Although the Baker administration has rejected calls for teacher-specific clinics, arguing it could divert doses from other needy populations amid a tight supply, the state created three State Police vaccination sites for troopers and other first responders during the earlier stage of the rollout.
As of Friday, 2,002 of 2,847 eligible State Police employees, including civilians, had received at least one dose at one of the department clinics in Framingham, Plymouth, or Chicopee, according to data released in response to a Boston Globe request.
State officials cautioned that some of the 845 others could have sought vaccinations at other off-site facilities for first responders or declined to be vaccinated because of medical conditions, though it was unclear how many have. David Procopio, a State Police spokesman, said department officials know that some were vaccinated elsewhere, but he said he didnt have an exact number.
Police officers in general, particularly today with all the scrutiny on them, I think theyre very skeptical of just about everything, said Dennis Galvin, a retired State Police major and president of the Massachusetts Association for Professional Law Enforcement, a group of current and retired law enforcement and criminal justice advocates. Galvin said he is personally scheduled to receive his first dose Tuesday.
These are divided times politically, socially. This is a place to take a measure of how many people have faith and confidence, he said of the vaccine. I think the State Police are reflecting that. They reflect a general concern and hesitancy about it.
Union officials who represent state troopers and sergeants said they do not track vaccination rates among their members, and indicated Monday theyve largely taken a hands-off approach. Nancy Sterling, a spokeswoman for the State Police Association of Massachusetts, said the only guidance the union has given its 1,900 members was to consult with their personal physicians.
Vaccines are not mandatory for state law enforcement or any other group in Massachusetts.
We dont know if there is any hesitancy. There certainly could be. Its not something were asking about, Sterling said.
Still, Michael F. Cherven, who was elected association president in February, was pleased to see the fairly high number of personnel being vaccinated at State Police clinics, Sterling said.
Most of the Massachusetts public has indicated its willing to get a shot. About 21 percent of residents surveyed in a UMass Amherst/WCVB poll this month said they would probably or definitely not get vaccinated, though it was slightly higher 24 percent among men. Nearly a quarter of all Massachusetts residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The reasons people choose not to be inoculated can run the gamut, from concern about the vaccines long-term effects to a desire to not rush to be among the first to receive it. Many of those who said in the UMass Amherst/WCVB poll that they were wary of getting a shot explained that they didnt trust that it was safe or effective.
The state has put $2.5 million behind a public awareness campaign aimed at addressing vaccine hesitancy, particularly among residents of color after the states own survey found stark differences among racial groups.
The State Police force itself is 95 percent male and 88 percent white.
Dr. David Hamer, an infectious disease expert at Boston University and a physician at Boston Medical Center, said the vaccine uptake among state troopers is especially important because of their close encounters with the public.
It would be ideal for that population to be vaccinated, both for their protection but also for the protection of people that they interact with, Hamer said. Plus, he said, any hesitancy among essential workers or other people currently eligible for vaccination could impact public perception of the vaccines safety.
I think if word spreads that a substantial proportion of people in the early phases of vaccine eligibility are concerned or otherwise hesitant about receiving the vaccine, that could have negative implications, he said. Others might say, Well, if theyre worried, maybe I should be worried, too.
The Baker administration allowed first responders to be vaccinated starting Jan. 11 as part of the early wave of the states rollout.
At the time, Governor Charlie Baker emphasized the importance of vaccinating the states roughly 45,000 front-line law enforcement, EMTs, and firefighters, given they work in risky situations every day. Officials said State Police Colonel Christopher Mason also appeared in a video message produced by the administration encouraging first responders to get vaccinated.
But even at the State Police headquarters clinic, officials found that some first responders did not show for their appointments and other slots went unfilled. Officials later offered hundreds of residents shots at the site, which was not open to the wider public, arguing that the doses would otherwise be wasted, the Globe previously reported.
Officials have not identified any of the 292 civilians who were vaccinated across three days at the State Police headquarters, beyond saying they either were over the age of 75 or personal care attendants, all of whom were eligible to receive a shot.
Baker later said his administration would not repeat that sort of behavior in the future, adding: We continue to learn the right way to do a number of things. And thats one more.
