WV and National Disaster News - May 17, 2021

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West Virginia

Government News

Gov. Justice lifts face covering requirement for fully vaccinated West Virginians ONLY (Governor’s Office)

The Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement is still in effect for all West Virginians who are not yet fully vaccinated and will remain in effect for these individuals until June 20, 2021.

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for May 17, 2021 (WVDHHR) --- DHHR has confirmed the death of a 64-year old male from Putnam County. Find other stats at the link.  

Local news

Nearly 700K in West Virginia fully vaccinated against COVID (The Herald-Dispatch)

Variations among counties' senior vaccination rates prompt concern (WV News)

Jackson County Schools gearing up to vaccinate more students (MetroNews-Radio)

Marion County health officials concerned about vaccine interest despite increased availability (MetroNews-Radio)

Justice Ends Mask Mandate For Fully Vaccinated West Virginians (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)

AUDIO: Justice Discusses Modifications to WV Mask Mandate (WCBC-Radio)

Wheeling Nailers & WesBanco Arena say masks off for vaccinated fans (WTRF-TV)

Active coronavirus cases continue dropping (MetroNews-Radio)

National

COVID

Dr. Sanjay Gupta says the CDC mishandled announcement of new mask guidelines (CNN)

Opinion: The CDC’s mask guidance is a mess. Biden needs to clean it up. (Washington Post)

Fauci says CDC's updated mask guidance is "based on the evolution of the science" (CBS News)

CDC Chief Says Any U.S. Vaccine Mandates to Be Set Locally (Bloomberg)

Fauci says COVID-19 pandemic exposed ‘the undeniable effects of racism’ in US (Baltimore Sun)

McDonalds, Shake Shack and others give the COVID-19 vaccine push a shot in the arm (Yahoo News)

Governors caught flatfooted by Biden's mask reversal (Fox News)

Related articles: CNN, ABC News, Axios, Politico, Newsweek, CBS News and Washington Post.

As vaccinations drop, outreach workers hit the streets to change minds (NBC News)

COVID mass vaccination clinic at Ford Field ends Monday (Detroit, MI)

OTHER

We need to rethink federal disaster aid (Bloomberg)