social distancing
Legislatures across country back off pandemic protocols
Despite the explosive spread of the omicron variant, many statehouses are attempting to conduct business as usual As Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney walked the halls of the Kansas Statehouse on opening day of the legislative session this month, she was taken aback by what she saw. In the hallways, where "people are chatting and hugging and all that stuff, there were probably less than half of the people wearing masks...
NC’s governor lifts most statewide pandemic restrictions
After months of reminding the public to mask-up and keep their distance, Governor Roy Cooper announced Friday that North Carolina would be lifting its gathering limits, social distancing requirements, and indoor mask mandate in most circumstances. The news comes one day after the Centers for Disease Control announced Thursday a shift in federal guidelines, allowing […]
CDC says it’s OK for students to sit three feet apart in classrooms
NCAE calls on CDC to provide a more detailed explanation for the change WASHINGTON — Federal health officials have revised their guidance to schools on how far apart students should be spaced in a classroom, now saying desks can be placed 3 feet apart instead of 6 feet to limit the spread of COVID-19. The […]
CDC spells out new and hopeful scenarios under which vaccinated people can gather safely
WASHINGTON — People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely socialize inside with other vaccinated individuals without wearing masks or maintaining distance, federal health officials advised Monday in their first formal guidance for vaccinated Americans. Perhaps more critically at a time when more than 90% of Americans are still waiting to be fully vaccinated, […]
UNC basketball celebration: An unsurprising reminder of some inconvenient truths about the pandemic
There’s been a good deal of public handwringing and expressions of frustration from university leaders and public health officials in recent days in the aftermath of Saturday night’s impromptu street celebration by thousands of joyful UNC hoops fans. Many in the crowd — comprised mostly of UNC students reveling in their school’s victory over arch […]
Weekend humor from Celia Rivenbark: Bridging our great national divide…or maybe just dealing with it
The elderly woman approached our table, her arm hooked through that of a younger companion, probably her daughter, who was wearing a MAGA mask 12 days post Biden victory. “Ahhhh! Here’s some folks who like President Trump!” the older woman said with obvious delight. Six faces stared back. My forkful of overpriced cheese grits hovered […]
Like the others, Trump Greenville rally appears to violate White House Coronavirus Task Force recommendations
As President Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Greenville this afternoon, his own coronavirus task force was asking North Carolinians to follow CDC guidelines that specifically discourage events like it. The CDC guidelines are referenced in a new report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, dated Sunday, Oct. 11, and made public Wednesday. […]
“Phase One” of NC’s modified stay at home order begins Friday
Friday marks the beginning of the “Phase One” plan for reopening North Carolina businesses and institutions closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes to Gov. Roy Cooper’s initial stay at home order are not dramatic in this initial phase. Bars and restaurants are still closed to any service but take-out and delivery, entertainment venues, […]
UNC-Chapel Hill considering timing of graduation, return for fall semester
Seniors at UNC-Chapel Hill may have to wait as late as October to have their graduation ceremony, Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz told a faculty committee meeting Monday. Students could return for the fall semester by mid-August, he said, but that could change as the university continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have some of the […]
Gov. Cooper issues new orders and recommendations on social distancing, long-term care, unemployment insurance
It’s hard to imagine that Gov. Cooper, HHS Secretary Cohen or any of their staff members are getting much sleep these days. The administration has been a veritable beehive of activity in recent weeks that’s produced a truly astounding torrent of information and directives. This afternoon has been no different. Here’s the latest release: Governor […]
Social distancing policies might need extended past April to ensure hospital bed supply
If North Carolina’s social distancing policies end this month as scheduled, there is a 50% chance that hospitals statewide could not handle the number of patients infected with COVID-19. That is the conclusion of statistical modeling conducted by university and government researchers and released today. “To save lives we need to make sure we flatten […]