>> TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS JOINS US TO DISCUSS HIS SERIOUS CONCERNS OVER ALABAMA NOW HAVING THE HIGHEST COVID POSITIVITY RATE IN THE COUNTRY, WHILE CONTINUING TO HAVE THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER, WHO'S URGING STATE RESIDENTS TO GET THE SHOT.

REED WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROSPECTS FOR A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

REPRESENTATIVE PRINCE CHESTNUT OF SELMA WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HESITANCY TO GET VACCINATED AND ABOUT HIS PUSH FOR PRISON REFORM.

AND SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT OF FAIRHOPE WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS REAPPORTIONMENT AND HOW HIS OWN DISTRICT COULD SEE MAJOR IMPACTS.

ELLIOTT WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT NEW TOLL BRIDGE TALK IN MOBILE.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE SPREAD OF THE MORE HIGHLY INFECTIONS DELTA VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PUT ALABAMA ON THE MAP THIS WEEK AS HAVING THE HIGHEST POSITIVITY RATE IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS, AS THE STATE CONTINUES TO HAVE THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE IN THE U.S., ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SEEN A SLIGHT UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS GETTING THE SHOTS IN THE LAST WEEK.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS GAINED NATIONAL ATTENTION FOR TALKING TOUGH ABOUT OUR LOW VACCINATION RATE.

SHE WAS ALSO BEING PRESSED THIS WEEK ON WHETHER OR NOT TO AGAIN REQUIRE MASK WEARING IN ALABAMA.

>> WE DON'T NEED ANY KIND OF MANDATE FROM THE STATE LEVEL.

WE JUST NEED TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

THAT WORKS.

WE KNOW IT DOES.

AND THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND WARP SPEED WE HAVE A VACCINE THAT PREVENTS THE VIRUS.

THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME.

TAKE THE SHOT.

>> ALABAMA COVID STATISTICS THIS WEEK CONTINUED TO INCREASE EXPONENTIALLY, WITH OUR DAILY CASE COUNTS REACHING AS HIGH AS 2500, NUMBERS NOT SEEN SINCE THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND OUR HOSPITALIZATION RATE HAS NOW CRACKED 1200 AND BOTH IT AND THE DAILY CASES ARE LARGELY ATTRIBUTED TO THE UNVACCINATED.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HIS CONCERNS CONTINUE TO MOUNT.

>> I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WHEN WE HAD HIGHER NUMBERS IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY WE HAD A SUSTAINED CLIMB TO REACH THE NUMBERS THEM NUMBERS STARTED TO PEAK IN NOVEMBER, PARTICULARLY AROUND THANKSGIVING AND IT WAS AFTER NEW YEARS BEFORE WE SAW THE PEAK.

IT WAS THIS GRADUAL DECLINE.

WE HAVE SEEN NUMBERS GOING STRAIGHT UP.

I MEAN, THE RATE OF INCREASE IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE CONTINUED ESCALATION IN OUR COVID CASE COUNTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> ALABAMA'S LOWEST-IN-THE-NATION COVID VACCINATION RATE HAS OFFICIALS SCRAMBLING TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE SHOTS TO TALK TO SOMEONE THEY TRUST ABOUT THE VACCINES AND THEN GO GET A SHOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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

>> IT'S DISCOURAGING BUT DOESN'T CHANGE WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

YOU KNOW, OUR JOB IS TO KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND CONVINCE PEOPLE TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT FOR THEM TO DO.

>> DR. HARRIS SAID THE CORONAVIRUS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR ALABAMA, AND PEOPLE HAVE TO START MAKING CHANGES.

HE SAYS WITH THE STATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST OF GIVING OUT VACCINATIONS AND THE TOP IN TERMS OF RISING COVID CASES, THIS IS A WAKEUP CALL.

>> WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO GIVE ALABAMIANS THE BEST ADVICE WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE, CAJOLE AND CONVINCE THEM THAT WE ARE GIVING THEM ANSWERS THAT WILL KEEP THEM AND THEIR FAMILY SAFE AND HEALTHY.

>> THIS PRESS CONFERENCE IS GIVING DR. HARRIS A CHANCE TO ADDRESS THAT AND OTHER NEW INFORMATION.

HE SAYS ANOTHER WAY TO HELP IS GETTING PEOPLE MORE INVOLVED IN THIS FIGHT, AND SOME ARE STEPPING UP TO DO SO.

>> HOPEFULLY, ALL THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY'S DOING TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF COVID AND TO GET THE VACCINES IN PEOPLE'S ARMS ARE GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE AS WE HAVE -- WE HAVE THIS CHALLENGE WITH THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> HE WEARS MANY HATS, A BUSINESSMAN, A WORKER IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR MONTGOMERY.

HE SAID NO MATTER WHICH HAT, IT'S ALL ABOUT INFORMING THE PEOPLE.

>> I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS VACCINE AND UNDERSTAND HOW DEADLY THIS VIRUS IS AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

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

>> WHILE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS SAID THERE WILL BE NO NEW STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE, THE FEDERAL CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION THIS WEEK REVERSED COURSE AND RECOMMENDED THAT EVEN THE UNVACCINATED WEAR MASKS INSIDE IN AREAS WITH HIGH COVID INFECTION RATES.

AND IT RECOMMENDED UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOLS.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH THIS WEEK ALSO RECOMMENDED THE SAME.

SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY RECENTLY TOLD ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S 'SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION' PROGRAM THAT MASKING WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A LOCAL DECISION.

>> IT WILL BE UP TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD WHAT THEY WANT TO DO THIS FALL AND IT'S ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WE ALREADY HAVE A FEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT SAID MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS IN THE FALL.

SOME MAY REQUIRE IT FOR ALL STUDENTS, WHICH THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO.

SOME MAY SAY JUST FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

AS YOU KNOW CHILDREN UNDER 12 CANNOT GET VACCINATED.

SO THAT WOULD APPLY TO ALL STUDENTS AND THE SAME FOR ADULTS, BUT WITHOUT A GENERAL STATE ORDER, A STATE OF EMERGENCY, THAT WILL REMAIN UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE ARE SPEAKING OUT ON THE STATE'S LOWEST-IN-THE-NATION VACCINATION RATES AND OUR SURGING VIRUS NUMBERS.

REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE RECOGNIZES THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS FOR OUR LOW RATE, WITH PERSONAL CHOICE KEY AMONG THEM.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE MISINFORMATION.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT SAY THINGS THAT MAYBE AREN'T TRUE.

YOU HAVE ISSUES WHERE SOME TAKE IT MORE SERIOUSLY THAN OTHERS.

THAT'S A WAY WE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

IT'S NOW SEEN A RESURGENCE.

WE NEED TO BE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT IT.

