KENTON RECORDER
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COVID Watch: Vaccine could arrive as soon as next month, Dr. Stack says Deborah Yetter Louisville Courier Journal and Grace
Schneider
Louisville Courier Journal USA TODAY NETWORK
Kentucky could see its fi rst doses of a vaccine against COVID-19 as soon as next month, which would be a welcome development in a state where cases surged past 100,000 in October, along with rising numbers of hospitalizations and deaths. Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, told a legislative panel Oct. 28 that the fi rst of about a half-dozen vaccines under development could soon be available. “We are cautiously hopeful that the most vulnerable in Kentucky, fi rst responders, health care workers, should have access to doses of some vaccines by mid-December,” Stack told members of the House-Senate interim Health, Welfare and Family Services Committee. But it will take more than a year to make the vaccine available to everyone, Stack said, because of the limited, initial supplies and the enormous eff ort required to distribute and administer a vaccine in a nation of about 330 million people. “It is a massive logistical challenge,” he said. Federal health offi cials, in conjunction with states, have developed plans to administer the vaccine in phases, starting with health workers and vulnerable populations, such as the elderly in nursing homes, which have been ravaged by the coronavirus. In Kentucky, nursing home residents account for more than half the 1,489 deaths linked to COVID-19 since March. Lawmakers at the hearing had questions. Among them:
COVID-19 vaccine development in September 2020 in New Orleans. CHERYL GERBER/COURTESY OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON VIA AP
Will a vaccine be mandatory?
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, says the fi rst of about a half-dozen vaccines under development could soon be available. But it will take more than a year to make the vaccine available to everyone because of the limited, initial supplies.
No, Stack replied, saying no public health offi cials have proposed making a COVID-19 vaccine required by law. “The only thing we hope to do is make it as available to everyone who can potentially benefi t from it,” he said.
How will the state persuade people skeptical of the vaccine? Stack said the state is working with community health offi cials and others on a survey about public attitudes towards a COVID-19 vaccine and will use the information to reach people with answers to their questions.
MATT STONE/
See VACCINE, Page 2A
COURIER JOURNAL
Covington bans natural hair discrimination Sarah Brookbank Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
On Oct. 27, Covington became the fi rst city in Kentucky to adopt protections from discrimination related to hair texture and hairstyles commonly associated with a particular race or natural origin. Offi cials said the Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to add the provisions of The CROWN Act – an acronym that stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” – into the City’s Human Rights Ordinance. The provision forbids race-based hair discrimination that denies employment or educational opportunities because of hair texture, hairstyles, and protective hair coverings, offi cials said. “I showed up today with my naturally curly hair, just like I promised I would. I’ve put myself out there, on the line here,” said Commissioner Michelle Williams, who proposed the protection. She wore her hair natural to celebrate
the provisions’ anticipated passage. “Ever since I’ve been in politics, I’ve felt I’ve had to wear my hair straight – that’s the whole ‘fi tting in’ pressure,” Williams said. “Culturally, there are all kinds of diff erent types of hairstyles and coverings, but people tend not to accept cultural diff erences when it comes to hair styles.” In 2019, Cincinnati City Council voted 7-1 to add a similar ordinance, which made it illegal to discriminate against people with natural hair. The ordinance’s sponsor, councilman Chris Seelbach, called it “one more step along an important path toward leveling the playing fi eld in the community.” Kentucky State Rep. Attica Scott has also proposed statewide legislation to ban discrimination on natural hair. “We have a unique ability to recognize that the diff erences that make up our city is one of our strengths,” Covington Commissioner Tim Downing said. “This will continue to attract people to our city.”
Covington’s ordinance forbids race-based discrimination that denies employment or educational opportunities because of hair texture, styles and protective coverings. REVIEWED.COM/PROVIDED
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