Medical experts hoping for youth COVID-19 vaccination availability by September – Joplin Globe

Medical experts hoping for youth COVID-19 vaccination availability by September – Joplin Globe

Pediatrician urges students to get the COVID-19 vaccine and other immunizations before school starts – KSL.com

Pediatrician urges students to get the COVID-19 vaccine and other immunizations before school starts – KSL.com

July 31, 2021

With a rise in COVID-19 cases as the delta variant spreads, the CDC and Intermountain Healthcare's Dr. Neal Davis are encouraging students 12 years old and up to get the COVID-19 vaccine before school starts and to mask up. (Stuart Johnson, KSL-TV)

SALT LAKE CITY The start of school is just a couple of weeks away for most Utah families, and now pediatricians are also stressing the importance of students getting the COVID-19 shots and other immunizations before they head back to school.

With a rise in COVID-19 cases as the delta variant spreads, Dr. Neal Davis with Intermountain Healthcare says getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be at the top of your back-to-school list for those 12 and up. "If you get the vaccine now, you can get that second dose in three weeks and you're off to a really good start for the school year," he said.

If your child isn't old enough to get vaccinated yet, Davis urges people to be cautious. "I would do what we know have the kids wear masks, be smart about how we're interacting and things will go well," he said.

Despite COVID burnout, Davis stands by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recent guidelines asking both vaccinated students and adults to mask up at school and indoor areas. "I think we all have the fatigue of being kind of told what we need to do. And yet, it's super important that we recognize what's going on and this variant is more aggressive," Davis said.

Davis encourages people to take their questions and concerns to their physicians. "People have questions, and they need to feel respected. And I think that's so important to listen, to understand, to respect the concerns, to offer the information that we have," he said.

Though he recognizes and respects others' concerns, he reassures people about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Getting the vaccine really does provide peace of mind. It is effective, it's very effective, 90% effective against the delta variant for vaccines. That is outstanding," Davis said. "There are millions and millions of people that have gotten the vaccine, and we know it works and helps prevent especially hospitalizations and death severe consequences from COVID."

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, Davis encourages parents to make sure their children are up to date on other back-to-school vaccinations. He says we saw a dip in other childhood immunizations during the pandemic. "Summer's a great time to do it. See your child's doctor, get in there and figure out what they need and let's stay caught up," he said.

Davis says the last thing we need is a local epidemic on top of a pandemic. "We are so lucky to be able to have vaccines that protect us against things like polio, you know, where kids were paralyzed or unable to move and do things that kids need to do," he said.

Between shots and masks, Davis reminds us that children are adaptable and strong. "Kids are resilient and often they do lead us, and so I think I think they're going to do well," he said. "If our whole society did as well as our elementary schools, we would be in a really good spot."

Davis says many pediatric clinics are now administering COVID-19 vaccines. He also says it's safe to get the COVID vaccination the same day as other immunizations. The CDC previously recommended COVID-19 vaccines be administered alone allowing for at least 14 days before or after administration of other vaccines. This is no longer a concern.


Read the original: Pediatrician urges students to get the COVID-19 vaccine and other immunizations before school starts - KSL.com
Here are the winners from the second round of Kentucky’s Shot at a Million vaccine incentive – Courier Journal

Here are the winners from the second round of Kentucky’s Shot at a Million vaccine incentive – Courier Journal

July 31, 2021

FRANKFORT Ginger Schultzgot the COVID-19 vaccine in April to help protect her husband and her mom, who both have lung conditions.

On Friday, the Louisville womanbecame the second Kentuckian to win $1 million through the state's vaccine incentive program.

She entered the state's Shot at a Millioncontest two days ago, though she said she didn't have an "inkling" that she would actually win "I just thought, why not try?"

"Why take a chance on getting very sick or possibly die or passing it on to someone else?" Schultz said, adding she was "very concerned" about her 85-year-old mother contracting COVID-19, and her mainconcernwas for her mom and husband.

Previous winners:Here are the winners of Kentucky's first Shot at a Million COVID vaccine incentive giveaway

Getting the vaccine, she said, is "the right thing to do for yourself, the people you love and the people you come in contactwith."

In addition,five young people each won a scholarshiptoa public college, university or technical school in the commonwealth,including room, board, tuition and textbooks.

The scholarship winners are: Shelby Anderson, 14, of Louisville; Isabella Brozak, 15, of Crestwood; TJ Ponder, 14, of Owenton; Reese Johnson, 17, of Harrodsburg; and Julian Sandberg, 14, of Ft. Mitchell.

