WCBI News at Ten - Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

WCBI News at Ten - Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

Thanks for staying up with us tonight// a member of the white house coronavirus task force pays a visit to mississippi.

It's part of a tour of southern states as they see covid-19 cases surge.

Courtney ann jackson explains.

White house coronavirus task force coordinator dr. deborah birx spent about an hour and a half meeting with mississippi political, medical and business leaders wednesday.

"to sit there and listen to somebody first hand and who has the first-hand information about this virus and how it affects it was phenomenal."

"it's one thing to see the statistics and no the numbers and all of those things that we look at.

They are important data points but when you visit a place and see the people and talk to the people, i think that that makes a real difference.

She gave us some very good sense of where we are with maxine.

Because you know as we manage through this process, really everybody is wondering ok what can we do next?

How can we treat this?

How how can we prevent it?"

Governor tate reeves has received updates on calls with dr. birx and other governors throughout the crisis.

But says he had new takeaways today.

"there appears to be a growing consensus around lots of spread happening at bars.

So that is the topic that we are currently considering.

Conversation is going some thing like this& should bars statewide be closed?

Should mars and his 13 counties be closed?

Or exactly what is that look like."

Dr. thomas dobbs was pleased to hear her perspective on several different issues they've been following closely.

"how asymptomatic spread is such a big component of what is going on.

So part of that as we've gotten assume everyone's got it.

We can't let symptoms be the way that we sort of cull out our social gathering."

And both reeves and dobbs notes there are a few counties the white house is particularly focused in on based on recent numbers.

"the counties that she mentioned are the ones& de soto, jackson metro, harrison but also forest county i really on their radar."

All of those aside from forrest county have new restrictions and they too could soon be added to that list.

Dr. dobbs says dr. birx told the group there are plans for more investment in mississippi---partic ularly for more testing in long term care facilities.

Dr. birx's visit comes as mississippi sees another record number of covid cases.

The mississippi state department of health reporting one thousand 25 new cases today and 18 deaths.

Nearly 11 hundred people are in the hospital with suspected or confirmed cases of covid-19.

The number of people in icu and on ventilators has also increased to a new record level.

Yesterday, there were eight icu beds available in the golden triangle.

The latest numbers are adding fuel to the face mask debate// just last week governor tate reeves made face masks mandatory for 13 counties... the mississippi state medical association says that's not enough... bobby martinez talks with a dr. dobbs says dr. birx told the group there are plans for more investment in mississippi---partic ularly for more testing in long term care facilities.

Dr. birx's visit comes as mississippi sees another record number of covid cases.

The mississippi state department of health reporting one thousand 25 new cases today and 18 deaths.

Nearly 11 hundred people are in the hospital with suspected or confirmed cases of covid-19.

The number of people in icu and on ventilators has also increased to a new record level.

Yesterday, there were eight icu beds available in the golden triangle.

The latest numbers are adding fuel to the face mask debate// just last week governor tate reeves made face masks mandatory for 13 counties... the mississippi state medical association says that's not enough... bobby martinez talks with a doctor from that organization who says research has shown that masks do help prevent the spread of this disease... "masks do decrease the transmission."

Wearing one out in public is something dr. emily landrum is hoping will soon be mandatory for the entire state..

Sot - emily landrum - family medicine doctor - starkville "they are going to protect people getting it from others more than it's going to protect the wearer.

So if i have a mask on that is preventing me from spreading any potential coronavirus particles that i may have."

In recent days covid cases have continued to climb.

Wednesday the mississippi department of health reports 1,025 new cases along with 18 deaths..

And to landrum, just three simple tactics can help the numbers start to go down.

"doing masking for everyone, continuing the other things that we know.

The washing hands and keeping good social distancing practice those three things are going to be the biggest influences that can help decrease our numbers."

And for those who disagree with wearing a face mask..

Landrum is hoping they'll soon have a change of heart..

"i think that the biggest messages that there's no evidence to suggest that wearing a mask is harmful.

And we need to continue practicing those three tenants.

I really hope that as a society we can stick to that and come together and do it."

The mississippi state department of health website says social distancing is another way to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Wipe to vo gfx beginning next week, you will have to wear a face covering when shopping at walmart.

The retailer made the announcement today.

The rule will also apply at sam's club stores.

Walmart will have what it calls "health ambassadors" near the entrance of its stores to remind shoppers of the requirement.

Stores will reportedly provide masks to shoppers who don't have one.

Late this afternoon, kroger announced it will require customers to wear masks next week.