State Police arent the only public safety personnel who have shown reluctance to get vaccinated. As of last week, more than half of the employees in the states Department of Correction have refused the states offer to get the COVID-19 vaccine at work, even as infections have raced through the states prisons and jails.
The rejection rate is even higher in the Bristol County sheriffs office, where 66 percent of staff have refused, according to data.
Similar to State Police, state prison officials told the Globe last month the refusal figures among its staff dont provide the full picture because the count includes workers who opted to get their shots at off-site facilities.
About 70 percent of inmates at DOC facilities have received at least one dose, data show.
Matt Stout can be reached at matt.stout@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattpstout. Dasia Moore can be reached at dasia.moore@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @daijmoore.
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) St. Clair Hospital is finally getting more vaccine doses after being shut out for several weeks.
It says it expects about 1,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week.
Theyll give those as first doses.
Theyre now rescheduling people who had appointments canceled.
St. Clair is also now scheduling all patients eligible under Phase 1A.
Some people are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine for a number of reasons. Among the concerns is infertility.
Dr. Armando Hernandez-Rey of Conceptions Florida and Dr. Jennifer Schell of Concierge Postpartum Care say the COVID-19 vaccines do not have a negative effect on fertility.
The vaccine doesnt seem to affect fertility in any way because its an mRNA vaccine, which what it does is boost the immune system to react against the actual novel coronavirus," said Dr. Hernandez-Rey, an infertility specialist.
At Conceptions Florida, they receive five to 10 calls a day from patients worried about the vaccine and fertility.
Ive been through so much already that I was scared. We didnt know enough about the virus, said Natalie Rey, a patient at Conceptions Florida.
Dr. Jennifer Schell, an OBGYN, says she has also received dozens of questions on Instagram about the vaccine. This prompted her to upload posts addressing vaccine misinformation.
"As a mother, it is normal to have some hesitation and some fear of something that is new, and it is true there are no long-term studies, but there are also no long-term studies on what this virus can do to your body," Dr. Schell said.
Both doctors say the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks of contracting the virus.
"The virus does affect male fertility and that's why there has been a push for sperm-cryopreservation in case they do contract the virus. Getting the vaccine would be preventative," Dr. Hernandez-Rey said.
There is a new study that shows that if a mother who is breastfeeding received the vaccine the antibodies she produces do pass on to the baby, which is excellent," Dr. Schell said.
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What You Should Know
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Sponsored by Mercy Heart Center
While most of us are aware of the well-reported effects of COVID-19, there may be additional, hidden risks associated with the virus, as well. Namely, in trying to avoid contact with others, patients may be putting themselves at risk by not seeking care early for their health concerns.
Mercy Emergency Department Medical Director, Matt Aucutt, DO, said he was seeing a trend of people putting off the care they needed. The patients that do come in for emergent care are presenting later in their illness and are often times sicker. Dr. Aucutt said that the longer that patients put off their healthcare, the sicker patients are becoming, and their illnesses more difficult to treat.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), patients who delay or avoid medical care, are at increased risk for illnesses and death if they have ongoing and/or serious health conditions. In fact, in June 2020, about 41% of adults in the U.S. had delayed or avoided medical care, including 12% of urgent or emergency visits, as well as 32% of routine visits. The CDC report also found that four out of 10 adults chose not to receive medical care because of COVID-19.
While COVID-19 is still prevalent, your health is a priority whether you think your health concerns are minor or not. With that in mind, Dr. Aucutt encourages the public to come in right away when experiencing a medical emergency. While some patients are able to utilize telehealth to see their healthcare provider, there are certain assessments and diagnostic tests that are only available in the ER to determine the severity of the illness and then start treatment right away.
If you have health concerns, dont put off the care you need due to the pandemic; avoiding your health problems now could lead to major complications later. If youre in need of emergent care, Mercy is ready to serve you safely at not just one, but two emergency room locations Hiawatha Medical Park or Mercy Medical Center. And, at all Mercy and MercyCare locations including both Mercy ERs patients, visitors and staff are screened prior to entery. This includes answering several questions relating to COVID-19 and having their temperature taken. Patients and visitors are required to wear masks, and ER staff wear N95 masks and face shields. Furthermore, all locations are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized throughout the day to ensure a safe environment. In addition to the cleaning and sanitizing done by Mercys Environmental Services staff, the hospital also has ultraviolet, c-wave (UV-C) light disinfectors. The UV-C rays from the machines are effective in destroying microorganisms.
