>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOCUSING ON COVID AND THE VACCINES.

I'M DON DAILEY.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF GUESTS ON TONIGHT TO HELP US GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE ARE WITH COVID AND VACCINATIONS AND WHERE WE NEED TO GO.

WE START WITH THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER, DR. SCOTT HARRIS WITH BACK WITH US.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, DON.

>> ALSO WITH US TONIGHT, IN ADDITION TO DR. HARRIS IS THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, DR. MARY MCINTYRE.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DR. HARRIS, LET'S BEGIN WITH HOW WE'RE DOING.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN DOING WELL.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS WHERE COVID STATISTICS ARE CONCERNED.

WE HAVE BEEN AVERAGING UP TO FIVE THOUSAND NEW CASE'S DAY.

>> EXACTLY.

AND IT'S BEEN A REALLY DIFFICULT SUMMER.

IT REALLY BEGAN RIGHT AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY OR SO.

IT'S REALLY RAMPED UP QUICKLY.

WE HAVE PERHAPS REACHED THE PLATEAU IN OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS RIGHT NOW AND WE HAVE SAID BETWEEN 27 HUNDRED AND 28 HUNDRED FOLKS IN THE HOSPITAL ON ANY GIVEN DAY FOR THE LAST WEEK OR SO.

SO THAT NUMBER IS NOT GOING UP BUT I GUESS THAT IS COMFORTING BUT IT'S NOT DECLINING EITHER.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE SEVERAL THOUSAND REPORTED TO US EACH DAY.

>> HOW WORRIED WERE YOU ABOUT LABOR DAY GATHERINGS.

>> I HAVE LEARNED THAT WHATEVER WE PREDICT WE DON'T SEEM TO GET IT RIGHT SO IT'S HARD TO KNOW FOR SURE BUT I THINK OUR CONCERN IS STILL THAT WHEN YOU HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S IN DOORS WITH FOCUS FROM OTHER HOUSEHOLDS THERE'S RISK FOR TRANSMISSION.

WE DO HAVE MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED THAN BEFORE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INFECTED AND SOME HAVE SOME IMMUNITY.

MAYBE THAT HELPS.

BUT I THINK WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

LIKE WE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF.

>> IN THERE'S ANY BRIGHT SPOT AND IT WOULD BE A DIM BRIGHT SPOT BUT IT'S A BRIGHT SPOT IS THAT VACCINATIONS HAVE GONE UP IN ALABAMA IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

>> LISTEN, WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BUT I THINK WE'RE AHEAD OF SEVEN STATES, WITH AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

WE'RE AT OR NEAR THE BOTTOM WITH MISSISSIPPI FOR PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS WE OUGHT TO SEE THAT NUMBER RAMPING UP.

SO BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BUT WE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THE VACCINE.

INITIALLY THERE WAS AT LEAST THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE WAS A CERTAIN DEGREE OF HESITANCY AMONG THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO GET THIS VACCINE.

HAVE WE PROGRESSED MUCH IN YOUR ESTIMATION?

>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE.

EARLY ON, WE ACTUALLY SAW A PERCENTAGE, WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THE COMPARISON BETWEEN AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND WHITES WHERE WE WERE WAY BEHIND AS FAR AS WITH VACCINATION PERCENTAGES BUT WE ALSO WERE ALSO AHEAD WHEN IT CAME TO DEATHS WHICH MEANT MORE OF US WERE DYING AS A RESULT OF THAT.

WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING A REVERSAL NOW.

THERE ARE ACTUALLY FEWER CASES IN AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THERE ARE ALSO FEWER DEATHS OCCURRING PERCENTAGE-WISE COMPARED TO WHITES.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US PREVIOUSLY DR. MCINTYRE AND, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORICAL REASONS THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS WERE INITIALLY HESITANT TO COME ON BOARD.

WHAT IS THE BRINGING THEM ONBOARD?

IS IT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE VIRUS NOW?

>> I THINK IT'S NOT JUST PERSONAL EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO PEOPLE THAT THEY KNOW THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD ABOUT TALKING WITH THEM, DOING Q&AS, ANSWERING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND ISSUES.

AND EVEN ADDRESSING CONCERNS LIKE THE TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS STUDY, MAKING SURE THAT WE PUT IT OUT FRONT, TELL PEOPLE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN IGNORE, THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO VACCINATIONS.

>> I SEEN SAW A STUDY RECENTLY, YOU CAN BACK ME UP, IS IT AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE MORE DILIGENT ABOUT MASK WEARING DURING THESE TIMES.

>> WE HAVE HIT THAT EXTREMELY HARD, NOT JUST US BUT NOT A LOT OF AREAS BUT WE WORK WITH A NUMBER OF PARTNERS -- FAITH-BASED, THE BLACK MAYORS -- EVEN THE NAACP, THE ALABAMA CHAPTER, AARP, AND WE FOCUS STRONGLY ON THE FACT THAT PREVENTION REQUIRES USING ALL OF THE TOOLS, THAT INCLUDES MASKING.

>> DR. HARRIS, GENERALLY SPEAKING, BECAUSE OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING UP, DO YOU THINK -- I WILL POSE THE SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

IS IT MORE ABOUT MESSAGING?

ARE WE GETTING TO MORE PEOPLE, OR IS IT MORE ABOUT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE?

>> I THINK IT'S BOTH.

I DON'T THINK IT'S ONE OR THE OTHER.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY FELT MOTIVATED TO ACT ONCE THERE WAS FULL FDA APPROVAL FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE.

THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE HANG UP FOR SOME PEOPLE: SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST SEEING IT BECOME MORE OF A NORMAL OCCURRENCE TO HAVE VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE AND PEOPLE THEY KNOW ARE GETTING VACCINATIONS AND IT'S AVAILABLE IN SO MANY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS NOW AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A NORMAL PART OF SOCIETY.

BUT THEN THERE'S ALSO NO QUESTION THAT THE MORE PEOPLE WHO GET SICK, THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE TO KNOW ONE AND HAVE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THAT AND THAT CAN GET SOME PEOPLE OFF THE FENCE IF THEY HAVEN'T DECIDED WHAT TO DO YET.

>> DO WE STILL ASSUME, DR. HARRIS THAT MOST OF THE NEW CASES THAT WE SEE ON A DAILY BASIS ARE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED?

>> THAT'S PROBABLY A TRUE, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT CASES.

WE HAVE GOOD NUMBERS ON THE PEOPLE WHO GET SICK ENOUGH TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL OR THOSE WHO HAVE COVID DON'T SURVIVE.

THOSE ARE MOSTLY PEOPLE UNVACCINATED.

IT'S PROBABLY TRUE THAT THE CASES THEMSELVES ARE MOSTLY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

ALTHOUGH WE NOW HAVE AROUND 2.3 MILLION ALABAMIANS WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AT LEAST PARTIALLY.

TO STABILITY YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE BREAK THROUGH INFECTIONS.

WE DO EXPECT AN INCREASING PERCENTAGE OF THE CASES THAT WE SEE TO OCCUR IN VACCINATED PEOPLE BECAUSE THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT HALF OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE RIGHT NOW.

>> DR. MCINTYRE AS ENCOURAGING AS IT IS TO SEE THESE VACCINATION NUMBERS GOING UP AND AS DR. HARRIS SO ASTUTELY POINTED OUT PREVIOUSLY ON THE SHOW, WE HAD NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP WHERE THE NUMBERS WERE CONCERNED THERE'S STILL A LARGE CHUNK OF ALABAMIANS NOT VACCINATED.

>> YES.

UNFORTUNATELY IT IS.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE THAT ARE YOUNGER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT PEOPLE THAT ARE 65 AND OLDER, WE ALL KNOW THOSE NUMBERS ARE HIGH.