>> MEANTIME, AFRICAN AMERICAN LAWMAKERS SAY THEY RECOGNIZE SOME HESITANCY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES BASED ON HISTORIC REASONS, DATING BACK TO THE INFAMOUS TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS EXPERIMENTS AND BEYOND.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE PRINCE CHESTNUT OF SELMA TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT WHILE ITS NATURAL TO BE SOMEWHAT HESITANT, HE FEELS THAT THERE ARE BIGGER CONSIDERATIONS AS THE VIRUS VARIANT GROWS.

>> YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS TANGIBLE AND THIS IS REAL.

SO, AT SOME POINT, EITHER YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOURSELF AND LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE GOING TO BE HERE FOR YOUR FAMILY, OR, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE STUBBORN AND ROLL THE DICE ON YOUR HEALTH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHESTNUT AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED WILL BOTH JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, GOVERNOR IVEY THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THAT SHE HAD APPOINTED BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLE DIRECTOR CAM WARD TO BE A FORMAL MEMBER OF HER CABINET.

>> CAM'S DONE A GREAT JOB AS DIRECTOR OF PARDON AND PAROLES BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY I WANTED TO BRING HIM ON TO LET HIM REMIND HIS PLATFORM OF PRISON REFORM ISSUES BECAUSE, YES, WE ARE GOING TO BUILD NEW PRISONS BUT THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> CAM WARD IS, OF COURSE, A FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR AND A LONGTIME CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATE.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTEE TO BE THE NEW STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR WILL OFFICIALLY ASSUME THE JOB ON MONDAY.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA WAS NAMED TO SUCCEED THE RETIRING KELLY BUTLER.

POOLE SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE WAS READY TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

REALLY HONORED THE GOVERNOR WOULD TRUST ME TO PROVIDE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN THAT CAPACITY.

I'VE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 11 YEARS.

I'VE WORKED ON STATE FINANCES IN THAT CAPACITY IN GREAT DETAIL.

I'VE WORKED ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE STATE.

AND SO, IN TERMS OF THIS NEW ROLE, I CAN CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK ON THOSE ISSUES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

I KNOW THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS VERY WELL, AND I'M EXCITED AT THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> FOR MOST OF POOLE'S YEARS IN THE STATE HOUSE, HE SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

>>> A COMMISSION THAT WILL STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF SETTING UP AN ALABAMA MIDWIFERY PROGRAM HELD ITS FIRST MEETING THIS WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE.

ALABAMA DOES NOT CURRENTLY OFFER A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE COURSE OF STUDY.

AS PART OF HER ONGOING SERIES, 'THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY,' "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK TONIGHT.

>> SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO THE BOOK PORTION.

YOU CAN EITHER DO AT THIS TIME ON YOUR OWN OR YOU CAN TRAVEL, YOU CAN DO IT CORRESPONDENCE OR TRAVEL TO A MIDWIFERY SCHOOL.

>> NICOLE IS ON THE ALABAMA STATE OF MIDWIFERY.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO NEW MEXICO OR COLORADO OR UTAH OR IDAHO OR WASHINGTON STATE.

>> THE RETIRED MIDWIFE IS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN ALABAMA MIDWIFERY PROGRAM.

SENATOR McCLENDON IS THE CHAIR.

HE WANTS THE PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED AT WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN SELMA, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE STATE'S BLACK BELT REGION.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEMS LIE, THE MORTALITY RATE THERE IS, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS ABOMINABLE.

>> SIX COUNTIES HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF INFANT MORTALITY BUT BIBB, HILL, GREEN -- ARE IN THE BLACK BELT AND ALABAMA PROHIBITION IS SEEN AS A HINDRANCE TO THEIR MISSION.

>> WE HAVE TO MANY RURAL AREAS AND SO MANY WOMEN IN THE RURAL AREAS THAT MIGHT BE ON MEDICAID AND YET THE MIDWIVES, BECAUSE THE STATE IS NOT ALLOWING THEM TO BE MEDICAID PROVIDERS THEY HAVE TO TURN THOSE WOMEN DOWN.

SO, THOSE WOMEN ARE TWO HOURS AWAY FROM THE CLOSEST HOSPITAL.

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

>> THE ALABAMA LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES THIS WEEK LAUNCHED WHAT IT'S CALLING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY, TO TRAIN COMMUNITY OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS ON WAYS TO GROW LEAGUE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GREG COCHRAN SAYS HIS GROUP IS PARTNERING WITH THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM TO OFFER TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO CITIES AND TOWNS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL.

>> THAT WILL ALLOW OUR COMMUNITIES TO GET EXTENSIVE EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TO DO COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS BACK HOME, AND TO EVALUATE WHERE ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES SO THEY CAN OVERCOME THOSE AND MOVE AHEAD IN A WAY THEIR CITIZENS ARE EXCITED.

>> APPLICATIONS TO THE ACADEMY WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

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

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT OF FAIRHOPE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROSPECTS ON A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

IT IS WIDELY ASSUMED THAT GOVERNOR IVEY WILL CALL YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES BACK IN THE FALL TO TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING LINES, SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DO BEFORE ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, DELAYED IN THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CENSUS BUREAU WAS DELAYED GETTING THE INFORMATION TO THE STATES THAT IS NEEDED.

THE INFORMATION IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN AUGUST AND WILL GIVE THOSE IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO ARE TASKED WITH REDRAWING THOSE LINES TIME TO GET TOGETHER PLANS FOR LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER POSSIBLY IN OCTOBER.

NOW, WE REDRAW THE LINES BASED ON THE NEW CENSUS FIGURES.

I THINK YOUR SENATE DISTRICT MIGHT BE MAJORLY AFFECTED UNDER THESE NEW CONFIGURATIONS.

>> IT WILL BE.

WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR THE OFFICIAL CENSUS NUMBERS TO COME OUT, WE KNOW THROUGH ESTIMATES WHERE THE GROWTH HAS OCCURRED AND IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN MORE SO IN BALDWIN COUNTY THAN ANYWHERE ELSE UNTIL THE STATE.

AND IN MY PARTICULAR AREA OF BALDWIN COUNTY.

>> REMIND FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT YOUR DISTRICTS, THE SPECIFICS OF IT.

>> IT IS THE EASTERN SHORE OF MOBILE BAY AND THE BEACH.

GULF SHORES, ORANGE BEACH, SPANISH FORT PARTS OF FOLEY.

IT IS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF BALDWIN COUNTY IF YOU WILL RIGHT NOW.

THAT AREA, IF YOU LOOK AT CENSUS ESTIMATES IN MY DISTRICT, THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT RIGHT NOW, HAS ABOUT 48,000 EXTRA PEOPLE IN IT.

SO, WHEN YOU START TO TALK ABOUT A SENATE DISTRICT THAT HAS OR SHOULD HAVE AROUND 140,000 PEOPLE IN IT, HAVING AN EXTRA 48,000 IS GOING TO BE QUITE A CHANGE.

