The University of Alabama saw some 2,000 cases of COVID-19 within the first few weeks of students returning to campus. Walt Maddox, mayor of Tuscaloosa and dad to an Alabama freshman, talks with Stephanie Desmon about how intertwined his city is with the university and how town and gown have had to work together to implement public policies to stem the spread. Maddox also talks about the economic impact COVID-19 has had both on the school and the city, and how all decision making has been rooted in public safety, logic, data, and science.
KEYWORDS: young adults; student life; college
Public Health On Call