MOST OF THEM EARLY ON RECEIVED VACCINES AND THE ONES THAT DIDN'T DO IT EARLY HAVE DONE IT NOW.

BUT A LOT OF THE YOUNGER PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE AGE OF 50 WILL UNVACCINATED.

WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES AND THERE ARE SO MANY IN THAT GROUP AND WE'RE RECEIVING THE MOVEMENT DOWNWARD, TRENDING WITH MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUNGER ACTUALLY BEING OUR CASES AND OUR DEATHS.

>> I WANT TO REMIND OUR AUDIENCE THROUGHOUT TONIGHT'S PROGRAM WE WILL PROVIDE A NUMBER AND AN EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU CAN CALL AND A GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED FROM THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DURING THE WEEK.

YOU CAN CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HOTLINE WEEK DAYS 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. AT 1-800-270-7268, OR EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US.

WHERE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE CONCERNED, WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLOSELY WATCHING THOSE NUMBERS AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN GOOD EITHER.

>> NOT ANOTHER ALL.

WE HAVE SEEN NUMBERS GO UP EACH WEEK AMONG SCHOOL AGE KIDS SINCE SCHOOL BEGAN ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

THIS PAST WEEK WE HAD MORE THAN 8 THOUSAND, I THINK APPROACHING NINE THOUSAND CASES IN OUR 5 TO 17-YEAR-OLD AGE GROUP.

WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE THOSE CASES ARE HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE DON'T KNOW THAT OBVIOUSLY, WHERE MOST MEME GET INFECTED MOST OF THE TIME BUT THEY'RE CLEARLY OCCURRING AMONG SCHOOL AGE KIDS AND THEY'RE REALLY WREAK HAVOC IN THE SCHOOLS.

MANY KIDS ARE GONE TO VIRTUAL TEMPORARILY.

VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE SCHOOLS HAVE ADOPTED MASK MANDATES WHICH THEY HAVE DONE INDEPENDENTLY ONE AT A TIME AS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TAUGHT SO DO.

THE NUMBER IS A LITTLE OVER 90 PERCENT WHAT DR. MACKEY REPORTED RECENTLY BUT MOST ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO COMBAT THINGS AS BEST THEY CAN.

IT'S JUST A REALLY DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOT GOING TO.

>> DR. MCINTYRE YOU MENTIONED YOUNG ADULTS HAD PRIMARILY ARE ONE AGE GROUP WE'RE WATCHING CLOSELY FOR BEING UNVACCINATED AND WHERE A LOT OF THESE CASES ARE CONCERNED.

OBVIOUSLY KIDS 12 AND UNDER AREN'T YET OLD ENOUGH TO GET A VACCINE, ALTHOUGH THE HOPE IS THAT MAY CHANGE LATER IN THE FALL.

BUT FOR KIDS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE, SAY 12 TO 17, WE'RE NOT NEAR WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE GETTING THOSE KIDS VACCINATED; RIGHT?

>> WE'RE A LONG WAY AWAY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES AND THE NUMBERS WE'RE UNDER 30 PERCENT.

IF YOU LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE LOWER AGE CATEGORY, IT'S LESS THAN 20 PERCENT.

AND THAT'S JUST UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, WHERE THE INCREASE IN THE HOSPITALIZATIONS IN CHILDREN AND IN CHILDREN IN ICU ON VENTILATORS, WE COULD BE AVOIDING A LOT OF THAT BY EL GETTING THE ONES THAT DO QUALIFY TO BE VACCINATED BECAUSE WE KNOW YOUNGER ONES CANNOT BE VACCINATED SO WE CAN PROTECT THOSE YOUNGER KIDS BY PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS BEING VACCINATED.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBERS OF KIDS WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID RIGHT NOW ARE NOT WHERE WE WOULD WANT THEM TO BE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, CHILDREN DO BETTER WITH COVID THAN ADULTS DO; RIGHT?

>> THAT'S GENERALLY TRUE.

I THINK THE PERCENTAGE OF KIDS AMONG OUR HOSPITALIZED ALABAMIANS RIGHT NOW IS BETWEEN ONE AND A HALF AND TWO PERCENT OF THE TOTAL.

AND THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE, YOU KNOW, A BIG NUMBER, UNLESS OF COURSE THAT'S YOUR CHILD OR UNLESS YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE KIDS.

ACTUALLY THOUGH THAT'S A FAIRLY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR KIDS BECAUSE KIDS DON'T GENERALLY GET IN THE HOSPITAL THAT OFTEN.

YOU KNOW, WITH THESE TYPES OF ILLNESSES.

THEY CERTAINLY DO WITH SOME THINGS BUT NOT TO THIS DEGREE.

THE OTHER THING THAT IS REALLY UNKNOWN ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID.

MANY OF THESE KIDS AREAL VERY LIKELY TO HAVE LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS AND IT CAN ACCUSE OTHER ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD THAT WE DON'T KNOW YET.

CHILDREN DON'T DOE DIE AT THE RATE OF ADULTS.

THAT'S THE ONE BRIGHT SPOT OF THIS THING BUT THEY DO HAVE SERIOUS ILLNESSES AND THEY CERTAINLY CAN HAVE SIDE EFFECTS THAT LAST FOR QUITE A WHILE.

>> BOOSTER SHOTS ARE COMING.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN.

THERE'S BEEN A BACK AND FORTH ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL ABOUT WHEN THEY MIGHT BE COMING BUT THEY ARE COMING; RIGHT?

>> YES.

THEY ARE COMING.

THEY MAY BE GENERALLY JUST WITH A SINGLE PRODUCT.

NOT ALL -- I GET QUESTIONS EVERY DAY ABOUT, WELL, WHEN CAN I GET MY BOOSTER.

AND I EXPLAIN TO THEM, IT HAS NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FDA.

IT IS NOT APPROVED BY CDC AND ASEP YET WHICH MEANS WHAT WE'RE DOING IS A THIRD DOSE WHICH IS AN ADDITIONAL DOSE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S ONLY PFIZER.

THERE ARE DOCTORS THAT HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF IT THAT ARE DOING BOOSTERS.

THEY HAVE AN ABILITY TO DO OFF LABEL USE.

BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED YET.

>> DR. MCINTYRE SAYS ONE PRODUCT WILL PROBABLY BE ON THE MARKET SOON FOR BOOSTERS.

HELP CLEAR UP A DEVELOP THAT'S ARISEN QUITE A BIT IN THIS BOOSTER TALK AND THAT IS -- LET'S SIZE IF YOU HAD YOUR INITIAL DOZES WERE PFIZER'S BUT YOUR BOOSTER NEED TO BE PFIZER ALSO.

>> YES.

AS FAR AS WE KNOW.

THERE'S NOT BEEN A FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT MADE ON THAT.

BUT ALMOST CERTAINLY THE GUIDANCE WOULD BE TO TRY TO CONTINUE THE SAME PRODUCT THAT YOU HAD BEFORE.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE BEST RECOMMENDATION TO COME OUT OF AN ABSENCE OF INFORMATION.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN TRYING TO MIX AND MATCH VACCINES SO FAR.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH DATE TO SAY WHAT HAPPENS.

EVENTUALLY IT MAY BE OKAY TO ENTER CHANGE THOSE.

AT THIS POINT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STICK WITH THE PRODUCT THEY HAVE RECEIVED.

>> MEANTIME, DESPITE THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MANY MILES TO GO BEFORE WE SLEEP.

>> WE HAVE MANY MILES.

WE STILL REMAIN, AS DR. HARRIS SAID, AT ONE OF THE LOWER STATES WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO FULL VACCINATION STATUS.

THE ONLY GROUPS THAT WE ARE IN THE 70S IS OVER 6 5.

EVERYONE IS MUCH LOWER THAN THAT WITH THE OTHER AGE GROUPS.