SO THAT WILL CHANGE LINES SIGNIFICANTLY FROM A GEOGRAPHIC STANDPOINT.

SO THAT DISTRICT CAN GET BACK IN LINE WITH WHAT THE POPULATION IS IN THE OTHER 34 DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE.

>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> LOOK, I REPRESENT, I'M A FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER THAT REPRESENTED THE WHOLE OF BALDWIN COUNTY AND COASTAL ALABAMA.

THAT'S WHAT I DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

WHETHER YOU ARE ON ONE SIDE OF THE LINE OR THE OTHER, IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME AND THE JOB I DO.

IT IS TOUGH TO HEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR SUPPORTERS WHO SAY I LOOK FOR YOU ON THE BALLOT AND YOU ARE NOT THERE.

THAT'S A CHANGE, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE DEAL WITH ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE WILL HAVE A LOT MORE OF THAT THIS TIME AROUND.

>> REAPPORTIONMENT IS ALWAYS SOMEWHAT OF A POLITICAL ISSUE.

I SAY SOMEWHAT IN QUOTES BECAUSE IT CAN BE A LOT OF A POLITICAL ISSUE SOMETIMES.

HOW DO YOU SEE IT THIS YEAR?

>> THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

SENATOR McCLENDON AND REPRESENTATIVE PRINGLE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEES IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE RESPECTIVELY.

I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, YOU KNOW, IT WILL BUSY AS NONPOLITICAL AS POSSIBLE.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES THAT YOU WANT TO WORK WITH AND NEIGHBORS THAT YOU WORK WITH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

SENATOR ALBRITTON REPRESENTS THE BALANCE OF BALDWIN COUNTY AND WE WORK WELL TOGETHER AND I ASSUME WE WILL ON THIS AS WELL TO DIVVY UP WHAT WE HAVE TO DIVVY UP.

I WILL SAY IN MY PARTICULAR INSTANCE, I HAVE TO LOSE SO MUCH THAT THERE ISN'T REALLY ANY POLITICS TO IT.

I HAVE TO UNLOAD THEM TO KEEP THE DISTRICT WITHIN PARAMETERS.

SO, THE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO DICTATE THAT MUCH MORE THAN THE POLITICS WILL.

>> I REMIND OUR VIEWERS IN REDRAWING THE DISTRICT LINES IT NOT ONLY AFFECTS -- A LOT IS AT STAKE HERE.

>> WE DODGED A BULLET IN KEEPING OUR SEVEN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

THAT COULD HAVE MADE THIS MUCH MORE CONTENTIOUS THAN IT WILL BE.

SOMETIMES THE THINGS THAT AREN'T HAPPENING ARE THE NEW STORY.

I THINK THAT'S ONE I'M GLAD THAT ALABAMA WAS ABLE TO KEEP ALL SEVEN.

>> I WANT TO TOUCH ON THE MOBILE BAY BRIDGE PROJECT WHICH HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE NEWS A LOT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, ESPECIALLY WHERE PROPOSALS OF A TOLL BRIDGE WERE CONCERNED.

THERE'S NOW TOLL TALK AGAIN DOWN THERE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE LATEST PROPOSALS?

>> I'M WARY OF IT FRANKLY.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT MY ENTIRE TIME IN PUBLIC LIFE WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION, THE DESIGN SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THAT PROJECT AND HAVE BEEN IN TALKS WITH FEDERAL AND STATE FOLKS ABOUT IT INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH ALL PARTS OF THE PROJECT AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

IT IS CRUCIAL FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH, NOT ONLY OF MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES BUT THE ENTIRE STATE.

WE SHIP A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRODUCT MADE EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA FROM LUMBER TO CHICKENS TO COAL, OUT OF THE PORT OF MOBILE.

GETTING IT TO THE PORT OF MOBILE IS IMPORTANT.

WE TAKE IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CONTAINERIZED CARGO IN THE PORT OF MOBILE.

THAT'S THE BIG CONTAINER BOXES THAT THEN GO ON TRUCKS AND MOVE AROUND AND SHIP AUTOMOBILES THAT WE MAKE IN ALABAMA OUT THE PORT OF MOBILE.

GETTING THEM THERE IS IMPORTANT.

IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA WE FIX THAT CORRIDOR.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, BOTH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY PROJECT.

THAT MEANS PUTTING SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES BEHIND IT.

THAT'S WHERE THAT MONEY NEEDS TO COME FROM AND SHOULD COME FROM.

>> OF COURSE THE TERM TOLL IS ALWAYS A CONTROVERSIAL ONE WHEN YOU ASK MOTORISTS TO HELP PAY FOR THESE KIND OF PROJECTS.

THERE'S TWO LINES OF THINKING IN THE CURRENT DISCUSSIONS, ONE WAS TALK ABOUT A TOLL FOR TRUCKS AND NOW THERE'S RENEWED TALK ABOUT A TOLL FOR ORDINARY MOTORISTS, AS WELL.

>> WELL, I APPRECIATE THE TALKS AND THE DISCUSSION GOING ON, BUT WE HAVE TO BE WARY OF THAT IN MAKING SURE THAT ANY FREE OPTION REMAINS.

THAT IS FOR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE EXISTING BAYWAY, THE EXISTING WALLACE TUNNELS.

MY CONSTITUENTS AND FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT IT STAYS A FREE ROUTE.

THAT WAS CERTAINLY A BONE OF CONTENTION IN THE GOVERNOR'S LAST PLAN.

I'M PLEASED THEY HAVE COME AROUND TO SAYING HEY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLL THAT OR EVEN LOOKING AT THAT.

THESE MPOs WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WHAT IS FEASIBLE BUT I GO BACK TO IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THIS CORRIDOR IS FROM AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT AND ECONOMIC HEALTH STANDPOINT FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND TO ALLOCATE ASSETS ACCORDINGLY.

>> I'LL REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT MPOs ARE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS AND MANY OF THESE DECISIONS ARE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THAT IS AS IT SHOULD BE, YOU BELIEVE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION IS TO ADVISE AND CONSENT ON THE PLAN.

THAT IS WHERE YOU SAW THE PROJECT FAIL LAST TIME.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE LOCAL SUPPORT.

YOU SAW THE EASTERN SHORE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION WITHDRAWAL ITS SUPPORT FOR IT AND PULL IT OFF THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

THEY HAVE SINCE PUT A VERSION BACK ON SO WE CAN CONTINUE THESE DISCUSSIONS BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS LOCAL BUY IN FOR THIS.

TO THE VIEWERS ACROSS THE STATE, THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT OR IN MOBILE NOT WANTING TO PAY FOR WHAT THEY ARE USING.

THEY SIMPLY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD BE TREATED ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE INVESTMENT OF STATE RESOURCES IN OUR AREA.

