On this West Virginia Morning, discovery in a woodshop led a punk rock musician to connect with a retired banjo maker and his handmade tools. Also, we have the latest statehouse news and we listen to this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has been celebrated for its efficiency at distributing the coronavirus vaccine, but a local faith group is trying to make sure it is just as good at distributing vaccines to people of color. Also, in this show, we have updates from West Virginia’s statehouse, and we explore community revitalization during the pandemic.
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Chamear Davis, 34 (second to left) is administering COVID-19 vaccines through the Partnership of African American Churches in Dunbar.
Just northwest of Charleston sits an unassuming church that serves Dunbar residents’ spiritual needs. But on Saturday, Institute Church Of Nazarene opened its recreation center to meet the community’s physical needs, with a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for a mostly black clientele.
“They’re doing a wonderful job with the set-up and everything,” said Brenda Badger, 59. She made the 10 mile drive from Charleston to get her first Moderna dose. After getting her shot, she sat on a fold-out chair in a small gymnasium.
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The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department hosted a COVID-19 vaccine in Rand, WV, just 8 miles Southeast of Charleston in February.
As more people in West Virginia get their shot, the state is diversifying how it gets COVID-19 vaccines out to people. With a goal to get shots in everyone’s arm, the state and local health departments are figuring out how to reach everyone, no matter their location or demographics.
One way to reach certain folks is through smaller clinics outside of city centers. And these small community clinics are relying on small community outreach.
If you live in Kanawha County, and are lucky enough to get scheduled for your vaccine shot, you’ll probably end up driving downtown to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Most weekends, it’s open for a mass vaccination clinic.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state’s vaccine rollout is hailed as one of the best in the nation. Still, so many people are waiting in line. We explore how those with chronic health conditions are trying to get a shot sooner rather than later. Also, we hear the latest in a lawsuit against Union Carbide and reaction from Democrats to the governor’s State of the State address.