Richland County remembers those lost to COVID-19 Eleanor Tabone
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Community leaders and residents in Richland County who lost family and friends to COVID-19 paid tribute to them during a ceremony of reflection and hope on Thursday.
News 19 spoke to Dennis Bannister who attended the ceremony, a man who suffered an unimaginable loss during the pandemic.
He lost his 28-year-old daughter, Demetria Bannister, a third grade teacher at Windsor Elementary School in Columbia to the virus. Weeks later, his wife Shirley Bannister died of COVID. COVID also took his mother-in-law. To bury our daughter together, but my wife was sick also. I had doubts but I also had hope, Bannister said. I have nothing to really add to their legacy, and there s nothing I would take away from it.
ABC Columbia
Jun 22, 2021 6:20 PM EDT
The funds come from a federal program designed to help those most financially impacted by the pandemic.
“With each passing week, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for families to meet their basic needs,” said Councilwoman Gretchen Barron, who chairs Council’s Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee. “ERAP staff have worked hard to address the needs of those who have been negatively impacted by COVID, whether it was due to job or income loss.”
County officials say there are still funds available. Those who wish to apply for these funds can do so online or call 855-216-9198.
Remaining local mask mandates may be in final days
Remaining local mask mandates may be in final days By Emily Wakeman | April 30, 2021 at 8:22 PM EDT - Updated April 30 at 10:48 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - As we approach a new chapter in mask wearing across the country, here in South Carolina there are still many local and municipal governments requiring a mask for certain activities.
Mask mandates can be confusing at this point, as the rules for whether a mask is still required at places restaurants and retail stores vary from county to county, and even sometimes from town to town.
All residents age 16 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. By WIS News 10 Staff | April 20, 2021 at 3:02 PM EDT - Updated April 20 at 3:03 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Richland County Councilmembers are teaming up to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gretchen Barron, Jesica Mackey, Derrek Pugh and Overture Walker are partnering with statewide elected officials to hold three vaccine clinics during the month of April in Northeast Richland.
The effort to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to residents is a collaboration between the Councilmembers, S.C. Sen. John Scott and S.C. Reps. Kambrell Garvin, Chris Hart and Ivory Thigpen in coordination with Medical University of South Carolina Health.