COVID-19 Archives

Beshear, lawmakers discuss possible coronavirus special session

by Ryland Barton
August 26, 2021

Special legislative sessions are politically tricky — partly because the governor is the only person allowed to call them. Generally, governors try to reach a consensus with lawmakers before calling them in to officially consider legislation.

Muhlenberg County cancels tourism events

by Rhonda Miller
August 25, 2021

In Central City, there are concerns about the community being a super-spreader of the delta variant following the death of local resident Brent Yonts, a former state representative, from COVID-19.

Alhambra will require masks for patrons

by Jennifer P. Brown
August 24, 2021

The policy starts with the Pennyroyal Arts Council's next concert, featuring the band Trigger Hippy, on Sept. 18.

Christian County school district reminds parents of mask mandate

by Jennifer P. Brown
August 23, 2021

An Aug. 12 mask mandate from the Kentucky Board of Education remains in force, despite a separate requirement from Gov. Andy Beshear that was lifted on Monday.

FDA gives full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

by Jennifer P. Brown
August 23, 2021

The approval was seen as a milestone in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic — in part because it could provide reassurance to those who have delayed getting vaccinated.

Many lack a sense of community and common sacrifice in pandemic, Silas House writes

by The Rural Blog
August 23, 2021

House, a Kentucky author, wrote an article for The Atlantic that begins with a recollection of his grandmother's stories of sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Ky. Supreme Court tells lower court to dissolve injunction blocking laws passed to limit Beshear’s executive orders

by Kentucky Health News
August 22, 2021

In an unusual Saturday ruling, the timing of which was not explained, all seven justices agreed that Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd abused his discretion in blocking the laws, which limit emergency orders to 30 days and call for his emergency pandemic declaration to expire on June 28.

Brent Yonts, a former state representative, dies from COVID-19

by Ryland Barton
August 20, 2021

Yonts was 72 years old and married to Janice Yonts, the mayor of Greenville. Family and former colleagues said he had been fully vaccinated.

Kentucky nursing homes worry vaccine mandate will create worker shortage

by Ryland Barton
August 20, 2021

Betsy Johnson, president of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities, said nursing home industry leaders strongly support their workers getting vaccinated, but many employees don’t want to.

Coronavirus surge spurs increase in ambulance runs

by Jennifer P. Brown
August 18, 2021

Local ambulance crews transported 25 COVID patients between Aug. 2 and 15, which is a significant increase in coronavirus-related calls previously this summer.

Bechler files bill to ban vaccine requirement by businesses

by Ryland Barton
August 18, 2021

The bill would expand Kentucky’s civil rights code, forbidding employers from requiring proof of vaccination in order to work or apply for a job.

COVID vaccination boosters will be available in mid-September, pending FDA approval

by Melissa Patrick
August 18, 2021

The boosters are needed to address waning immunity as a result of the highly contagious delta variant. For now, it will apply only to the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.