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This is the WFHB Local News for June 14th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have a Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson poses questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community-related issues. In today’s segment Jacobson asks Mayor Hamilton about overnight military testing in Bloomington last week and a city employee who recently died from Covid-19. All that and more in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the MayorMore coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up, a rally took place over the weekend outside an IU Health facility in Indianapolis to oppose the hospital system’s vaccine mandate. In early June, officials at IU Health, the state’s largest hospital system, announced that all employees will need to receive the Covid-19 vaccine by September 1st. Protesters say the move violates “individual liberties” despite the hospital network’s offering of religious or medical exemptions. More in today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
The amount of COVID-19 cases in Monroe County has decreased by 8% within the last two weeks. 49% of the population 18 and over has been fully vaccinated with residents in Monroe County 65 and older being 80%. For those who have not been vaccinated, Monroe County is still considered a high risk area for COVID-19 and are encouraged to wear a mask in public settings. Now citizens who have not been vaccinated have a fourth option – Novavax. In clinical trials it proved to prevent moderate to severe disease from contracting coronavirus and had a 9 out of 10 efficiency – higher than Johnson & Johnson. To schedule an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine, visit cdc.gov.
On Thursday members of the Bloomington community joined together to protest the vaccination requirement for all students, faculty and staff at Indiana University. The march was labelled as the “Rally for Medical Freedom”, with alumni and students announcing their strong beliefs against this mandate. This comes after the announcement that documentation of the vaccination will not be required. Some posters being displayed said “My body, my choice,” and “Mandate Medical Freedom.”
With only a final few days left in office, Indiana legislators have been scrambling to find a way to spend their $3 billion portion of the federal coronavirus relief money. Following in line with other states, the money will be going to schools, businesses, and highways. However, legislators have focused on spending that money elsewhere, creating a program helping members of the working class earn short-term training certifications in order to advance their careers. With such a short amount of time for this to go through, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ryan Mishler says that there wasn’t enough time to create specifics on the spending. President of the nonpartisan Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute says that this $75 million deal is “eyebrow-raising”
Local COVID-19 Press Conference – City Employee Died Due to Complications with Covid-19, Optumserve Testing Site to Close
At the June 11th Coronavirus Press Conference, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said Bloomington has reported zero positive COVID-19 cases among city employees for the 4th consecutive week. However, he confirmed that a city employee has died from COVID-19 complications.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill announced that the Optumserve testing site at the National Guard Armory will be closing by June 30th. She acknowledged that the testing site played a pivotal role in bringing COVID-19 numbers down, but that the demand for testing has dropped significantly.
Caudill said it is free to get tested at the community testing site at 640 South Morton Street, which will remain open until further notice.
Rally in Indianapolis to Oppose IU Health’s Employee Vaccine Mandate
Hundreds attended a rally on Saturday to oppose Indiana University Health’s vaccine mandate
In early June, officials at IU Health, the state’s largest hospital system, announced that all employees will need to receive the Covid-19 vaccine by September 1st. According to IU Health President Brian Schockney, the process will look similar to its other vaccine requirements, such as the flu shot.
“We need to have them (fully) vaccinated by September 1st,” said Shockney. “That is the date we want to work toward.”
IU Health has been known to take vaccination requirements seriously. According to the Associated Press, the hospital system fired eight employees in 2013 for refusing to get their flu shot.
One speaker at the protest over the weekend said the vaccine mandate infringes upon his individual liberties.
“I get to decide what I believe is right for my body, and for my family and for my future,” said the speaker.
The rally took place outside an IU Health facility in Indianapolis. While IU officials said in a statement that the vaccine mandate provides a “safe and effective” way to protect patients and staff, the nonprofit healthcare provider will allow exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
Kari Bundy, another speaker at the protest, complained about the mask and social distancing requirements for those who are exempt from getting the Covid shot.
“To eat or drink at all, you have to stand six feet away,” said Bundy. “This level of segregation is unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for un-vaccinated people, masks are recommended for all indoor activities and even some outdoor activities.
According to Georgetown law professor and public health expert Lawrence Gostin, “it is lawful and ethical for a business to require proof of vaccination as a condition of working” – as long as they offer medical or religious exemptions. However, as referenced in Indiana House Enrolled Act 105, the state has placed a ban on requiring a “Covid-19 passport.”
According to the New York Times’ state-by-state vaccine tracker, Indiana ranks in the bottom quarter of adults who have received at least one shot of the Covid vaccine.
Public Safety Local Income Tax Committee Meets for the First Time
The Public Safety Local Income Tax, or PS-LIT, Committee met for the first time in 2021 on June 10th. At the PS-LIT meeting, Committee members discussed who would review applications for funds. Committee member Geoff McKim read a statement on behalf of Committee member Cheryl Munson who had a conflicting meeting. She wrote that delegating applications to the Monroe County Council without recommending any funding is a waste of the Council’s time.
City of Bloomington Controller Jeff Underwood stated that the city recommends that the committee not approve funding unless it is for one of the four major applicants. Committee member Scott Oldham agreed, but said he would support reviewing applications for emergency funds.
Committee members agreed to review applications themselves this year.
Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission Discuss Future of Building on North Morton Street
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission discussed a historical building on North Morton Street. At the June 10th meeting, Petitioner Rich Ham talked about buying a historical building at 601 North Morton. He clarified that he wanted to keep the spirit of the current building when making renovations.
Commissioner Doug Bruce showed support for the project. He talked about the historical importance of the building and his excitement that someone was willing to put the work into restoring it.
The next meeting of the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission is June 24th.
Monroe County Solid Waste Management Board of Directors Present Monthly Report
Landfill and Environmental Compliance Director Lee Paulson presented the organization’s monthly report at the June 10th Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors meeting. He highlighted that May’s groundwater sampling was completed and sent in for testing.
Board member Penny Githens noticed a significant difference in rainfall from 2019 to 2020. Paulson said last year had the highest rainfall since the county started tracking groundwater.
The next Solid Waste Management Board of Directors meeting is July 8th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson poses questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community-related issues. In today’s program, Jacobson asks Mayor Hamilton about overnight military testing in Bloomington last week and a city employee who recently died from Covid-19. All that and more in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News.
Today’s headlines were written by Katherine Patterson, Kade Young and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jake Jacobson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Don Geyra and Katherine Patterson.
