ACLU of Alabama Comment on State Policy of Disclosing COVID-19 Addresses
April 1, 2020 3:30 pm
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- On Tuesday, Vice News reported that the Alabama Department of Public Health was sending the addresses (not names) of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 to state law enforcement officials to reportedly protect first responders from exposure.
Executive Director Randall Marshall said:
"Protecting the health of first responders is certainly an important priority that the state should be addressing; however, public health experts have noted that disclosing addresses does not ensure a first responder would be safe from exposure from asymptomatic individuals. Governor Ivey must take responsibility in updating state policies as new scientific understanding of the virus emerges, and that includes eliminating this unnecessary policy. It is incumbent upon the state to protect Alabamians while being no more intrusive on civil liberties than absolutely necessary."
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