>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, ALABAMA JUST WRAPPED UP ANOTHER WEEK OF SURGING CORONAVIRUS CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS, THANKS TO THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT MOST OF THE CASES ARE STILL AMONG THE UNVACCINATED, AND THAT THE DAILY CASE COUNTS TOPPED 3,000 THIS WEEK.

>> WE REALLY ARE HAVING A DIFFICULTY TIME RIGHT NOW.

THESE ARE THE WORST NUMBERS WE HAVE SEEN SINCE JANUARY FOR SURE.

THE RATE AT THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP IS WORSE THAN JANUARY SO WE'RE AVERAGING OVER 2 THOUSAND CASE'S DAY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

WE HAVE HAD OVER 3 THOUSAND CASE'S DAY FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS.

>> DON: MORE CASES OF THE DELTA VARIANT ALSO MEAN MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING HOSPITALIZED IN THE STATE.

ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO DR. DON WILLIAMSON TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT OUR PATIENT COUNT TOPPED 1800 THIS WEEK AND THAT MANY FACILITIES ARE BEING STRETCHED PRETTY THIN.

>> WE'VE GOT HOSPITALS THAT ALREADY HAVE CUT BACK ON ELECTIVE PROCEDURES AND OTHERS STATEWIDE THAT ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

SO YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT ARE REACHING OUTDOOR TRYING TO FIND ADDITIONAL STAFF.

SO WE'RE PREPARING FOR WHAT WE THINK BASED ON THE MODELS IS LIKELY TO BE WORSE THAN JANUARY.

>> DON: DR. WILLIAMSON ALSO SAYS THAT OVER 500 STATE COVID PATIENTS ARE IN ICU'S, WITH OVER 200 ON VENTILATORS, AND ALMOST 40 CHILDREN ARE ALSO HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID.

DR. WILLIAMSON AND DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>> DON: COVID VACCINATIONS IN ALABAMA THIS WEEK CONTINUED TO CLIMB AS CALLS INCREASED FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T ALREADY TO GET A SHOT.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID SHE WAS VERY ENCOURAGED WITH THE NEWS.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE STEP UP VOLUNTARILY AND GET VACCINATED, IT'S HUGE.

WE HAVE A MAINLY INCREASE, I'M TOLD, IN THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED RECENTLY AND THEY DID THIS WITH NO MANDATE, NOT FROM MONTGOMERY OR DC.

PEOPLE DID IT BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THAT I EVER LOVED ONES.

SO THANK YOU FOR TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA FOR STEPPING UP AND GETTING SHOT.

WE JUST NEED TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO THAT.

IT'S PAINLESS AND FREE AND EFFECTIVE AND SCIENTISTS TELL US THAT THE VACCINES WORK.

SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET VACCINATED IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO.

>> DON: THE WHITE HOUSE THIS WEEK SAID THAT ALABAMA'S AMONG A SMALL GROUP OF STATES THAT ARE VACCINATING PEOPLE AT A RATE NOT SEEN SINCE APRIL.

IVEY AND OTHER OFFICIALS ARE URGING THOSE WHO HAVEN'T GOTTEN A COVID SHOT TO CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHOM THEY TRUST AND THEN GO GET VACCINATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> DON: THE ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS IT CONTINUES TO BE FLOODED WITH CALLS ABOUT THE NEW STATE LAW THAT BANS SO-CALLED ‘VACCINE PASSPORTS.'

SO, STEVE MARSHALL HAS ISSUED FURTHER GUIDANCE ON THE LAW.

HE TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT BUSINESSES CANNOT REQUIRE CUSTOMERS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION TO ENTER, BUT THAT IT'S A DIFFERENT SITUATION FOR WORKERS.

>> THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BILL ITSELF THAT LIMITS THE ABILITY OF AN EMPLOYER TO BE ABLE TO COMPEL VACCINATION.

THERE ARE STILL EXEMPTIONS THAT EMPLOYEES CAN ASSERT, SOMEONE A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION AND ANOTHER IS A MEDICAL EXEMPTION AND THOSE HAVE TO BE ADAPTED AS A MATTER OF LAW.

>> DON: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS ALSO BEEN BOMBARDED WITH CALLS FROM PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN EITHER RETURNED TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK OR ARE ABOUT TO DO SO.

MARSHALL TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT UNDER THE NEW LAW THAT BANS VACCINE PASSPORTS IN ALABAMA, SCHOOLS ARE SUBJECT TO THEIR OWN PARTICULAR RULES.

>> YOU CAN'T REQUIRE VAX INFLATIONS FOR SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

BUT THERE WERE SOME NUANCED POLICIES THAT WERE OUT THERE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU COULD CHARGE FEES THAT COULD BE REBATED IF YOU GOT THE VACCINATION AND WE CONCLUDED IN THAT SETTING THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE ACT.

>> DON: BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE HAS SAID IT WOULD COLLECT THE FEES THAT MARSHALL MENTIONED.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: WHETHER OR NOT K-12 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS RETURNING TO CLASS SHOULD WEAR A MASK REMAINS STRICTLY A LOCAL DECISION.

THAT'S THE WORD AGAIN THIS WEEK FROM ALABAMA SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY, WHO SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> IN SOME PLACES IT IS A REQUIREMENT.

IN OTHER PLACES IT'S A STRONG RECOMMENDATION.

ALL OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS ARE RECOMMENDING THAT STUDENTS WEAR A PLACE MASK.

IN SOME PLACES THEY'RE REQUIRING IT FOR THE ADULTS.

, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THEM BUT IT'S JUST A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE STUDENTS.

SO WE SEE A MIX ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

>> A NUMBER OF ALABAMA SCHOOLS RESUMED CLASSES THIS WEEK AND MANY MORE WILL DO SO OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

>> DON: A STATE LAWMAKER SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE WAS DRAFTING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS IN THE STATE'S K-12 SCHOOLS.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW SORRELL OF MUSCLE SHOALS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HIS PLANNED BILL WAS PROMPTED BY A HUNTSVILLE GROUP CALLED ‘UNMASK OUR KIDS.'

>> DON: REPRESENTATIVE SORRELL >> THIS BILL LAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD WEAR A MASK.

IT'S NOT PRO MASK OR ANTI MASK.

THIS IS ABOUT FREE LIBERTY.

SO I'M GOING TO DEFEND A PARENT'S TRITE 0 HAVE THEIR CHILD WEAR A MASK JUST AS I WILL DEBEND THEIR RIGHT NOT TO HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

IT'S ABOUT FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

AND I DON'T LIKE THE SCHOOL CONSTRICT MAKING THAT CHOICE FOR PARENTS.

