BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The first tip for parents is that normal Halloween masks that come with costumes are not going to cut it during the pandemic.While many parents just want to give their kids one regular night of fun after months of big sacrifices, there are ways to do it safely.In addition to making sure the costumes are reflective, plan to add a new accessory -- a cloth mask.Experts say the Halloween costume material in some of the character costumes is just too thin to make a difference.“We don’t want people to double mask, to put a cloth mask on top of a Halloween mask, there is...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The first tip for parents is that normal Halloween masks that come with costumes are not going to cut it during the pandemic.While many parents just want to give their kids one regular night of fun after months of big sacrifices, there are ways to do it safely.In addition to making sure the costumes are reflective, plan to add a new accessory -- a cloth mask.Experts say the Halloween costume material in some of the character costumes is just too thin to make a difference.“We don’t want people to double mask, to put a cloth mask on top of a Halloween mask, there is...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - State Health officials are worried about what will happen to hospitals if people gather for the holiday.With the state’s percent positivity rate more than 15% and hospitalizations at the highest, Dr. Karen Landers with the state health department said people should take this as a lesson going into the next holiday.She said you should not gather with anyone outside of your home. She said if you do, the smaller the group the better.She said in your group, try keeping your masks on, even inside or try to stay outside.She suggested staying somewhere with good...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - State Health officials are worried about what will happen to hospitals if people gather for the holiday.With the state’s percent positivity rate more than 15% and hospitalizations at the highest, Dr. Karen Landers with the state health department said people should take this as a lesson going into the next holiday.She said you should not gather with anyone outside of your home. She said if you do, the smaller the group the better.She said in your group, try keeping your masks on, even inside or try to stay outside.She suggested staying somewhere with good...WW…

Family members of Black woman who died at party want answers By (CNN) - Authorities have re-opened an investigation into the mysterious death of a black mother in north Georgia. Police ruled Tamla Horsford’s death at an adult sleepover party in 2018 as accidental, but amid renewed discussions about race, politics, and equal treatment under the law, the case has sparked a public outcry. With a beaming smile and a sparkle in her eye, Horsford was a ray of light, a mother of five boys who put everyone else first, according to her family. “Supermom, supermom, she made sure she could provide for...…Family members of Black woman who died at party want answers By (CNN) - Authorities have re-opened an investigation into the mysterious death of a black mother in north Georgia. Police ruled Tamla Horsford’s death at an adult sleepover party in 2018 as accidental, but amid renewed discussions about race, politics, and equal treatment under the law, the case has sparked a public outcry. With a beaming smile and a sparkle in her eye, Horsford was a ray of light, a mother of five boys who put everyone else first, according to her family. “Supermom, supermom, she made sure she could provide for...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama State fair is ramping up security after a night of violence that caused the fair to be evacuated and close early.“All of the sudden, a bunch of police officers just come over here barging and like shooing us away,” fair guest Detaisa Herron said. "I was pretty scared. When we were in line, I just wanted a funnel cake, and I thought we were going to get arrested or something for just standing in line.”Around 10 o’clock Saturday night, September 19, “There were no guns," State Fair Director Mark Lovell said. "There were no guns shot. They were just young...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama State fair is ramping up security after a night of violence that caused the fair to be evacuated and close early.“All of the sudden, a bunch of police officers just come over here barging and like shooing us away,” fair guest Detaisa Herron said. "I was pretty scared. When we were in line, I just wanted a funnel cake, and I thought we were going to get arrested or something for just standing in line.”Around 10 o’clock Saturday night, September 19, “There were no guns," State Fair Director Mark Lovell said. "There were no guns shot. They were just young...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - COVID-19 has kept many families have gone six months without seeing loved ones who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.Today’s new Safer at Home update offers a ray of hope but there are rules.“While these will be different because they are socially distant, it’s still good to be there in person, and we think this will do a lot to boost the spirit of our residents,” said John Matson of the Alabama Nursing Home Association regarding visits.The rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will still be strict, and touching is not allowed.“It’s a...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - COVID-19 has kept many families have gone six months without seeing loved ones who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.Today’s new Safer at Home update offers a ray of hope but there are rules.“While these will be different because they are socially distant, it’s still good to be there in person, and we think this will do a lot to boost the spirit of our residents,” said John Matson of the Alabama Nursing Home Association regarding visits.The rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will still be strict, and touching is not allowed.“It’s a...