Jones Secures COVID-19 Funding for Alabama; AL Dem. Party Chair Praises Dem. Leaders
The Alabama Democratic Party praised Senator Doug Jones’ leadership in discussions over the $2 trillion stimulus package that was passed in Congress and signed into law by President Trump.
“In case you missed it, Senator Doug Jones is providing key leadership for Alabamians amidst the COVID-19 public health crisis in Alabama. He’s prioritizing health care coverage for all Alabamians and fighting for direct aid to people and small businesses suffering during this unprecedented crisis. In the stimulus bill, Sen. Jones worked to secure resources for Alabama’s strained hospitals, relief for small businesses and help for Alabama workers and families,” the press release stated.
“Senator Jones is working to bring widespread, accessible information to Alabamians across the state about the stimulus bill and how it will affect workers and businesses. He participated in several Facebook Live events, Q&A sessions and promoted the new UAB COVID-19 symptom tracker to help medical experts track symptoms in Alabama,” it continued.
“And on Thursday, April 2nd, while Governor Ivey stalled on implementing a state-wide shelter-in-place order, Senator Jones held a Facebook Live town hall with Director of UAB Division of Infectious Diseases Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo and called on Governor Ivey to order a shelter-in-place for the safety of all Alabamians.”
Governor Kay Ivey has issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at 5 p.m. yesterday. You can read all of the specific rules in that order here.
In addition, the press release also documents Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Chris England’s praise for Democratic leaders across the state. “The moment our health officials and scientists sounded the alarm about the dangers of COVID-19, our Democratic leaders in government took proactive measures to keep Alabamians safe,” England said.
“They have each put politics aside to do what’s right for the state. I hope their example inspires other leaders in government to do the same,” he concluded.
Full Press Release
In case you missed it, Senator Doug Jones is providing key leadership for Alabamians amidst the COVID-19 public health crisis in Alabama. He’s prioritizing health care coverage for all Alabamians and fighting for direct aid to people and small businesses suffering during this unprecedented crisis. In the stimulus bill, Sen. Jones worked to secure resources for Alabama’s strained hospitals, relief for small businesses and help for Alabama workers and families.
Senator Jones is working to bring widespread, accessible information to Alabamians across the state about the stimulus bill and how it will affect workers and businesses. He participated in several Facebook Live events, Q&A sessions and promoted the new UAB COVID-19 symptom tracker to help medical experts track symptoms in Alabama.
And on Thursday, April 2nd, while Governor Ivey stalled on implementing a state-wide shelter-in-place order, Senator Jones held a Facebook Live town hall with Director of UAB Division of Infectious Diseases Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo and called on Governor Ivey to order a shelter-in-place for the safety of all Alabamians.
“The moment our health officials and scientists sounded the alarm about the dangers of COVID-19, our Democratic leaders in government took proactive measures to keep Alabamians safe,” offered Alabama Democratic Party Chair, Rep. Chris England. “They have each put politics aside to do what’s right for the state. I hope their example inspires other leaders in government to do the same.”
Recent news clips of Senator Jones’s leadership:
Following calls from Senator Jones and Alabama Democrats, the state issued a stay-at-home order
- Jones: “I am relieved Governor Ivey did the right thing today to keep Alabamians safe and healthy by issuing a stay-at-home order. While I wished this action had been taken earlier, we must now all come together to comply with the letter and spirit of the Governor’s order and minimize the spread of this virus. We can now turn our collective focus to ensuring we have the resources to test those who fear they have been infected, care for those who are sick, and protect our health care and other essential workers who are on the front lines of this crisis.”
- Doug Jones: our community with so much in common comes together in the time of coronavirus
- Jones: “After some tough negotiations, we unanimously passed a robust, bipartisan economic relief bill that will provide direct payments of $1,200 for adults who make $75,000 or less and $500 for kids, over $150 billion for hospitals and health care providers [and more].”
- Sen. Doug Jones calls for Alabama shelter-in-place and highlights urgent need for Alabama Medicaid Expansion
- Jones also said he would push for a new period of enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help cover people amid the outbreak. He also called on Alabama to expand Medicaid to those making 138 percent of the poverty line. The senator said he would try to include incentives to encourage states that have not expanded Medicaid, like Alabama, to do so.
- Sen. Doug Jones calls on Alabama Governor to order shelter-in-place
- “The reason I would like to see one is because it sends a strong message to the people of Alabama of how significant it is to use the social distancing, to use whatever means necessary to stop the spread of this virus,” he said. Jones said an order from the governor would have more force than social media messages asking people to stay home.
- Aid is on the way: President signs $2 trillion relief bill after passed by Congress
- Jones: “From robust funding for hospitals and community health centers, to loans and grants to small businesses to keep their doors open and workers employed, this bill will provide help for the people in Alabama who need it most.”
- Senator Doug Jones statement on UAB’s COVID-19 Symptom Tracker
- Jones: “This new daily symptom tracker will help public health officials track the spread of COVID-19 and identify coronavirus hot spots that need more resources, especially in Alabama’s underserved communities.”
- Doug Jones: Alabama ‘Critically Unprepared’ For COVID-19
- Alabama should implement the “strictest measures possible” to fight the spread of COVID-19, according to Democratic U.S. Sen. Doug Jones. In a press conference Thursday, Jones said minority groups and people in rural parts of the state are especially vulnerable.
Democratic Mayors taking proactive measures against the spread of Covid-19 before Governor Ivey’s shelter in place order
- Stephen Reed: All city events, events in city facilities in Montgomery canceled
- Reed: “In this community, we’re taking preventative measures, and that means public safety and public health, our number one goals,” Reed said. “It is better to be cautious and proactive than reactive.”
- Tim Ragland: Talladega mayor had planned public safety ordinance even before governor’s order Friday
- Ragland: “I thought it was too important to wait,” Ragland said prior to the shelter in place order. “I wanted people to know that we were taking this seriously, that we were working to address COVID-19. I hope the council will eventually vote to make it enforceable.”
- Randall Woodfin: Birmingham City Council was unanimous in its vote to approve Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposed shelter in place ordinance to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
- “Under the ordinance, residents will be asked to remain at home and only leave for essential purposes. Those purposes include work; visiting essential businesses like grocery stores, financial institutions and gas stations; retrieving curbside pickup from restaurants; attending doctor’s appointments; and exercising outside, including biking, hiking and running – as long as six feet of social distancing is used.”
- Randall Woodin: Alabama’s largest city is under a shelter-in-place order, as city leaders here have taken a more aggressive approach than the state officials have in order to curtail the spread of the disease
- “To lock this city down,” Woodfin says. “To stop [nonessential] movement because we needed to take every measure to prevent community spread.” The action is at odds with state policy. “I do not think our economy needs a full shelter-in-place order,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said at a press briefing.
Dakota Layton graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi where he is working to earn his Master of Arts in Philosophy.
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