>> HE SAYS GIVEN THE TIMELY TIMELINESS OF THE ISSUE, HIS HOPES THAT HIS DRAFT BILL MIGHT BE ON THE CALL OF AN EXPECTED SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS FALL.

>> DON: STATE AUDITOR JIM ZEIGLER THIS WEEK TOOK ANOTHER PRELIMINARY STEP TOWARD A POSSIBLE RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

HE FORMED AN EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE VIABILITY OF SUCH A CAMPAIGN BACK IN JUNE AND NOW HE TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE REACHED A FUNDRAISING BENCHMARK THAT REQUIRED HIM TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP.

THE BIG THRESHOLD, ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE A CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

SO WHY DID SO ON AUGUST 1.

I HOPE THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO ASCERTAIN THE SUPPORT, WHICH LOOKS GOOD, AND THE FINANCIAL BACKING WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT THING AGAINST AN ESTABLISHED INCUMBENT BEFORE JAB 28 SO I WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE ABOUT ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> FORMED AN EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE FOR YEARS AGO BUT DID NOT RUN FOR GOVERNOR AT THAT TIME.

>> DON: THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL HOLD AN ALABAMA RALLY LATER THIS MONTH.

HE WILL ADDRESS SUPPORTERS AT YORK FAMILY FARMS IN CULLMAN ON THE NIGHT OF SATURDAY, AUGUST 21ST.

HIS VISIT WILL COINCIDE WITH THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY HOLDING ITS SUMMER MEETING IN CULLMAN.

PARTY CHAIR JOHN WAHL SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT HE BELIEVED AUGUST 21ST WILL BE AN EXCITING AND MEMORABLE NIGHT IN ALABAMA.

TICKET INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE SAVE AMERICA WEBSITE.

DON: THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THIS WEEK BECAME THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO CERTIFY ALL OFFICERS IN WHAT'S KNOWN AS ‘SENSORY TRAINING.'.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS TONIGHT ON WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW MEANINGFUL IT WILL BE.

>> TOO OFTEN WE HAVE CITIZENS WITH SENSORY ISSUES OR FOLKS WHO MAY HAVE PTSD, AWESOME, DIMENSION AND A WHOLE HOST OF SPECIAL NEEDS THAT FRANKLY, OUR HEROS IN BLUE HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED TO DIAL DEAL WITH.

>> ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE GETTING NEW TREATMENT AND EQUIPMENT TO HELP WITH THEIR JOBS.

BUT NOT THE HARDWARE THAT YOU MAY THINK.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THIS STATE AND ALL AROUND THE NATION WHERE IMPLANTS.

AS YOU WELL KNOW, WEARING THOSE DIFFERENT HATS, YOU NEED TO BE TRAINED FOR WHATEVER HAT YOU HAVE ON.

FOR ME, THIS IS ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX TO DO OUR JOB.

>> AND THEY'RE GIVING TOOLS.

>> ALABAMA IS TAKING LEAD IN THIS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT'S ALEA, PASSING OUT IMPORTANT PACKETS OF INFORMATION TO STATE TROOPERS.

THE GOAL IS MAKE SURE IF THEY'RE OUT IN THE FIELD AND IT HAS SENSORY NEEDS THEY'RE PREPARED TO HELP THEM.

THEY WANT TO GIVE OTHER STATES THE THOUGHT 0 OF SEEING THIS IN ACTION TO SEE IF THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED AS WELL.

>> EVERY VEHICLE WILL HAVE A BAG IN IT TO MITIGATE SENSE RYE OVERLOAD AND ALSO THE CITIZENS NOT GOING TO THIS IS AVAILABLE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RESPECT.

>> DON: AN EFFORT TO CREATE AN ALABAMA MIDWIFERY PROGRAM OF STUDY IS GAINING STEAM.

OFFICIALS RECENTLY MET FOR THE FIRST TIME TO TALK STRATEGY, INCLUDING HOW TO ESTABLISH A CURRICULUM AND THE CHALLENGES IN DOING SO.

IN PART TWO OF HER ‘STORY BEHIND THE STORY' SERIES, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK TONIGHT.

>> THE POLITICIAN TO STEADY ESTABLISHING AN ALABAMA MIDWIFERY PROGRAM WASN'T TO BE OFFERED THROUGH THE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

AT THE WALLS CAMPUS IN SELMA.

THEY BELIEVE THE CURRICULUM OFFERED IN IT STATE OF WISCONSIN CAN BE A MODEL.

>> SO THE REASON WISCONSIN COMES UP IS BECAUSE THAT IS A STATE THAT HAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED 0 TWO YEAR COLLEGE CURRICULUM.

>> WITHIN THIS COURSE OF STUDY ARE SEVERAL CHALLENGES SUCH AT CAPACITY.

>> FOR NURSING FRESHMEN, I KNOW I CAN'T TAKE A THOUSAND STUDENTS BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THERE'S JUST NOTE ENOUGH CLINICAL CAPABILITY.

SO IN LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF WIFE WIVESS, THERE'S OWN 15.

THEY MAY BE MOBILE AND ABLE TO CENTRAL BUTTER IF I'M A STUDENT AT WALLACE AND I HAVE TO MIGHT ANOTHER MIDWIFE PROTECTORY THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.

>> YOU WOULD NEED A PROCESS SETAL NURSE WHO IS TRAINED IN THAT AREA OR SOMEONE WHO HAS SUPPLIED ORIENTED TRAINING IN ORDER TO PLEAT COMPLETE THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH OR COME UP WITH MANY WHAT A PROGRAM LIKE THIS IS GOING TO COST.

THAT'S AT IS A LEGISLATURE DOES, THEY MAKE FUNDS FOR THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

>> OTHER THAN HURDLES INCLUDE THE COST TO STUDENTS, INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HOME MIDWIFE SERVICES NOT BEING COVERED BY ALABAMA MEDICAID.

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

Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST: THE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, CAM WARD IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> SAME HERE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECENT APPOINTMENT AS A FORMAL MEMBER OF GOV.

IVEY'S CABINET.

IT'S QUITE AN HONER.

>> IT'S AN HONOR SHE SELECTED ME.

I.

LOOK FORWARD TO THE JOB AND I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THE RESPECT AND THE HONOR THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS.

>> HELP FOLKS UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.

