Jesse DeVoe and Rachel Goldblatt, courtesy
A year ago, weeks into Montana’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19, Yellowstone Public Radio interviewed a couple in Bozeman over Zoom about the uncertainty, unexpected joys and challenges of living through a pandemic. Reporter Rachel Cramer recently touched base with them to see what has changed in the last year and what they’re looking forward to after getting vaccinated.
Last spring, Jesse DeVoe’s housemate tested positive for COVID-19. He packed a duffle bag and moved in with his girlfriend Robyn Goldblatt so they could self-quarantine for two weeks together.
This Is One Of Those Wonders Of Nature: Birds, Spectators Flock To Freezout Lake ypradio.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ypradio.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A medical professional administers a COVID-19 vaccine on Feb 13, 2021.
While not explicitly stated in Montana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, the state health department says pregnancy is a major medical condition that may qualify someone for a shot under the current phase.
Elle Ruis, a seventh grade math teacher at Kalispell Middle School, says she has wanted to get a COVID-19 vaccine as they’ve become more available.
“I just feel like in my job, I’m really exposed constantly to tons and tons of people and at a high risk of catching COVID,” Ruis says.
Ruis says she’s excited to get her first shot in the arm this week through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which offers vaccines to school and child care workers regardless of state distribution plans.
Leopold wolf following grizzly bear
A slate of bills making their way through Montana’s legislative session indicate a potential sea change in how the Treasure State will manage big carnivores and who gets a say in making those decisions.
Nicky Ouellet: Rachel, we’re halfway through Montana’s legislative session. Can you bring us up to speed on several bills that made it through the transmittal deadline that take aim at reducing the wolf population in Montana?
Rachel Cramer: Earlier this month, Montana’s Senate passed Senate Bill 314 from Sen. Bob Brown, a Republican from Thompson Falls, which would allow hunters and trappers to kill unlimited numbers of wolves on a single license. For context, the bag limit right now is five wolves per season whether someone has a trapping license, hunting license or both.