7 Things: Federal vaccine mandates becoming more likely, Alabama school systems requiring masks, Marshall issues guidance on mandates and more …

7. Steven Reed is a mayor to watch

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed has been named on the “10 Mayors to Watch” in the nation by Route Fifty. The list is described as one “of local elected leaders across the country who we think are notable for a variety of reasons.”
The outlet said that “Reed has pushed education initiatives,” adding that he’s been “instrumental in bringing together a coalition in support of a school tax increase voters approved last year.” It also noted the start of “MGM Codes” that Reed helped starts as “a new education tech initiative.”

6. Justice Department has to decide if Brooks was acting in an official capacity on Jan. 6

Today, the Department of Justice will make a decision to determine if U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) was acting in his official capacity as part of his job when he spoke at a rally for President Donald Trump on January 6, just before the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Brooks’ claim that he was acting within the duties of his job came after U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) filed a lawsuit against Brooks and others blaming them for the riot. It was requested by U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta for the DOJ to determine if Brooks was acting in an official capacity.

5. Democrats display what they believe is their argument against banning Critical Race Theory

With legislators already discussing how to block Critical Race Theory from Alabama schools, State Representative Mary Moore (D-Birmingham) has called this effort “totally ignorant.” Currently, State Representatives Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), Chris Pringle (R-Mobile) and Danny Crawford (R-Athens) are preparing bills for the next legislative session.
Moore said that these legislators are “ignorant,” adding that this is “just like some of the voting rights bills that we introduced.” She questioned concerning curbside voting, “[W]hy did we pass a bill for something that we’ve never done in the first place?” Moore added, “It’s a stall on what you need to be dealing with. Let’s deal with the things the Alabama Constitution says we ought to come here and deal with.”

4. The University of Alabama now has its own vaccine incentive

Another vaccine initiative has been found in Alabama, this time by the University of Alabama. Vaccinated students at the school will receive $20 in the campus currency, Bama Cash, this fall. This is four times the amount Alabama prisoners can receive for getting poked.
In an announcement, the school said, “By rolling up your sleeve, you’ve helped Protect Our Herd, and this is our way of saying thank you!” The $20 can go to any student who has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.’

3. Attorney General Steve Marshall has some thoughts on some of this mandate talk

While the media and their Democrats have begun getting more aggressive in their calls for mandates of masks, vaccine passports and even vaccines, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued guidance to Alabama’s leaders that lay out specifically what can not be done in the state.
Current Alabama law says the government cannot compile and list the names of those vaccinated/not vaccinated and stops the government from denying government services because of vaccine status and forbids schools, colleges and universities, both public and private, from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of attendance. As for private businesses, they cannot require proof of a vaccine for customers but, and this is important, they can require employees to vaccinate against COVID-19.

2. Huntsville City Schools will require masks

It’s been announced that Huntsville City Schools will require masks for anyone over two years old for this upcoming school year. This follows the previously released guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Huntsville City School Board member Elisa Ferrell said Huntsvile is not the first of the state to do this. According to Ferrell, there are actually 10 other school systems that have made this choice.
Madison County currently has a coronavirus positivity rate of 11.7%, according to the ADPH, which places the county in the “very high risk” category for spreading the virus. Huntsville City Schools superintendent Christie Finley said, “[W]e want to get back to in-person learning,” but added that “we also have to make sure our students and staff are safe.”

1. Federal government moving towards mandating vaccines for employees

A trend is beginning where more places are requiring masks again, and now the Department of Veterans Affairs has become the first major federal agency to require masks at facilities again. They will also be requiring that health care workers at their facilities get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Those required to get the vaccine will have the next eight weeks to do so. VA Secretary Denis McDonough said that this is “the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country. Whenever a veteran or VA employee sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know that we have done everything in our power to protect them from COVID-19.”