Community leaders joined forces to stress the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially among younger populations. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer has more on the push to get more people to roll up their sleeves.
With an increase of cases of COVID-19, including the more contagious delta variant, Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott urged the public to listen to medical experts.
“I know there is always going to be people with concerns following the vaccines, a lot of my family members have had it with no effects. We have also have been impacted by COVID-19 in our family.”
Also joining Scott during a news conference Wednesday in front of the Sioux City Public Museum, Executive Director of Siouxland District Health Kevin Grieme.
“Many times, Siouxland has found itself in a leadership role with initiatives across the state at this point we are lagging. I encourage everyone out there listening to get this vaccine.”
Woodbury County trails the state of Iowa’s vaccination rate of 47% with a level of 40%, it’s even half that number, 20% for those ages 12 to 17, the demographic heading back to school soon.
Local education leader Dr. Paul Gausman says Siouxlanders have always come together during difficult times to do the right thing.
“COVID-19 is no exception. The only way to win the battle that we can do to decrease cases here in Siouxland and across the country, and as the Superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District, I look forward to the day we can resume our education in the new normal with COVID-19 as part of the daily language.”
The Kind World Foundation’s Cassie Thompson says the non-profit has donated money to provide masks for school students and is also offering an incentive for vaccinations for younger people. They can be eligible to win a $200 gift card. Future details will be available through the Sioux City Community School Foundation.
“Now as the school year approaches with the with highly contagious delta variant vaccination being 40% and numbers ticking up, we’re not only concerned not only of the safety of children but the community at large.”
In the past seven days, Woodbury County added 122 new cases with a positivity rate of 9%. Local health officials would like that number to be 4% or below.