Both fully equipped Mercy ERs are open 24/7 and the Hiawatha ER is staffed by the same doctors, nurses and Mercy staff you would see at the hospital.
The Hiawatha ER the first of its kind in Iowa is simply another convenient location to visit when you need emergency care fast. And, just like the ER located in the hospital, the Hiawatha ER also includes an on-site lab and imaging center, so patients can receive the care they need instantly. Check out this virtual tour of the Hiawatha ER to learn more.
Then, if necessary, patients can be transported from the Hiawatha ER to the ER at Mercy by ambulance free of charge where theyll have immediate access to the operating room, catheterization lab or an inpatient room.
Mercy has the areas fastest ER at both locations and is designed to get you in and out quickly. Trust your Mercy team to provide the care you need so your health doesnt escalate to something more serious.
Sponsored by Mercy Heart Center
JOHANNESBURGEarlier this year, doctors and epidemiologists in South Africas economic capital were bracing for the worst. A new coronavirus strainwassurging across the country, thousands of holidaymakersweredue to return from Covid-19 hot spots, and one in three coronavirus testswascoming back positive.
Then something unexpected happened:Covid-19 cases started dropping.
Since mid-January, confirmedCovid-19 infections in South Africa have fallen from a record of nearly 22,000 a day to around 1,000, without a large-scale vaccination campaign or stringent lockdown. Fewer than 5% ofCovid-19 tests are finding traces of the virus, a sign that health agencies are missing fewer cases. The government has lifted most of its remaining virus restrictions for the country of 60 million people.
The cause of this steep decline in cases remains somewhat of a mystery. As in other countries that have at some point experienced surprising drops inCovid-19 casessuch as India, Pakistan and some parts of Brazilepidemiologists and virologists are piecing together different explanations for why the outbreak in South Africa isnt following patterns set elsewhere.
Those range from important population groups reaching sufficient levels of immunity to slow down transmission, to people sticking more closely to social-distancing rules, such as wearing masks and voluntarily reducing contacts, when deaths were mounting before the decline.
by: Addy Bink, Nexstar Media Wire
A resident wearing mask walks her dogs in Beijing. Pet cats and dogs cannot pass the new coronavirus on to humans, but they can test positive for low levels of the pathogen if they catch it from their owners. Thats the conclusion of Hong Kongs Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department after a dog in quarantine tested weak positive for the virus. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
(KTVX) Hundreds of thousands of Americans have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they are not alone. According to a new report, nearly 100 pet dogs and cats are said to have contracted the virus, mostly after close contact with an infected person.
Treat pets as you would other human family members do not let pets interact with people outside the household, the CDC advises.
The CDC says infected pets might get sick or they might not have any symptoms, adding that of those that have gotten sick, most were only mildly ill and then fully recovered.
The risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low, based on the limited information available, the CDC says.
The CDC recommends pet owners limit their pets interaction with people outside their household to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading to their animals. The CDC offers these additional tips to keep you and your pets safe:
The CDC added that there is no evidence that the virus can spread to people from their pets skin, fur or hair. According to the CDC, you should not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products like hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.
If you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your pet, the CDC says to contact your veterinarian.
The CDC added that if you are sick with COVID-19, either suspected or confirmed by a test, you should restrict contact with your pets and other animals, just as you would with people.
If you are sick with COVID-19, and your pet becomes sick, the CDC advises that you do not take your pet to the veterinary clinic yourself. Instead, contact your veterinarian and let them know you have been sick with COVID-19. Some clinics may offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets.
At this time, the CDC says there has been no evidence that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of COVID-19, but because all animals can carry germs that can make you and other people sick, the CDC says it is always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the infection of animals with SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19 has implications for animal and human health, animal welfare, wildlife conservation and biomedical research.
The latest findings show that poultry and cattle are not susceptible to COVID-19 infection.
Utah is one of a number of states that have seen their mink populations affected by COVID-19.
In mid-December, a wild mink living in the area of an infected Utah farm tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Officials say this is the first free-ranging, native wild animal confirmed with SARS-CoV-2, to the best of their knowledge.
