Despite health care professionals concerns and some communities canceling their Christmas parades because of the virus, Vernon residents held a parade Friday evening.
Health leaders in mississippi expressing concern about the alarming rise in coronavirus cases.
The same can also be said in alabama.
W-t-v-a's alexis jones is in lamar county with a look at what's happening there and elsewhere.
Some communities canceled their christmas parades because of the virus.
Not in vernon where that parade is rolling this evening.
The smiles that come with the holiday celebration will be much different than the heartbreak some health care professionals in alabama are seeing.
((pkg)) "these are real people just like me and you who are coming to the hospital who are critically ill, and some of them are dying."
A doctor at alabama's largest hospital reminded people about the reality of the coronavirus.
Pleading with people to wear a mask, wash their hands and socially distance.
"we don't want anyone to die from this disease who doesn't have to."
The message came on a day the state reported 38-hundred-40 new coronavirus cases.
It's the highest one-day total if you don't include days where old cases are added in.
Besides that, thursday was the fifth straight day for alabama to break a record for coronavirus hospitalizations.
But that isn't stopping people in vernon from having a christmas parade.
Lamar county resident, ashleigh boone, isn't going to the parade at 5pm because of the cold weather.
But she said as long as people wear face coverings, they should be okay.
Sot: "well vernon is small.
Therefore if they wear their masks, i think they're good.
If they don't wear their masks then that's just on them."
Vernon resident eddie finch agrees..
Finch believes there's nothing wrong with gathering if people follow safety protocols.
Sot: "it's here, no doubt about it.
I know several that have it.
We need to take precautions.
Wear the mask maybe, wash the hands, keep the distance.
I think we'll be okay."
Meanwhile, help is on the way with vaccines.
The state health officer said in places like lamar county, the moderna vaccine will probably be the best bet since they can be stored much easier than the one from pfizer.
But he also added his own dose of reality.
"there's simply not enough vaccine right now for everyone.
And there's not enough vaccine even for everyone who's highly deserving of it."
((on cam)) we also found out that the congressman who serves lamar county, robert aderholt tested positive for the coronavirus.
In vernon, alabama, alexis jones, w-t-v-a nine news.
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