SO WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> OUR FOLKS AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE AREAS THAT WE'RE SPEAKING OF TONIGHT THERE'S A NUMBER YOU CAN CALL, THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS AVAILABLE WEEK DAYS, 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AT 1-800-2 70-7 268 AND YOU MAY ALSO EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COVID19INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US, AND THAT'S A NUMBER THAT WE WILL BE POSTING THROUGHOUT TONIGHT'S SPECIAL PROGRAM ON COVID AND THE VACCINE.

DR. MCINTYRE, NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> DR. SCOTT HARRIS IS OUR STATE HEALTH OFFICER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> A SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON OUR SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOCUS ON COVID AND THE VACCINES WE'RE JOINED BY DR. GREG AYERS WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND PRACTICES IN BIRMINGHAM.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> DOCTOR, WE HAVE OFTEN HEARD DURING THE PANDEMIC CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL YOU TRUST ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE COVID OR IF YOU'RE UNSURE ABOUT TAKING THE VACCINE.

HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE BEEN TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THIS?

WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE CONTACTING THEIR PHYSICIAN OR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN AND THEY HAVE CONTACTED FACEBOOK OR DR. GOOGLE MORE TIMES THAN NOT.

SO I CERTAINLY WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTACT OUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN WHEN IT COMES TO ADVICE REGARDING ANY PARTICULAR THERAPY OR THE VACCINE.

>> HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM DO YOU THINK IT'S BEEN PERSONALLY WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO CONTACT FACEBOOK OR DR. GOOGLE RATHER THAN YOU OR ONE OF THE OTHER QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK THE MISINFORMATION OUT THERE IS PRETTY PROFOUND.

IT'S PERVASIVE AND THROUGHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

I'M NOT SURE WHERE A LOT OF IT IS COMING FROM.

I HAVE A LOT OF THEORIES AND OPINIONS BUT IF I WERE A FOREIGN ACTOR THAT WOULD BE EXACTLY THE METHOD WOULD I USE TO TAKE DOWN THE UNITED STATES IN SOME WAYS.

YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE LOST A LOT MORE PEOPLE IN THIS PANDEMIC FROM MISINFORMATION THAN PEOPLE REALLY APPRECIATE.

A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE LOST IN 9/11 AND ALL OF THE WARS THAT WE FOUGHT SINCE THEN.

>> WHERE THIS MISINFORMATION IS CONCERNED, IT'S LED MANY PEOPLE TO NOT GET THE VACCINE AND IT'S THE UNVACCINATED THAT WE'RE PARTICULARLY WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

THEY OVERWHELMINGLY MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF COVID CASES IN THE STATE, THOSE HOSPITAL EYES ASKED UNFORTUNATELY THOSE WHO ARE DYING.

>> YES.

I THINK YOU KNOW, THE EVIDENCE FOR THE VACCINE IS VERY -- IT'S OVERWHELMINGLY GOOD.

REMEMBER PACK IN EARLY 2020 OR MID 2020 WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WOULD MAKE A GOOD VACCINE AND I THINK EVERYBODY SETTLED ON 50 PERCENT.

IF A VACCINE COULD PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME THAT WOULD BE A GREAT VACCINE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ALREADY HAD IN THE FLU VACCINE.

BUT WHEN THE NEWS CAME OUT WITH MODERNA AND PFIZER THAT IT WAS 9 5 PERCENT PLUS EFFECTIVE, THAT WAS A SHOCK TO MOST PEOPLE.

IT WAS AWESOME NEWS FOR EVERYONE WHO WAS HOPING TO END THE PANDEMIC.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE VAX SCENES ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE MARKERS THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, THE VAX SCENES WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF THE HOSPITALS.

THEY WILL ALSO KEEP YOU OUT OF THE ICU.

THEY WILL KEEP YOU OFF THE VENTILATOR.

AND THINK LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY KEEP YOU OUT OF THE MORGUE.

>> THERE ARE BREAK THROUGH CASES OBVIOUSLY.

BUT IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVING A BREAK THROUGH CASE ARE PRETTY HIGH, ARE THEY NOT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND CERTAINLY THE DATA IS ONE THING.

LOOK AT THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

LOOK AT WHAT THE CLINICIAN CANS AND THE INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS ARE TELLING YOU THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST.

LOOK AT BIRMINGHAM AT UAB OR BAPTIST HOSPITALS, MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE CASES THAT ARE IN THE ICU ARE UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

GO ACROSS STATE LINES.

LOOK AT VANDERBILT OR THE HOSPITALS IN GEORGIA SUCH AS CARROLLTON AND AUGUSTA -- MANY OF THOSE PATIENTS ARE ALL UNVACCINATED IN THE ICU.

>> ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE HEARD ABOUT THE VACCINE FOR QUITE A WHILE WAS THAT IT DIDN'T HAVE FULL APPROVAL FROM THE FDA, THAT IT JUST RECEIVED EMERGENCY APPROVAL.

NOW, THE PFIZER VACCINE DOES HAVE FULL APPROVAL.

HAS THAT NECESSITATED A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE IT AS A PHYSICIAN?

>> I THINK SOME PEOPLE WERE WAITING TO SEE THAT FINAL APPROVAL BEFORE THEY WOULD TAKE THE STEP TO GET THE VACCINE.

I THINK THAT'S ONE ELEMENT THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

BUT ALSO RECENTLY WITH THE DELTA SURGE, I THINK THAT HAS PUSHED MORE PEOPLE TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

>> WHAT ABOUT ALTERNATIVE ROOTS AS WE HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DOING NOWADAYS.

BECAUSE THEY'RE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE VACCINE, THEY'RE EXPLORING HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, THE ANTIMALARIAL DIRECTION AND WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE ANTI PARASITIC DRUG -- HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT IN YOUR PRACTICE?

>> WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THE ICU AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE TYPE THAT HAVE TAKEN THOSE MEDICATIONS.

THE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE IS THAT IT DOES NOT WORK.

I THINK MYSELF AND ALL OF THE PHYSICIANS ACROSS ALABAMA WOULD LOVE FOR THERE TO BE AN OLD MEDICINE, A RE PURPOSED MEDICINE THAT IS SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND CHEAP THAT IS WIDELY AVAILABLE.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT WORK.

BUT THE DATA OUT THERE SHOWS THAT IT SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK.

WE SAW THAT WITH HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE EARLIER AND NOW THE DATA ON IVERMECTIN AND ALL OF THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED SHOWS IT DOESN'T WORK!

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WHERE IVERMECTIN IS CONCERNED, THERE'S A HUMAN VERSION AND ALSO A VETERINARY VERSION AND THERE'S BEEN REPORTS THAT SOME PEOPLE THAT COULDN'T GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR THE HUMAN VERSION WERE RESORTED TO THE VETERINARY VERSION AND THAT'S EVEN MORE HARMFUL; RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TAKING.

IF YOU GET IT FROM A PHYSICIAN AND IT'S THROUGH A PHARMACY, THAT WOULD BE THE HUMAN VERSION.

HOWEVER SOME FOLKS ARE RESORTING TO GO TO TRACTOR SUPPLY TO GET THEIR IVERMECTIN AND THEY COULD OVERDOSE THEMSELVES IF THEY'RE NOT CAREFUL.

>> AGAIN, IVERMECTIN IS AN ANTI PARASITIC DRUG TO TREAT RING WORMS AND HEAD LICE AND THOSE INSINUATION.

>> YES.

IT IS A VERY EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR THE THINGS IT'S FOR, AND YOU JUST OUTLINED A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT IT IS VERY EFFECTIVE FOR.