Utahs state veterinarian Dr. Dean Taylor said in November thatdata does not suggest mink are a threat to people. Thousands of mink on Utah farms havealready died because of the virus.
Macchialina, a well-loved Italian restaurant on Miami Beach, closed for a few days this month after a staff member tested positive for the virus. But the restaurant has been able to operate through most of the pandemic thanks to Floridas early reopening (and an outdoor courtyard).
During the worst of the pandemic, Macchialina laid off 25 employees. Business is still down but we cant complain, said Michael Pirolo, the executive chef and owner. His brother had to permanently shutter his Brooklyn restaurant last April thanks to the long lockdown there.
We kind of get this bad rap around the world for not following the rules, because were open, Jacqueline Pirolo, his sister and managing partner, said of Florida. But for the most part, our clientele that comes to dine with us follows all the rules. Weve been able to open and to do this safely, and thats kind of the middle ground.
Rolando Aedo, the chief operating officer for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, said about half of restaurant workers and 90 percent of hotel workers were laid off last year, a loss of about 150,000 jobs practically overnight. Now the volume of reservations on the OpenTable app is at about 97 percent of what it was just before the pandemic hit Florida, he said. Hotel occupancy is down nearly 20 percent, which is better than what industry watchers expected.
Hotels are busily booking rooms on Miami Beach, despite the citys efforts to dissuade spring breakers from coming.
Unfortunately, were getting too many people looking to get loose, Mayor Dan Gelber said. Letting loose is precisely what we dont want.
At sunset recently, couples and small groups strolled down Ocean Drive, flitting in and out of sidewalk restaurants. Nightclubs like Mangos Tropical Cafe, a South Beach staple, remain closed. Garage parking costs a whopping $20, part of a spring break price hike.
The CDC is reporting they have identified nearly 4,900 cases of the Coronavirus variant in the US.
The vast majority of cases, around 4,700 cases are of the UK variant, known as B117.
That variant which is more contagious than the most common strain of COVID-19 in the US, has been found in 48 states.
Twenty-four states have reported cases of the South African variant, but there have only been 143 confirmed cases in patient to date.
Brazil's P1 variant has been identified in ten states with a total of just 25 cases so far.
The CDC admits the numbers do not represent the total number of cases in the US just those found by analyzing positive samples.
CONCORD The White House victory lap campaign to celebrate the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package comes to New Hampshire on Wednesday when first lady Jill Biden is scheduled to make a taxpayer-paid trip to Concord, according to administration officials.
The dates and states the first lady will visit were released Friday with more details to follow, officials said.
In the wake of President Joe Bidens nationwide address last Thursday, the administration is loosening restrictions on domestic travel because of the risk of COIVID-19.
Biden on Tuesday will travel to Delaware County, a suburb of Philadelphia that played a huge role in his upset win over former President Donald Trump in that state.
Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first trip Monday to Nevada, another of the states Trump won in 2016 but narrowly lost four years later.
A day later, Harris will be in Colorado, where Democrats also won and flipped a U.S. Senate seat critical to them taking over the upper chamber last November.
On Nov. 3, Biden beat Trump, 53% to 46% in New Hampshire. In 2016, Trump lost here by 1% to Hillary Clinton.
White House officials said plans are for a group of 400 mayors and governors, both Democrats and Republicans, to help lead the cheering section for the COVID-19 relief plan in the coming weeks.
But not Sununu
Gov. Chris Sununu, a three-term Republican, is not on that list. He was critical of the latest package, saying it contained too much spending unrelated to COVID-19.
Sununu also had urged the states two Democratic senators to oppose the bill because it rewarded states like California, New York and New Jersey with higher federal grant amounts because those states had higher unemployment rates than the national average.
New Hampshire, at 3.6%, is back among the 10 states in the nation with the lowest jobless rates.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan joined all other Senate Democrats to pass the COVID-19 relief package without a single GOP vote in Congress.
Sununu said last Thursday his staff was still digging in on how much would go to New Hampshire from this bill.
There are a number of pots of money. It looks like $966 million is coming to the state as state revenue replacement, Sununu said.
Cities and towns along with counties will share another $450 million, a first in federal relief for communities.
Every community is going to get a very big check, Sununu said.
The previous CARES Act last March gave money to communities, but only those with at least 500,000 residents, which left out all of New Hampshire and northern New England.