SINCE WE ARE SERVING SO MUCH OF THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> TIME IS SHORT, SENATOR, BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE, I WANT TO TOUCH ON A BILL YOU GOT OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR AND IT DEALS WITH POLICE JURISDICTIONS.

IT IS IN EFFECT NOW, RIGHT?

>> IT IS.

90 DAYS AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE AND HERE WE ARE WITH A WIDE RANGING AND SWEEPING LAW A THAT CHANGES THE WAYS THAT COUNTIES AND CITIES INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

WHAT IT DOES IS EVENTUALLY PHASES OUT WHAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH AND MY COLLEAGUES DID, AS WELL WHICH IS TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD ACROSS THE STATE MUNICIPALITIES THAT WERE TAXING, POLICING AND REGULATING FOLKS THAT COULDN'T VOTE FOR THEM.

WHAT THIS DOES IS GRADUALLY AND OVER TIME GETS THOSE AUTHORITIES BACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LINE.

IF YOU ARE IN THE COUNTY, THE COMMISSION GOVERNORS YOU, AND IF YOU ARE IN THE CITY, THE CITY GOVERNS YOU.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THIS DID NOT IMPACT IN ANY WAY PUBLIC SAFETY.

THERE'S NO CHANGES TO PUBLIC SAFETY HERE.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH SUBDIVISION PERMITTING, MORE TO DO WITH TAXES AND FEE COLLECTION, ET CETERA.

I THINK, DON, AS THE DUST SETTLES ON THIS, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST DECREASES IN TAXES COLLECTED IN RECENT HISTORY IN ALABAMA BECAUSE I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE OVER TIME MUNICIPALITIES PULLING BACK SOME OF THE FEES AND TAXES THEY ARE CHARGING.

>> DID YOU FACE ANY -- I DON'T KNOW, PUSH FROM BACK FROM THE MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS?

CERTAINLY.

WITH ANY COMPLICATED PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU HAVE TO BRING ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS TO THE TABLE AND WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

I'M PLEASED.

THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THE LEGISLATION PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND I WANT TOP THANK THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR HIS ASSISTANCE FOR THAT YOU HAD A LETTER FROM THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES URGING THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO VOTE FOR THE BILL AND THE LETTER YOU HAD THE BACKING OF THE FARMERS FEDERATION AND ALL OF THOSE FOLKS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY AND AS WITH ANY COMPLICATED PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BRING FOLKS TOGETHER, FIND A COMPROMISE AND GET IT DONE.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING WITH ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH PRISONS, A SPECIAL SESSION ON THE ISSUE IS LIKELY.

AND DEBATE IS HEATING UP ON THE ISSUE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHERE YOU STAND, FIRST OF ALL.

ARE YOU FOR THE NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION OR DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO GO BEYOND THAT WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM OR MAYBE A COMBINATION OF THE TWO?

>> I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.

WE HAVE TO HAVE REFORM.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE DOJ HAS SAID ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR PENAL SYSTEM, IT IS CLEAR THAT IT GOES MUCH BEYOND JUST CREATING SPACE.

WHEN YOU HAVE THESE STATEMENTS THESE FINDINGS THAT THE INMATES ARE NOT PROJECTED FROM, YOU KNOW, FROM VICIOUS ASSAULTS, SEXUAL ASSAULTS, MURDERS AND CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING IN MANY OF THESE CORRECTION OFFICER POSITIONS, IT JUST LEADS TO THE INESCAPABLE CONCLUSION THAT IT HAS TO BE A HOLISTIC AND COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY HAS SAID FROM THE GET-GO AND COMMISSIONER DUNN SAID THAT NEW PRISONS COULD HELP ON A NUMBER OF FRONTS, NOT JUST THE OBVIOUS OVERCROWDING BUT COULD HELP CLAMP DOWN ON THE VIOLENCE BY BRINGING NEW STATE OF THE ART SECURITY SYSTEMS.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLE?

>> IT DOES SOUND WORKABLE.

I THINK IF CREATING MORE SPACE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT WITHIN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, SAY, FOR INSTANCE, DOORS CAN CLOSE UP TO STOP SOME RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE, SMART TECHNOLOGY.

I DEFINITELY THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE PURSUING.

>> BUT YOU ALSO AGREE WE NEED TO FOLLOW THAT UP PRETTY QUICKLY WITH MORE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

WE HAD SOME REFORM MEASURES GET OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, BUT MANY HAVE SAID WE NEED MANY MORE SUCH MEASURES.

>> YES.

ONE OF THE LEGISLATORS THAT I REALLY, REALLY LISTEN TO WHEN IT COMES TO THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND.

HE HAS STUDIED THIS FOR YEARS.

HE'S AN EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND HIMSELF BEING A PROSECUTOR AND SOMEONE WHO'S TAKEN A LOT OF INTEREST, COMING FROM A FAMILY OF JURISTS.

HE IS SOMEONE I REALLY TALK TO AND LISTEN TO AND TRY TO LEARN THE NUANCES ABOUT THE PRISON SYSTEM AND WHAT KIND OF REFORMS WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND IS FROM TUSCALOOSA, ONE OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUE UNLESS THE HOUSE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

HE'S A LONG-TIME CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATE.

HE HAS LONG IS INSISTED OUR PROBLEMS ARE MORE THAN JUST NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

HE'S ALSO SEVERAL TIMES IN THE RECENT PAST SUGGESTED THAT MAY BE OUR CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER AND EVEN THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES BOTH BE FIRED FOR, AS HE HAS SUGGESTED, THEIR INABILITY TO DO THEIR JOBS PROPERLY.

HE RECENTLY ISSUED A SERIES OF TWEETS IN WHICH REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND POINTED TO TEN INMATE DEATHS IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO AS PROOF THAT SOMETHING ISN'T WORKING AND THAT THE BUCK NEEDS TO STOP WITH THE PRISON COMMISSIONER AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

DO YOU AGREE OUR PROBLEMS ARE THAT SERIOUS?

>> THESE MURDERS, THAT'S SERIOUS.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I RECALL SEEING SOMETHING -- I WANT TO SAY IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DOJ REPORT OR IN THE MEDIA THAT ALABAMA RANKS PRETTY HIGH ON INMATE DEATH.

PROPORTIONATE TO POPULATION.

I THINK IN THE TOP 20 OF ALL STATES.

IF THAT IS TRUE, WHICH I HAVE NO REASON NOT TO BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUE, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO LOOK AT THE TOP.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY -- BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE INTRICATE KNOWLEDGE OF EXACTLY DECISIONS OR POWER HAS BEEN EXERCISED AT THE TOP BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU HAVE PEOPLE AT THE TOP IN CERTAIN INSTANCES THAT FEEL PARALYZED BY CERTAIN POLICIES.

