Health official encourages public to wear masks

Health official encourages public to wear masks

Today - we talked to huntsville hospital c-e-o david spillers about the recent spike in cases.

Waay 31's sydney martin learned he's encouraging everyone to wear face coverings.

David spillers, "i see very little down side to requesting everyone who is around somebody else in public to wear a face covering."

Huntsville hospital c-e-o david spillers told me today- madison county has 34 hospitalized coronavirus patients- more than it's seen since the first cases of coronavirus in north alabama were announced back in march.

Since the state has reopened from restrictions over the last month, i asked spillers if he agrees with governor kay ivey, who doesn't plan on shutting the state back down."

David spillers," i think we had reached our limit on how long people were going to stay sheltered in place, but i'm one of those who believe face coverings have huge benefits."

Leaders across north alabama have told waay 31 they don't plan to put mandatory face covering ordinances in place...and i asked spillers if he's talked to them about it.

David spillers, "i have shared my opinion, and it's just that.

My opinion.

As i think we should have more stringent rules on face coverings and i think that would be very beneficial to all of us.

I understand in face covering and it's hard to enforce.

With 11 hundred cases announced in alabama today- the biggest one day increase- spillers said a face covering rule might be more effective statewide.

David spillers,"i would almost rather see that on a statewide level.

I think if we are going to do it, let's do it across the entire state as i think some other states are now implementing."

And spillers said people need to continue to separate, sanitize and social distance..

To stop the spread of the virus.

Spillers, "are we willing to do what it takes to keep this from spreading or are we just going to let it run rampant.

If we let it run rampant for too long i can't promise people there is going to be a hospital bed, we are going to have one or if they need a nurse there is going to be one available."

In huntsville sm waay 31 news.