Overwhelmed. Anxious. Distracted. Lonely. These are a few words that might describe the feelings of those who are transitioning into working from home, or limited work, during the novel coronavirus outbreak. News cycles are dominated by COVID-19 news. While coverage is a pertinent necessity during a pandemic, it can be overwhelming to experience every news […]

The novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is accelerating across our state, country, and in more than 150 countries globally. On Thursday, the state of Alabama exceeded 500 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced the state’s first COVID-19 related deaths. Alabamians as far as all four corners of the state […]

Governor Kay Ivey, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey and the members of his learning options task force deserve commendation for making the difficult decision to keep K-12 public schools across Alabama physically closed for the remainder of the academic year. The closure certainly disappoints students who will remain separated from their teachers and […]

Napoleon predicted that China’s “wokeness” would move the world; returning the compliment, the Chinese contend that it is too soon to measure the impact of the French Revolution. Today, China is very much awake and is revealing the dangerous ideas unleashed by the French Revolution. Although half-way around the globe, China continues to command our […]

The health and safety of Alabamians is our top priority. To that end, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Hospital Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama and Alabama Medicaid Agency are joining together to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). […]

There is no doubt that we are living in uncertain times, however, there is also no doubt that Alabama, and our nation as a whole, will get through this. And we’ll do it the same way we got through two world wars, September 11, and countless regional disasters – by coming together – and it […]

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and state health officer Dr. Scott Harris have issued sweeping emergency and public health declarations which they hope will slow the spread of the coronavirus which currently has the nation at or near a standstill. On Friday, March 20, an amended public health order issued by Dr. Harris and released by […]

Our lives and economy have been disrupted on an unprecedented scale by COVID-19. How do we calculate the societal impact? Costs are tricky because they involve actions not chosen. Economics helps bring the consequences of the pandemic into focus. The full costs involve much more than just monetary impacts. Economics and life are about human […]

As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to change the way we live our daily lives, it’s important to take note of the ways this challenging time has brought our communities together. It has been reassuring to see stories of neighbors helping neighbors in communities in Southwest Alabama and beyond. As we continue to treat this unprecedented […]

Unusual challenges such as this coronavirus pandemic teach us who we really are. They reveal whether we are courageous and generous or fearful and selfish. Our leaders are no different. We learn their virtues and vices when they are tested by difficult times. Three such virtues are especially important for leaders in a time such […]

There’s no doubt that Alabama’s small businesses are feeling the impact of the coronavirus. Under advice from state and federal officials, people are staying in unless they absolutely have to leave the house, and that’s taking a toll on sales. According to a survey released Monday by the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s […]

Our world has changed almost unimaginably recently. The cancellation of the NCAA basketball championships brought us, in my son’s words, “March Sadness.” Why has our nation responded so dramatically and differently to COVID-19 than earlier pandemics, including H1N1 just 11 years ago? Economics offers a couple insights. Things are certainly different. In 1919, hockey’s Stanley […]

For those of us who are pro-life, it’s easy to get in the habit of only thinking of this pillar of our values system in the context of abortion. But occasionally a crisis comes along to remind us that a biblical view of human life has far broader applications. Such is the case with COVID-19. […]

As I write this it is mid-morning and I’ve already washed my hands multiple times. I’ve got rubber gloves in my car now. I skipped the gym in favor of a good ‘ol driveway workout but I paid my gym dues anyway. My law firm invested in enhanced video conferencing capabilities. My wife checked on […]

World Water Day is March 22. In the context of today’s news, speaking about clean water and public health is more topical than usual, and today’s example is encouraging. At the turn of the previous century, the time of my grandfather’s birth only 120 years ago, most people got their water from a well and […]

During this global stay-at-home approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are working remotely for an extended period for the first time. That can mean a lot of disruption to normal routines, more sitting than usual and fewer opportunities for movement throughout the day. Wellness specialist Riley Thornton, a registered dietitian, recommends six ways for faculty and […]

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has created a sense of uncertainty for many Americans during these unprecedented times. Although we are in the midst of an unfamiliar global pandemic, there is a sense of unity that is present. Over the past week, Americans have joined together to follow instruction and guidance given by local, state […]

As a family medicine physician, I can tell you that we are in a uniquely uncertain time. The coronavirus, known as novel COVID-19, is a new virus that we have never seen before. This means that our bodies do not have immune systems used to fighting off this particular virus. We do not yet know […]

I wanted to update you on the latest COVID-19 coronavirus developments. While the situation remains serious, the risk to most Americans remains low. It is important that we stay calm and do not panic unnecessarily. The federal government continues its aggressive response to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, secure access to testing for those […]

Time is of the essence in tackling the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the world, the United States and now Alabama. There have been over a dozen identified cases of coronavirus in six Alabama counties. Our prayers are with those affected, their families and the healthcare professionals caring for them. We must act now to prevent […]

Bernie Sanders’ pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination continues to bring popular attention to socialism. Polls continue to reveal socialism’s considerable appeal to many Americans. Opponents of socialism often offer up the horrors of 20th Century Communism as a rebuttal. Is this history relevant today? Received wisdom holds that young Americans know no history. So […]

As our country moves forward with addressing the challenges associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is incumbent upon my office to provide the people of Alabama’s Second Congressional District with the most recent information surrounding COVID-19. Government agencies at the state and federal levels are working hard to ensure Americans are receiving this information. […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats’ embrace of radical socialism is almost complete. The combination of socialism and Trump Derangement Syndrome has caused many Democrats to completely go off the rails. Case in point is Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) behavior on the steps of the Supreme Court building as the high court takes up a […]

Today, as Alabama addresses its first case of COVID-19, our state is thankful to have had ample time to prepare. The announcement comes on the heels of yesterday’s report from the Alabama legislature to quickly approve a supplemental appropriation bill which provides $5 million to the Alabama Department of Public Health for coronavirus preparedness and […]