I DON'T KNOW ALL OF THAT YET.

IF -- I THINK IF YOU ARE GIVING SOMEONE EVERYTHING THAT THEY ARE ASKING YOU FOR AND THEY ARE NOT SUCCEEDING, THEN YOU DO HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE.

>> LET'S TURN NOW TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

I'D LOVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SURGING DELTA VARIANT HERE IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OUR DAILY COVID CASE COUNTS CONTINUE TO GO UP.

OUR HOSPITALIZATION RATES CONTINUE TO GO UP AND YET WE ARE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NATION FOR OUR VACCINATION RATE.

WHAT'S THE ANSWER, IF THERE IS AN EASY ANSWER IN YOUR OPINION?

>> WOW.

IF I HAD THE ANSWER, I'D PROBABLY IN A DIFFERENT TAX BRACKET.

I THINK WE HAVE TO DO MORE EDUCATION.

I HEARD THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS ABOUT COMMON SENSE, AND I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

TO ME AT THIS POINT IT IS A MATTER OF COMMON SENSE.

WE HAVE CLEARLY SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE DON'T GET VACCINATED.

RIGHT, WE SAW FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WAS NO VACCINATION AVAILABLE AND THERE WERE SO MANY DEATHS AND SO MANY NEAR DEATHS.

I KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DIED AFTER CONTRACTING IT.

I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE WHO LIVED BUT THEY SUFFERED A GREAT DEAL AND THERE WERE THOUGHTS THAT THEY MAY NOT MAKE IT.

SO, FOR PEOPLE TO IGNORE WHAT IS CLEARLY IN FRONT OF THEM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

>> AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN, WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE OTHERS IN THAT COMMUNITY TO GET VACCINATED?

BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A PARTICULAR HESITATION AMONG SOME AFRICAN-AMERICANS, BASED ON PAST HISTORY WITH IMMUNIZATIONS.

I'M POINTING TO THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENTS OF SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

>> YES, I UNDERSTAND.

PEOPLE WILL BE RELUCTANT TO ENGAGE IN ANYTHING THAT IS COMING FROM THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HISTORICALLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, POOR, WHITE COMMUNITIES, APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN TARGETS FOR THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, MORE LESS USED LIKE LAB RATS, JUST TO TEST SOMETHING OUT ON.

SO I GET IT.

BUT WHEN WE SEE SOMETHING ON THIS LEVEL OF THIS MAGNITUDE THAT HAS LITERALLY AFFECTED THE ECONOMY, THE MARKETS, JOBS, SCHOOLS, JUST A WAY THAT WE LIVE AND INTERFACE WITH EACH OTHER, YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS TANGIBLE AND THIS IS REAL.

SO, AT SOME POINT, EITHER YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOURSELF AND LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE GOING TO BE HERE FOR YOUR FAMILY OR YOU CAN BE STUBBORN AND ROLL THE DICE ON YOUR HEALTH.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME, REPRESENTATIVE BUT QUICKLY BEFORE WE CLOSE, THE GOVERNOR SAID SHE HAS NO INTENTION TO REVERT SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS WE SAW DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, WE'RE TALKING LIKE BUSINESS CLOSINGS, STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

DO YOU SEE A NEED TO MAYBE GO BACK TO SOME OF THOSE THINGS?

>> AT THIS POINT, I DON'T.

I THINK THAT YOU CAN -- YOU SHOULD NEVER FORECLOSE ALL THINGS.

I THINK, OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS APPARENT DISEASE NOW.

WE FOUND WAYS THAT WE CAN SLOW THE SPREAD AND WE KNOW HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES BETTER NOW.

SO, NO, I'M ABSOLUTELY NOT IN FAVOR OF RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD SAY THAT ONLY A WALMART OR A DOLLAR GENERAL CAN BE OPEN, BUT OTHER PLACES THAT MIGHT HAVE MORE SPACE AND MORE OPTIONS SHOULD BE CLOSED.

I THINK WHEN YOU START TO TALK ABOUT POTENTIALLY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT MAY BE IN A PLACE AT ONE TIME, MEASURES LIKE THAT MAKE SENSE.

I THINK YOU SHOULD CUT WITH A SCALPEL AND NOT WITH A MACHETE.

>> WHAT ABOUT MASKS?

>> MASKS, I DO BELIEVE MASKS -- IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT MASKS DO SLOW THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THE DISEASE.

SO I DO BELIEVE THAT MASK MANDATES SHOULD BE EXPLORED IF WE GET TO A HIGHER LEVEL, AND I JUST THINK IT IS GOOD PRACTICE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHESTNUT OF SELMA, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

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

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM REED IS BACK WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> I WANT TO CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION ON THE SURGE IN THE CORONAVIRUS IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE NATION.

THE NUMBERS ARE NOT LOOKING LIKE.

THEY ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY AND I KNOW THIS IS DISAPPOINTING IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT RESPECTS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE MAY NEED TO GO IN YOUR OPINION?

>> THE VIRUS ISSUE HAS BEEN A SERIOUS TOPIC WE HAVE ALL LIVED THROUGH NOW FOR MONTHS EVEN GOING ON YEARS.

IT'S BEEN A REALITY IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS AMERICA.

WHAT YOU SAID IN REGARDS TO THE NUMBERS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, CERTAINLY WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT AND THAT'S BEEN A REAL CHALLENGE.

WE FELT LIKE THINGS WERE MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION AND THEY WERE.

NOW WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE VARIANT THAT IS NOW PREVALENT IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT'S A REAL CHALLENGE.

THE THING THAT I WOULD SAY RELATED TO THE ISSUE IS IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID WITH WARP SPEED, WE HAD ACCOMPLISHMENTS RELATED TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, THE MILITARY.

HOW THEY BROUGHT THE VACCINE TO THE FOREFRONT AS THE SOLUTION FOR AMERICA AND BEING ABLE TO HELP US GET PAST THE VIRUS.

THERE WAS GREAT WORK DONE AND WE HAVE SEEN POSITIVE FEEDBACK AS A RESULT.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE VACCINE.

RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THAT AND TALK TO THEIR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ON WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND HOW THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD IN REGARDS TO THE VACCINE.

I THINK IT'S A TOPIC THAT WE MUST TAKE SERIOUSLY.

WE CAN'T JUST THINK, OH, WELL, MAYBE THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS ME.

NO, IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

WE ARE ALL A COMMUNITY HERE IN OUR STATE AND THE FACT OF BEING SERIOUS ABOUT THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO BE A REQUIREMENT FOR US.

SO, MY ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD BE FOR PEOPLE TO TALK TO THEIR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND BEING ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION THAT MAYBE OUR RANKING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE COUNTRY FOR VACCINATION RATE IS A COMBINATION OF THINGS, INCLUDING HESITANCY OR RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE ITSELF AND SOME CONTEND MISINFORMATION.