BUT CERTAINLY IN VITRO WHICH IS IN A TEST TUBE ENVIRONMENT THERE ARE CERTAIN MEDICATIONS THAT MIGHT SUPPRESS COVID-19, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IT WAS MEDICATION OF INTEREST FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TREATING SOMETHING IN A TEST TUBE ENVIRONMENT VERSUS TREATING IT IN A LIVE BREATHING HUMAN BEING AND SO FAR THE STUDIES ON THE LATTER HAVE SHOWN NO EFFECT.

>> WE'RE ON THE HORIZON FOR BOOSTER SHOTS.

PFIZER I THINK, WILL BE FIRST UP.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOSTERS?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS BEING STUDIED CERTAINLY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

I CAN SAY WE PUT A LITTLE BIT THE CART AHEAD OF THE HORSE.

I THINK THE POLITICS GOT A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF THE SCIENCE ON THIS.

CERTAINLY THE MESSAGING ANYWAY.

I THINK WE NEED TO HEAR THE FDA AND THE CDC WEIGH IN BEFORE WE JUST, YOU KNOW, BLINDLY CHOOSE SEPTEMBER 20 AT A START DATE.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

THERE'S THE THIRD SHOT VERSUS THE BOOSTER AND THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT NEED A THIRD VACCINATION NOW, SUBCOMMITTEE SPEAK TO THOSE FOLKS THAT THE HAVE HAD A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM.

SAY THEY ARE ON CHEMOTHERAPY OR SAY THEY'RE ON MEDICATION FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, IT SUPPRESSES THEIR SYSTEM.

THAT'S SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T NEED A BOOSTER BUT NEEDS A THIRD SHOT TO STRENGTHEN.

>> THE BOOSTER SHOT BROUGHT UP THE EFFICACY OF THE VACCINE STARTING TO WAYNE AT A CERTAIN POINT.

HAS THAT BEEN YOUR STANDPOINT.

>> IT HAS NOT BEEN FROM A CLINICAL STANDPOINT.

IF YOU LOOK AT ANTIVIRALS IN HUMANS AFTER THEY HAVE AN INFECTION OR VACCINATION THEY ARE GOING TO GO DOWN OVER TIME.

NO QUESTION.

YOU MOUNT A VERY ROBUST RESPONSE FROM AN IMMUNE STANDPOINT EARLY ON IN OUR AN INFECTION BUT THAT WANES OVER TIME.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WILL PROTECT YOU IF YOU GET REINFECTED WITH COVID-19.

THE MEMORY PARTICLES THAT EXIST IN YOUR BODY WILL TAKE OVER AND JUMP-START THAT IMMUNE SYSTEM IN SHORT ORDER.

SO, YES, YOU MAY SEE A REINFECTION BUT YOU WILL STILL BE PROTECTED AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS I OUTLINED, ICU ADMISSION, VENTILATOR, AND DEATH.

>> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID OR THE VACCINES ALL THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK DATES FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AT 2 70-7 268 OFFER REAM YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT COVID-19 INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO REMIND YOU OF THAT THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM TONIGHT.

YOU ARE ALSO A PAIL ACTIVE CARE SPECIALIST AND I WOULD -- A PAIL GRIT ACTIVE CARE SPECIALIST AND I WOULD IMAGINE YOU HAVE SEEN A LOT OF END OF LIFE COVID PATIENTS.

>> IT'S BEEN A VERY BURDENSOME YEAR AND A HALF.

I HAVE TWO TEAMS, ONE IN BIRMINGHAM AND ANOTHER PRINCETON MEDICAL CENTER AND WE HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS THAT HAVE UNFORTUNATELY PAID WITH THEIR LIFE IN TERMS OF THE COVID-19 INFECTION.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PAIL WHY IT ACTIVE CARE IT CAN MEAN MANY DIFFERENT THINGS DEPENDING ON THE ILLNESS AND THE PATIENT BUT WHERE COVID IS CONCERNED, I GUESS WE HAVE TO ASSUME AT THE END OF LIFE THEY'RE ON A VENTILATOR AND BARELY UNCOMMUNICATIVE; RIGHT?

>> MANY TIMES THERE ARE.

MANY TIMES THEY'RE ICU PATIENTS THAT BE IN THE HOSPITAL SOMETIMES FOR -- IT COULD BE DAYS BUT IT COULD BE SEVERAL WEEKS.

AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE SUPPORTIVE TREATMENTS GIVEN BY THE CRITICAL CARE DOCTORS, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES WILL MAKE A DECISION WHETHER TO CONTINUE THAT AGGRESSIVE CARE OR TO PULL BACK.

WHEN THINGS AREN'T WORKING OR GOING AT PLANNED.

>> PAIL WHY IT ACTIVE CARE MEANS KEEPING THEM AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE AT THE END OF THE LIFE?

>> YES.

THAT'S CERTAINLY THE CASE THROUGHOUT THE ILLNESS.

MANY TIMES WE'RE INVOLVED EARLY ON IN THE ILLNESS BECAUSE THERE'S A HUGE SYMPTOM BURDEN WITH COVID.

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN JUST AT THE END OF LIFE.

IT HAPPENS EARLY ON.

PEOPLE ARE SHORT OF BREATH.

THEY HAVE PAIN.

THERE'S A LOT OF SUFFERING WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19.

SO OUR TEAMS ARE THERE TO TRY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES DURING THIS TIME.

I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER BIG IMPACT TOO IS THE FAMILIES.

THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO BE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES BECAUSE THEIR LOVED ONES IS -- THEY'RE LOCKED BEHIND AN ICU DOOR AND CAN'T BE WITH THEM AND HOLD THEIR HAND AND HUG THEIR NECK AND IT'S PAINFUL TO SEE THAT.

IT'S AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF SUFFERING NOT JUST ON THE PART OF THE PATIENT BUT ON THE PART OF THE FAMILY AS WELL.

>> OBVIOUSLY TOO, I IMAGINE YOU SEE A LOT OF REEXAMINING OF PRIORITIES FROM FAMILY MEMBERS OF COVID PATIENT WHOSE ARE TERMINAL.

I GUESS MAYBE IN SOME NANCES MAYBE REGRETTING DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE BIG WORD IS REGRET.

AND IN SPEAKING TO YOUR AUDIENCE I WOULD WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, TAKE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE AND IS IT COMING FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE?

IS THAT SOMEONE THAT YOU TRUST?

IS THAT PHYSICIAN SOMEONE -- IS THAT YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN, SOMEONE THAT YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT TO THE BANK?

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO SPEAK TO.

DON'T GET YOUR INFORMATION OFF OF FACEBOOK OR DON'T GET YOUR INFORMATION FROM A BEAT.

THOSE THINGS MAY CARRY MISINFORMATION AND YOU COULD -- IT COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE IF YOU MAKE THE WRONG DECISION.

>> WE HAVE TO ASSUME MOST PEOPLE HAVE A PERSONAL DOCTOR IN THEIR LIVES.

BUT IF THEY DON'T FOR WHATEVER REASON, MOST OF US AT LEAST KNOW SOMEONE THAT WANT WORKS IN THE HEALTH CARE PROS IN AND WE CAN TALK TO THOSE PEOPLE; RIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE NURSES WOULD BE -- THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PROFESSION AS WELL AND CERTAINLY THEY HAVE BEEN HAD A HUGE PART IN BATTLING THIS PANDEMIC.

I THINK EVERYBODY, IF THEY DON'T KNOW A DOCTOR, THEY KNOW A NURSE OR NURSING ASSISTANT.

HECK, I WAS A NURSING ASSISTANT BEFORE I BECAME A FITS.

SO THOSE ARE A VITAL PART OF OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND REALLY THE WHOLE SYSTEM HAS BEEN STRESSED BY THIS NOT JUST NURSES AND DRESS BUT EVERYBODY DOWN TO THE JANITORIAL STAFF THAT CLEANS ROOMS.