BEING A DIRECTOR WAS A GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT BUT NOT UNTIL NOW IT'S A FORMAL POSITION IN THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LARGER VOICE AND HELPING WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE YOURS AND ISSUES OF THE STATE STATING A SEAT AT THE TYPE, I PRESSURE THE PRECIOUS SHE HAS.

>> IN MAKING THIS APPOINTMENT JUST REASONS SAID SHE WANTED YOU WAS THE UNPRECEDENTED ARE REFORMED.

SHE'S ALSO LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AND SAYS YOU CAN BRING A LOT TO THE PICTURE AS FAR AS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM OVER YOUR LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND INTO YOUR CAREER AS PARDONS AND PAROLES.

>> IT'S AS UNDISCUSSED ISSUE.

THE COVER HAS ALWAYS LEAKED AS AT IMPORTANT BRYAN BROACH.

SHE HAD A -- IT WAS SEPARATE SEPARATED BY TO THIS PROBLEM.

SO THE COVER AS A VERY COVER WHEN I HAVE VIEW AND I HOPE UP CAN OPERATED THAT TO BEING PARTY OF ANY NEW ROLE.

AND I THINK HAVING US AT A TABLE, FLOW WE CAN SHOW COMING UP WITH THE SOLUTION THAT COME BACK DOESN'T TO DO REACH THAT CONCENTRATION ON AN IMMEDIATE POINT.

THERE ARE OTHERS WHO SAID DON'T JUST BUILD NEW PRISONS DOESN'T MEAN REFORM THEM, AND NOW SHE'S SAYING I'M LOOKING AT REFORM.

>> SHE'S HAD THAT MESSAGE ALL ALONG.

BUT THERE ARE FOLKS WHO DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN UP FRONT EVENTS CONSTRUCTION TO PROVIDE MORE MENTAL HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES MORE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES INSIDE THE PRISONS BUT NOT NECESSARILY TO BUILD YOUR WAY OUT OF IT.

I THINK OUR CRITICS ARE ALL ON THAT.

WHAT I DO SEE IS, SHE'S ALWAYS HAD OVER OTHER APPROACHES.

SHE HAS ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT REDUCING RECIDIVISM IN ALABAMA FOR BISHOP.

AND I THINK SHE HAS ALWAYS HAD THAT APPROACH BUT SHE'S NOT TELLING EVERYONE SHE IS LOOKING AT ONE SOLUTION BUT ANYBODY EMPLOYS.

>> THERE'S WHOM WHO SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTIONS NEEDS TO DO A BETTER JOB OF REHABILITATING BEFORE IT DEPENDS THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY.

HOW DO YOU THINK WE'RE DOING THAT DO THAT?

>> I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

THAT'S SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

I THINK EVEN IT TELLS YOU THAT WE NEED: THE OPERATOR OF THAT IS PROVIDING THE RESOURCES; AND, TWO, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ANYTHING NOT THE PROPER IS WORKING.

THERE'S TO PROGRAMMING GRACE.

YOU HAVE TO HAPPEN BETTER PROGRAMMING.

AND WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY HAS A DEDICATED TWO-YEAR COLLEGE SO WE WILL FOR EDUCATION BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE SPACE FOR THAT CONDITION BUT IN THIS CASE TO THAT SPACE YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE THE INFERENCES FOR THOSE PROGRAMS.

SO IT'S MULTI FACIES FED.

THERE'S NOT ONCE MIRROR OR ELECTRICAL LET HIM.

>> THAT REFERENCE YOU COMB IS 8:30 WITH PAST COOL.

>> DOES DR. FUNDER DOES HAVE A GRADE JOSH AND REPRESENTS OUR STATE WELL.

>> THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAID ALREADY THAT NEW -- SO MANY PROCEDURES EXPECTS SOURCE THAT PROCESSED AROUND, WHERE THERE TEAM AND DO THEY NEED THE WATCH ALREADY OWNS.

THERE WAS THE RIGHT PRIVATE LEASE DOWN AND NOW A STATE ISSUE.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH.

ARE YOU AS WELL AS WE HAVE BEEN.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE WHEN I TRIED TO BUSH AT THE BROCHURE BROTHER I HAVE TO HAVE THAT.

WOULD I SHEA THAT TODAY, I HIRE LEGISLATORS AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IN AND MUCH MORE SERIOUSNESS IS ON THE HAVING A PROBLEM.

THE THREATS ARE KIND ABOUT THE COST AND I WOULD SAY ABOUT THE COSTS OF DOING NO.

A LOT OF CRITICS WHO THINK THEIR REAL ESTATE TRY TRYING TO BUILD THEIR WAY OUR PROJECT AND IF YOU DIDN'T THAT I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE PROPOSALS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GORE'S PLACE, THE ISSUE IS THEY'RE NOT.

THAT YOU ARE PROGRAMMING TO AN ISSUE FROM FIRST IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS.

I HEAR HER LEADERSHIP SAYING REPRESENT TO ADDRESS IT.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS NOW FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRISONERS WHO ARE ABOUT TO BE RELEASED SENDING THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE READY FOR THAT'S TRANSITION AND MAKING SURE THEY DON'T STRUCTURE TO PRISON.

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE PEOPLE UNDER OTHER OF OUR JURISDICTION, THE BURDEN OF BISHOP, WHICH DOESN'T DETERMINE WHO GETS WHAT AND WHO DOESN'T, BUT WE MONITOR YOUR WHEN YOU GET IT.

WE NEED LOOK AT HOW DO YOU REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

WE OVERSEE AND ABOUT HAD HAD THOUSAND PRACTICAL.

WHAT AND WE COULD SAY THAT AT 15 PERCENT, AND HOW DO WE DO MUCH?

THE LEGISLATURE GAVE A LOT MORE SOMETIMES FOR MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION, PEEPING PEOPLE GET A JOB SKILL.

THAT'S WHERE WE PLAY THE BIGGEST ROLE IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMON.

>> YOU TOOK OVER WHAT IS CURED A DRIBBLED AGENCY.

COULD YOU RECALL GOD.

>> ANY TIME YOU DEAL WITH ANY AGE THAT'S NEAR BY 8 HUNDRED EMPLOYEES IT TURNS THE TIME TO SPELLED IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> CAM WARD IS DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON YOUR IMPAIRMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST KELVIN LAWRENCE OF HAYNEVILLE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> REPRESENTATIVE I WANT TO START WITH THE PANDEMIC.

AND OUR VACCINATION ISSUES HERE IN ALABAMA.

