Developmental Disability Community wants to be moved up on the list for COVID vaccine
As the US continues to face a rising number of COVID virus cases and shortages of vaccine, California is reporting a second highest number of coronavirus deaths. California is one of many states struggling to get vaccines; it's the same story in Florida. And Ed Donahue reports New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says 23,000 New Yorkers been turned away this week from receiving their dose vaccine because it wasn't available. Less than half the 36 million doses distributed to states been administered so far. It's a new daily record for virus deaths in the US on Wednesday, with more than 4400. It brings the total death count to more than 404,000. January is now the second deadliest month the of the pandemic. WSB's Amanda Moyer reports Georgia has almost 150 new COVID-related deaths and more than 57,100 cases. Georgia ranks 6th worst in the nation for the rate of coronavirus. The White House coronavirus task force, the final one under the Trump administration, shows Georgia climbing the rankings with new deaths in the state to 14th, up from 43rd the week before. A federal report puts all but eight of George's 159 counties in the red zone for new infections. Advocates in Georgia pushed to have people with developmental disabilities moved up to the front of the line for COVID vaccines. One parent wants the governor to put the developmental disability community in the same category as individuals over 65. Her teenage son has cerebral palsy and she tells Channel 2 Action News that high fever can cause seizures. Eric Jacobson, executive director of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities says Georgia has not been as sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities as other States. Hundreds of people were turned away at a drive-through COVID vaccination site in DeKalb County, even though they had appointments. The County Board of Health blames the issue a system error at the site.
This radio clip ran five times on WSB-AM radio on 1/21/2021.
