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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 10th, 2021.
Later in the program, we revisit a feature from WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson about the state of Indiana restarting federal pandemic unemployment benefits – despite Governor Eric Holcomb’s attempts to end them earlier this summer. That’s coming up in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana has not issued a statewide mask mandate – despite all of its 92 counties posing either “high” or “substantial” risks of transmission. But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Board of Health
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill gave an update on the Coronavirus to the Monroe County Board of Health. At the August 9th meeting, Caudill talked about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Monroe County. She said that 57 percent of eligible county residents are fully vaccinated, but the delta variant is spreading quickly through non-vaccinated residents.
Board member Ashley Cranor asked Caudill if she had discussed enforcement with the county commissioners. Caudill said that the Commissioners approved a contract for compliance officers. She clarified that fines were on the table, and that closure was a lost resort option. Legal Counsel Margie Rice clarified that the county has discretion when pursing compliance cases. She said last year, every case of non-compliance with COVID-19 restrictions wa s solved with voluntary compliance.
The next Board of Health meeting is August 23rd.
All 92 Counties in Indiana Pose High or Substantial Risk for Covid-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone in Indiana to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. According to data from the CDC, all of Indiana’s 92 counties are at either “high” or “substantial” levels of risk.
Over the last seven days, the Indiana State Department of Health reported 27 new deaths. Hospitalizations have also increased. On Monday, the state health department reported that the total number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients is about three times as many patients who were hospitalized a month ago.
Meanwhile, Governor Eric Holcomb has not issued a statewide mask mandate despite CDC guidance. The governor says he will leave it to local governments, businesses and schools to issue their own mask policies.
This comes after pressure from state lawmakers who have criticized the governor’s executive authority when it comes to enacting public health orders.
The recent uptick in Covid-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations follows a trend from the week prior. During the state’s July 30th Covid-19 press conference, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box walked through rising coronavirus numbers during that week.
Dr. Box warned of Covid-19 variants on the rise, particularly in the Delta strain of the virus.
“Today we’re battling multiple variants, but the biggest threat is from the Delta variant, which is fueling our current increase in cases,” said Box.
According to numbers from Our World in Data and the New York Times, 44.7 percent of Indiana residents are fully vaccinated. This is about 6 percentage points below the national average. Indiana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver addressed Indiana residents who are hesitant to get the vaccine.
“Research credible science-based sources,” advised Weaver. “These are the most studied vaccines given our robust event monitoring systems.”
According to the CDC, a small percentage of people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will still develop the illness. These are known as “vaccine breakthrough cases.” The CDC assures that symptoms might be less severe or even non-existent in these breakthrough infections. It also assures that the vaccines authorized for use in the United States are effective against most variants.
However, as with any vaccine, there will be breakthrough cases. The CDC says that it is monitoring breakthrough cases for patterns and that experts continue to study how common these cases are.
Dr. Weaver touched on the relationship between the Delta variant and recent breakthrough cases. She stressed that only a small number of Hoosiers have seen breakthrough infections and that almost all recent deaths from the virus occurred in those who are unvaccinated.
“96 percent of our deaths have occurred in unvaccinated individuals,” said Weaver.
Individuals who are 12 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. To find a vaccine clinic near you, visit ourshot.in.gov or call 211 if you do not have access to a computer or require assistance.
Dr. Box says the increase in cases leads to a higher demand for testing – especially now that schools are coming back into session.
“If you are a close contact, get tested, even if you’re fully vaccinated, even if you’re asymptomatic,” said Box.
To find a testing site, you can visit coronavirus.in.gov and click on the Covid-19 testing information link.
Bloomington Plan Commission
The Bloomington Plan Commission discussed a rezone for Wheeler Mission Ministries. At the August 9th meeting, Senior Zoning Planner Eric Greulich presented a request to rezone a section of land acquired by the petitioner. He said the petitioner was requesting the rezone so they could expand their use to the new buildings.
Director of Wheeler Mission Ministries Dana Jones talked about the expansion. He said the extra space would let Wheeler Mission spread out beds and open more space for other activities.
During public comment, residents complained that residents of Wheeler Mission often wandered away from the property and created a mess. Jones argued that many of the people in-question were not residents of Wheeler mission. Commissioner Susan Sandberg suggested that a larger conversation about homelessness in Bloomington should be had at the City Council level, not at the Plan Commission level.
Commissioners voted to send the request to the city council with a positive recommendation 8 to 1, with Israel Herrera dissenting.
Feature Report:
WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson speaks with two labor experts and a source who has grappled with the pressure of unemployment throughout much of the pandemic.
Up next, we revisit a feature from July by WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson about the state of Indiana restarting federal pandemic unemployment benefits – despite Governor Eric Holcomb’s attempts to end them earlier this summer. We turn to Tilly Robinson for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Tilly Robinson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
