NATIONALLY

“President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a new goal of administering at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose to 70% of the US adult population and having 160 million US adults fully vaccinated by July 4. The pace of vaccinations has already been on the decline since reaching a peak about three weeks ago, CDC data shows.

To meet the new goal, Biden directed tens of thousands of pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy program to offer walk-in appointments and redirect Federal Emergency Management Agency resources to support more pop-up clinics, smaller community vaccination sites and more mobile clinics, senior administration officials said.The moves come as the Biden administration races to get shots in arms as variants spread throughout the country and threaten to derail the nation's progress in the fight against the pandemic.”

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LOCALLY

“As new coronavirus vaccination numbers drop, local health experts are concerned. Doctors with the University of Kansas Health System say it's unlikely our communities reach herd immunity – unless more people get their shots. They're watching the rollback of health and safety restrictions closely. Mask and social distancing” local community ordinances have now been dropped. So there are no more guidelines; other than “do whatever you want'; as has been the Missouri’s state guideline from the start."

"Kansas City Metro hospitals are currently now treating the highest number of COVID and serious ill coronavirus patients since January. Many are on ventilators; plus there have been new deaths.‘Time will tell which way we go with this, but it would not surprise me if we open up, see more disease and have to close back down again’ Dr. Steven Stites."

"Doctors say they have plenty of vaccine on hand and still recommend masking and social distancing in mixed company, when you don't know who around you is vaccinated.” However, it unfortunately doesn’t seem like a large portion of the population really care what doctors recommend. “Mixed company” will continue to be the rule – rather than the exception – in the KC Metro.

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PERSONAL OPINION

People’s actions will be what will keep this virus going. In turn, that will keep a complete and safe return to full “old normal” out of reach. I was hoping this gallery would mark the end of the COVID in the USA. I now doubt it…

The county in which we live also has the lowest vaccination rate in the Metro with it being close to 70% lower than the rest of the "city". Demand for the vaccine has also almost totally dried up in this county. So most residents are going unvaccinated by choice. Sadly, our future fate may depend on their actions.

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