Johnson, who wants to attend the University of Kentucky and become a teacher, said she got the vaccine a couple of months before learningof the incentive program "to not only protect myself but my loved ones;my community around me."

"The vaccine to meis just a way to try and help things get back to normal and just help protect everyone around me."

Sandberg said he got the vaccine right after school ended because, "I was sick of having to wear masks and I couldn't goinside … with my friends. So, I just wanted everything to be normal again."

Anderson, who said in a statement she is immunocompromised, got the vaccine without knowing about the incentive program and "there was no second guessing."

Brozak said in a statement she feels it's "important" to get the vaccine and is "so grateful" to have won the scholarship.

And Pondersaid the scholarshipwin will help his mom, who is a single mother, "a lot." He got the vaccine, he said, "so when I go to school I can play football."

This group of winners was the second set of three.In total, three Kentuckians 18 or older will become millionairesand 15 Kentuckians ages 12 to 17 will get full-ride scholarships to a public college, university or technical school in the commonwealth.

The first drawing was in early July. Winners aren't eligible for future drawings. For full rules and information about how to enter, visitthis website:govstatus.egov.com/shot-at-a-million-home.

So far, 692,000 Kentucky adults and 40,900 youths have entered the giveaway.The final drawing will be on Aug. 26, with the winners announced the next day.

At least 2,291,041 Kentuckians have been vaccinated against COVID-19, about 52% of the population. The delta variant continues to drive cases up in the unvaccinated populations.

Following the awards ceremony, Beshear spoke about the delta variant and the upcoming return to school for Kentucky students.

State health commissioner Dr. Steven Stackon Thursday said updated health guidance saysschools "should require" everyone to mask up.

On Friday, though,the Archdiocese of Louisville announced masks would be optional.

Beshear said "we'll do whatever it takes" to make sure schools can continue instruction, but hasn't yet been asked to consider a special session to expand NTI (virtual) days.

"It's going to be really interesting when school district X that refused to do the right thing comes asking for more NTI days when they wouldn't have needed them if they'd done the right thing."

This story may be updated.

Reach health reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd@courier-journal.com. Follow her on Twitter at@ladd_sarah.


View post: Here are the winners from the second round of Kentucky's Shot at a Million vaccine incentive - Courier Journal
10 types of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation swirling online, fact-checked – PolitiFact

10 types of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation swirling online, fact-checked – PolitiFact

July 31, 2021

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination," July 21, 2021

The Associated Press, "Conservative media offers mixed messages on COVID-19 vaccine," July 21, 2021

The University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center, "Public Trust in CDC, FDA, and Fauci Holds Steady, Survey Shows," July 20, 2021

Media Matters for America, "Despite Facebook's COVID-19 promises, anti-vaccine groups are thriving," July 20, 2021

NewsGuard, "Report for Governments and the WHO," July 20, 2021

Brendan Nyhan on Twitter, July 20, 2021

Renee DiResta on Twitter, July 18, 2021

NewsGuard, "The Top COVID-19 Vaccine Myths Spreading Online," July 13, 2021

Business Insider, "99.5% of COVID-19 deaths in the US are now in unvaccinated people, CDC head says," July 9, 2021

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines," July 7, 2021

Center for Countering Digital Hate, "The Disinformation Dozen," March 24, 2021

PolitiFact, "Deaths of JetBlue pilots falsely connected to COVID-19 vaccine," July 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, saline injections are not part of a COVID-19 vaccine plot," July 20, 2021

PolitiFact, "Instagram post misleads on door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination efforts," July 25, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, vaccines do not cause sudden infant death syndrome," July 12, 2021

PolitiFact, "Social media post misrepresents preliminary data on miscarriages and COVID-19 vaccines," July 9, 2021

PolitiFact, "No evidence of graphene oxide thats toxic in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine," July 8, 2021

PolitiFact, "Journal discredits study it published claiming a COVID-19 vaccine causes deaths," July 2, 2021

PolitiFact, "Video of a microchip reader finding a chip in a vaccinated womans arm was posted as a joke," July 1, 2021

PolitiFact, "CDC says more young people hospitalized from vaccine than COVID-19 itself? False," June 30, 2021

PolitiFact, "No evidence for post about funeral directors seeing deaths among vaccinated people," June 29, 2021

PolitiFact, "Social media posts falsely link British Airways pilot deaths to vaccine," June 28, 2021

