Vaccine on its way, but safety precautions still vital

McCOOK, Neb. — While the newest COVID-19 vaccine is on its way, local leaders are being asked to help remind us that wearing masks and other precautions are still necessary.

“Each of you reaches a different segment of people, so I’ll be asking each of you to show it’s important,” said Ronda Graff Monday night at the McCook City Council meeting. Graff is organizing a local campaign of McCook people in leadership positions to commit to promotional activities for social media, radio and newspaper.

Graff cited a recent Zoom meeting that was well-attended by representatives of the hospital, banks and the City of McCook. The McCook Community Foundation has pledged funds for the promotional campaign and many entities are on-board with the campaign, she said.

City of McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham updated the council on the Moderna vaccine the city is expected to receive this week. Nebraska is expecting to get 32,000 doses of those vaccines, according to a press conference Monday by Gov. Pete Ricketts. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said about 9,000 Nebraskans have been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccine distribution will follow the recommendations of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice, according to the DHHS. Harpham said the latest recommendations target the first vaccine doses to health care personnel, such as those working in hospitals, EMTs, those in long-term care facilities and pharmacies.

Next in line are “essential workers,” such as those in the education sector, food and agriculture, utilities, police, firefighters, corrections officers and transportation.

Next are adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults aged 65-plus.

The COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available to the general public and the CDC said it expects that to happen in the spring when sufficient supplies are available to begin mass vaccination.

Harpham said at first, it was recommended to wait 90 days for the vaccine if you had contracted the virus, but now it’s recommended that you take the vaccine after you clear quarantine. That’s because it’s unclear at this point how long the antibodies, left in the body after the virus, remain effective and the vaccine offers better protection, he said.

Harpham added that Red Willow County recorded 63 new cases from Dec. 15-21, so the virus is still a concern.

Mayor Mike Gonzales said despite the vaccine, people should still follow

CDC guidelines to help contain the spread of the virus, such as wearing a mask, frequent handwashing and social distancing.