WV and National Disaster News - May 18, 2021

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West Virginia

Government News

West Virginia receives $677 million in federal stimulus dollars through American Rescue Plan; 15 County Schools Systems hosting Vaccination clinics, Summer Feeding programs for Students, and more. WV Governor’s Office

WVDHRR Daily COVID Update and Stats for May 18, 2021 (WVDHHR)

DHHR has confirmed the death of an 87-year old female from Jefferson County. See link for more data and information.

Local news

• Gov. Justice makes plea for unvaccinated to get coronavirus shot (WCHS-TV)
• Justice says he's confident state will hit or get close to 65% vaccine goal by June 20 (WCHS-TV)
• Why aren’t Black and minority COVID-19 vaccinations rising? (WBOY-TV)
• Mid-Ohio Valley schools developing vaccine clinics (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)
• Fayette County sees high vaccinations rates among students (WVVA-TV)
• Gilmer, Ritchie counties turn green on COVID-19 map (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)
• Health leaders say new mask guidelines will be based on honor system (WCHS-TV)
• AUDIO: Justice Says Back-to-Work Incentives may be Implemented (WCBC-Radio)
• Justice provides update on COVID relief dollars, pandemic unemployment (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)
• As $677 million in federal relief hits, Justice promises strategic plan and legislative buy-in (MetroNews-Radio)
• McCluskey, Manchin talk COVID relief with West Virginia officials (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)
• W.Va. To Seek Input From Legislative Leaders On Stimulus Funds (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)

National

COVID

• More places in the US lift mask mandates. One local leader says the honor system is already not working (CNN)
• Mask controversy spurs CDC to rethink its pandemic response (Politico)
• Sanofi Executives Say Covid Vaccine Could Be ‘Universal Booster’ (Barrons)
• Covid-19 Hospital Patients Tend to Be Younger Now (The Wall Street Journal)
• Coronavirus Mutations Could Muddle COVID-19 PCR Tests (The Scientist)
• U.S. Covid cases, deaths fall further amid easing of mask requirements (CNBC)
• Almost half U.S. population is partially vaccinated against COVID-19 — while Asia remains a virus hot spot (MarketWatch)
• Employers announce COVID-19 vaccine requirements as workplaces reopen (ABC News)
• U.S. To Ship 20 Million Additional COVID Vaccine Doses Overseas (NPR)
• U.S. to Increase Covid-19 Vaccine Exports Amid Global Pressure (The Wall Street Journal) 

Weather

• Disaster declared after an Alaskan village was inundated by more than five feet of floodwater (CNN)

• Flooding Emergencies Declared in Louisiana, Texas; Widespread Flooding Reported in Baton Rouge (The Weather Channel)

• Kayaks needed to navigate roads amid flash flood emergency - Louisiana (AccuWeather)  

• At least 80 people rescued in Lake Charles, pummeled by punishing rains (NBC News)

• Warning Shot for California: A Los Angeles Wildfire in May (New York Times)

• Firefighters battle two wildfires in New Jersey as one leaves 900 acres torched (CNN)

• Baldwin (Alabama) leaders calling out FEMA (NBC News) …still waiting for $132 million in FEMA reimbursements from damage caused by Hurricane Sally last September.