EVERYBODY HAS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN THIS PANDEMIC IN HOPING TO PULL US THROUGH THIS.

>> BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF AND FOR THE HEALTH OF THOSE AROUND YOU; RIGHT?

>> THAT'S WHERE GETTING VACCINATED IS SO IMPORTANT.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT YOU BUT EVERYBODY THAT YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH AS WELL.

BECAUSE, LIKE I TELL EVERYBODY, EVENTUALLY, IF YOU LIVE IN ALABAMA ON THIS PLANET LONG ENOUGH YOU'RE GOING TO COMING IN CONTACT WITH COVID-19, THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES COVID-19.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO APPROACH IT?

DO YOU WANT TO APPROACH IT WITH AN IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT IS NOT READY TO FIGHT OR DO YOU WANT TO PRIME THAT IMMUNE SYSTEM, TAKE THAT GOD GIVEN IMMUNE SYSTEM IS PREP IT FOR COVID-19 SO WHEN IT DOES BATTLE IT IS READY, IT WILL BE READY IF YOU GET THE VACCINE BUT YOU WILL NOT BE READY IF YOU DO NOT.

>> AGAIN IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS CALL ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S PHONE LINE AND THEY CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS WITH COVID OR VACCINE, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AT 1-800-2 70 7 2 6 8 OR ALSO EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COVID-19INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US.

DR. GREG AYERS IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

THAT YOU THINK.

>> AND OUR SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON OUR SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOCUSING ON THE CORONAVIRUS, AND VACCINATIONS IS ALABAMA HOSPITAL PRESIDENT AND CEO, DR. DON WILLIAMSON.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AS WITH US.

>> LET'S BEGIN WITH VACCINATIONS.

THE VAST ARE MAJORITY OF ICU PATIENTS IN STATE HOSPITALS NOW ARE UNVACCINATED; RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

IF YOU LOOK AT -- ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT SINCE WE HAVE BEEN COLLECTING THIS DATA NOW OVER A MONTH, IF YOU LOOK AT PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL, ABOUT 12 PERCENT OF THEM ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THE OTHER 88 PERCENT ARE UNVACCINATED OR THEY'RE ONLY PARTIALLY VACCINATED.

WITH THE DELTA VARIANT HAD PARTIALLY VACCINATED DOESN'T PROVIDE MUCH VACCINATION.

IF YOU LOOK A THE DATA UAB HAS SHARED THEIR ICU POPULATION IS OVERWHELMINGLY UNVACCINATED.

SO WHAT THE VACCINE WAS DESIGNED TO DO, WHICH IS PREVENT YOU HAVING SEVERE DISEASE AND DEATH, OF THE VACCINE IS CLEARLY DOING THAT.

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ASSUME THAT IF SOMEBODY THEY KNOW DIES OF COVID THAT THEY WERE NOT VACCINATED.

SHOULD WE MAKE THAT BLANKET ASSUMPTION?

>> YOU NEVER WANT TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON INFORMATION YOU DON'T HAVE ON AN INDIVIDUAL.

BUT YOU CAN MAKE STATISTICAL INFERENCES.

AND BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW, OVER 99 PERCENT OF THE DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE OCCURRING IN UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

THE OTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THAT IS ABOUT 1 PERCENT OR SLIGHTLY LESS OF DEATHS ARE OCCURRING IN FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

WHAT WE KNOW FROM STUDIES IS THAT THOSE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO BE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR HAVE SEVERE UNDERLYING DISEASE.

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO GOT TWO DOSES OF VACCINE TO STILL DIE FROM COVID?

IT IS POSSIBLE BUT EXTRAORDINARILY UNLIKELY IN THOSE CASES YOU THINK THEY NEVER GOT A RESPONSE FROM TWO DOSES AND THAT'S WHY THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION FOR A THIRD DOSE IN PEOPLE WHO ARE UNCOMPROMISED -- WHO ARE COMPROMISED.

>> IN STUDIES DONE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE TO TWO DOSES DID GET THAT RESPONSE TO THE THIRD ONE.

>> WHERE.

ICU'S ARE CONCERNED THE NEWS HAS NOT BEEN GOOD OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

>> NO.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR OVERALL HOSPITAL PICTURE IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE MORE STABLE.

WE'RE AT ABOUT 27 HUNDRED, 2750, IT FLUCTUATES FROM DAY TO DAY ON INPATIENTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR ICU SITUATION WE'RE IN DIRE STRAITS.

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN OVER 8 HUNDRED PATIENTS IN THE ICU NOW FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

WE HAVE OVER 6 HUNDRED PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS WITH COVID.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT OUR ICU CAPACITY AND OUR ICU UTILIZATION, MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE PATIENTS IN ICU'S TODAY HAVE COVID.

IF YOU HAVE LOOK AT VENTILATORS MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS IN ALABAMA NOW HAVE COVID.

IF YOU LOOK AT PATIENTS IN THE ICU, OVER 70 PERCENT OF THEM ARE ON VENTILATORS.

SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT, WHILE WE MAY SEE SOME STABILIZATION IN TOTAL NUMBERS IN THE HOSPITAL, THOSE PATIENT WHOSE ARE THERE ARE NOW MUCH SICKER AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL THAN THEY WERE BACK IN JANUARY.

AND, UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE MAY BE SEEING STABILITY IN OUR RELATIVE STABILITY IN OUR TOTAL INPATIENT IS BECAUSE FOR THE LAST 10 DAYS, NOW 11 DAYS, WE HAVE NOT HAD A DAY WHERE WE HAD FEWER THAN 40 DEATHS IN HOSPITAL SO THE EFFECT IS THAT WE ARE NOT SEEING AN INCREASE IN TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS IN PART BECAUSE SO MANY PATIENTS THERE ARE HAVING BAD OUTCOMES.

>> SO DON'T READ FOR A MUCH IN THE STATEMENT HOSPITAL HAD NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THAT FOR' SEVERAL REASONS.

WE JUST WENT THROUGH LABOR DAY.

WE COULD SEE A SURGE IN NEW CASES.

WE HAD OVER 4 THOUSAND NEW CASES REPORTED TODAY SO THAT COULD LEAD TO A SURGE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

WE ARE PUTTING 0 TO 1 HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE ON STADIUMS IN SATURDAYS LESS THAN HALF VACCINATED NOBODY WEARING A MASK, EVEN THOUGH IT'S OUTSIDE, DELTA VARIANT IS A MUCH MORE INFECTION AGENT.

>> GIVEN THE LARGE GATH RIDGES AT FOOTBALL GAMES AND HOLIDAY GATHERINGS AND SCHOOL BEING BACK IN SESSION COULD THESE ALL ADD UP TO BEING A TIME OF RECKONING WHERE WE'RE GOING NEXT IN THE PANDEMIC?

>> I THINK THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WILL TELL US A LOT.

WITHIN TWO WEEKS WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WAS THERE AN EFFECT OF LABOR DAY OR OF THE FIRST FOOTBALL GAMES AND WE CAN PREDICT 10 TO 12 PERCENT OF PEOPLE INFECTED WILL END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

MONOCLE ANTIBODIES HAVE BEEN A LIFE SAVER IN REDUCING HOSPITALIZATION.

92 QUESTION ABOUT IT.

BUT BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC IS NOW PRETTY MUCH NATIONWIDE IN TERMS OF IT'S INCREASED SEVERITY, MONOCLE ANTIBODY SUPPLIES MAY BE COMPROMISED IN SOME WAYS.

SO I THINK WE MAY BE FACING A TIME OF RECKONING.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE PEDIATRIC NUMBERS LOOK LIKE.

YESTERDAY WE WERE OVER 5 4 PEDIATRIC CASES NUMBER.

THESE ARE LEVELS THAT WE NEVER SAW IN JANUARY.

