After touting COVID-19 booster shots for weeks, the Governor and First Lady rolled up their sleeves to receive their third dose of the vaccine during Thursday’s Team Kentucky update. WUKY’s Karyn Czar reports.
From the office of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear:
On Thursday during his weekly Team Kentucky update, Gov. Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear received their COVID-19 vaccination boosters.
The Governor said with booster doses for all three COVID-19 vaccines approved, eligible Kentucky adults need to receive one. He said the state is seeing hospitalizations among vaccinated people going up month after month, which suggests waning immunity.
“We believe the boosters will give us a level of immunity we probably had early, following vaccination, when our cases and trends were much lower,” said Gov. Beshear. “I encourage all eligible Kentucky adults to get a booster.”
The Governor said if Kentucky adults are over 65, have significant underlying conditions or are exposed to many people through their work, they should get a vaccination booster. To learn more, click here.
The Governor also said he and the First Lady – like many parents – were thrilled to hear the news Tuesday evening when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. The Pfizer vaccine has been found to be over 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 in this age group.
“This vaccine plays an important role in helping keep our children safe, our schools open and our families healthy,” said Gov. Beshear. “The federal government has already begun distributing pediatric vaccine doses to locations across the U.S. Here in Kentucky, we should have the ability to begin administering doses as soon as next week. I encourage you to talk to your pediatrician, school nurse, pharmacist or other trusted medical provider to learn more about why this vaccine is important to protect our kids and overcome this virus.”
COVID-19 UpdateDuring the week ending Oct. 31, the average COVID-19 test positivity rate decreased to 4.98% and the total number of cases reported decreased to 8,603.
From March 1 to Nov. 3, 84.1% of COVID-19 cases, 84.2% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 85% of COVID-19 deaths have been among partially vaccinated or unvaccinated Kentuckians.
Gov. Beshear Meets Japanese Ambassador to the United StatesGov. Beshear said this week he had the opportunity to meet with His Excellency Koji Tomita, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America, to discuss Japan’s long-standing partnership with the commonwealth and “how we can work together to build the future right here in Kentucky.”
Nemak Kentucky to Add 170 Well-Paying Jobs with Glasgow ExpansionGov. Beshear announced even more growth for Kentucky’s automotive industry. Nemak USA Inc., a manufacturer of innovative lightweight products for powertrain, e-mobility and structure applications, will create 170 well-paying jobs with a $27 million expansion of its Nemak Kentucky operation in Glasgow to support future electric vehicle-related business. To learn more, see the full release.
Gov. Beshear Provides $1 Million to Help Nicholas County’s Local Government Restore Infrastructure Damaged by Historic FloodToday, Gov. Beshear announced that he has awarded up to $1 million from a flood control program to help the local government in Nicholas County restore infrastructure damaged in historic flooding that occurred this summer.
“We know this is a rare event where there was so much devastation, yet the county and residents did not qualify for FEMA aid,” Gov. Beshear said. “Today we are able to share some good news and provide funds to help the county restore critical infrastructure. Judge/Executive Hamilton has indicated that some of the funds will be used to replace critical emergency response vehicles, including a fire truck, ambulance and law enforcement vehicles that were badly damaged in the flood.”
“Although our ‘little community with a big heart’ aches, we have not lost hope. We won’t give up,” said Nicholas County Judge/Executive Steve Hamilton. “It is with a grateful heart that I accept, on behalf of my community, this grant. With these funds, I vow to oversee the process of rebuilding and reinforcing the essential infrastructure of Nicholas County. With your support, Governor – we will overcome. Please know Nicholas County thanks you.”
To learn more about the award, see the full release.
Gov. Beshear Cuts Ribbon on New, Transformational Russell BridgeGov. Beshear said that yesterday, he ceremonially cut the ribbon on a new bridge into downtown Russell, which opens this month. The transformational project provides a signature gateway to the community, in addition to making much-needed improvements in traffic flow and safety for Kentuckians who travel through the corridor. The $24 million structure replaces a 1930s-era viaduct and complements an adjacent Ohio River bridge linking Russell and Ironton, Ohio. To learn more, see the full release.
Gov. Beshear Awards More Than $14 Million for Career and Technical EducationLast week, Gov. Beshear presented more than $14 million to support the construction of new Local Area Vocational Education Centers in Magoffin and Johnson counties.
“Now more than ever, Kentucky needs a multifaceted and skilled workforce to support an economy that’s on fire,” said Gov. Beshear. “Career and technical education is an integral part of building that workforce and giving each of our students a bright future and strong foundation.”
“This is an education-first administration, and we want our students to have the tools and skills they need to secure good-paying jobs,” said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. “From biomedical sciences to digital cinema production, the students will have the resources they need to be competitive in the job market.”
Gov. Beshear Presents More Than $2.4 Million in Boyd and Greenup CountiesYesterday, Gov. Beshear awarded $1.1 million to deliver clean drinking water and improve sewer and water infrastructure from the Better Kentucky Plan’s $250 million Cleaner Water Program. The program is estimated to create approximately 3,800 jobs across the state.
The Governor also presented more than $800,000 in flood control funding for Boyd County and $530,000 in school safety funding for Greenup County.
Michelle Searcy, Franklin Co. Health Department Staff Named Team Kentucky All-StarsToday, First Lady Britainy Beshear recognized Michelle Searcy, school nursing supervisor at the Franklin County Health Department, as a Team Kentucky All-Star.
“Through testing and now administering lifesaving vaccines, Kentuckians like Michelle are special. She and everyone working to support our local health departments have stepped up in so many ways,” said Mrs. Beshear. “And that is why I am proud to name her and her colleagues at the health department Team Kentucky All-Stars.”
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