PolitiFact, "Scientists developing mRNA vaccines before outbreak isnt evidence COVID-19 pandemic was created," June 25, 2021

PolitiFact, "mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were tested in humans, have proven to be safe, effective," June 25, 2021

PolitiFact, "Christian Eriksen, Danish soccer player who collapsed, didnt receive the Pfizer vaccine," June 14, 2021

PolitiFact, "No proof for speculation that COVID-19 vaccine deaths will rival COVID-19 deaths," June 11, 2021

PolitiFact, "Sherri Tenpenny makes false COVID-19 vaccine magnetism claim to Ohio lawmakers," June 9, 2021

PolitiFact, "Claim about 920 miscarriages caused by COVID-19 vaccination lacks evidence," June 8, 2021

PolitiFact, "No proof for researcher claim that COVID-19 vaccines spike protein is a toxin,'" June 7, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, vaccine shedding will not give unvaccinated people natural immunity," June 1, 2021

PolitiFact, "Claim from Giuliani on Covid-19 spread wrong on every level,'" May 31, 2021

PolitiFact, "Instagram post misleads on vaccine efficacy by conflating two different measures," May 18, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, a video doesnt prove the COVID-19 vaccines allow people to be tracked through a 5G network," May 28, 2021

PolitiFact, "Theres no proof that COVID-19 vaccine has injured or killed more than 900 children," May 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "COVID-19 vaccination status doesnt impact life insurance policies," May 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, an Ohio doctor didnt die from the COVID-19 vaccine," May 24, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, Faucis wife didnt issue emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines," May 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, video doesnt prove AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine contains Bluetooth chip," May 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, the Moderna vaccine does not contain an ingredient thats for 'research use only,'" May 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, video doesnt prove AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine contains Bluetooth chip," May 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, HIPAA doesnt prohibit businesses from asking about your vaccination status," May 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "University of Miami researchers looked at effects of COVID-19, not vaccines," May 19, 2021

PolitiFact, "Instagram post falsely claims COVID-19 vaccines skipped all animal trials,'" May 18, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, these magnet videos dont prove the COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips," May 17, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, The Death Rate For Vaccinated People Is Not Higher Than That Of Unvaccinated People," May 10, 2021

PolitiFact, "Tucker Carlsons misleading claim about deaths after COVID-19 vaccine," May 6, 2021

PolitiFact, "Debunking the anti-vaccine hoax about vaccine shedding,'" May 6, 2021

PolitiFact, "Report that teen died 2 days after a COVID shot was unverified, isnt confirmed," May 6, 2021

PolitiFact, "Tucker Carlsons misleading claim about deaths after COVID-19 vaccine," May 6, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, Red Cross isn't warning vaccinated people not to donate blood," May 4, 2021

PolitiFact, "Federal VAERS database is a critical tool for researchers, but a breeding ground for misinformation," May 3, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, there is no evidence that spending time around vaccinated people causes death or disease," April 30, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, its not illegal for a college or employer to require a COVID vaccine," April 29, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, Bill Gates isnt fighting to keep vaccine ingredients secret. Theyre already public," April 27, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, you dont need to avoid getting pregnant after getting a COVID-19 vaccine," April 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, womens cycles and fertility are not affected by being around vaccinated people," April 21, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, the government doesnt use a national ID to track you after receiving COVID-19 vaccine," April 16, 2021

PolitiFact, "Tucker Carlson falsely claims COVID-19 vaccines might not work," April 15, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, Modernas chief medical officer didnt say mRNA alters DNA," April 14, 2021

PolitiFact, "Fact-checking unproven claims that rapper DMX suffered heart attack after getting COVID-19 vaccine," April 12, 2021

PolitiFact, "COVID-19 vaccines have not led to 6,000% increase in patient deaths, as post suggests," April 6, 2021

PolitiFact, "COVID-19 vaccines did not cause a 366% increase in miscarriages, as article claims," April 2, 2021

PolitiFact, "The COVID-19 vaccine is not an operating system run by Bill Gates," April 1, 2021

PolitiFact, "Instagram post overlooks FDA sign-off on COVID-19 vaccines," March 31, 2021

PolitiFact, 'No, its not safer to skip the COVID-19 vaccine to avoid permanent side effects," March 31, 2021

PolitiFact, "Yes, data shows COVID-19 vaccines are safe despite quick timeline," March 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain aluminum," March 22, 2021

PolitiFact, "Claim blaming COVID vaccine for Hank Aaron, Marvin Hagler deaths lacks evidence," March 16, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain nanoparticles that will allow you to be tracked via 5G networks," March 12, 2021