AND WHILE ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE BACK IN SESSION, WE'RE SEEING SCHOOLS WHERE PEOPLE ARE SICK AND KIDS SENT HOME AND MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS.

>> HOSPITALIZED PEDIATRICS PATIENTS WITH NOT QUITE HALF BUT ALMOST HALF IN ICU, SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THOSE ON VENTILATORS.

THIS IS NOT THE BENIGN ILLNESS IN CHILDREN THAT WE THOUGHT IT WAS BACK IN JANUARY.

>> BLUE BROUGHT UP MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES I THINK THE FEDS TOLD STATES THEY NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL ABOUT DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE ANTIBODIES BECAUSE THE SUPPLY IS FINITE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, IT'S A FINITE SUPPLY.

AND ALABAMA HAS BEEN VERY HE GRIEVES IN THEIR USE.

THE PROBLEM IS, AS I SAID BEFORE, NOW THAT THE SURGE IN THE PANDEMIC IS GOING TO GOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE DEMAND NATIONWIDE IS GOING UP SO WE'RE SEEING LIMITATIONS NOW ON HOW MUCH MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY MAY BE AVAILABLE.

SO IT'S NOT IDEALLY BUT FOR THOSE WHO DESPERATELY NEED THOSE ANTIBODIES THEY ARE AVAILABLE AND WILL REMAIN ONE OF THE MAJOR INSTRUMENTS OF KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> IDEALLY SPEAKING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES ARE FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER, AT HIGHER RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS AND THAT CAN INCLUDE A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING A BODY MASS INDEX OF 25 OR MORE WHICH AS WE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT COULD INCLUDE 60 TO 70 PERCENT OF ALABAMIANS.

>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RISK FACTORS IT'S NOT JUST UNDERLYING CARDIOPULMONARY, BUT OBESITY AND DIABETES -- A NUMBER OF FACTORS PUT YOU AT RISK SO A LOT OF PEOPLE BO QUALIFY FOR MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES SO WHILE THE SUPPLY MAY BECOME LIMITED, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU -- ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED -- IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED AND YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID AND YOU'RE SYMPTOMATIC, PLEASE TALK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO SEE IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE FOR MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES.

>> DOCTOR, WE HEARD THIS WEEK ABOUT NURSES AT UAB HOSPITAL IN BIRMINGHAM STAGING SORT OF A PROTEST ONE NIGHT OVER THE STRESSES, THE HOURS, THE PAY -- WE RECOGNIZE OF COURSE THE TREMENDOUS STRESSES OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE UNDER RIGHT NOW, AND I ASSUME THAT, EVEN THOUGH OTHER HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVEN'T GONE TO THE STEP OF PROTESTING CLOCKING IN, THEY MAY FEEL THAT WAY.

>> WE'RE IN AN UNPLEASANT DENTED SITUATION.

WE'RE IN A PLACE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A CENTURY.

HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.

THEY'RE OVERWHELMED.

THEY'RE STRESSED.

AND IT HAS CREATED INEQUITIES IN THE SYSTEM IN THAT, BECAUSE OF THIS SURGE, HOSPITALS ARE LOOKING FOR SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE LONG-TERM ONES.

AND THAT SHORT-TERM SOLUTION HAS INCLUDED THE USE OF CONTRACT NURSES, TRAVELING NURSES, IF YOU WILL, AND IN THAT ENVIRONMENT, YOU ARE COMPETING WITH OTHER STATES FOR THOSE EXACT SAME NURSES.

AND I THINK OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SEE NURSES PAID MORE.

THE CHALLENGE ON A LONG-TERM BASIS IS THAT ALABAMA HOSPITALS RECEIVED THE LOWEST REIMBURSEMENT RATES IN THE COUNTRY DUE TO THINGS LIKE MEDICARE AND TO THINGS LIKE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SUCH A HIGH UNCOMPENSATED CARE BURDEN IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SHORT-TERM, AND THAT'S WHERE THE $12 MILLION THAT THE GOVERNOR PROVIDED WILL BE SO IMPORTANT IN PROVIDING SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF HOPEFULLY TO INCREASE ICU CAPACITY WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF.

BECAUSE WE'RE IN SITUATIONS NOW WHERE PATIENT WHOSE NEED TO BE TRANSFERRED, THERE'S NO PLACE TO TRANSFER THEM.

ESSENTIALLY OFTEN NOT IN ALABAMA AND ONLY OCCASIONALLY OUT OF STATE.

>> I REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID OR THE VACCINES YOU CAN CALL THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WEEKDAYS, 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. AT 1-800-270-7268 AND EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT COVID-19INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US AND WE WILL REPEAT THAT INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE BROADCAST.

DOCTOR, SOME HOSPITALS ARE REQUIRES THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED; RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, HOSPITALS HAVE TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO RAISE IMMUNIZATION LEVEL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

SOME, UAB, THE ASCENSION HEALTH SYSTEM, HAVE CHOSEN TO GO FOR MANDATES.

SOME HAVE CHOSEN INCENTIVES.

SOME ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR VACCINATED EMPLOYEES IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, YOU WEAR A DIFFERENT MASK, IF YOU'RE NOT IN A COVID AREA, WHEREAS IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED MAYBE YOU HAVE TO BE TESTED, MAYBE YOU HAVE TO WEAR AN N95 MASK THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY.

SO FACILITY EXPRESS TRYING TO DECIDE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS WHAT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY FOR THEM TO INCREASE THE VACCINATION RATE AMONG THEIR EMPLOYEES, RECOGNIZING TWO THINGS.

P NUMBER ONE, WE DESPERATELY NEED HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED BECAUSE WE NEED THEM AVAILABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS.

SECONDLY, WE DON'T NEED THEM TO BECOME PATIENTS.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPEN WHEN UNVACCINATED HEALTH CARE WORKERS GET INFECTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM READMITTED TO THEIR OWN HOSPITAL.

SO THAT COMBINATION, YOU KNOW, IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

LIKEWISE WE DON'T WANT HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO BE A SORT OF SPREAD WITHIN A HOSPITAL.

>> IT'S SO BAD IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, DID WE HAVE HEARD OF REPORTS OUCH IDAHO WHERE HOSPITAL STAFF ARE SO STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT THEY'RE HAVING TO WHAT THEY CALL RATION CARE, MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHO GETS WHAT AND WHEN.

>> WE SENT GOT TON THAT POINT.

>> THANK GOODNESS.

>> I WILL SAY, YESTERDAY WE HAD THE FEWEST AVAILABLE VENTILATORS THAT WE HAVE HAD SINCE THE PIKE BEGAN.

WE ONLY HAD 775.

THAT'S ABOUT 39 TO 40 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE VENTILATE SOURCE WE'RE IN A MUCH BETTER SITUATION WITH STUFF, LIKE LIFE THINGS, LIKE VENTILATORS AND PPE, THAN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC.

OUR RATE-LIMITING FACTOR IS STAFF.

IF WE CAN ADD SOME ADDITIONAL STAFF INTO THOSE AREAS THAT ARE MOST CRITICALLY IMPACTED, IT WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND ICU CAPACITY AND THEN THAT WILL TAKE ENORMOUS PRESSURE OFF OF THE EXISTING STAFF AND IT WILL ALLOW SOME OF THESE TRANSFERS.

AGAIN, THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH NOW, ISN'T JUST A COVID PROBLEM.

IF YOU HAVE A HEART ATTACK NOW, IF YOU'RE IN A MOTOR VEHICLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR STROKE OR ANY OTHER THING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE HOME OF HUMAN, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE IF YOU GO TO A HOSPITAL THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE TRANSFERRED SOMEPLACE ELSE SIMPLY BECAUSE EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS NOW OVERWHELMED.

WE REMAIN IN NEGATIVE ICU BED SITUATION.

