By Emily Adams-Bentley
Staff Writer Mar 2, 2021
Mar 2, 2021
TRI-COUNTY â As more and more COVID-19 vaccination sites pop up across the Tri-County, health officials are emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated.
âNow that we have effective vaccines for COVID-19, it is key for folks to understand the benefits of getting vaccinated and why being vaccinated greatly outweighs the mild potential side effects or inconvenience that may be associated â without an approved and effective vaccine, we would be facing an exploding pandemic with no end in sight,â said Mark Hensley, director of the Laurel County Health Department.
âThe COVID-19 vaccine is our best hope to stop the pandemic,â Public Health Director for the Whitley County Health Department Marcy Rein said. âIn order to do that, a large majority of the population have to get vaccinated.â
By Jarrod Mills
Staff Writer Jan 27, 2021
Jan 27, 2021
Last week, the Corbin City Commission approved a motion that gets the wheels rolling on a project that brings a mental health specialist onboard the Corbin City Police Department. Via this column, I would like to tip my cap to not only Corbin City officials, but to Marcy Rein and her staff at the Whitley County Health Department for getting this done, as well.
Rein said the project was in response to drug users and those with mental health issues cycling through our local judicial systems. And while itâs not certain this project and installing a mental health specialist into the police force will make a huge impact on interrupting that cycle, I am optimistic that it might. After all, it has worked in other communities.
By Jarrod Mills
Staff Writer Jan 21, 2021
Jan 21, 2021
CORBIN â The Corbin Police Department will soon add a behavioral health specialist to its ranks thanks to a grant procured by the Whitley County Health Department.
During the Corbin City Commissionâs special-called meeting Tuesday evening, the commission approved a motion agreeing to proceed with a grant that embeds a behavioral health specialist in the Corbin Police Department.
Prior to the commissionâs vote, Whitley County Health Department Director Marcy Rein presented the pilot program funded by the Whitley County STAR (Standing Together for Appalachian Resilience) grant and called the grant a response to the prevalent opioid use in the local area.
These are all questions that people are asking when it comes to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
In recent days, Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, have released the state’s plans for COVID-19 vaccinations across the state.
Because many readers have posed questions about the vaccine, we have compiled a list of questions and answers about the vaccine. Some answers are more definitive than others as there are still many unknowns.
Q – When can I receive the vaccine?
A – Dr. Stack announced additional phases of the state’s vaccination rollout on Jan. 4. The first phase, 1A consists of individuals in long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities as well as health care personnel. The Whitley County Health Department is working with providers such as Baptist Health Corbin to ensure that all health care personnel have the opportunity to receive the vaccine. Long-term care facilities and assisted living