PolitiFact, "No, Biden didnt promote mandatory COVID-19 vaccines in primetime address," March 12, 2021

PolitiFact, "Misleading video suggests Dr. Anthony Fauci said vaccines dont protect people from COVID-19," March 8, 2021

PolitiFact, "COVID-19 vaccine does not cause death, autoimmune diseases," March 4, 2021

PolitiFact, "The coronavirus vaccine doesnt cause Alzheimers, ALS," Feb. 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "Receiving COVID-19 vaccine does not enroll you in a government tracking system or medical experiment," Feb. 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "Deaths after vaccination dont prove that COVID-19 vaccine is lethal," Feb. 16, 2021

PolitiFact, "No evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine caused Hank Aarons death," Jan. 26, 2021

PolitiFact, "Norway deaths after COVID-19 shot were among very frail elderly, not proved to be caused by vaccine," Jan. 19, 2021

PolitiFact, "COVID-19 vaccines dont use experimental technology, dont track humans," Jan. 4, 2021

PolitiFact, "Anti-vaccine video of fainting nurse lacks context," Dec. 21, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, the new coronavirus vaccines are not more dangerous than COVID-19," Dec. 18, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, chip on COVID-19 vaccine syringes would not be injected or track people," Dec. 25, 2021

PolitiFact, "Biden did not confirm or support an agenda to microchip Americans," Dec. 11, 2020

PolitiFact, "Social media post falsely claims a federal law would require vaccination against COVID-19," Dec. 11, 2020

PolitiFact, "Two vaccine trial participants died, but the FDA didnt connect their deaths to the vaccine," Dec. 11, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, Pfizers head of research didnt say the COVID-19 vaccine will make women infertile," Dec. 10, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, COVID-19 vaccines wont alter your DNA and control you," Nov. 18, 2020

PolitiFact, "The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine does not contain aborted fetal tissue," Nov. 18, 2020

PolitiFact, "Bill Gates didnt say this about COVID-19 vaccines," Aug. 4, 2020

PolitiFact, "Theres no plot to microchip people during COVID-19 tests," May 28, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, the Gates Foundation isnt pushing microchips with all medical procedures," May 20, 2020

PolitiFact, "Blog post wrong on what Bill Gates said about COVID-19 vaccine," May 20, 2020

PolitiFact, "Bill Gates did not say a COVID-19 vaccine could kill nearly 1 million people," May 19, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, Democrats arent pushing microchips to fight coronavirus," April 21, 2020

PolitiFact, "Facebook posts falsely claim Dr. Fauci has millions invested in a coronavirus vaccine," April 15, 2020

PolitiFact, "Post about Bill Gates work on vaccine tracking distorts research, timeline," April 9, 2020

PolitiFact, "No, the US isnt developing a vaccine or antivirus with a chip to track people," April 3, 2020

Email interview with Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, July 20, 2021

Email interview with Jennifer Granston, Chief Customer Officer and Head of Insights at Zignal Labs, July 20, 2021

Phone interview with John Gregory, senior analyst and deputy health editor for NewsGuard, July 20, 2021


Read this article: 10 types of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation swirling online, fact-checked - PolitiFact
Conservative Talk Show Host Battling COVID-19 Regrets Disseminating Vaccine Skepticism – Here And Now

Conservative Talk Show Host Battling COVID-19 Regrets Disseminating Vaccine Skepticism – Here And Now

July 31, 2021

Nashville radio talk show host Phil Valentine remains hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19 more than two weeks after being admitted for the disease.

Valentine who broadcasts on SuperTalk 99.7 WTN was known for his COVID-19 vaccine skepticism.

"What are my odds of getting COVID? They're pretty low, he wrote on his blog. What are my odds of dying from COVID if I do get it? Probably way less than 1%."

He added: Im not an anti-vaxxer. Im just using common sense.

Now Phil Valentine wants people to know that he was wrong and that he should have taken the vaccine. He wants others to reconsider their thoughts on vaccines.

Because Phil Valentine is struggling to breathe, Mark Valentine has been speaking on his brothers behalf. Workers often reposition the radio host, who is still extremely sick, so fluid doesnt collect in his lungs, Mark Valentine says.

We're in for the long haul, it looks like. It's just a bad time, his brother says, and he wishes he could do it over.

The 61-year-old believed he was in a group that didnt need the vaccine. But the virus doesnt discriminate: Young and healthy people can still get sick and end up in the hospital from the disease.