>> WE HAVE 60 SECONDS REMAINING.

AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA HOSPITAL SAY ASSOCIATION AND AS THE FORMER STATE HEALTH OFFICER WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE FOLKS ON THE FENCE ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED?

>> PLEASE GET VACCINATED FOR YOUR HEALTH.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY GET VACCINATED FOR YOUR CHILD ASSESS HEALTH, YOUR FAMILY'S HEALTH AND YOUR LOVED ONE'S HEALTH.

THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE THEIRS.

AND IT MAY ALSO BE YOUR OWN.

NONE OF US CAN PREDICT IF WE'RE UNVACCINATED WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO BE THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A GOOD OUTCOME OR HAS A BAD OUTCOME.

SO IF YOU'RE IN DOUBT, TALK TO A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ ON THE INTERNET.

TALK TO A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

GET VACCINATED.

>> DON'T BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC.

>> PLEASE.

WE HAVE HAD 12500 MEME DIE ALREADY.

WE DON'T NEED MORE.

>> DR. DON WILLIAMSON PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA HOSPITAL SOX.

ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> YES, SIR.

>> AND OUR SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOCUSING ON THE CORONAVIRUS AND VACCINATIONS WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY ON OUR SPECIAL EDITION TONIGHT, DEALING WITH COVID AND THE ADVANTAGEOUS SEEN WE'RE HAPPY TO WELCOME SENATOR RANDY PRICE OF OPELIKA.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> SENATOR, YOURS IS A STORY THAT MIGHT CHANGE SOME MINDS OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE ON THE FENCE ABOUT THE COVID VACCINE.

YOU SURVIVED A VERY GRAVE CASE OF COVID LAST YEAR.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU ALMOST LOST YOUR LIFE TO COVID.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY -- WHEN YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S A TIME IN YOUR LIFE TO WHERE TODAY EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET UP, WHICH I SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING THAT, BUT I THAT GOT FOR THAT NEXT DAY AND YOU THAT HIM FOR THAT NEXT SECOND.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS THAT MY ENTIRE FAMILY CAME DOWN WITH COVID.

I WAS THE LAST ONE IN THE FAMILY REALLY TO COME DOWN WITH IT.

AND I TRIED TO PUSH THROUGH IT, THOUGHT I COULD OUT LAST IT.

AND FINALLY MY BOYS CAME TO ME AND SAID, DAD, EITHER WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU OR MOM IS GOING TO TAKE YOU.

SO WE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THAT NIGHT, AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE A DRIVE THROUGH.

YOU HAD TO PULL UP AND A NURSE WOULD COME OUT, WHAT ARE YOUR SYMPTOMS, THEN THEY TOOK MY TEMPERATURE AND MY TEMPERATURE WAS 104, AND I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I WALKED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I TURNED BACK AND LOOKED AT MY WIFE THAT HAD BEEN WITH ME FOR 43 YEARS AND THOUGHT THAT MAY BE THE LAST TIME I SEE HER.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, I THOUGHT, WELL, THEY WILL GIVE ME A LITTLE FLUIDS AND SHOT OR TWO AND I WILL BE GOING HOME HERE IN A DAY OR TWO.

BUT THAT WASN'T THE INDICATES.

IT WAS AN 8-WEEKS BEFORE I WALKED OUT OF THERE.

>> YOUR SONS AND YOUR WIFE DIDN'T HAVE A SERIOUS CASE OF COVID AS YOU DID.

I WILL REMIND FOLKS WOULD DON'T KNOW YOUR YOU HAVE WIFE ISOLINE PRICE, REVENUE COMMISSIONER OVER THERE IN LEE COUNTY.

WHEN YOU WANT TO THE HOSPITAL THAT DAY, YOU WERE ALREADY HAVING PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BREATHING PROBLEMS.

>> I WAS.

I WAS.

I HAD TRIED TO PUSH THROUGH IT AND DOING THINGS IN OUR BUSINESS AND ON THE FARM AND THAT AFTERNOON, THAT'S WHEN THE BOYS CAME TO ME AND THEY SAW THAT I WAS -- I HAD CONTINUED TO PUSH AND DIDN'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

THE NEXT MORNING I WILL NEVER FORGET, I WAS LAYING ON THE 7TH FLOOR AT THE NOT OPELIKA AND THE DOCTOR CAME FROM AND SAID, I NEED FOR YOU TO CALL YOUR WIFE AND LET ME TALK TO HER.

AND I REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION THAT HAD A SHE ASKED HIM HOW REALLY WAS HIS CONDITION.

HIS WORDS WERE, YOUR HUSBAND IS A VERY, VERY SICK MAN.

SO A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, THAT'S WHEN I WAS -- THEY MADE THE DECISION TO CARRY ME TO ICU.

I COULDN'T ASK FOR BETTER CARE.

I HAD SOME OF THE BEST CARE YOU COULD ASK FOR.

BUT IT WAS AN UPHILL BATTLE.

>> YOU WERE EVENTUALLY PUT ON A VENTILATOR AND ON THE VENT FOR THREE WEEKS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT IT'S FAIRLY UNUSUAL TO SUCCESSFULLY COME OFF OF A VENTILATOR WITH COVID AFTER THREE WEEKS.

>> I KNOW THAT GOD HAD A PLAN AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I WAS CARRIED TO LANIER HOSPITAL TO START MAY RECOVERY AS FAR AS AFTER I HAD COME OFF THE VENT, ONE OF THE HOSPITAL STAFF PEOPLE MADE THE COMMENT TO ME THAT SAID THAT THEY HAD JUST REVIEWED MY RECORDS, AND THEY SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR YOU BUT IT'S BIG.

BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.

BUT I'M VERY THANKFUL I'M STILL PART OF HIS PLAN.

BUT, YES, I REMEMBER THE THINGS THAT -- THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS THAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY WERE GETTING READY TO PUT ME ON THE VENT.

THAT MORNING, I WAS NOT FEELING VERY WELL.

AND I DID CALL OUR OLDEST SON, AND I TOLD HIM TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MOM.

I CALLED MY WIFE AND I TOLD HER IT HAD BEEN A GOOD RIDE.

AND SHE TOLD ME THE RIDE WASN'T OVER.

NOT LONG AFTER THAT I DID CODE.

I CODED.

BUT ONCE AGAIN GOD HAD A PLAN.

THE DOCTOR THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAGED TO COME TO MY ROOM WAS ACTUALLY STANDING IN MY ROOM.

SO THEY BROUGHT ME BACK AROUND, SUCCESSFULLY PUT ME ON THE VENT.

I STAYED ON THE VENT FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER A WEEK AND THEY ACTUALLY TOOK ME OFF THE VENT.

THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT A TAKE AND THEY MADE A DECISION TO PUT ME BACK ON THE VENT.

THAT EVEN DECREASES THOSE CHANCES EVEN MORE AS FAR AS YOU COMING OFF OF A VENT.

BUT I WAS FORTUNE THAT I WAS ABLE TO COME OFF AND CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I WILL REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID OR ABOUT THE VACCINES YOU CAN CALL THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK DAYS 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. AT 1-800-270-7628 OR ALSO EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COVID-19 INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US AND WE WILL REMIND YOU OF THAT AT THE END OF THE BROADCAST.

WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT CODING YOU WERE CLINICALLY DEAD ABOUT FIVE MINTS OR SO.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE THING THAT IS MORE SCARY FOR THAT SITUATION WAS THEY HAD SENT FOR MY WIFE TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND SHE WAS THERE AND THEY SUITED HER UP AND SHE WAS IN THE ROOM.

BUT WHEN I CODED, THEY COULD NOT GET HER OUT OF THE ROOM.

SHE WAS THERE WITH THE CHAPLAIN.

SO THE CHAPLAIN TOLD HER, SAID LET'S PRAY.