IS THAT HOW YOU READ IT?

>> I THINK IT MAY BE ALL OF THE ABOVE.

IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE THAT'S DISCUSSED IN THE PUBLIC REALM, AS YOU WELL KNOW, THERE IS GOING TO BE MISINFORMATION AND PEOPLE WHO SAY THINGS THAT MAYBE AREN'T TRUE.

YOU MAY HAVE ISSUES THAT SOME TAKE IT MORE SERIOUSLY THAN OTHERS.

THAT'S PART OF THE WAY WE INTERACT IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH EACH OTHER.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

IT'S NOW SEEN A RESURGENCE.

WE NEED TO BE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT IT AND PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM IN REGARDS TO TALKING TO THEIR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL ON WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THEM IN REGARDS TO THE VACCINE.

YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT VACCINE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

I THINK YOU HAD SOME YOUNGER PEOPLE, MAYBE, THAT WERE NOT AS SERIOUS ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZED EARLY ON THAT IT WAS MUCH MORE DETRIMENTAL TO THOSE OLDER IN THE POPULATION THAN IT WAS THE YOUNGER.

I THINK IN A LOT OF WAYS TO WHERE THAT SHIFTED NOW.

THE DATA I HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM THE VIRUS.

SO, I THINK YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING MAYBE WITH A LITTLE MORE FOCUS ON EXACTLY WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND BEING ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE VIRUS.

>> AS A LEADER OF THE SENATE, I'M SURE YOU ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THIS FOR A LOT OF REASONS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS LAWMAKERS WILL PROBABLY COME BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION THIS FALL ON REAPPORTIONMENT AND MAYBE ANOTHER ONE ON PRISONS.

I GUESS THIS HAS TO FIGURE INTO YOUR PLANNING, RIGHT?

>> I THINK IT WOULD FIGURE INTO IN THE PLANNING.

I THINK WE DID A VERY GOOD JOB IN THE LAST SESSION TO MANAGE IT THE BEST WE COULD.

WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROTOCOLS WE HAD IN PLACE, WHICH IN SOME REGARDS WERE VERY IMPORTANT IN PROTECTING FOLKS, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THAT WITHOUT HAVING SERIOUS ISSUE OF CONTAGIOUS SPREAD OF THE VIRUS DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

MANY OF THOSE OPTIONS THAT WE HAD BEFORE ARE NOW OFF THE TABLE TO WHERE WE ARE NO LONGER WEARING MASKS.

WE ARE NO LONGER HAVING MANDATES, THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

I THINK AS WE LOOK AT UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, I THINK WE WILL SEE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THE PROTOCOLS THAT WE MAY TAKE.

IF WE HAD A SPECIAL SESSION, WE ARE LOOKING AT THINGS TODAY, DO I THINK THEY WOULD BE EXACTLY THE SAME PROTOCOLS AS WHAT WE HAD BACK IN THE MIDST OF THE CORONAVIRUS WAVE ONE OR TWO?

I DON'T THINK SO.

BUT I THINK THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE, THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE VERY FOCUSED ON DOING THE RIGHT THING, NOT TOO MUCH, NOT TOO LITTLE, MAKING SURE THAT IF WE NEED TO DO THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE THEN WE WANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME, PEOPLE NEED THE FREEDOM AND LIBERTY TO DO THEIR JOBS WITHIN THE STATEHOUSE.

WE'LL SEE AS THINGS MOVE FORWARD.

TO THE POINT WE MADE EARLIER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THINK OF AT THIS POINT IS AS WE SEE A SURGE IN CASES, WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO TAKE IT SERIOUS.

THERE ARE GOOD SOLUTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

WHAT DOES YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER WANT YOU TO DO?

>> LET'S TOUCH ON PRISONS VERY BRIEFLY WHICH COULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE HOUSE, THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

HOW'S IT GOING?

>> WE HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW MEETINGS.

I'VE BEEN VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS, BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE.

YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA TOOK THIS ISSUE, OF WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

WE ARE SUFFERING FROM LAWSUITS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT WE MUST ADDRESS.

THERE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY UNTIL WE DEAL WITH THEM.

WE DON'T WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE THEY SAY YOU HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING.

YOU HAVE NOT ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING.

AS A RESULT, WE ARE GOING TO COME IN AND HAVE MANDATES RELATED TO YOUR PRISON SYSTEM THAT YOU DON'T WANT.

SO, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO STEER CLEAR OF.

THE GOVERNOR HAD A GOOD PLAN.

SHE WORKED ON SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF IT.

IT WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO NOW, AS THE HOUSE, THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR WORKING TOGETHER COMING UP WITH THOUGHTS, IDEAS AND PLANS.

I THINK IN THAT PROCESS YOU HAVE HAD NEW INFORMATION THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PROCESS PROVIDED QUITE A BIT OF NEW INFORMATION.

YOU HAVE HAD LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE WORKING IN TEAMS TO ANALYZE THAT DATA AND THEN LOOK TO MOVE TO FORMULATING PLANS THAT ARE GOING TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE ISSUES AT THE FEDERAL COURTS SAY ARE OURS TO DEAL WITH.

I AM PLEASED WITH THE PROCESS.

ARE WE FINISHED?

NO.

DO WE HAVE MORE TO FINISH?

ABSOLUTELY.

I'M PLEASED WITH THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.

MEN AND WOMEN WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AS EQUAL PARTNERS IN TRYING TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.

I THINK IT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED AND THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> SENATOR, WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME BUT I WANT TO TOUCH ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION LEGISLATION THAT YOU GOT PASSED THIS YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR WAS SIGNING SOME OF THOSE BILLS IN CEREMONIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK, AND THERE WAS ALSO AN INNOVATION COMMISSION IN WHICH YOU ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED MEETING THIS WEEK.

TESTIMONY US ABOUT THE BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR CEREMONIALLY SIGNED.

>> THE GOVERNOR CREATED THE ALABAMA INNOVATION COMMISSION.

I WAS THE CO-CHAIR.

BILL POOL, REPRESENTATIVE OF TUSCALOOSA IS THE CHAIR OF THIS COMMISSION.

WE HAD SUPER MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAD ALL KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE IN AREAS OF INNOVATION.

THEY CAME TOGETHER.

WE WORKED HARD.

WE PUT TOGETHER SOME POINTS THAT WERE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WE FELT LIKE WERE IMPORTANT TO PASS.

ONE OF THEM WAS THE INNOVATION CORPORATION THAT ALLOWS THIS PROGRAM TO CONTINUE.

THE OTHER WAS SOME GRANT PROGRAMS FOR NEW STARTUP BUSINESSES.

THE WHOLE FOCUS OF THE COMMISSION WAS HOW CAN WE FIND WAYS TO ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURS, HIGH-TECH STARTUP BUSINESSES TO LOCATE IN ALABAMA?