OF COURSE WE'RE AMONG THE LOWEST WHERE THE VACCINATION RATE IS CONCERNED.

LOWNDES COUNTY HAS BEEN POINTED OUTDOOR RECENTLY IS THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE STATE BEHALF 50 PERCENT WHERE AT LEAST ONE SHOW OF THE VACCINE IS CONCERNED.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

AND YOU'RE ABSENT 37.5 PERCENT WHERE FULLY HAVE TO EXPLAIN MATED AS CONCERNED.

BUT IT'S BOUNDED OUT THAT SMALLEST LOCATION IS ONE OF THE SMALLEST COUNTIES IN ALABAMA.

ARE YOU ENCOURAGED WITH THOSE NUMBERS?

>> SLOW OF ABSOLUTE.

IT'S VERY PRESSURING TO ONE TIME BE BEING IN THE STATE SOMETHING POSITIVE, WHEN IT COME TO ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT HE HAVE, CHECK CHICKS, AND WE'RE LAST ON THE TOTEM POLL, SO IT'S GREAT TO COME THROUGH WITH NEW POPULATION GROUND SYSTEM.

AND I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THEM THERE THAT WE CAN DO AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT AREAS AS FAR AS PER DUTY FOR COVID POSITIVE.

SO I SPENT A -- I THINK WITH THIS VACCINE, EVERYBODY IS KIND OF FEELING LIKE THE REST IS BETTER THAN THE REWARD SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH DIRECT AS FAR AS GETTING PEOPLE AS VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

>> IT'S THOSE THINGS THAT HELPED YOU BRING YOU TOLERATE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST RIGHT IN YOUR DIRECT AND THE OWN DON'T DISTRICT, DOCKS THAT IS HAVING 35.1 PERCENT ALONE, AT LEAST P&L ONE OF THE SHOTS.

>> I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE GO TO CALL FOUR COUNT YEARS OF THE COUNT, OF THE GROCERY STORE, AND IT IMPACTGED SOME WAY, AND IT HAS MEANT A DETRIMENT TO THE COUNTY.

I WOULDN'T THINK THAT WAS A GOOD SITUATION WHERE THIS VACCINE WAS MADE AVAILABLE AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD NO PEOPLE TRYING TO LINE AS IT AS WHEN FIT CAME OUT.

DIS RESTRICTED TO AGE TROOPS.

BUT YOU HAD PAPAL THAT WERE 20 YEARS OLD, 30 YEARS OLD WANTED TO GET THE VACCINE BECAUSE THEY SEEN WHAT PERMIT VIRUS CAN BRING UPON A COMMUNITY.

SO THEY WERE REAL JUST TAKE.

KEEPING THEIR FINGERS CROSSED WOULD COME AVAILABLE.

>> YOU REPRESENTATIVE ALL OF THE LOWNDES, MANY AND WILL COME COUNTY AND FOURTH THE MORE.

IT'S OFTEN POINTED TO IN A LOT OF CONFIGURATIONS AS BEING ONE OF THE POOREST COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

IS WILL COME DOING WELL?

>> WE'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD, AND EVEN WITH THE HELP OF THE GOVERNOR.

SHE CAME DOWN AND HELPED UP OVER A VACCINATION CLINIC, DERIVED THROUGH, AND I THINK IT FORWARDED A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VACCINE WHERE THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD TRANSPORATION ISSUES, CERTIFICATE, TRYING TO SAY THE -- SO YOU THINK THEY'RE MOVING IN'S WELL.

AND I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, IN MY AREA WHAT I HAVE SEEN, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE -- >> DRIVE IS A WILCOX COUNTY NATIVE SO IT HELPED HAVING A HOMETOWN LADY TO BRING ALL OF THIS TO TO THE AREA.

>> YES.

IT WAS A BIG TURN ABOUT WHEN SHE ACTUALLY CAME DOWN AND DID THE OPENING OF THE DRIVE THROUGH VACCINE WITH THE HELP OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES TO SAY, HEY, IF THE GOVERNOR TO COME DOWN?

HOPE THIS UP AND SHOW YOU THE VICTGORY OF BEING TRANSLATED?

OVER ALTHOUGH IN YOUR ALABAMA DIRECT ALSO A LONG WAY TOGETHER WITH THOSE WHO ARE PLYING VACCINATED IN AT ALL POSSIBLE.

>> I'M ENCOURAGING ANYONE WHO CAN GET THE SHOT TO GET THE SHOP.

FOR MYSELF I WAS FULLY VACCINATED, BUT I GOT THE SECOND SHOT ON MARCH 10, AND ON 15, I TESTED POSITIVE.

FORTUNATELY, I HAD THE SYMPTOMS WERE NOT AS DIRE AS OTHER CASES AND OTHER PEOPLE.

SO I ENCOURAGE ANYONE, TO THIS IS POSSIBLE, PROTECT YOURSELF.

>> TIME IS SHORT.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, YOU DON'T WANT TURN TO GAMBLING FOR A MINUTE.

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG ISSUE DOWN IN EUROPE DISTRICT, A COUPLE OF GAMING FACILITIES.

A GAMING BILL DO NOT GET OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR BUT THERE'S TALK IT MAY BE BACK IN THE NEXT SESSION IN JANUARY IN TIME TO POSSIBLY GET A LOTTERY REFERENDUM ON NEXT YOU'RE ELECTION BALLOT.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC AT ALL.

>> I AM.

I THINK FOR ONCE AND ALL WE NEED TO KIND OF PUT THE ISSUE TO DO.

BUT FROM DOING SO WE NEED TO HAVE IN THIS.

IN THE LAST ELECTION LOWNDES COUNTY WANTED TO SAY LEFT OUT.

AND YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE LOTTERY IS PART OF THE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS -- GAMBLE, AND I DIDN'T THINK TO JUST CLOSE DOWN, IT'S A BAD THING.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE GAMBLING, WE NEVER NEED TO THOSE AT THOSE FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR SOME TIME.

>> WAS I CORRECT, THERE ARE TWO IN WHITE HOUSE?

>> AT LEAST.

SOME SAY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET BOTH FACILITIES TO BE OPEN BUT RIGHT NOW BOTH FACILITIES ARE ACTUAL GOING TO BE CLOSED IN THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PROPOSED BUT WE'RE HOPING AND CONTINUING WITH TALKS TO PLEAD OUR CASE THAT GO GAMBLING IS MASSED LOWNDES COUNTY WOULD BE INCLUDED.