In a post on twitter, the company said the policy will go into effect july 22nd.

The store's associates are already wearing masks.

Other national chains have mask mandates in place, including starbucks and best buy.

Vo off top masks won't be required in lowndes county, just yet.

During this morning's meeting, supervisors voted to table the issue until the next board meeting.

Supervisors want to discuss whether they will require all businesses in the county or just county operated buildings to abide a mandate.

They say they also want their decision to work well with what the city of columbus is doing.

Right now, columbus requires anyone in public to wear a mask.

Supervisors next meet on august third.

Take new at 10 stinger maben city hall will re-open thursday after being closed today for professional cleaning and sanitizing.

City clerk natasha rose tells wcbi an employee in the building tested positive for covid- 19.

Though the building will re- open tomorrow, municipal court scheduled at 5pm has been moved to august 20th.

Other employees in the building are also being tested.

Vo wipe to vo east mississippi community college will open to the public next week.

Emcc locations will reopen on monday from 8 until 4:30.

Dr. scott alsobrooks says safety and security measures will be in place.

Specific protocols were not released.

The college will offer virtual options to connect with students.

First look stinger first look summary: the dead of summer is here and that means more heat and humidity for use to endure.

Highs each day into next week will be in the mid 90s with heat indices as high as 110.

Spotty storms will remain possible each day so hope for a the heat is on in mississippi.

Meteorologists are warning about the dangers of being outside.

And if we feel the heat -- just imagine how hot it is for pets.

Our savannah gaido talked to a veterinarian today to understand the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion in our furry friends.

"heat strokes happen very quickly and when they do, problems come very quickly too.

So you need to be able to recognize it, if you think they are struggling just from exercise in general or you come back and you've left them in a car, make sure you get them to the veterinarian quickly because bad things happen quickly and we have to take them in and really get them cooled off."

Dr. reggie little, a vet at animal medical center says there are many symptoms of heat exhaustion and pet owners need to watch for these signs.

"panting and if you see them really labor breathing and you look at your dogs normal tongue color you want a pink tongue.

If that thing is purple, dark red, if they are panting and salivating, anything else can happen."

Little says one of the best things you can do is to just keep your dog inside "the air conditioning is the best place to be.

If you cant keep them inside, provide everything you possibility can for help.

Shade and natural shade is the best if you can in trees and make sure that you provide coverings and awnings and watch out for concrete, if that dogs kennel in on concrete it heats up so fast.

So make sure you try and provide anything you can to cool down."

"fresh water, clean water, changing it out regularly.

Kiddy pools are great ideas, get yourself a kiddy pool and fill it up with water and let them play in it."

When it come to your dog's health, make sure you are "using common sense.

If you're hot, they're hot.

Get them inside and don't let them get in the car, thats just not a good thing."

If you do want to take your dog on a walk or run, the best times to go are early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

And you may want to take a bottle of water and a collapsible bowl.

Take new at 10 stinger monroe county deputies are asking for your help to find a missing man.

Mike brown was last seen july 9th.

The 51-year-old man is from the cason community, near bigbee, in northern monroe county.

If you have any information on where brown might be, call the monroe county sheriff's department.

Take developing story stinger drivers around downtown columbus need to prepare for a big construction project that's starting on monday// the first phase of the new mini roundabout project starts this upcoming monday// the project will start near harvey's in downtown.

Here's how the project will look when it's finished// the idea of mini roundabouts came after an m-dot survey showed that between 20-12 and 20-17, one- hundred and eleven accidents happened on the corridor between the highway 82 onramp and 6th street// city engineer kevin stafford says they're starting with the mini roundabout near harvey's because data showed that 60-percent of the accidents that took place happened on that stretch of road as drivers come into town// "the mini roundabout keeps everybody moving, but it slows everybody down and by slowing everybody down, it brings a heightened awareness to the pedestrians in this area.

Which again this will give some new and better connectivity for the pedestrians at the mini roundabout."

Drivers will start seeing signs about the upcoming construction tomorrow// the cost of the project is over 750- thousand dollars// 80-percent of the cost is federally funded while the city is footing the bill for the other 20-percent// stinger wx open summary: unsettled weather will remain in place through tuesday night with scattered rain and storm chances.

A cold front will sweep out the rain and humidity by mid morning wednesday leaving us with sunny and warm weather for the rest of the week and upcoming weekend.

Monday night: areas of showers will continue but gradually diminish in size and scope.

The threat of an isolated tornado should gradually end during the evening hours but we'll just have to monitor radar trends.

