By Stephen Leverton
In local news, The Appalachian reports that SGA elections that concluded Monday, April 5th with a new president and vice president, 20 new and returning senators, and two referendums that both passed. One of the referendums called for the director of diversity and inclusion and the diversity and inclusion committee to remain permanent, while the other would put $2 in student fees towards the Renewable Energy Initiative. Compared to last year, the 2021 SGA election showed a low turnout of 1,421 votes. SGA will have a fall election during the Fall 2021 semester where all 80 senate seats will be open.
In state news, The News and Observer reports that COVID-19 positive rates have reached higher than a 5% statewide. Health officials have stated that in order for North Carolina to continue to control the spread, the positivity rate must be at or below 5%. Since February, the rate of spreading has plateaued. Currently, 22% of adults in North Carolina have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In national news, NBC News reports that 1 in 4 adults in the US have been fully vaccinated. 40% of adults and 75% of seniors have received at least one shot. South Dakota, New Mexico, and Alaska are all leading other states with 30% of their citizens fully vaccinated. Since President Biden announced back in March that he hopes to see 200 million vaccines distributed by the end of his 100 days, the US has experienced 2 to 3 million shots a day. Biden also announced that starting April 19th, all adults will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Your Boone weather is brought to you by booneweather.com. Friday’s weather is partially cloudy with some afternoon showers. Possible thunderstorms as well as the high today reaches 70 degrees and the low drops down to 50.