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama Department of Public Health is reporting 809,485 positive COVID-19 cases in Alabama.The Alabama Department of Public Health is reporting 14,869 deaths related to COVID-19 in Alabama.In the last 7 days, 51,839 people have been tested and 4,716 positive cases have been reported.The health department is no longer reporting presumed recoveries in Alabama. This is the statement from ADPH:The goal in data presentation is to provide the most accurate reflection of the pandemic’s effect on the population. As part of this visualization, a number of categories...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama Department of Public Health is reporting 809,485 positive COVID-19 cases in Alabama.The Alabama Department of Public Health is reporting 14,869 deaths related to COVID-19 in Alabama.In the last 7 days, 51,839 people have been tested and 4,716 positive cases have been reported.The health department is no longer reporting presumed recoveries in Alabama. This is the statement from ADPH:The goal in data presentation is to provide the most accurate reflection of the pandemic’s effect on the population. As part of this visualization, a number of categories...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Part of the support for extending the mask order is due to the fact that the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases seems to be dropping because of the mask mandate.Dr. Wesley Willeford said about two weeks after the statewide mask order went into effect back in July, we started seeing a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases.So, he’s happy the order was extended.Governor Kay Ivey’s office released visual proof Wednesday morning, illustrating progress made in Alabama since the mask ordinance went into effect.Doctors agree the mask mandate has been helpful in...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Part of the support for extending the mask order is due to the fact that the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases seems to be dropping because of the mask mandate.Dr. Wesley Willeford said about two weeks after the statewide mask order went into effect back in July, we started seeing a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases.So, he’s happy the order was extended.Governor Kay Ivey’s office released visual proof Wednesday morning, illustrating progress made in Alabama since the mask ordinance went into effect.Doctors agree the mask mandate has been helpful in...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the country.And the head of the CDC said some of this is due in part to small household gatherings.One of Jefferson County’s top docs, Dr. Wesley Willeford, said he has some concerns as cooler temperatures set in, and more people gather together indoors.He said spikes in cases caused by small household gatherings, haven’t really been a big issue here in Jefferson County, so far, although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where people are getting COVID-19.He said it doesn’t take much for this virus to spread...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the country.And the head of the CDC said some of this is due in part to small household gatherings.One of Jefferson County’s top docs, Dr. Wesley Willeford, said he has some concerns as cooler temperatures set in, and more people gather together indoors.He said spikes in cases caused by small household gatherings, haven’t really been a big issue here in Jefferson County, so far, although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where people are getting COVID-19.He said it doesn’t take much for this virus to spread...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Some voters were spooked after an appeals court ruling made hundreds if not thousands of mail-in absentee ballots invalid and as the state scrambled to get the issue corrected, some folks wanted to switch their voter status from absentee to in-person on Election Day.If you previously requested an absentee ballot but later decided not to turn it in and vote in-person on Election Day, Jefferson County Probate Judge James Naftel II, said Alabama law allows you to switch your status, but your ballot will be different on Election Day.“You’ll have to vote on what’s...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Some voters were spooked after an appeals court ruling made hundreds if not thousands of mail-in absentee ballots invalid and as the state scrambled to get the issue corrected, some folks wanted to switch their voter status from absentee to in-person on Election Day.If you previously requested an absentee ballot but later decided not to turn it in and vote in-person on Election Day, Jefferson County Probate Judge James Naftel II, said Alabama law allows you to switch your status, but your ballot will be different on Election Day.“You’ll have to vote on what’s...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - We are starting to see a way out of this pandemic with healthcare workers getting the COVID-19 vaccine.And while it may still be several months before it will be available to everyone, doctors at UAB have reason to believe you may still need to wear a mask even after you’ve gotten the shot.Dr. Michael Saag said it’s going to take about 65 to 70% of the entire population in the United States to get vaccinated before COVID-19 will burn itself out.He compared the pandemic to a wildfire, saying the vaccines takes fuel out of the fire.However, it’s not yet known if the...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - We are starting to see a way out of this pandemic with healthcare workers getting the COVID-19 vaccine.And while it may still be several months before it will be available to everyone, doctors at UAB have reason to believe you may still need to wear a mask even after you’ve gotten the shot.Dr. Michael Saag said it’s going to take about 65 to 70% of the entire population in the United States to get vaccinated before COVID-19 will burn itself out.He compared the pandemic to a wildfire, saying the vaccines takes fuel out of the fire.However, it’s not yet known if the...WW…