>> THIS NEW PLAN THAT MAY BECOME BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES, YOU'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO HAVE LOWNDES COUNTY AT THE TABLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M HOPING AND I'M GOING TO LOBBY ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO DEVELOP HELP AS WELL.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC SOMETHING COULD BE OUT NEXT YEAR AND ON THE ELECTION BALLOT?

>> I UNDERSTAND.

>> KIND OF.

BUT IN AN ELECTION YEAR THERE'S A LOT OF DID YOU HAVE DECISIONS TON MADE BUT IT IF IT COMES UP I'M HAPPYING THAT INTEREST MINDS COUNTY WOULD HAVE ONE OF THIS BILL MAKES TO IT TO THE FLOOR AND GETS TO -- >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEER MARSHAL IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

GENERAL MARSHAL WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> YOU TOO.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT COVID AND THE LAW WHERE VACCINATIONS ARE CONCERNED.

BUT BEFORE WE GO THERE I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE CASE ALABAMANS ARE WATCHING AND IT'S FORMER LIMESTONE COUNTY SHARE MIKE BLAKELEY, THE LONGEST SERVING SHERIFF IN ALABAMA WAS CONVICTED ON TWO STATE CHARGES DEALING WITH USING HIS OFFICE FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

SHE WAS ACQUITTED ON SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES BUT THE STATE WON TWO CONVICTIONS AGAINST HIM.

AS I SAY IT WAS A CLOSELY WATCHED CASE.

AND I KNOW THE STATE WORKED PARTICULARLY HARD ON THIS ONE.

>> I DID.

AND CLARK MORRIS LED THE PROSECUTION TEAM.

AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT A JURY TOOK GREAT PAINS TO EVALUATE THE EVIDENCE.

OBVIOUSLY THAT HE WEIGHED IT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY WERE IF AGE TO FIND COUNTS WHERE HE WAS GUILTY AND NOT GUILTY.

IT WAS ONE THAT WE WORKED HARD ON.

CORRUPTION IS A PROBLEM FOR US IN OUR OFFICE AND PEOPLE OVER THE SUMMER HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE CASES WHERE THAT GROUP HAS ACTED PRO HANDLE AND THAT WILL CLAIM A TOSS FOR IT AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A TEAM TO NAME THOSE THAT YOU SAY.

>> BECAUSE A CONVICTION WAS VASS, 30 YEARS WAS REMOVED FROM OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

>> EXACTLY.

AND IN FACT, THIS STRANGE NUANCE OF ALABAMA LAW THAT A CORONER REPLACE'S SHERIFF ON AN INTERIM BASIS UNTIL A NEW SHERIFF IS MADE SO WE WILL AWAIT FOR KAY IVEY AND ANNOUNCE THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> THANKS I THINK THIS IS THE SECOND SHEAR IN A YEAR NOW HAT POST-SECONDARY OPINION TAKE TAKEN DOWN.

YOU IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST CLARK COUNTY'S CHAIR -- >> I DID.

OUR WORK CONTINUES ON THE SPANNED POINT OF THE SOLUTION.

THE MEME OF ALABAMA LOOK FORWARD TO OUR OFFICE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE DECISIONS AND MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISION.

AND THEY'RE NOT GUIDED BY ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT IS THE BEV OF ALABAMA AND WHEN WE SEE THOSE WHO CHOOSE FOR ILL GOTTEN GAINS WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THOSE OFFENSES ACCOUNTABLE.

IF THERE'S ANY MESSAGE OF THE REFLECTIVE WORK THIS SUMMER IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT JOB.

>> MIKE BLAKELEY WILL ROLL THAT INDICATES FOOL FREE.

BUT THE MESSAGE HERE IS ON REASONS TO AND AGENT DIE IN BUCK OFFICE.

AND.

>> NO ONE IS IN POSSIBLE.

IN THE WIRES OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND THOSE WHO OFFEND THE PUBLIC TRUST WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN SAY TO THE FULTON COUNTY THAT WAS HE WAS SLEEVED TO TO THE OVERARY CHARGES AGAINST THEM.

>> WE'RE JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE WORE WORK OF THE JURY.

I PREED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THERE AND DO OUR.

I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR THEIR JOSH.

>> YEN MORK, AMBASSADOR YOU AND YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN FLOODED WITH CALLS ABOUT THE NEW STATE ABOUT LAW THE PEN ALONE STATE WROTES DEALING WITH BECOMESES AND CLAIR OVER THIS LAW.

PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED AND YOU FELT COMPELLED ENOUGH TO ISSUE THIS GUIDANCE.

>> WE DID.

AND IT HAS ARISEN OUT OF THE RISING OUT BREAKS OF COVID ACROSS THE STATE, KIND OF WHAT IS IT THAT SHUN THE RESPONSE TO PUBLIC AND BUSINESS.

AND ALSO A RECOGNITION THAT THE LEGISLATURE THROUGH THE PACKAGE OF THIS BILL TRULY CREATED A NEW LIBERTY INTEREST IN INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO SAY THEY CANNOT BE COMPELLED TO DISCLOSE THEIR SLACKS NATION STATUS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUBLISH WHO THOSE ARE AND I DON'T THINK I READ THE WHEN I CAME OUT OF -- SO WE HAVE GOTTEN THOSE QUESTIONS AND TRY TO DIVE IN AND HELP GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND EDUCATORS STATE DECIDE WHAT THIS LAW COLONELS AND WOULDN'T IT DO, THAT THEY WILL NECESSITY THE DIRECTION THEE CAN.

>> THIS WEEK'S INCLUDES A CONFERRED BUSINESS PRIOR THEIR EMPLOYEES TO BE THEIR ICK NATURED.

>> THAT WAS HAD A QUESTION OUTSIDE OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE BILL SO WHEN WE WERE ISSUING OUR GUIDANCE IN THEIR AREA WE WERE SAYING THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BILL THAT LIMITS THE ABILITY OF AN EMPLOYER TO BIBLE TO COMPEL ACTION NATION.

THERE ARE STIM EMPLOYEES CAN ASSERT.

ONE CAN BE A REINFORCE FOR A MEDICAL AND THOSE HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS A FARM OF FELLOW WHEN WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS ON THAT IS AN AREA THAT HE DIDN'T DEAL WITH.

BUT THEY DID DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS AND HOW IS THEN ALSO PROVISIONS RELATING TO EDUCATOR SO HE IS WE'RE NOT LIMITING ATTENDANCE BASED ON SOMEBODIES VACCINATION STATUS.

>> LET'S HAVE SCHOOLS NOW.

