Outbreak Alabama: Nick Saban steps it up

Listen to “Outbreak Alabama: Stories from a Pandemic,” above.

Today, we hear from AL.com’s Matt Scalici, a longtime sports producer, previously covering high school football recruiting as well as the Alabama football beat and now managing our sports video content.

Nick Saban first made public comments about the pandemic in March, releasing a PSA about coronavirus safety measures fans can take, like hand-washing and social distancing. The program’s annual spring practice and scrimmage were canceled, casting doubt over the future of any college football season in 2020. And just last week, a masked Saban appeared in a new PSA, urging fans to wear masks and continue their part to fight the virus.

Can a powerful voice like Nick Saban’s make a difference?

Matt and I talk about Saban’s new role as coronavirus safety influencer, how he thinks fans might respond to the coach and if he foresees a college football season actually kicking off this fall.

“Outbreak Alabama” will release two or three episodes per week, chronicling the experiences of those directly impacted by COVID-19′s spread, including health care professionals, business owners, city leaders, artists, AL.com reporters and many others.

If you or anyone you know is affected by the coronavirus and want to share your story, please email bflanagan@al.com. For all of our coverage on the outbreak and how it continues to impact Alabama, visit AL.com/coronavirus.

Listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like the show, please rate it and write us a review. Thank you for listening.

More from Outbreak Alabama:

What’s next for schools?

The spike in Montgomery

‘Astonishing’ disparities in the rural South

Where is the nursing home data?

Is it a mistake to reopen now?

Whiter Thomas on staying creative during the pandemic

Our successes and failures so far

The return of retail

A barber’s dilemma

Is it really time to reopen Alabama?

A coronavirus survivor’s message to the rest of us

Ivey not ready to reopen just yet

Crime in the age of coronavirus

What role do our churches play?

The absence of sports

Learning from a distance

Walt Maddox on leading Tuscaloosa through coronavirus

Social distancing, or not

Coronavirus’ early impact on musicians

Alabama restaurants

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