Afternoon News Update, 3/12/21

By Stephen Leverton

Good afternoon this is Stephen Leverton with your 90.5 WASU news break. In local news, The Appalachian reports that App State has started its COVID-19 vaccine distribution. 310 people were vaccinated yesterday at the Holmes Convocation Center. As of now, only students working on campus or at other essential businesses and faculty members are able to get the vaccine. Anyone who is eligible for the vaccine will be able to get it for free.

In state news, The Appalachian reports that due to an increase in vaccine supply, Group 4 will start for those at high risk on March 17th rather than on March 24th. Governor Roy Cooper announced this change in schedule on March 11th. Those who are in group 4 are adults who have high-risk medical conditions and those who live in high-risk living conditions like jails or residential halls. As of March 11, 11% of North Carolinians have been fully vaccinated.

In national news, President Biden gave his first prime-time address to the American public last night, according to The New York Times. March 11th marked the one year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic. Biden discussed the pandemic, the newly signed COVID relief bill, and how every American will be eligible for the vaccine by May 1st. He predicts that we will return to some sort of normalcy by July 4th. As we’re coming closer to the end of this pandemic, please remember to wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay six feet away from everyone.

Your Boone weather is brought to you by booneweather.com. Friday’s weather is mostly cloudy with some showers in the evening. Spring is almost here as temperatures reach a high of 64 and a low of 45.