THAT HAS BEEN ANOTHER CUMMING OF COURSE OF ALL OF THIS.

START BAG TO SEE AND WE LYNN TO NEXT DO SO THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

STYLES COULD NOT REQUIRE VACCINATIONS BEYOND THOSE REQUIRED ON JUAN 3 1.

WE ALL KNEW VACATIONS WERE COMING UP BUT WHAT THE MAYOR CLEAR BY DEFINING THAT CHASE IS THAT WE'RE COPIED BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT WE'RE INVOLVED IN A LOT.

THIS INVOLVED DOCUMENTATION OF VACCINATIONS.

LEGISLATURE DIDN'T TRY TO TEAL WITH THE MCDONALD'S OR WHEN THAT HE COUNTY.

WHEN WE WERE ISSUE OUR GUIDANCE IT'S DEALING WITH THE MEDICATION VACATIONS AND WHEN THEY'RE NOT -- THIS, AS YOU POINT OCCUPY, DID YOU WANT TO WITH MASKS AT ALL.

WHEN WE ISSUED THE NATIONAL GUIDANCE AND TRY TO FROM WHO THE CHANGING DID THAT WITH THAT, ANY BILLS HAVE BEEN IN THE EDUCATION SETTING.

SO THIS WEEK WE DID A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, DIFFERENT POLICIES THAT HAVE COME UP AND DRIED TO DEFINE THOSE FOR THE SIMPLE OF EXCELLENT.

YOU CAN'T REQUIRE VACCINATIONS FOR SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND PARTLY SUNNY EDUCATION.

BUT THEN THERE WERE NUANCED POLICIES WHETHER AROUND YOU COULD CHARGE THAT COULD BE REBATED IF, IN FACT, YOU GOT DECLARES.

WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT WOULD NOT BE PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE ACT.

AND WE EVEN DIVED INTO A LITTLE BIT OF A QUESTION THAT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO SOME OF SHOWS PARTLY SUNNY PROGRAMS THAT WOULD NEVER STUDENTS BEING?

HOSPITAL SETTINGS OR A THERE WERE WILLED WOULD CONFER HER AND THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER OR NOT THAT CAN BE NOR THE STATE FOR HUNT TO HEAR WITH ATTENDANCE.

SO THIS AS HAS BEEN CHALLENGING ONE AND WEEP NEED TO GIVER THE BEST WE COULD.

>> STEVE MARSHALL, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THAT YOU ARE BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> AND CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK >> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, ALABAMA SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIK MACKEY IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> DR. MACKEY, SCHOOL STARTED THIS WEEK.

FOR SOME STUDENTS IN ALABAMA AND THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

WELCOME THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE CLOSELY WATCHED BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASONS GIVEN THE RISE OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND THE DELTA VARIANT, PROVIDING SO MANY CHALLENGES TO YOU AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND MAKING DECISIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN SCHOOL.

LET'S BEGIN WITH MASKING WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL RIGHT NOW.

MASKING REMAINS A LOCAL DECISION; RIGHT.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> UNDER THE CURRENT PROCESS, WITH NO STATE HEALTH EMERGENCY, THAT REMAIN'S LOCAL DECISION.

LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE REALLY STRUGGLED WITH THAT AND I KNOW IN MANY COMMUNITIES THEY ORIGINALLY SAID NO MASK AND AS NUMBER VERSE GROWN, THE COMMUNITIES HAVE SAID COME BACK AND ADD THAT IN, THE STATED HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS HELPFUL TO US THIS WEEK WHEN THEY RELEASED A TOOLKIT AND HE SAID THAT STUDENTS WITHIN THREE FEET OF ONE ANOTHER, IF THEY'RE WEARING A MASK WILL NOT HAVE TO BE ISOLATED OR QUARANTINED OR MUTED PUT OUT OF SCHOOL.

I CAN SAY THAT ENCOURAGED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO SAY IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH EASIER TO MANAGE THIS YEAR THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.

THE STATED HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOLS BUT THAT IS JUST A RECOMMENDATION.

IT'S STILL A DECISION THAT WILL BE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> IN A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT'S SOMETHING DISTRICTS ARE PASSING ON TO THE PARENTS.

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT TOO.

I WOULD FOLLOW THE ADVICE THAT DR. HARRIS IS GIVEN US, THAT IT'S THE BEST PRACTICE FOR STUDENTS TO BE WEARING MASK.

BUST WHEN YOU GO 0 REQUIREMENT THAT IS ANOTHER LEVEL THAT IS A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DECISION.

WE LIKEN IT TO DRESS CODE.

WE HAVE SCHOOLS IN THE STATE THAT HAVE UNION FORMS REQUIRED.

WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT DOESN'T HAVE SOUP FORMS REQUIRED.

BUT A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD AS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS ABOUT HOW STUDENTS WILL BE ATTIRED ON CAMPUS AND THAT MASK AND PART OF THE ATTIRE.

>> SO ARE SOME PEOPLE DOING A REQUIRE AND OTHER PLACES IT'S A RECOMMENDATION?

>> SOME PLACES IT'S ADJUST RECOMMENDATION.

SOME SCHOOL BOARDS ALL I HAVE HEARD FROM, AT LEAST THAT STUDENTS PAIR FANTASTICS AND IN SOME BLAZES THEY'RE OCCURRING IT FOR THE DOES THISES, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK HER TO.

SO WE SEE A SICK ALL ACROSS THE STREET: THAT I SAY HAS BECOME A VERY CONTROVERSIAL SHULL DURING THE PAST PART OF MOTORCYCLE, WHERE MEME SAID THIS SHOULD BE A POISE, CHAT MY CIVIL LIBERTIES BEING ARE BEING INVITED AND THERE'S A CHANCE TO DRAFT LEGISLATION THAT BO SAY THAT SCHOOLS MAN CARING IN THEIR BEAUTIES.

>> I HAVEN'T I SEEN THE EDUCATION.

IT'S NOT WITE-OUT YET BUT RELEADER IS ABOUT IT BEING DRAFTED.

WE WILL CERTAINLY BE THAT TO TALK TO THOSE WHO ARE OPEN TO THAT AND I'M ALWAYS TALK TO THEM ABOUT IDEAS.

BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, SCHOOL BOARDS ARE CHOSEN BY THE LOCAL SKILLS OR THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY MUCH THEIR STUDENT AND THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY STORE THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS FOR ATHLETICS, FOR EXTRA ACIDIC RADICULAR ACTIVITIES, AT THE ALLOW THEIR BAND TO TRAVEL TO TO THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PA TRADE-IN DUB LANE IRELAND, THAT LOCAL SCOOPED BOUGHT IS TAKE ECK ON ALONE OLD FASHION CONSERVATIVE THAT BELIEVES GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO HOME IN THE BEST GOVERNMENT.

IS WE WANT TO RETAIN AS MUCH LIGHTS FOR THE SCHOOL BE BOARD AS KEY WITH, FOR WHAT THINK FEEL LIKE IS BEST AT THE TIME.

>> BECAUSE AS WE HAVE POINTED OUT IN CONVERSATIONS THEY SAY PEOPLE FOLKS-LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON THIS THEIR UNIT.

AND SITUATIONS COULD VARY BUT THE COVID SPREAD IS THE AROUND IS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

AND WE HAVE TO THINK LONG TERM WHEN WE TALK ABOUT POLICY MAKING.

WHAT'S THE BEST POLICY FOR TODAY AND WHAT IS ALSO THE BEST POLICY MAKING FOR THE FUTURE.

CERTAINLY, WE LOOK BACK TO MARCH 2000 20, AND NONE OF US SAW WHAT WAS COMING.

EVEN WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A TWO OR THREE WEEK ORDEAL AND GET BACK BACK TO NORMAL AND NOW 18 MONTHS LATER WE'RE NOT BACK TO NORMAL BUT THINGS ARE BETTER.

WE WILL ALL HAVE OF OUR CLASSROOM CLASSROOMS OPEN, ALMOST ALL OF THE STUDENTS BACK SO A REGULAR SETTLING THIS YEAR CITY A VERY BIG POSITIVE FOR IT.

IT ALSO RAISES MORE OF A CHALLENGE SO WE WILL HAVE MORE STUDENTS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY SO IT FOLLOWS THAT WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE GREATER SPREAD OF COVID ONCE SCHOOL STARTS BACK.

>> WHERE VACCINATIONS ARE CONCERNED WE HAVE HEARD FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL THIS WEEK WHO OFFER OFFERED GUIDANCE ON THE LAW THAT BANS VACCINE PASSPORTS IN THE STATED BUT IT DOES SAY THAT SCHOOLS CANNOT REQUIRE VACCINATIONS.

>> RIGHT.

WE MIGHT POINT OUT THE SHOTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE NOW TO CHILDREN 12 AND UP.

>> RIGHT.

SO WE CANNOT REQUIRE STUDENTS TO TAKE THE VACCINE IN ORDER TO ATTEND SCHOOL.

AND WE HAVE BEEN PLATING UNDER THAT PREMISE ALL ALONG ANYWAY.

REALLY WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DID WAS CLARIFY THE WAY WE WERE ALREADY OPERATING, THAT VACCINES WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED.

HE DID ALSO HELP WITH US LANGUAGE IN THERE ABOUT CLOSE CONTACTS AND CONTACT TRACING AND WHETHER STUDENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE SEND HOME OR NOT BE SENT HOME, WHETHER THEY'RE VACCINATED OR THAT, AND I THINK HE LEFT ROOM THERE STY THAT YOU FOLLOW THAT CDC GUIDANCE AND FOLLOW THAT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SLIDING, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T SHOW SYMPTOMS DON'T HAVE TO BE QUARANTINED OR ISOLATED.

BUT THE KEY FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S ADVICE IS, WE CAN'T REQUIRE THEM TO SHOW A CARD.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD IF THEY SAY, HEY, I'VE BEEN VACCINATED AND THEN THEY GO INTO THE POOL OF VACCINATED.

>> IT'S GOOD THING THAT KIDS ARE GETTING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM NOW.

I THINK IT'S COMPLETED ESTABLISHED KIDS DO BETTER LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM WITH A TEACHER VERSUS THE VIRTUAL OPTION.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I GUESS IT IS CAUSE FOR A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS COMING WRITING ALL OF THESE PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER OVER UNDER ONE ROOF AGAIN.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WE EXPECT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, BALLGAMES.

WE EXPECT TO SEE CLASSROOMS FULL, TO SEE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FULL.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHICH ACTIVITIES MIGHT HAVE TO BE CURTAILED.

WE TALK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS THIS WEEK ABSENT FIELD TRIPS AND WE'RE NOT PUTTING ANY REQUIREMENTS ON FIELD TRIPS RIGHT NOW BUT WE DID DO THAT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

MIGHT HAVE TO GO BACK AND DO SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

THE REASON WOULD BE SO WE KEEP THE MAIN ACTIVITY, WHICH IS CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, IN INTACT.

AND ONE THING IS TO GET THE KIDS IN CLASSROOM WHICH THE END OF THIS MONTH THEY WILL BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE HOPE FOR THE BEST.

SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, DR. ERIK MACKEY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK YOU.

>> FINALLY TONIGHT, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS PLUS ONE.

SHE JOINED BY DR. DON WILLIAMSON THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME BACK WELCOME TO GO BOTH OF YOU.

DR. HARRIS LET'S BEGIN WITH THE STATUS.

WE HAVE SEEN DEFINITELY DAYS THIS WEEK WITH CASES OVER 3 THOUSAND AS THE DAILY CASE COUNT.

OBVIOUSLY STILL MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

AND THE POSITIVITY RATE IS OF MOST CONCERN?

>> WE'RE HAVING A TIME.

THESE ARE THE WORST NUMBERS SINCE JANUARY FOR SURE.

IT RATE GOING UP SEEMS WORSE THAN JOHN.

WE'RE OBJECTING EASTER 2 THOUSAND CASE'S DAY.

WE HAVE HAD OVER 3 THOUSAND CASE'S DAY FOR THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE DAYS.

OUR HOSPITAL NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED.

EVEN LAST WEEK WE MENTIONED HOW THEY INCREASED BUT IT'S MORE THAN 10-FOLD IN MONTH AND THAT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION TO BE?

>> SPEAKING OF THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE, WE'RE OVERIANA HUNDRED AND THAT NUMBER CLAIMS SEPARATELY, CUT I NOT?

>> GIVEN THE POSITIVITY RATE IT COULD BE UP TO 4 PERCENT.

I DON'T SEE ANY REASON I WILL TURN UP TO 1850 SON.

YET, ABOUT 500 ON ICU AND 250 ON SHRED OF.

AND THEY WERE ALL PEDIATRIC METHODS IN A VERY BAD TRICKS.

>> 37 PETE TRICK PATIENTS.

