7 Things: Trump supports Alabama candidates, record early voter turnout in Alabama, Democrats fundraising off of Ainsworth’s illness and more …

7. Alabama school system returning to a full-time school schedule

• Today, Huntsville City Schools are returning to their full five days a week school schedule for students enrolled in traditional learning. Virtual learning has remained an option for students.
• For the students returning back to traditional schooling, class sizes will stay reduced, everyone has to wear masks, social distancing is to be enforced, and there will be desk shields in place.

6. Maybe there will be a stimulus package passed

• There is yet to be an agreement met on a potential coronavirus stimulus package, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has said that it “could happen” sometime this week. She is blaming Republicans for the delay.
• Pelosi said that Republicans are “moving the goalposts,” but she said that for something to happen this week, it’s up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) “as to whether it would happen in the Senate and go to the president’s desk, which is our hope and prayer.”

5. Barrett nomination advanced

• The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court was advanced in a 51-48 Senate vote. The final vote is expected to take place Monday.
• From Alabama, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) voted to advance Barrett, but U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) voted not to, which was expected from both senators based on previous statements.

4. Alabama can avoid another shutdown

• As coronavirus cases continue to grow in Alabama and record numbers are seen nationwide, UAB’s Dr. Rachael Lee has discussed the issue of countries in Europe shutting down again as they’re experiencing a second wave of the coronavirus, but Lee has said that there are simple ways to avoid a situation that forces states like Alabama to shut down again.
• Of course, there has to be strict mask-wearing, social distancing and other general precautions taken to avoid another shutdown. Lee also said that as a precaution, people should pay attention to avoiding large indoor gatherings with groups of people.

3. Some Democrats are fundraising off Lt. Gov. Ainsworth having the coronavirus

• The Alabama Democratic Victory has made it their mission to fundraise off Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth testing positive for the coronavirus, but they’re also spreading false information about where he stands on the mask issue.
• While Ainsworth has been opposed to a statewide mask mandate, he still advocates for people to wear masks. The email states that Ainsworth “doesn’t believe in science and doesn’t understand that wearing a mask is about social responsibility and public safety.” Previously, Ainsworth has plainly stated that “Masks should be worn to combat further outbreaks,” and even said that wearing masks “and maintaining social distancing are among the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

2. Vote totals have already surpassed 2016

• We are more than one week from Election Day and more people have cast ballots than they did in all of 2016 in early voting, with 58 million+ votes already by mail or in-person with one-third of those votes coming from California, Texas and Florida.
• Even U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) is pointlessly complaining about the election system in Alabama. The state has surpassed its record of absentee voters with 145,000+ already voting and an additional 70,000 that have not been mailed back yet.

1. Trump shows Alabama candidates love at Florida rally

• While at a campaign rally in Pensacola, Florida, President Donald Trump took time to mention the state of Alabama, U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville and congressional candidate Jerry Carl. Carl also spoke during the event.
• Trump said that Tuberville is a “great candidate” and made sure to mention that he’ll “be a fantastic senator.” Trump told Carl before he gave his own speech, “You have my total endorsement. Go get ‘em.”