7. Delayed runoff could help Jeff Sessions
- Before the coronavirus delayed the Alabama primary runoff, former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville had gained momentum and was polling just ahead of former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session, but political observers think the runoff being delayed could favor Sessions.
- Former political science professor Jess Brown said, “If I’m Tuberville, I wish the election was yesterday.” U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne’s (R-Fairhope) U.S. Senate campaign manager Seth Morrow has predicted that both campaigns will stop advertising for a bit, reasoning, “People are not paying attention to this.”
6. Rand Paul diagnosed with coronavirus
- U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) will remain in quarantine as he has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. A statement put out by Paul’s staff says he’s “asymptomatic” and is “not aware of any direct contact with an infected person.”
- Due to his contact with Paul, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) will be self-quarantining for the next two weeks. Claims have been made that Paul went to the gym after learning his diagnosis, but his staff has deemed those claims “false & irresponsible.”
5. Small businesses can receive assistance in Alabama
- Small businesses and non-profits in Alabama are eligible for benefits under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, as announced by Governor Kay Ivey.
- This will hopefully assist small businesses that have seen a major drop in business due to the coronavirus. Ivey said, “Small businesses represent the backbone of Alabama’s economy, and many of them need immediate help in these trying times.”
4. Travel restrictions and social distancing are helping
- The United States is and will continue to be impacted by the coronavirus, but National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said that travel restrictions with China will help the United States from seeing a situation as severe as Italy.
- Fauci did say that he wasn’t sure why the virus has been so bad in Europe, but explained, “One of the things that we did very early and very aggressively, the president put the travel restriction coming from China to the United States and most recently from Europe to the United States.” He also mentioned that the social distancing efforts seen in the country are helping.
3. Ivey has readied the National Guard
- Governor Kay Ivey has authorized the activation of 100 members of the Alabama National Guard in the event that their service is necessary during the coronavirus pandemic.
- According to Ivey’s release, she authorized this in the event that “our first responders and health care providers need additional support.”
2. Congress fails to reach agreement on bill that could reach $2 trillion
- Democratic leadership has worked to block a bipartisan aid bill because they believe they can gain more of their goals by holding up the bill. Some Democrats are admitting this is happening for political reasons and this all hinges on a “sign-off” from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) previously noted this deal needs to get done, but the vote failed with five members of his caucus self-quarantining because the “coronavirus is in the Senate.” Democrats insist they will not vote for the current bill and the market will react negatively to that news.
1. You can be fined for violating health orders
- Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office has informed law enforcement officials on how they can enforce health orders during the coronavirus pandemic, in which some of the orders include no gatherings of more than 25 people.
- Those found knowingly and willingly violating health orders could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500. Expect the authorities’ aggressiveness to be ramped up in the next few days.
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