7. Sending everyone money to help financial burdens during crisis

• U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) called on Congress to “immediately” give every adult American $1,000, saying this needs to be done to “help families and small businesses meet their short-term financial obligations, ease the financial burden on students entering the workforce, and protect health workers on the front lines and their patients by improving telehealth services.”
• It’s been pointed out that this proposal is very similar to Andrew Yang’s Universal Basic Income plan to give every adult American $1,000 per month, but Romney’s measure would just be temporary.

6. Club for Growth endorses Tuberville

• In the U.S. Senate runoff between former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, the Club for Growth has decided to endorse Tuberville.
• Club for Growth President David McIntosh said that they’re siding with President Donald Trump in this endorsement because he thinks “both of them can win.” He added, [B]ut I think if Trump is not fully on board it becomes harder. And he’s made it clear that Tuberville is his pick.”

5. Democrats more worried about the coronavirus than Republicans

• In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll about concern over the coronavirus, Democrats were distinctively more worried about the virus’ severity and a family member getting sick.
• Only 40% of Republicans said they were concerned a family member would contract the virus, whereas 68% of Democrats said the same. Also, 80% of Democrats said the virus wasn’t at its worst yet, compared to 40% of Republicans. The poll found 81% of Republicans are confident in how President Donald Trump has handled the coronavirus outbreak, but only 13% of Democrats approve.

4. Many Alabama cities are under a State of Emergency

• Montgomery declared a local state of emergency two days ago and now Mayor Randall Woodfin has declared a state of emergency for Birmingham due to the 17 cases of coronavirus in Jefferson County. Woodfin is requesting they there be no gatherings larger than 25 people.
• Huntsville City Council approved Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s declaration of a State of Emergency as well. Battle says it will cut red tape, adding the declaration is so his administration “can respond quickly” to issues that arise.

3. ADPH urges caution, says testing isn’t an issue

• Alabama Department of Public Health’s Dr. Scott Harris held a press conference where he addressed the state of the coronavirus in Alabama, saying that more than half of the cases are in Jefferson county.
• Harris encouraged social distancing with no gatherings of more than 50 people and staying at least six feet away from strangers. Harris also asked that people who aren’t showing symptoms “avoid getting tested.” He went on to emphasize that there are no capacity issues with testing.

2. Trump has announced guidelines to slow coronavirus spread

• President Donald Trump said we will come out of this crisis “stronger than ever” as he spoke at a briefing about the coronavirus pandemic where he admitted that the virus could cause issues into July and August. The president added he’s confident that “we can turn the corner and turn it quickly” to slow the spread of the coronavirus in 15 days.
• The guidelines were to not gather in groups larger than 10 people, older people should stay indoors and avoid other people, work from home if you can, don’t go out to bars or restaurants, and “avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.” Trump said, “We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus.”

1. Elections in Ohio are suspended, Alabama elections may be next

• A judge rejecting the governor of Ohio’s attempt to delay the state’s primary election didn’t stop the state from doing it anyway by using a directive by the state’s health director to get around the judge’s order. Notices have been posted on websites, social media and at polling places to tell people the presidential primary was canceled.
• Rumors indicate that Governor Kay Ivey is considering acting to move Alabama’s March 31 election after Secretary of State John Merrill indicated he would like to see the election moved in a press release Sunday. The release stated, “The health and well-being of the people of this state are of paramount importance. In order to effectively practice social distancing, as recommended by the President of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Alabama Department of Public Health, etc., the March 31 Runoff Election must be postponed.”