HOW DO WE RESERVE AND MAINTAIN TALENT THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THESE HIGH-TECH BUSINESSES THAT ARE MANY TIMES IN OUR STATE ARE BEING EDUCATED IN OUR STATE.

HOW DO WE WORK ON THE BRANDING OF ALABAMA TO SOME OF THESE HIGH-TECH COMPANIES?

WE HAVE JUST SEEN IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO, YOU HAVE HAD SOME HUGE COMPANIES, LIKE LANDINGS, THAT HAS MOVED ITS HEADQUARTERS FROM CALIFORNIA AS A HIGH-TECH COMPANY TO BIRMINGHAM.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE INNOVATION COMMISSION IS WORKING TO FIND WAYS TO PROMOTE, RECRUIT THOSE KIND OF BUSINESSES IN OUR STATE AND THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS.

SO I'VE REALLY ENJOYED SERVING ON THAT AND LEARNED A LOT IN THE PROCESS.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM REED OF JASPER.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "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, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> GIVEN WE HAVE THE HIGHEST COVID POSITIVITY RATE IN THE COUNTRY AND THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE IN THE COUNTRY, THERE'S A LOT OF CAUSE FOR ALARM IN ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.

BEFORE WE DELVE INTO THE STATS AND WE NEED TO GO, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE VARIANT FOR A MOMENT.

YOU HAVE SAID ON THE PROGRAM THAT OBVIOUSLY WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE MUCH MORE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS THAN THE VIRUS CIRCULATING LAST YEAR BUT YOU HAVE ALSO SAID RECENTLY THAT WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW INFECTIOUS IT WAS GOING TO BE.

HAS THIS VARIANT TURNED OUT TO BE MORE INFECTIOUS THAN WE IMAGINED?

>> IT HAS.

I'D SAY WE ARE ALARMED BY WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A PERFECT STORM OF THE LOW VACCINATION RATES AND A REALLY, REALLY INFECTIOUS STRAIN OF COVID.

THE DELTA VARIANT PRODUCES VIRAL LOADS IN THE BODY THAT ARE 100 TIMES HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS STRAINS.

IT'S NOT EASY TO CORRELATE HOW INFECTIOUS THAT MAKES IT, BUT CLEARLY MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE IS THAT FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN SOMETIMES HAVE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS.

IT'S NOT A PERFECT VACCINE.

SO WE EXPECT THAT.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DEATH, THEY ARE INFECTIOUS AS WELL.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN A STRAIN BEFORE WHERE FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE ARE INFECTIOUS BUT THEY ARE WITH THE DEAL VARIANT.

>> WOW.

WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO DAILY CASE COUNTS TO 1500 TO AS HIGH AS 2500 ON A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THAT'S MATCHING LEVELS FROM THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE CRACKED 1200 HERE IN ALABAMA.

WE ARE IN PERILOUS WATERS HERE, ARE WE NOT?

>> I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

EVEN WHEN WE HAD HIGHER NUMBERS IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY WE HAD A SLOW, SUSTAINED CLIMB TO REACH THOSE NUMBERS.

THE NUMBERS STARTED TO PEAK IN NOVEMBER, PARTICULARLY AROUND THANKSGIVING.

IT WAS REALLY AFTER NEW YEARS BEFORE WE SAW THE PEAK.

IT WAS A GRADUAL CLIMB.

WE HAVE SEEN NUMBERS GOING STRAIGHT UP.

I MEAN THE RATE OF INCREASE IS UNPRECEDENTED.

WE HAVE HAD LESS THAN 180 PEOPLE IN ALABAMA HOSPITALS ON THE JULY 4th WEEKEND.

HERE, AS WE SIT HERE, IT IS STILL THE MONTH OF JULY AND WE HAVE QUINTUPLED THAT AMOUNT, MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THAT AMOUNT.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

>> IF WE CONTINUE AT THIS RATE WE COULD BE IN FOR A ROUGH COUPLE OF MONTHS, COULD WE NOT?

>> YES.

THERE'S STILL SO MUCH WE DON'T KNOW.

WE DO HAVE ABOUT 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT'S ENCOURAGING AND ANOTHER 300,000 HAVE STARTED TO GET VACCINATED.

SO THAT IS HELP HELPFUL.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED BEFORE AND WE HOPE THEY HAVE AT LEAST SOME IMMUNITY ON BOARD BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS LOOK LIKE.

RIGHT NOW THE INDICATORS ARE NOT GOOD.

>> DR. HARRIS, GIVEN SO MUCH ATTENTION IS PLACED ON THE UNVACCINATED AND AGAIN, ALABAMA HAS THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

IT WAS REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT WE DID SEE A SLIGHT UPTICK IN OUR VACCINATIONS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A SLIGHT INCREASE.

WE ARE HEARING THAT FROM DIFFERENT PROVIDERS WHO ARE REQUESTING AND RECEIVING THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF VACCINE AVAILABLE.

THE STATE HAS NO LIMITS ON WHAT WE CAN OBTAIN.

THERE IS ENOUGH VACCINE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE.

WE WERE PLEASED TO SEE A LITTLE INCREASE.

WHAT I WOULD REMIND PEOPLE IS MOST OF THESE TWO-SHOT VACCINES -- REMEMBER, IT TAKES THREE TO FOUR WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE SERIES AND ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED.

EVEN FOR PEOPLE THAT GO TO GET VACCINATED TODAY, WHICH WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO, IT WILL BE FIVE OR SIX WEEKS BEFORE THEY HAVE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THAT.

>> AND NOW THERE IS TALK WITH THE PFIZER VACCINE AS A POSSIBLE BOOSTER.

>> INTERESTINGLY THEY RELEASED DATA SHOWING THE VACCINE IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AFTER SIX MONTHS AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY APPLIED FOR THE ABILITY TO RECOMMEND BOOSTER DOSES AS WELL.

I THINK THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR THAT.

MOST EXPERTS AGREE THAT BOOSTERS WILL BE NEEDED AT SOME POINT, ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS OR THOSE WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND DON'T MOUNT A GOOD RESPONSE TO THE VACCINE.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TIMING ON THAT WILL BE.

>> LET'S REMIND PEOPLE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST THE VARIANT.

I GUESS IT WOULDN'T SELL FOR 95% AGAINST THE VARIANT LIKE THE FORMER STRAIN BUT IT IS UP THERE.

>> THE VACCINE PRODUCTS WE HAD WERE EFFECTIVE FOR THE DELTA VARIANT.

THE NUMBERS ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE LOW 80 PERCENTAGE OF EFFECTIVENESS.

THAT'S STILL BETTER THAN MOST OF THE VACCINES WE HAVE FOR MOST DISEASES.

