Hug tent, Stephen King, Valentine’s dining: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY
Alabama
Montgomery: The state has expanded who is eligible to receive immunizations against COVID-19, but health officials caution there’s still not enough vaccine for everyone who qualifies for a shot. As of Monday, everyone 65 and older, educators, grocery store workers, some manufacturing workers, public transit workers, agriculture employees, state legislators and constitutional officers is eligible to get vaccinated. Previously only health care workers, first responders, nursing home residents, and people 75 and older were eligible. “If you are eligible for a vaccine, then we will get you one if want to take it. But it is not going to happen immediately for everyone,” Dr. Scott Harris, the state health officer, told reporters Friday. Harris said an estimated 1.5 million people would be eligible for vaccines, but the state has b
Des Moines Register
Although demand for the COVID-19 vaccine continues to far outstrip the supply in Iowa, not everyone who is eligible for the coveted shot is eager to take it.
About 40% of Des Moines police officers have not indicated they want the vaccine, spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said in an email to the Des Moines Register last week. About half of Iowa’s prison workers plan to refuse it, according to a report by the Iowa Department of Corrections director. A national survey of nursing home staff showed fewer than 40% took a first dose of vaccine when offered; the estimate for Iowa workers taking it is 40% to 59%.
How Iowa businesses are preparing for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions Share Updated: 10:29 PM CST Feb 6, 2021 Share Updated: 10:29 PM CST Feb 6, 2021
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Show Transcript KCCI’S KAYLA JAMES SHOWS US HOW SOME BUSINESSES ARE PREPARING, AS HEALTH EXPERTS SHARE A WORD OF CAUTION KAYLA: IT’S BEEN A REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A MASK AT ADARA SALON & SPA IN JOHNSTON SINCE NOVEMBER, BACK WHEN GOVERNOR REYNOLDS’ SIGNED A PROCLAMATION ENFORCING MASKS AND RESTRICTIONS STATEWIDE. BUT COME SUNDAY. WE BELIEVE IN PERSONAL CHOICE AND RESPONSIBILITY. KAYLA: IT’S BACK TO HOW THEY WERE OPERATING BEFORE NOVEMBER. IF WE HAVE GUESTS THAT WANT US TO WEAR MASKS, ALL OF OUR STYLISTS ARE WILLING TO DO THAT. WE HAVE SOME STYLISTS TOO THAT ASK THEIR GUESTS TO WEAR MASKS. KAYLA: KIRSTEN GANNON SAYS HER SALON HASN’T LOST VERY MANY CLIENTS AS A RESULT OF THEIR POLICY. GANNON SAYS HER CLIENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE, CALLING THE SALON IF THEY’RE FEELING SYMPTOMS
Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2021, file photo, Edna Becker receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Patricia Torres at the mass vaccination clinic at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center in New Braunfels, Texas. As the nation s COVID-19 vaccination campaign accelerates, governors, public health directors and committees advising them are holding key discussions behind closed doors, including debates about who should be eligible for the shots and how to best distribute them. (Mikala Compton/Herald-Zeitung via AP, File)
IOWA CITY, Iowa As the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign accelerates, governors, public health directors and committees advising them are holding key discussions behind closed doors, including debates about who should be eligible for the shots and how best to distribute them.