Look for a mild night with lows in the mid 70s.

Breezy se winds between 10 and mph.

Tuesday: mostly cloudy with showers lingering first thing in the day.

A mix of sun and clouds is expected to develop as time goes on but that could lead to a few more showers or storms. highs are going to push 90?

With higher heat indices at times.

Winds ssw 10-20 mph.

Tuesday night: a cold front may spark a line of showers and storms after midnight.

While we can't rule out a few isolated strong storms most spots will not experience anything too rough.

Lows will be in the low to mid 70s.

Wednesday: any rain chance should move east by mid morning allowing sunnier and less humid conditions to build in on the heels of westerly winds.

Highs top out in the mid 80s.

Wednesday night: clear and refreshing.

Lows in the low 60s.

Thursday-monday: mostly sunny to partly cloudy, take scott's reentry we all enjoy little fun in the sun// tonight we dive more in to summer safety with doctor morris in our health talk with baptist// hi, i'm dr. andrea morris, pediatrician at baptist memorial hospital - golden triangle.

Summer is a time for fun in the sun and enjoying the pool with family.

But this fun can quickly turn into a trip to the emergency room if you are not diligent about protecting your child against some of the most common dangers that come with the warmer weather.

According to the u.s. consumer product safety commission, about 350 children under five drown in pools each year.

Nationally, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five.

By following some basic pool safety tips, your backyard pool can be a safe and pleasurable experience for children.

They require constant monitoring without distraction.

Secure your pool with a climb- resistant fence that's at least four feet tall and with a self- closing, self- latching gate without nearby furniture.

Gate doors should open away from the pool.

Door alarms are also helpful in addition to window guards and self closing/latching doors to the house.

New evidence supports that children between 1 and 4 may be less likely to drown if they have formal swimming instruction.

Parents should assess factors for swim readiness that include emotional, developmental, and physical ability.

Make sure stinger alabama week continues on the high school football tour.

More on pickens county after the break.

Spx open take spx full alabama week continues as we take a look at pickens county.

The tornados had another impressive season finishing 11- 3 but falling short of winning that gold trophy.

Now, the tornados enter the season in hopes of getting over the hump.

Pickens county is stop number 24 on the tour.

The pickens county tornados enter the 2020 season looking to continue causing a stir!

The tornados are coming off back to back state semi final appearances and are hungry for more.

Head coach michael williams is eager to do so with a new group.

"as a coach, this is the year that you go into it and have to do a lot more coaching and teaching than you had to do the last couple years.

For me, it's exciting!"

"those guys left a legacy to just keep it going and try to pull it out this year."

The tornados will try to fill the shoes left behind by quarterback aljaron edwards, wide receiver tadarien mcintosh and alabama crimson tide lineman jah-marien latham.

Players the team knows they can't replace but look to build on what they started.

"they understand what we have to do to be better.

You can't replace a jah-marien latham.

You have to be able to get a couple of guys to do what he did and make them understand that what we're doing now is going to be a bit different than what we did the past couple years."

"they alwasy tried to keep it real.

They gave it all they got in everything they do and never gave up, so we just got to keep doing what they do."

A couple players who will play a big part in pickens county success are senior linebacker and returning tackles leader kj byrd and junior quarterback javion belle.

"we're very excited about the things javion can do on the field.

It's just about puttin him in the position to be successful and put some players around him that understand the game.

Be able to exploit his skills a little more than we did last year."

"they don't know what we have because they used to seeing the same people every year.

They sleeping on us, but we will wake them up like always."

As the tornados look to not only continue their winning ways, but to get over the hump, they're aware that it's going to take more hard work and dedication than ever!

"i don't want people to get complacent and think that's just the norm.

Pickens county, we got a lot to be proud of what we done the last 4 years.

This year it's all about building on what those guys did, what we done collectively as a group, and just try to get over that hump and actually bring a championship back to pickens county."

"we got to finish.

We always make it far, but we don't finish.

Just running at practice, running through the lines and finish every rep at practice and help us go over that leap."

With pickens county on the high school football tour.

Chris bolton wcbi sports.

Here's a look at the upcoming stops for any stops that you may have missed along the way you can always check out our website, wcbi.com last look stinger last look warm and steamy today and that will be the same story for thursday friday the weekend monday tuesday wednesday i think overall there could be more widespread rain covers by the middle of next week that could lower temp that i think really for the next five weeks days or so some of the mid-90s the next under the 110 scott lives in these is muggy now is about doors just keep fans and