EVEN WHEN WE SEE BREAKTHROUGHS WITH THE DELTA VARIANT, VACCINATED PEOPLE DON'T GENERAL LIVE GET VERY SICK OR DIE FROM IT.

RARELY THEY HAVE DO BUT AM ALMOST ALWAYS THEY DON'T.

EVEN IF THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET INFECTED COMPARED TO PREVIOUS STRAINS THEY STILL DO VERY WELL.

>> WITH HOSPITALIZATIONS OVER 1200 IN THE COUNTRY, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT HOW SICK SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE?

>> THE THING THAT WE KNOW IS MANY ARE SICK.

THEY TEND TO BE YOUNGER BECAUSE MOST OF OUR OLDER PATIENTS HAVE PROTECTION ON BOARD.

THEY ARE NOT THE ONES FOR THE MOST PART ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY HOSPITALS IN DURESS RIGHT NOW.

OUR HOSPITALS CAN HANDLE A NUMBER OF 1200 BUT WE GOT THERE IN A THREE-WEEK PERIOD.

IF THEY GET TO 2,000 PEOPLE, IT WILL BE CHALLENGING.

IF WE GET BACK TO THE 3,000 INPATIENTS LIKE IN JANUARY, THAT'S REALLY TOUGH, EVEN FOR HOSPITALS THAT ARE PREPARED.

WE SAW THIS DELTA VARIANT TAKE OFF IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS.

TODAY, THE STATE OF ARKANSAS REDECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY BECAUSE THE HOSPITALS ARE UNDERWATER THERE.

>> OVER 30 CHILDREN ARE AMONG THE HOSPITALIZED, ARE THEY NOT?

>> WE HEARD THAT NUMBER OVER THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF DOZEN PEDIATRIC CASES AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

WE HAVE NEVER REALLY HAD THAT MANY BEFORE.

WE HAVE HAD CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED BEFORE.

UNFORTUNATELY EVEN CHILDREN WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY FROM COVID, ALTHOUGH NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS BUT THIS IS THE LARGEST NUMBER WE HAVE SEEN.

>> I HAVE BEEN HEARING THIS WEEK THAT THE DELTA VARIANT, KIDS MAY BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO IT.

>> THEY ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING INFECTED.

WE KNOW THAT.

IT IS HIGHLY INFECTIOUS STRAIN.

IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THEY GET ANY SICKER.

THEY DON'T ON AVERAGE GET AS SICK AS ADULTS AND ON AVERAGE DON'T SPREAD IT, AT LEAST YOUNGER KIDS DON'T SPREAD IT AS MUCH AS OLDER KIDS OR ADULTS DO.

BUT THEY CAN GET IT BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY INFECTIOUS.

WE ARE LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID.

WE ARE PLEASED, IF THERE IS ONE THING TO BE PLEASED ABOUT, WE ARE PLEASED KIDS DON'T USUALLY GET THAT SICK BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO.

WE HAVE HAD CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED MORE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE AND THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID, THE SO-CALLED LONG COVID SYNDROMES THAT CAN LAST FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS IS SOMETHING WE ARE JUST BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND.

>> KIDS ARE ABOUT TO START IN-PERSON LEARNING AGAIN.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUED YEARLY GUIDANCE TO SCHOOLS, RECOMMENDATIONS ON BEST SAFETY PRACTICES FOR KIDS AND TEACHERS AND YOU ARE RECOMMENDING UNIVERSAL MASK WEARING IN SCHOOLS.

I'LL POINT OUT THIS ISN'T A MANDATE.

THERE'S NO STATE MANDATE ON MASKING, BUT AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE, THEY ARE RECOMMENDING MASK WEARING IN SCHOOLS.

>> WE RECOMMEND THAT VERY STRONGLY.

THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE CDC HAS SAID.

IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, AS WELL, THE PEDIATRICIAN ASSOCIATION IN THE COUNTRY.

WE THINK AT THIS TIME MAKES VERY GOOD SENSE.

WE DON'T HAVE A STATE MANDATE.

I DON'T SEE A SITUATION WHERE THERE COULD BE A STATE MANDATE BUT WE FEEL STRONGLY THERE SHOULD BE UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOLS.

>> I SPOKE TO SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION ERIC MACKEY THIS WEEK AND HE SAID THEIR POSITION ON THIS REMAINS ONE OF LOCAL DECISION-MAKING.

THAT THESE DECISIONS WILL BE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE.

NOT EVERY SITUATION IS THE SAME.

SOME SCHOOLS ARE MORE RESOURCES THAN OTHERS AND MORE ABILITY TO PUT IN PLACE OTHER MEASURES.

SOME COUNTY UNLESS THE STATE DON'T HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF DISEASE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AS OTHER COUNTIES.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO DO THAT.

BUT THE OVERALL RECOMMENDATION, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IS THERE SHOULD BE UNIVERSAL MASKING OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS IN K-12 SCHOOLS.

>> A LITTLE OR MAYBE A LOT OF CONFUSION OVER THE CDC REVERSING COURSE ON THE MASKING RECOMMENDATIONS.

IT IS SAYING EVEN VACCINATED PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR MASKS INDOORS IF THEY ARE IN AREAS OF HIGH INFECTION RATES AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOLS, AS WELL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I UNDERSTAND WHY THAT IS CONFUSING.

SOMETIMES WHAT THE CDC DOES IS CONFUSING TO US AS WELL BUT IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO SAY IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED YOU NEED TO MASK PERIOD BUT BECAUSE OF THE DELTA VARIANT BEING SO INFECTIOUS EVEN IN VACCINATED PEOPLE, SINCE THE WORLD SITUATION AND SCIENCE HAS CHANGED THEY RECOMMEND IT SHOULD BE BY VACCINATED PEOPLE AS WELL.

>> THE VIRUS, I GUESS IN MANY RESPECTS KEEPS CHANGING COURSE AND WE HAVE TO ADJUST TO IT.

>> THAT'S HOW SCIENCE WORKS.

WE KNOW SO MUCH MORE TODAY ABOUT THE VIRUS.

WE HAD TO CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS OFF AND ON THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE THE SITUATION BECAME MORE CLEAR TO US AND I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THAT WAY.

>> TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST.

IF YOU ARE HESITANT TO GET THE SHOT AND HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

>> ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, YOUR PHARMACIST, SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN GIVE YOU THE BEST ADVICE.

>> DR. HARRIS, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> YOU BET.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TV'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, THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE AND OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE ALABAMA BUREAU 0 PARDONS AND PAROLE CAM WARD.

WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS APPOINTED AS A FORMAL MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET AND THE LARGER PRISON REFORM ISSUE.

WE'RE ALSO SET TO BE JOINED BY ALABAMA SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT COVID SAFETY AS KIDS START GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS AND ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DR. DON WILLIAMSON WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS SURGING COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.