The radio host believed he would be back at his job within a few days of first getting the virus. Instead, he was very close to death at several points when his oxygen levels dropped, his brother says. While Phil Valentine has been communicative, health care workers have encouraged him to sleep as much as possible to save strength, Mark Valentine says.

A lot of people didn't get the vaccine because I didn't get the vaccine, the radio talk show host told his brother. Now Mark Valentine is on a mission to spread Phil Valentines new view on COVID-19 vaccines.

That's my purpose for being here today, is to take the message that he's unable to take, and that is: Take politics out of it. It's time for us to get together and fight this thing collectively, he says. Just put all the conspiracies and microchips and all that business aside and go get vaccinated and don't put your family through what his wife and the rest of us are going through.

Mark Valentine understands theres a chance his brother could die. And while he cant change whats already happened to his loved one, he says Phil Valentines message has inspired others to get the shot.

Mark Valentine says hes heard from dozens of Phil Valentines listeners who say they received the vaccine because of his brothers dire situation including Mark Valentine himself. He went to Wal-Mart and got inoculated after seeing what his brother was going through.

Americans can disagree on a lot of issues, Mark Valentine says, but politics aside, his family firmly believes that vaccines can save lives. When Phil Valentine is back on air, Mark Valentine says his brother will double down on that message.

Phil will be the most pro-vaccine person you've ever seen as soon as he's able to be, he says.

Karyn Miller-Medzonproduced and edited this interview for broadcast withChris Bentley. Serena McMahonadapted it for the web.


More here: Conservative Talk Show Host Battling COVID-19 Regrets Disseminating Vaccine Skepticism - Here And Now
The surge of Covid-19 infections for unvaccinated people is only beginning, experts warn – CNN

The surge of Covid-19 infections for unvaccinated people is only beginning, experts warn – CNN

July 31, 2021

"I think we will see this big, steep acceleration," Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director for the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, said to CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday. "As bad as things are right now in the South, they are about to get worse for lots of unvaccinated individuals." Officials in Southern states, where vaccination rates have generally lagged other parts of the country, are working to get the message out. In Florida, Covid-19 cases have jumped 50% over the last week, according to state health data.

In Georgia, the case rate has more than tripled over the last 14-day period, the state Department of Public Health announced Friday as it urged residents to get vaccinated since the Delta variant is more transmissible than earlier Covid-19 strains.

"Unfortunately, we can expect Covid numbers to keep growing. People who are unvaccinated or skip their second dose of vaccine are targets for infection," said Georgia health commissioner Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey.

Entering the weekend, 49.5% of Americans of all ages are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. Nearly 33% of those eligible for vaccination -- those ages 12 and up -- have yet to receive at least one dose.

Mask mandates return for vaccinated and unvaccinated

Due to the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant, officials are preaching for all Americans -- regardless of vaccination status -- to be mindful of their surroundings.

Aerosols containing Covid-19 can travel as easily as the smoke from a cigarette, Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said Friday.

"If you want to understand what an aerosol is, just think of somebody smoking," Osterholm told CNN. "If you can smell a cigarette in the location you're at, then you're breathing someone else's air that may have the virus in it."

Osterholm noted that while indoor transmission of the virus is the main challenge, there are examples of Covid-19 being transmitted outdoors, when people were close together for extended periods of time.

Because of this, mask mandates are making a return in more cities.

"If we take the steps that are necessary to squash the amount of disease that is there now, we can do so in a matter of weeks, if we all get vaccinated, if we wear masks," CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told Fox News on Friday.

More than 80% of the US population about 274 million people live in a county considered to have "high" or "substantial" Covid-19 transmission, according to a CNN analysis of data published Friday by the CDC.

ICUs are filling up again

As the Delta variant spreads, hospitalizations are accumulating to levels of concern.

Mississippi, which has one of the lowest rates of vaccination among US states, is dealing with a skyrocketing level of Covid-19 patients needing hospitalization.

Data from the Mississippi Department of Health on Friday showed that out of 827 ICU beds statewide, only 107, or approximately 13%, are currently available. All 88 beds in the University of Mississippi Medical Center's intensive care unit, the state's largest, are full.

State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said Thursday that hospitalizations are beginning to be seen in younger age groups. He pointed to data that shows 88% of hospitalizations are among unvaccinated people, and it is having a "significant spill-over effect to older, vaccinated Mississippians."

In Texas, Austin Public Health says the region is facing the lowest staffed ICU bed capacity since the beginning of the pandemic, with only 16 staffed beds available.

