A member of Alabama's Coronavirus Task Force believes Governor Ivey will soon relax restrictions put in place to curb the disease's spread.

“I sense a different attitude than on April 3 when (Ivey) issued her safe at home order,” Henry County Probate Judge David Money told WTVY Tuesday.

He believes health experts pressured the governor, and though he understands the need, Money now suspects the tide is turning.

“(Monday on a conference call) I sensed a different attitude because (coronvirus) numbers are better on a percentage basis,” he said. The probate judge, also county commission chairman, believes there is now mounting pressure from business leaders to lift the health orders.

Money predicts a pivotal point in Ivey's decision will come after she hears Friday from several committees studying economic and health impacts of COVID-19.

“I believe Monday (the next task force conference call) that we will begin to see the gradual reopening of Alabama and that's something we need to do as soon as it is (reasonably) safe,” Money said.

He is particularly concerned with the plight of small businesses that have been forced to close. One of those is Arnold's Furniture in Abbeville that has operated since 1957.

“In this store, maybe two employees and, anytime of the day, you may have two or three customers. (Owner Fred Arnold) understands spacing, he understands numbers but he can't open his doors and let people look at furniture.” Money said many other merchants share Arnold's agony .

“Those people have families to feed and they have debts to pay,” he passionately said of getting the economy thriving again.

Ivey, in a briefing Tuesday, indicated she is considering options that would ease restrictions but did not speculate on specifics. Current restrictions are set to end April 30, though Ivey could choose to extend some or all of them.