The state's public health department says that indoor events of 1,000 or more will soon need to verify that everyone's been vaccinated or recently tested negative for COVID-19
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Citing waning demand for vaccination appointments at some of its distribution locations, the county threw the doors open wide Tuesday, announcing no-appointment-necessary, walk-in availability at a wide range of locations across the region.
The county health department announced the bold step midday Tuesday just after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tweaked mask-wearing guidance, stating that those who are fully vaccinated need not wear masks outdoors unless they are in crowds.
In an email, county communications director Mike Workman said that appointments have recently filled more slowly, influencing the decision to open up to walk-ins.
“In recent days, appointments have not filled until that same afternoon,” Workman said, adding that a site at San Diego State University had 1,000 open slots Tuesday.
The other finalist for this year’s award was Sara-Ann Rosen.
Elizabeth Ribarsky of Springfield, associate professor of communication at UIS, was honored with the Star Staff Award.
Ribarsky has chaired the annual Illinois Humane Trivia Night and in two years, she raised an additional $25,000 for the organization with this event.
Reagan Weichold of Chatham was honored with the Youth Volunteer Award. She was nominated by the Animal Protective League.
Weichold is a mentor for the APL’s Junior Volunteer Program.
Other finalists included Tyler Lancaster and Audrey Lupton.
Twenty volunteers were also honored with the Heart of Gold Award. Individual recipients were: Dennis Ahlberg, Anne Anderson, Stacey Austin, Jim Barr, Sandy Bellatti, Sally Cadagin, Becky Gabany, Paula Harris, Dorothy Hart, William G. Holland, DeeDee McCarty, Allison Montney, Traci Moore, Kristie Parkins, Megan Philpot, Renate Selby, Teressa Shelton, Kate Ward and Laura Winkelmann.
UPDATED April 6, 2021 | 3:25 PM Am I eligible for the vaccine?
Anyone 50 and is eligible and by April 15, everyone 16 and up will be, too.
Other eligible groups include health care workers and those who work or live in long-term care facilities are eligible. You can also get vaccinated if you care for an elderly or disabled person, provided that you have a doctor’s note confirming that you are what the state calls an informal caretaker.
Teachers, police officers and grocery store workers became eligible to get their shots beginning Feb. 27. People with serious underlying medical conditions or disabilities that make them vulnerable to COVID-19 became eligible on March 15, along with homeless people; those living in jails, detention centers and other congregate settings; and public transit workers.