"Our ICU capacity is reaching a critical point where the level of risk to the entire community has significantly increased, and not just to those who are needing treatment for Covid," Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said on Friday. "If we fail to come together as a community now, we jeopardize the lives of loved ones who might need critical care."

Florida healthcare facilities continue to prepare for the surge, as the AdventHealth Hospital System stopped all non-emergency surgeries and procedures due to high Covid-19 hospitalization.

AdventHealth Central Florida Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Neil Finkler said on Friday that over 90% of the Covid-19 patients currently hospitalized are unvaccinated.

"None of these patients thought they would get the virus, but the Delta variant has proven to be so highly contagious that even the young and the healthy, including pregnant patients, are now starting to fill up our hospitals," Finkler said.

CNN's Deanna Hackney, Lauren Mascarenhas, Deidre McPhillips, Jennifer Henderson, Raja Razek, Brandon Miller and Hollie Silverman contributed to this report.


Originally posted here: The surge of Covid-19 infections for unvaccinated people is only beginning, experts warn - CNN
Austin-Travis County Marks the 900th Death Due to COVID-19 – AustinTexas.gov

Austin-Travis County Marks the 900th Death Due to COVID-19 – AustinTexas.gov

July 31, 2021

Austin, TexasAs theCOVID-19viruscontinues to surge, especially areaswhere vaccination ratesare stagnating,Austin-Travis Countyyesterdaysurpassedthe grim milestone of900 COVID-19 deaths.

Just this monthin July, over 4,150 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19COVID-19-relateddeaths have been reported to Austin Public Health(APH).Thedata andsciencecontinues to show thatvaccinations arethe most effectiveavailabletool toprevent severe illness, death, andtostop thecontinuedspreadand mutationof this deadly disease.

"We must work together to prevent more deaths from COVID-19,"said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. OneCOVID-19 relateddeathistoo many;we are mourning 900loved ones.Iimploreour community togetvaccinated and follow the basic precautions we know work: wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands regularly, and stay home if you are sick.

Local deaths rangein age from peopleas young as 20 to over80yearsofage,butareconcentrated among those who areover 60 years old. TheAPH surveillance dashboardprovides more information on the demographics of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.AlthoughAustin-Travis Countyreachedits milestone ofvaccinating 70% of residents with one dose of the vaccineon July7,the rate of vaccination has stalled inrecent weeks.Hospitals haveseen a surge of new cases and admissions among the unvaccinated.

"One simple actcan help avert needlesstragedy.Get vaccinated," said InterimAustin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup."The resourcesare in your neighborhoodto protect you, your family, and your community.Whetherit bevaccinations,testing,ormasking -together, we canstop this pandemic now.

Austin-Travis County is inStage 4of theRisk-Based Guidelines

Austin-Travis County iscurrently in Stage4 butcould move to Stage 5as hospitalizationscontinuerise.

TheAPH Risk-Based Guidelines chartoutlines recommended behavior for individuals at different stages of community spread.The most recent guidelines recommend everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks and follow the basic protocols of social distancing and handwashing.

These guidelines applyatgatherings, dining, shoppingand traveling. Thoseunvaccinated shouldtestfor COVID-19 and ifthetest results are negative,and it is medically feasible,get thevaccineas soon as possible.

Testing Information -Showingsymptoms? Exposed to apositivecase? Gettested andquarantine.

APH manages testing sitesand mobile clinicsacross Austin and Travis County.Appointments are not required for the two testing sites currently openhowever,individualsare encouraged toschedule a COVID-19 testing appointment.

Those whodo not have access to the internetcan call 3-1-1to complete theassessment. Testing is also available through localpharmacies. Thosewithhealthinsurance should call their doctor or insurance company to review their options.

Vaccinations are freeand at a location nearby. No identification is required.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free anddo not requireidentification nor insurance.Residents can locate providers in their area usingVaccines.govor they can text their zip code to 438829 (822862 in Spanish) tofind a nearby clinic.

For additional business guidance, visitwww.ATXrecovers.comfor recommendations to help prioritize thehealth and safetyof employees and customers.

Additional information regarding COVID-19, testing, and vaccinations can be found atAustinTexas.gov/COVID19.


