This initiative is aimed at increasing access to COVID-19 treatment, with a focus on reaching those in socially vulnerable or medically underserved areas at a time when COVID-19 cases are beginning to rise again across the United States. According to Walgreens COVID-19 Index data, overall positivity rates reached 36 percent this week. This steady rise in cases reinforces the critical need for access to life-saving treatments.
vaccinated
Illinois Dept health giving away free rapid COVID tests
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has the availability of 225,000 free, rapid COVID-19 self-administered test kits through Project Access Covid Tests (Project ACT) to residents in certain zip codes in 14 Illinois counties.
How’s Joe Biden Doing?
It’s been about a year since Joe Biden took office as President, and though it’s still too early to draw firm conclusions about his performance, it’s not too early to discern some trends. Especially in light of how Biden positioned himself in the 2020 campaign and, I believe, how he still sees himself: as a centrist and a moderate who […]
Analysis: The Best Thing Donald Trump Has Done in Years
NNPA NEWSWIRE — It’s not clear whether Trump defending vaccines is even enough to change the minds of some of his most ardent supporters. The former President was booed earlier this week when he acknowledged he had received a booster and the issue has, for many of the unvaccinated, been turned in a political matter rather than a public health one.
Local families are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday
Unlike last November’s small gatherings, this week’s Thanksgiving celebrations across the country have many people saying “go big or go home.” As many in this country have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, residents in Will County are confident celebrating the holiday with family and friends will not cause medical issues for them. Marisha Jackson of Joliet said she plans to go all out this Thanksgiving. “Besides my family, I am having my cousins, aunts and uncles over,” she said. “I love to cook so this holiday is ideal for me. Last year, it was just my husband, myself and our two children. I would rather cook for a large group than a few. It makes the holiday much more special when we can pass the food around and share laughs.”
Enjoy Thanksgiving safely Minimize the risk of a holiday spike
Families in surrounding suburbs will gather to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and give thanks for all that they have – most of all each other. While the impact of the pandemic has been greatly reduced as more people and now children get vaccinated, there are still risks of spreading the virus. Health experts warn the holiday gatherings could be breeding grounds for spreading the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep family and friends safer is to get vaccinated. Many health experts this year also suggest if unvaccinated family and friends plan to attend holiday gatherings, they should get a rapid COVID test just before they show up. Here are some safe ways to celebrate the holidays from the CDC.
Illinois daycare workers mandated to get COVID vaccines
UPDATED STORY
Daycare workers in Illinois will soon face mandatory COVID vaccines or weekly COVID testing if not fully vaccinated by early January 2022. There are 175 daycare facilities in Will County, according to countyoffice.org.
To prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of Illinois’ youngest residents, Gov. JB Pritzker joined Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou, and Department of Childhood and Family Services Director Marc Smith Friday to announce new vaccination or weekly testing requirements for individuals who work in licensed day care centers.
Meet the Memphis School Nurse Who Helped a Shooting Victim Survive
THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER — As the nation faces a school nursing shortage, Karen Taylor is part of an expanded pool of nurses inside of Shelby County Schools this year thanks to a COVID-relief grant. When she got the call that a student was in crisis, her years of training set in. She rushed to the student’s side, comforted him, and called his father. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder to comfort him and used her other hand to put pressure on his wound until paramedics arrived.
Black Educators Take on Hesitancy as Gov. Newsom Issues COVID Vaccination Mandate
THE SACRAMENTO OBSERVER — California’s school vaccination mandate will take effect for students enrolled in grades 7 through 12 one semester after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the vaccine for children 12 and older. The mandate will also apply to children under 12 after a vaccine is approved for that age group.
Pritzker issues Executive Order mandated daycare workers to get COVID vaccines or face weekly testing
Daycare workers in Illinois will soon face mandatory COVID vaccines or weekly COVID testing if not fully vaccinated by early January, 2022. There are 175 daycare facilities in Will County, according to countyoffice.org.
To prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of Illinois’ youngest residents, Gov. JB Pritzker joined Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou, and Department of Childhood and Family Services Director Marc Smith Friday to announce new vaccination or weekly testing requirements for individuals who work in licensed day care centers.

