHER.

CRITICS HAVE CONTENDED THAT IS NOT WHAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS ALL ABOUT.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> THERE'S BEEN -- AND I HAVE TO SAY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMMUNICATION.

I'VE RECEIVED HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PHONE CALLS, VOICE MAILS, TEXTS, E-MAILS, SPEAKING TO ME IN THE PUBLIC AND THERE ARE -- ON BOTH SIDES -- HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT AND A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ON BOTH SIDES.

THERE'S A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHAT WAS THE INTENT.

THERE'S A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING FROM WHERE IT CAME.

WITH THAT YOU ALWAYS END UP HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY IN GETTING YOUR POINT ACROSS.

I FOUND IT VERY IMPORTANT THAT I WAS RECEIVING THE VOICE OF ALL THAT ISSUED FOR ME TO HEAR, AND IT WAS QUITE AN EXPERIENCE.

IF WE ARE EVER TO UNDERSTAND AND UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION IS, YOU MUST LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LEARN IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO THE SIDE OF WHICH YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE OR THE SIDE IN WHICH YOU FEEL IS THE ROAD TO GO?

THAT'S NOT MY DECISION.

IT IS WHAT IS THE -- WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS.

>> CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN ITS MOST BASIC FORM BASICALLY HOLDS THAT SYSTEMIC RACISM EXISTS IN OUR SOCIETY, BOTH IN OUR POLICIES AND IN GOVERNMENT.

SOME ARE CONTENDING THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES APPROVED THIS WEEK DOESN'T REALLY ADDRESS THAT.

IT LEANS MORE TOWARD, AS WE TALKED ABOUT, NOT PUTTING ONE RACE OR GENDER ABOVE THE OTHER.

>> RIGHT.

ALSO, THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION OR CONCERN ABOUT BEING TRUE TO HISTORY.

TEACHING HISTORY.

ARE WE KEEPING -- ARE WE PUTTING A STRANGLEHOLD FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD FOR THE TEACHER SO THEY FEEL THEY CAN'T DISCUSS?

THAT WAS NEVER THE INTENT.

THE INTENT IS TO STAY TRUE TO HISTORY, TO TEACH HISTORY.

WE HAVE THE GOOD PARTS OF HISTORY FROM THIS WE LEARN AND HAVE MOMENTS OF PRIDE AND THEN WE HAVE SOME PARTS OF HISTORY THAT ARE HORRIBLE, SHOULD NEVER AGAIN BE REPEATED.

BUT FROM THAT IF YOU DON'T STUDY IT, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND AREAS IN WHICH WE GO WRONG.

IN NO WAY ARE WE SAYING HISTORY IN ITS TRUEST FORM SHOULD NEVER BE TAUGHT.

I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING THERE.

>> DO YOU THINK THE RESOLUTION ADDRESSES ENOUGH OF THE CONCERNS YOU HEARD LEADING UP TO THIS WEEK.

>> YOU KNOW A RESOLUTION IS LIKE A POLICY STATEMENT.

IT GIVES THE OVERALL VIEW, BUT THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE GOING INTO THE ALABAMA CODE.

AND THEN I THINK THERE -- AT THIS TIME, THREE PREFILINGS BUT I HEARD FOUR MORE ARE COMING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S NOT THE END OF THE LINE, BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT'S WHAT WE HAVE.

HAS IT GONE FAR ENOUGH, YOU KNOW, I THINK AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME IT WILL SUFFICE.

>> WE MIGHT HEAR A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW.

I'VE LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO, IF YOU ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE A VOICE AND TO GIVE YOU THEIR TRUE FEELINGS AND THEIR CONCERNS OR THEIR WORRIES OR EVEN THEIR DELIGHT, AND YOU ALLOW THEM TO EXPRESS IT IN ANY FORM THEY WANT AND I HAVE HAD SOME PEOPLE YELLING AT ME AND SOME HUGGING ME, BUT NO MATTER WHAT FORM.

IF YOU ALLOW THEM TO GET IT OUT AND EXPRESS IT AND FEEL AS IF I'M LISTENING, THEN TRUE COMMUNICATION CAN HAPPEN.