See the original post here:
Austin-Travis County Marks the 900th Death Due to COVID-19 - AustinTexas.gov
NOTICE OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AT THE TABERNACLE YOUTH PROGRAM IN ORCHARD PARK – Erie County

NOTICE OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AT THE TABERNACLE YOUTH PROGRAM IN ORCHARD PARK – Erie County

July 31, 2021

NOTICE OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AT THE TABERNACLE YOUTH PROGRAM IN ORCHARD PARK

ERIE COUNTY, NY The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is sharing the following notice for staff and families of participants at the Tabernacle Church Vacation Bible School summer program in Orchard Park.

A COVID-19 case investigation determined that there were potential COVID-19 exposures at the Tabernacle Church, 3210 Southwestern Blvd. in Orchard Park on July 23, 2021.

ECDOH is making this announcement out of an abundance of caution and to prevent additional COVID-19 transmission. Staff, volunteers and families who participated in youth program activities at the Tabernacle in Orchard Park on July 23 should seek a diagnostic COVID-19 test. Free diagnostic COVID-19 tests are available through ECDOH by calling (716) 858-2929 or (716) 858-7697. Other diagnostic testing sites in Erie County are listed at: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you. Diagnostic COVID-19 tests are strongly recommended 5-7 days past the last date of exposure.

COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Case investigations identify close contacts, inform those contacts of their exposure, place those individuals in quarantine and advise them to seek a diagnostic test and watch for symptoms. ECDOH makes public notifications of potential COVID-19 exposures when efforts to obtain contact tracing information are unsuccessful.After multiple communications from ECDOH, the facility was unwilling to cooperate with contact tracing staff.

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View post: NOTICE OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AT THE TABERNACLE YOUTH PROGRAM IN ORCHARD PARK - Erie County
Kelly Administration Updates COVID-19 Guidance for School Districts – Governor of the State of Kansas – Kansas Governor

Kelly Administration Updates COVID-19 Guidance for School Districts – Governor of the State of Kansas – Kansas Governor

July 31, 2021

Governor Laura Kelly announced a new, updated summary document created from recommendations in KSDEs Navigating Change: Kansas Guide to Learning and School Safety Operationsas a reference guide and tool for schools ahead of the start of classes. The document continues the states practice of mirroring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition to the guidance, Governor Kelly and KSDE are encouraging school districts to submit requests forELC Grant Funds. The state of Kansas received $87 million to fund equipment, testing, and medical staff to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

We know our children belong in the classroom, but its critical that we provide Kansas school districts with support and tools they need to keep our kids safe,Governor Kelly said.This guidance is in line with what we have made available over the last year, but has been modified to incorporate the best information we have to fight the Delta variant. I encourage school districts to follow the science and use the available funds to keep their kids safe.

Many Kansas school districts have already made requests for ELC funds. Including for clinical and administrative staff as well as equipment with mobile technology to create and support the most flexible COVID-19 testing plans possible. In more rural areas requests include transportation to share staff between school buildings and to transport sick children. Others have opted to use ELC funds for vaccination events including incentives and communications in the community.

We are thankful for the leadership provided by Governor Kelly and Secretary Norman, Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson said. We want every student to be in the classroom this fall. To ensure this happens, school districts should continue partnering with their local medical teams to implement safety protocols that protect all students and school personnel.

The Kelly Administration worked to develop guidance that would ensure that districts across Kansas would be equipped with the best possible information as they prepared to bring their students back for full-time, in-person learning in August. The Kelly Administration will continue to issue new guidance as information is provided from the CDC.

To ensure everyone remains safe as schools resume in August, it is key for schools and communities to work together,Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said. We urge school districts to use the ELC resources for additional support. And, we encourage communities to continue taking precautions to mitigate the virus, including vaccination and testing. If individuals are not vaccinated, please wear a mask in public. If youre feeling sick, get tested, practice social distancing and stay home.

The State of Kansas began a robust, statewide PSA campaign to encourage Kansans to get vaccinated ahead of the July 4thholiday that will continue throughout year.

Watch the PSA here.

View the updated guidance document here.


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Kelly Administration Updates COVID-19 Guidance for School Districts - Governor of the State of Kansas - Kansas Governor
UM will require COVID-19 vaccination on all campuses | The University Record – The University Record

UM will require COVID-19 vaccination on all campuses | The University Record – The University Record

July 31, 2021

All students, faculty and staff on all three campuses of the University of Michigan are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit their vaccination information before the start of the fall term, university officials announced July 30.

The universitywide vaccine requirement, which also applies to Michigan Medicine, was announced July 30 in an email to the campus community signed by President Mark S. Schlissel; Susan M. Collins, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Marschall S. Runge, executive vice president for medical affairs; and Brian T. Smith, interim executive vice president and chief financial officer. UM-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso and UM-Flint Chancellor Debasish Dutta also signed the message.

