WV and National Disaster News - February 17, 2022

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WEST VIRGINIA

COVID

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for February 17, 2022 (WV DHHR) - there have been 42 deaths reported since the last report (yesterday 2/16/2022), with a total of 6,146 deaths attributed to COVID-19. For detailed statistics, click here.

• Health official says it’s too soon to lift mask mandates in WV schools (MetroNews-Radio)
• Some medical professionals not on board with schools making masks optional (WCHS Charleston)
• WVU lifts mask mandate for indoor spaces (WDVM-TV DC)
• School buses included in optional masking in Harrison County schools (The Exponent Telegram)
• Pandemic anxiety driving up absences in Harrison County schools (The Exponent Telegram)
• Many educators in West Virginia public schools struggling to stay in profession (WCHS Charleston)

WEATHER

• Northern West Virginia could see localized flooding from excessive rain today (WTRF Wheeling)
• Severe Weather Alert Day Thursday: squall line with high wind likely by evening (WCHS Charleston)

Other

• AUDIO: Remembering The Buffalo Creek Disaster On This West Virginia Morning (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)
• WV Turnpike tunnel will soon be used to grow mushrooms (WBOY Clarksburg)

NATIONAL NEWS

COVID

• Baltimore parking garage turned into morgue for over 200 bodies (The Hill)
• COVID-19 daily case rates decrease, but 2,000 Americans are still dying from virus every day (WGAL 8 Lancaster)
• CDC's Walensky told House panel there's no timeline for relaxing school masking guidance (Yahoo News)
• Booster shot key cutting Omicron death risk (MSNBC)
• Military members working to support staff, patients at Strong (Spectrum News)
• More Virus Rules Fall as CDC Hints at Better Times Ahead (Federal New Network)
• Personal (personnel?) shortages force the state to contact the help of COVID patients (List 23)
• COVID-19 booster shot uptake is at all-time low in the US, CNN analysis finds (CNN)
• COVID restrictions continue to be lifted as CDC hints at better times ahead (Associated Press)
• Vaccination during pregnancy may provide infants protection against coronavirus, CDC study finds (The Washington Post)
• U.S. is approaching phase where ‘covid isn’t a crisis,’ White House official says (The Washington Post)

• FHA Removes Temporary COVID-19 Underwriting Mitigants for Multifamily Transactions (HUD Press Release)

WEATHER

• Cross-Country Winter Storm Spreading Snow, Ice and Strong Winds From West to Plains and Midwest (The Weather Channel)
• Two Months Later, Recovery from Massive Tornado Outbreak Well Underway Kentucky (Homeland Security Today)
• California wildfire spurs evacuations in remote Owens Valley (Associated Press)
• Flood insurance could become unaffordable for thousands, lawmakers worry (WBRZ News 2 (Louisiana) 

OTHER

• David Warrington Sworn in as New FEMA Region 2 Administrator (Homeland Security Today)
• AmeriCorps Releases National Service Reports for US States and Territories (AmeriCorps News Release)