AND WHETHER -- THAT'S EVEN WHETHER OR NOT YOU AGREE WITH THE END RESULT OR NOT.

AT LEAST YOU FEEL YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD.

YOU KNOW, WHO AM I TO SAY, BUT WE HAD TO ADDRESS IT AND WE PROBABLY MADE SOME PEOPLE UNHAPPY AND MADE SOME PEOPLE HAPPY.

AT THOUGH END OF THE POINT, WHO KNOWS.

I THINK AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME IT MIGHT BE SORT OF SETTLED.

>> STATE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER JACK ZEIGLER, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

♪ FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE GOVERNOR ISSUED A NEW EMERGENCY ORDER DEALING WITH COVID.

BUT WE WILL START BY SAYING THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED LAST YEAR DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS MEANT TO TAKE CERTAIN PRECAUTIONS.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT IS LIMITED IN WHAT IT DOES.

IT IS ACTUALLY VERY NEEDED AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR WAS RIGHT TO DO THAT.

IT REALLY APPROACHES SOME DIFFICULTIES THAT ARE ENCOUNTERED BY OUR HOSPITALS.

AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO SOON HAVE AS MANY HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS AS WE HAVE EVER SEEN.

STAFF SHORTAGES ARE RAMPANT AND SPACE IS DIFFICULT.

IT ALLOWS THE HOSPITALS A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IN THE RULES THAT ARE IN PLACE.

WE HAVE CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE THAT AUTOMATICALLY GET IMPLEMENTED WHEN THERE IS A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THAT MEANS HOSPITALS HAVE THE ABILITY TO ALTER, FOR EXAMPLE, SEEING NON-EMERGENT CASES AND ALLOWING THEM TO PUT PEOPLE IN SPACES OF THE HOSPITAL THEY MAY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDE CLINICAL CARE.

IT CHANGES THE NURSING TO PATIENT RATIOS AND GIVES THEM SOME ABILITY TO DO THAT.

IT IS ALMOST A TECHNICAL THING THAT GIVES INCREASED FLEXIBILITY TO THE HOSPITALS.

>> FOR THOSE WHOSE ANTENNAS WENT UP WHEN THEY HEARD THE TERM STATE OF EMERGENCY, IT'S NOT LIKE LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WERE BUSINESS CLOSINGS OR MASK MANDATE.

>> NO, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL BE AWARE TO MOST DEGREES EXCEPT FOR FOLKS WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL.

FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC THEY WON'T NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT.

THERE ARE NO RULES OR ORDERS OR LIMITATIONS ON ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC AT ALL.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO BREAK A RECORD FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS RELATED TO COVID IN THIS STATE.

I THINK THE HIGH NUMBER, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC WAS A LITTLE OVER 3,000.

WE COULD, WITHIN DAYS, BREAK THAT NUMBER, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

WE HAVE BEEN HOVERING AT 2500.

THE CASE NUMBERS ARE CREEPING UP.

I THINK IN THREE OR FOUR DAYS WE WILL CERTAINLY HAVE A HIGH -- WHAT WE HAVE TO ASK PEOPLE TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE PEOPLE COMING INTO THE HOSPITAL TODAY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO GOT INFECTED TWO WEEKS AGO ON AVERAGE.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY, WITH THESE HIGH CASE NUMBERS IS A RESULT OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN MID JULY.

SO THEY ARE NOT JUST GOING TO GO AWAY OVERNIGHT.

WE KNOW WE CONTINUE TO HAVE DISEASE TRANSMISSION THE LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

I HAVE THINK THE NUMBERS WILL ONLY GO UP FOR A WHILE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY THEY WILL COME DOWN BUT WE ARE DISCOURAGED TO SEE OUR NUMBERS OF DEATHS ARE ALSO CLIMBING, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATELY WHAT WE SEE AFTER OUR HOSPITAL NUMBERS START TO GO UP.

>> YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THINGS LIKE STRESS ON HOSPITALS AND OVERCAPACITY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET BUT WE ARE TEETERING AROUND THERE.