AND SHE SAID THE GREATEST WORDS SHE COULD HAVE HEARD JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER.

THEY SAID HE IS IN RHYTHM.

SO -- >> COMING OUT OF THAT, IT'S MIRACULOUS THAT YOU CAME OUT OF IT WITHOUT ANY LONG LASTING RESIDUAL HEALTH EFFECTS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CODE FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME, USUALLY, IF THEY SURVIVE, HAVE OTHER LASTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND YOU DIDN'T.

EXCEPT FOR BLOOD CLOTTING INITIALLY CORRECT?

>> EVERYTHING -- I HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED AS I HAVE SAID.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD BLOOD CLOTTING PROBLEMS.

THAT WAS BEFORE I EVER CODED.

THAT WAS BEFORE WE EVER WENT INTO THE VENT.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE INITIAL PROBLEMS THAT WAS WITH -- AS FAR AS THIS VIRUS.

THERE WAS HAD A LOT OF THINGS -- I HAVE BEEN CALLED BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE THE GUINEA PIG, YOU KNOW?

AND THAT'S ALL RIGHT WITH ME BECAUSE WHAT WE DID IS HOPEFULLY I WAS ABLE TO HELP THE INTEREST DOCTORS TO FIND SOME THINGS THAT MAYBE WORKED EVEN BETTER.

AND TODAY YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER THINGS THAT IMMEDIATELY, WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN THE SITUATION THAT I WAS IN, THAT CAN BE DONE, THAT CAN MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE AS FAR AS -- BUT THOSE WERE NOT AVAILABLE THEN.

AND I WAS VERY EARLY ON.

SO WITH THE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY WERE ABLE TO DO, THERE WAS BLOOD CLOTS THAT ACTUALLY WERE DEVELOPING IN MY LUNGS, BUT THE HOSPITAL PUT TOGETHER A MACHINE AND CONTINUED TO TRY TO REMOVE THEM TO HELP ME GET BETTER.

>> IT WAS JUST A YEAR AGO LAST WEEK, WAS IT NOT, THERAPY EDMUND PETTUS THAT YOU WERE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.

>> YES HOW HAS THE YEAR BEEN SINCE BEING RELEASED?

ARE YOU BACK TO NORMAL?

>> WE'RE BACK TO NORMAL, 100%.

YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THREE OUR FOUR MONTHS AFTER I GOT OUT, I WAS STILL LEARNING -- I HAD TO LEARN TO RE-WALK AGAIN.

I HAD TO COMPLETELY LEARN TO RE-WALK AGAIN.

THERE WERE SOME ISSUES AS FAR AS BREATHING AND GETTING THAT TAKEN CARE OF.

BUT I HAD VERY GOOD CARE WHEN I LEFT THE HOSPITAL IN OPELIKA AND I THEN WENT TO.HOSPITAL IN LANIER, AND COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR BETTER CARE.

I HAD TWO PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO ME.

ONE HAD BEEN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST FOR 20 YEARS AND ANOTHER 18 YEARS AND THEN JUMPED IN THERE AND TOLD ME OFF THE BAT.

THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE TAKING CARE OF A HEART ISSUE OR KNEE OR ANKLE OR WHATEVER, WE KNOW WHAT TO DO.

BUT EACH COVID PATIENT IS DIFFERENT.

SO MY BIGGEST THING WAS LEARNING HOW TO BREATHE AGAIN.

BUT THEN ALSO LEARNING HOW TO WALK.

AND THEY WERE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENED.

>> SENATOR, WHEN YOU CONTRACTED COVID THE VAX SCENES WEREN'T READILY AVAILABLE.

THEY ARE NOW.

YOUR STORY, I'M GOING TO ASSUME, IS ONE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LOOKED TO IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE GOING TO GET THE VACCINE.

YOU TAKEN THE POSITION THAT YOUR AVENUE NOT GOING TO TWIST ANYBODY' ARM TO TRY TO GET THE VACCINE BUT THEY CAN TAKE FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT THEY WILL HOPEFULLY IN MAKING A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER TO GET THE SHOT.

>> THAT'S VERY TRUE.

AND WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO SAY SO PEOPLE -- AND I TO SEVERAL GROUPS.

AND WHAT I SAY -- I HOPE THEY WILL LISTEN TO THE REAL MEANING OF WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY.

I'M NOT GOING TO TWIST YOUR ARM AND TELL YOU TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

BUT WHAT I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO ASK I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO LOOK ON THE RIGHT OF YOU AND THE LEFT OF YOU OF PEOPLE THAT YOU LOVE AND THINK ABOUT ONCE AGAIN BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS TO MEET WITH QUITE A FEW OF OUR DIFFERENT HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS, ESPECIALLY IN MY DISTRICT, AND ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO IS LOOK AT THE RESEARCH ITSELF.

ALL IT TAKES TO A LOOK AT -- AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN ICU THAT ARE VACCINATED AND THE NUMBER OF PENAL THAT ARE NOT.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT.

AND I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, PLEASE, FOR YOUR LOVED ONES AND YOURSELF, GET VACCINATED.

>> YOURS IS A POINT WELL TAKEN BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THIS DEBATE OVER WHETHER OR NOT TO GET VACCINATED, IT'S BEEN POINTED UP A LOT THAT IF YOU WON'T DO IT FOR YOURSELF, CONSIDER DOING IT FOR THOSE AROUND YOU, THAT YOU MIGHT INFECT, THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WEATHER IT AS WELL AS YOU WOULD BECAUSE OF A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM OR CONDITION.

>> I THINK THAT'S VERY TRUE.

THAT'S WHY I SAY WHAT HAVE SAID.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE VACCINE.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT I ALSO WENT THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH AND WHAT MY FAMILY WENT THROUGH, YOU KNOW.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ON YOUR DEATHBED AND SAY "I WISH I HAD TAKEN THE VACCINE."

>> WE HAVE HEARD STORIES OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO SAY THEY HAVE HEARD THAT FROM COVID PATIENTS ABOUT TO BE INTUBATED, CAN YOU GIVE IT TO ME NOW?

AND THEY SAY IT'S TOO LATE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN THAT POSITION.

>> THAT'S THE MAIN THING.

WHERE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE CALL IT A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORE, YOU KNOW.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR YOUR LOVED ONES AND FOR YOURSELF IS TO GO AHEAD AND GET VACCINATED AND GET IT TAKEN CARE OF.

GOD BLESSES US IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

BUT THE OLD STORY GOES, HE SENT THE ROWBOAT AND SENT THREE ADVERTISEMENT OF TIMES, A LOT OF TIMES HE GIVES YOU WARNINGS.

DON'T LET IT BE THE THIRD TIME.

>> BEFORE WE GO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID OR VACCINE CALLS ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PHONE BANK WEEK DAYS 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. AT 1-800-270-7268 AND ALSO EMAIL QUESTIONS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT COVID-19 INFO@ADPH.STATE.AL.US.

SENATOR RANDY PRICE OF OPELIKA THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THAT WRAPS UP OUR SPECIAL EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOCUSING ON THE CORONAVIRUS AND THE VAX SCENES.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AT OUR REGULAR TIME TOMORROW EVENING AT 730 WHEN WE WILL HAVE THE LATE IT FROM THE STATEHOUSE AND OUR GUESTS YOU WILL INCLUDE DR. SCOTT HARRIS WITH THE LATEST OWN THE PANDEMIC, MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT BUILD TO BUILD NEW STATE PRISONS AND REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS JACKSON OF THOMASVILLE WILL BE HERE TO DISCUSSION PRISONS AND AN EXPECTED SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT, AND REPRESENT CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER ISLAND WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT HIS PREFILED BILL TO ALLOW PARENTS TO OPT OUT OF SCHOOL MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR KIDS.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.