The announcement comes as the rate of COVID-19 infections increases across the country, particularly in states and sub-populations with the lowest vaccination rates and as the predominant delta variant proves to be much more infectious.

Widespread vaccination is the primary and most effective tool that will bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control and it is the key to a vibrant and engaging academic year, officials wrote in the email.

The vaccine requirement also applies to those working or learning remotely.

Were making this announcement today to allow those who remain unvaccinated the time to begin their vaccination series in the month ahead, the message said. While we will provide limited exemptions for medical and religious reasons, it is imperative that all members of our community are protected from this devastating virus.

This step is consistent with the advice of our campus public health experts. It also is in line with recent announcements made on university and health care campuses and by companies across the nation, including the Veterans Health Administration, Google and the Mayo Clinic, though each has variations for its organization. More than 600 colleges and universities have announced vaccination requirements of various types.

There also is strong internal support for a vaccine mandate from Central Student Government, Rackham Student Government, deans of the schools and colleges, a Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs resolution and a survey of U-M faculty.

Michigan Medicine has dealt directly with the harmful toll of this virus, responding to surges of acutely ill patients while still providing important health care services using strict infection control protocols. Increased vaccination among health care personnel is crucial to Michigan Medicines commitment to the safety of patients, their families and staff.

The university will require all faculty, staff and students to do one of the following:

The exemption process for U-M campuses and Michigan Medicine is being developed and will be communicated by Aug. 4. Those individuals who request and are approved for a medical or religious exemption will be required to complete mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing and must continue to mask indoors while on campus.

Beginning Aug. 9, the university will make advisers available to students, faculty and staff who havequestions about the vaccine, its safety or the importance of being vaccinated. Details will be shared when available through the Record, unit human resourcesrepresentatives and the Division of Student Life.

Weekly COVID-19 testing and continued masking indoors will be required of these individuals as they work to become compliant. Ultimately, non-compliant students, faculty and staff will be subject to appropriate campus disciplinary procedures.

University officials will postpone making any further changes to U-Ms broader masking policy, which now requires masking indoors and in classrooms, in light of recent guidance from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. The policy was scheduled to be reviewed July 31.

As of July 30, roughly 81 percent of students and 65 percent of employees on the Ann Arbor campus, and 76 percent of Michigan Medicine employees already have reported their COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccination rates are lower for some categories of employees including temporary employees and for employees on the Dearborn and Flint campuses.

Employee vaccination data has been added to the existing vaccination dashboard, which launched earlier this month. The university verifies self-reported information for accuracy and that it meets the additional requirement of being an authorized vaccine. Data is refreshed daily.

The latest national data shows the delta variant appears to cause more frequent breakthrough infections in vaccinated persons. While they rarely become severely ill or require hospitalization, these vaccinated individuals can spread the virus to unvaccinated individuals, including children, or immunocompromised people.

Vaccines are free and available at most retail pharmacies and health care providers, and appointments remain available through Michigan Medicine, as well as the University Health Service.


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UM will require COVID-19 vaccination on all campuses | The University Record - The University Record
House Adjourns Without Extending Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium – The Wall Street Journal

House Adjourns Without Extending Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium – The Wall Street Journal

July 31, 2021

WASHINGTONA federal moratorium on the eviction of tenants who fell behind on rent during the Covid-19 pandemic is set to expire as scheduled this weekend after U.S. lawmakers were unable to advance a last-minute extension.

The Biden administration had called on lawmakers Thursday to extend the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions moratorium further, saying the CDC couldnt extend the moratorium itself because of a recent Supreme Court ruling.

House lawmakers adjourned late Friday for their August recess without action on the measure after Democratic leadership tried and failed to secure votes. The CDC moratorium ends at a time of heightened vulnerability for tenants as the Delta variant of the virus continues to spread in many parts of the country, the Biden administration warned.

State and local governments have struggled to distribute $47 billion in federal money aimed at helping tenants who cant pay rent because of the pandemic-triggered downturn, leaving many people at risk of being forced out of their homes when the moratorium expires.

Just $3 billion of the aid authorized by Congress in December and March had been delivered to landlords and tenants as of June 30, the Treasury Department said in a report last week. About 8.2 million adults were behind on their rent or mortgage as of July 5 and have low confidence they can pay on time next month, a Census Bureau survey showed.


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House Adjourns Without Extending Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium - The Wall Street Journal