>> I WOULD SAY THERE ARE SOME HOSPITALS LOOKING AT HOUSTON COUNTY, MOBILE COUNTY AND BALDWIN COUNTY, THERE ARE SOME HOSPITALS THAT ARE REALLY THERE AND ARE STRESSED AND CAN'T HANDLE MUCH MORE AT ALL.

THAT IS NOT TRUE FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBERS ARE UP EVERYWHERE.

THE HOSPITALS ARE IN A BETTER POSITION IN TERMS OF THE TREATMENTS WE HAVE TO OFFER.

THEY HAVE HAD MORE TIME TO WORK ON MATERIAL AND SPACE AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS BUT THERE IS ULTIMATELY A NUMBER WE COULD GET TO WHERE YOU CAN'T PHYSICALLY HAVE ROOM TO PUT EVERYONE.

>> THE STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT WE ALLUDED TO AT THE HOSPITAL WHICH GIVES HOSPITALITIES MORE FLEXIBILITY WHICH THEY NEED RIGHT NOW AS THE SURGE IN PATIENTS CONTINUES.

I HEARD ONE INSTANCE WHERE SOME HOSPITAL BEDS WERE PUT IN THAT PARKING GARAGE.

THOSE THE SCENARIOS WITH RETALKING ABOUT.

>> THAT IS A HOSPITAL THAT MADE THAT REQUEST.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THEY HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH WITH THAT YET.

I MAY BE MISTAKEN ON THAT.

I KNOW OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THAT.

I BELIEVE IN MISSISSIPPI ONE OF THEIR HOSPITALS IN JACKSON IS USING A PARKING GARAGE TO HOUSE PATIENTS.

WHEN HOSPITAL IN ALABAMA WAS USING A PARKING GARAGE AS A PLACE TO TRIAGE PEOPLE COMING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

SO HOSPITALS ARE REALLY STRESSED RIGHT NOW.

THE SOUTHERN PART OF OUR STATE IS REALLY SEEING THE WORST OF IT AND WE, YOU KNOW, ANTICIPATE IT MAY CONTINUE TO MOVE NORTHWARD.

>> ICUS ARE FULL.

>> ICUS ARE DOWN TO 5% CAPACITY, SOMEWHERE AROUND 80 TOTAL BEDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION REPORTED THAT IS THE LOWEST NUMBER IT HAS EVER BEEN.

IT WASN'T THAT DIRE EVEN IN JANUARY WHEN THE OVERALL NUMBERS WERE SO HIGH.

>> DR. HARRIS, YOU SAID OUR POSITIVITY RATE COVID IN ALABAMA IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE RATES THAT ARE MORE THAN 25%.

WE HAVE SOME INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES THAT ARE OVER 40%.

AGAIN, TWO OUT OF EVERY FIVE PEOPLE SHOWING UP FOR A TEST ARE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY NUMBERS LIKE THAT.

WHAT ALL STATES ARE ASPIRING TO DO IS KEEP THEIR RATE BELOW 5%.

WE HAVE HAD SOME TIMES THIS YEAR, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WHERE WE WERE 3%.

WE FELT GOOD ABOUT THAT.

NOW WE ARE, AGAIN, OVER 25% AND SOME COUNTIES OVER 40%.

THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

>> OUR DAILY CASE COUNTS HAVE NOW BROKEN 4,000, RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE HAD 4,000 A COUPLE OF DAYS IN A ROW.

A MONTH AND A HALF AGO WE WERE SEEING A COUPLE HUNDRED A DAY AND NOW OVER THE PAST WEEK WE ARE AVERAGING 2500 AND OVER 4,000 THE LAST TWO DAYS.

THESE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE COMING DOWN ANYTIME SOON.

>> WE CONTINUE TO SEE AN UPTICK, DO WE NOT, IN THE CASE OF CHILDREN GETTING THE VIRUS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

40 KIDS ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH CONFIRMED COVID.

WE THINK THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN CONFIRMED YET.

WE KNOW WE HAVE CHILDREN IN BIRMINGHAM ON VENTILATORS AS WELL.