IS THAT CONCERNING.

>> DISTO ME BECAUSE I THINK OF THEM OF BEING A MARKERRER PRANCE TRANS MINUTE THEY CAN'T BE NATURED SO IF THEY'RE COMING DOWN WITH THE SIZE, THAT IMPLIES THEY'RE EXPOSED TO PRIORS, LOVED ONCE OR -- SO TO ME THAT'S A MARKER OF WIDESPREAD AND ONGOING COMMUNICATION.

>> WITH SCHOOL STARTING THAT GUESSES AND ADDS TOO YOU'RE CONCERN.

>> RIGHT.

I CAN'T SEIZE HOW INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT IS THAT WE WILL NOT SEE SCHOOL OUTCOMES.

JUST TALKING TO THE HOSPITALS WE'RE SEEING MORE CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED BE MORE SERIOUS NOW THAN JANUARY.

>> THAT'S BAIT OF THE DELTA PRINTER.

BECAUSE THIS SO MANY MORE INFECTION AROUND AROUND LAST YEAR.

>> IT IS MVP MORE IN NICK INFECTIOUS THAT WE HAVE KNOWN TO BE POWERFUL.

THE DELTA VARIANT SPREADS AS EASILY AS CHICKEN BOTCH AND WE HAVE SOMEHOW HOUR WHICH THINK THIS THAT SPREADS.

WE WOULD PREDICT THAT PERSON WOULD SPREAD IT TO ONE OR TWO OTHER PEOPLE.

BASED ON THE NUMBER NOW IT LOOK LIKE PEOPLE ARE FOR SOMETHING THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE AND AS MUCH AS FIVE PEOPLE WOULD SHOW THE FACT INFECTED ARE A SINGLE.

>> SOME WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING THIS ON FOURTH -- >> PLAY'S ROLE BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE VIRUS PLAY'S ROLE HASSLE.

THIS IS GNAW VIRAL, ALMOST A DIFFERENT DECEMBER THAN WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF HOW INFECTIOUS THIS.

IT IS.

IT'S WHAT HAS TO THE VACCINATED PEOPLE OF PEOPLE OR NO.

TO WEAR MARKS THIS IS NOT THE SAME DISEASE WE HAVE SEEN PREVIOUSLY.

>> GIVEN THAT THE HOSPITAL RATE IS OVER 18 HUNDRED AND WE HAVE OVER 500 IN THE NUMBER OF ICU, HOW ARE PATIENTS COPING RIGHT, NO.

>> WELL, THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH TWO PHENOMENA.

NUMBER ONE THEIR ALREADY PRIOR LOCKS OF COMMON STRAITS ON THE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT HAVE CUT BACK ON ELECTRIC STUDIES THAT ARE STATED-WIDE AND HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS SO YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT ARE REACHING OUT TRYING TO FIND ADDITIONAL STAFF.

SO WE'RE PREPARING FOR WHAT THEY THINK RIGHT NOW BASED ON THED IN IT'S IS LIKELY TO BE OBJECT TO THE FORM OF THE QUESTION THAN JANUARY.

>> THERE'S ALSO BEEN A CALL NOR FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT GOING TO THE ER, TO AVOID THE ER FOR NONE EMERGENCY PERSONAL KNOWLEDGES THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER PLACES YOU CAN GET A TEST.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAVE SEEN WORKERS VERY AUTHORS WITH SEVERAL DOCTORS WAITING TO BE ADMITTED FROM.

EUOST.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FILLING THE STATION PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT BEAM JUST THINK WELL I'VE BEEN EXPOSED IS WHAT YOU'RE GOING FOR REALLY AN EMERGENCY OR HAS THIS BEEN FIVE OR SIX OR SEVEN DAYS WORTH OF A PROBLEM.

AND IF IT'S A POISON, ON MY SITE.

WHILE ALL KNOTTING THE TIPPING POINT IF YOU WILL, WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE STROKES, HEART ATTACKS AND MOTOR VEHICLES AND WHEN YOU BIND THAT TOGETHER WE'RE GOING TO GET SO A POSITION THAT WILL BE SUBSTANTIVELY WORSE.

>> THE STATE HAS NEW INFORMAITON BECAUSE OUR VACCINATION RATES ABOUT TO BE THE SMALLEST IN THE COUNTRY.

WE SAW ALONE UPTICK 234 VACS THIS WEEK.

>> WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE LAST 10 DAYS OR SO.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD MORE THAN 10 THOUSAND -- SOME WAYS MORE THAN 15 THOUSAND VACS IN A DIFFERENT DAYS WHEN THE HIGHEST NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL VACCINATE TO HELP HAD SOMEONE AND THERE'S A LOT OF THAT OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> I GUESS AS YOU PUT IT ON A RECENT SHOW BEGGING AND CAJOLING IS PAYING OFF.

>> I LIKE TO THINK THAT WE HAVE SOME ABILITY TO GET PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS.

I'M NOT SURE IF WE DO.

>> DR. HARRIS, DR. WILLIAMS JUST ALLUDED TO THE FACT THIS IS GOING TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER THAT IS THE YOUR CONCURRENCE AT ALL?

>> HE WANT TO HAVE AN ACTUALITY IN THE U.S. AND I NEEDRA.

THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MUTES AND IN THE CASE OF A PARTIAL SHUT DOWN AND YET IT TOOK QUITE A A LITTLE TO DO CHARACTER THROUGH.

IF IF YOU'RE GETTING VACCINATED TIMED IT WILL BE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE YOU'RE FULLY PROTECTED.

>> AND WITH OUR MRNA VAX SCENES, AMERICAN AAND PFIZER IT WILL TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO COMPLETE AND THEN A COUPLE MORE WEEKS BEFORE YOU'RE PREVENTED AND READY.

>> DR. SCOTT HARRIS AND DON WILLIAMSON, THAT YOU BOTH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: 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 INCLUDE REP. ANDREW SORRELL OF MUSCLE SHOALS, WHO'LL DISCUSS HIS DRAFT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT K-12 SCHOOLS FROM REQUIRING MASK WEARING.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL ALSO BE BACK WITH US TO HELP US ANALYZE THE LATEST COVID NUMBERS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

REP. NEIL RAFFERTY OF BIRMINGHAM WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS HIS OPPOSITION TO A NEW TRANSGENDER YOUTH MEDICAL BILL.

AND MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER KIMBERLY BOSWELL WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT THE OPENING OF NEW CRISIS CENTERS AROUND THE STATE.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.