With Moderna's vaccine potentially on the way, Mississippi's health officials plan for distribution of shots to more front-line workers and long term care residents.
And, the ten-month long pandemic has changed the way Mississippians live and grieve. We examine how the coronavirus has affected mental health in the state.
Then, how mitigation practices are changing the ways families engage withe Santa this holiday season.
Segment 1:
Hospitals across Mississippi are administering the first coronavirus vaccines to front-line healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. The first 25,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have gone primarily to at-risk health professionals. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers tells our Kobee Vance the first week of distribution has gone well, but more vaccine is needed to meet the needs of hospitals and long-term care facilities. We also hear from State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs and Dr. Emily Landrum of Starkville
Segment 2:
The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is launching a \"Behind the Mask Campaign\" to encourage residents to pay closer attention to their mental health and seek help when needed. Experts say feelings of anxiety and depression are common during the coronavirus pandemic, with contributing factors that include changes in employment, children learning from home, and death of loved ones. Molly Taylor is with the state department of mental health. She says a $1.6 million grant is allowing the department to fund 15 providers across the state to further offer mental health services. She examines the toll of the pandemic on Mississippi's mental health with our Ashley Norwood.
Segment 3:
How do you visit Santa in a pandemic? Of course, climbing on Santa’s lap in a crowded mall isn’t safe with COVID-19 surging across the South. But families and Santa are adapting. From W-B-H-M in Birmingham, Alabama, Andrew Yeager reports.
Segment 4:
Highway safety is a serious matter. But during this and other holiday seasons, a team from the Mississippi Department of Transportation is using a touch of levity to get those safe driving messages out. Michael Flood is with MDOT, he shares more about this year's messaging campaign and the importance of getting real-time information to Mississippi's motorists.
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