THESE NUMBERS AREN'T EXTREMELY HIGH COMPARED TO IN THE NUMBER OF CASES IN ADULTS BUT MUCH HIGHER THAN IN KIDS BEFORE EVEN WHEN THE CASE NUMBERS WERE HIGH.

THESE SEEM TO BE HIGHER.

WE'RE NOT SURPRISED IN THE SENSE THAT OLDER PEOPLE ARE MOSTLY PROTECTED BY VACCINATION.

MORE THAN THREE-QUARTER OF SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

THEY MAY GET INFECTED AND RARELY END UP IN THE HOSPITAL BUT THE SICKEST ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> I IMAGINE THE WORRIES CONTINUE TO MOUNT WITH SCHOOLS BACK IN SESSION.

>> THIS IS THE PERFECT STORM.

WE HAVE A HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VARIANT, WHICH EASILY SPREADS PERSON TO PERSON AND NOW WE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE FROM MULTIPLE HOUSEHOLDS INTO SCHOOL OR WORK OR ANYTHING ELSEWHERE THEY SPEND A LONG TIME AGO WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.

IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

>> YOU ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDING MASK WEARING.

IT IS NOT REQUIRED BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

>> THE STATE IS NOT REQUIRING MASKS.

THERE IS NO MANDATE IN PLACE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CLEAR ON THAT AND PUBLIC HEALTH IS NOT DOING THAT BUT WE SUPPORT UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOLS, ALL K-12 SCHOOLS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

WE BELIEVE ANYONE GOING INTO INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES WHERE YOU ARE WITH OTHER PEOPLE FROM OTHER HOUSEHOLDS NEEDS TO WEAR A MASK, VACCINATED OR NOT.

>> YOU SAID YOU WERE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY SEEKING FEDERAL HELP FOR OUR HOSPITALS AS THE CAPACITY NEEDS INCREASE.

>> WE HAVE HAD FRUITFUL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FEDS ABOUT THAT.

WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM HHS AND FEMA HERE EARLIER THIS WEEK IN PERSON TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

ALABAMA HAS ASKED SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM.

WE HOPE THEY WILL FIND FAVORABLY WHAT WE SUBMITTED THAT WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE HELP.

THE TRADEOFF IS THESE FEMA TEAMS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BRING HEALTHCARE PROFESSION AFLS INTO THE COMMUNITY BUT THERE AREN'T UNEMPLOYED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OUT.

THERE AREN'T UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE SITTING AROUND WITH NOTHING TO DO.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM HIRE PEOPLE LOCALLY TO STAFF THE TEAMS WHICH WOULD MEAN COMING IN AND OUT OF HOSPITALS AND NURSING FACILITIES.

IT'S NOT A COMPLETE FREEBIE.

THERE'S A TRADEOFF THERE.

IF WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL SUPPORT WE WANT TO DO THAT.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE I WANT TO TOUCH ON THE BOOSTER SHOT THAT THE NEWS WAS COMING OUT ABOUT THIS WEEKEND.

IT IS ONLY FOR CERTAIN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE FDA APPROVED IT AND WE WILL HAVE FURTHER GUIDANCE IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS BUT IT IS FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS OR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS, MEANING THEY DON'T RESPOND NORMALLY TO VACCINATIONS.

THEY HAVE LEFT DISCRETIONS SO PHYSICIANS CAN MAKE UP THEIR MIND ON WHO THAT IS.

BUT WE SHOULD HAVE IT SETTLED IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS HOPEFULLY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE, APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SET TO AGAIN INCLUDE STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WHO'LL ONCE AGAIN DISCUSS THE GROWING CONCERN OVER OUR SURGING COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

REPRESENTATIVE DANNY CRAWFORD OF ATHENS WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT HIS PRE-FILED BILL THAT WOULD HAVE TEACHERS FIRED WHO VIOLATE PROHIBITIONS AGAINST TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT OF TRUSSVILLE WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS HIS BEING THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE ROLANDA HOLLIS OF BIRMINGHAM WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.