LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Gov. Bullock announces vaccination distribution plan

OFFICE OF GOV. STEVE BULLOCK

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock announced on Dec. 30 the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan has been updated to incorporate the new federal recommendations for allocation to critical groups in Montana and an estimated timeline. This follows nearly 17,000 Montanans being vaccinated in first couple weeks.

The updated plan outlines an estimated timeline for vaccine distribution in Phases 1a, 1b, 1c and then the last phase (Phase 2) when vaccines are expected to be available to all Montanans late spring or early summer 2021. The estimated timeline covers December 2020 through July 2021 and lists which groups are recommended to receive the vaccine in each phase.

Currently, Montana has launched Phase 1a that targets frontline healthcare workers and staff and residents of long-term care facilities. With a total of 16,990 healthcare personnel in Montana having now received their first vaccination dose, this phase is now being expanded to include additional healthcare workers with direct patient contact, such as dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists, optometrists, home health workers and others that fit the criteria.

The final phase is expected to launch in late spring or early summer for all Montanans ages 16 and older.

Implementation of the plan is contingent on vaccine availability.

Lone Peak High School teacher receives STEM Research Grant

EBS STAFF

BIG SKY – Out of 427 applicants, 100 teachers were chosen as recipients of the STEM Research Grant, including Big Sky’s own Dr. Kate Eisele, a biology teacher at Lone Peak High School.

The grant is from the Society for Science & the Public and it provides STEM research kits to middle and high school science educators from underserved communities to help students engage in scientific research outside of the classroom. The chosen recipients for 2020 hail from 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They will each choose from a variety of kits and receive supplies equivalent to $1,000.

This year in particular, the STEM Research Grants program was adapted in order to provide teachers with the tools to support at-home learning.

Eisele chose three spiker boxes, four foldscope kits, six animal cameras and three water quality test kits.

“I tried to pick things that kids could take home and use on their own, and that we could either use in class, or they could use independently,” Eisele said. “That’s my motivation, it fit with curriculum things and it fit with something they could potentially use at home without a lot of help from me.”

Second COVID-19 relief bill signed into law

EBS STAFF

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion COVID-19 relief and government funding bill into law on March 27, staving off a government shutdown.

The COVID-19 relief package articulated in the bill, valued in total at $900 billion, will extend unemployment benefits for certain pandemic unemployment programs, eviction bans and payroll assistance for small businesses. One part of the bill, though, may still be altered—the stimulus portion. Like the first COVID-19 relief package signed by Trump on March 27, stimulus checks will be sent to eligible adults, this time in the amount of $600 with an additional $600 per qualifying child under the age of 16—a significant cut from first stimulus’ cap at $1,200 and $500 per child.

Upon receiving the bill, Trump contested the $600 amount, asking that Congress raise the amount to $2,000 and offer more money to the American people. On March 28, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would bump the stimulus up to $2,000. As of EBS press time, the U.S. Senate had not yet made a decision on that bill.

Gallatin Rest Home residents, staff receive COVID-19 vaccine

GALLATIN MEDIA CENTER

BOZEMAN – On Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, the Gallatin Rest Home held a vaccination clinic for residents and staff who wished to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination.

There were 24 residents and 33 staff members who received their vaccinations. That represents 70 percent of all Gallatin Rest Home residents and approximately 50 percent of staff. The clinic was done through CVS staff from Helena, Missoula and Butte.

Gallatin Rest Home Administrator Darcel Vaughn said that staff and residents are very excited about the possibilities the COVID-19 vaccine brings.

“This is a big step moving toward the reopening of the nursing home to visitors,” Vaughn said. Resident Joyce Santos said getting the vaccine didn’t hurt and she is doing well after receiving her dose.

“This is something that everyone should do to protect yourself and others,” Santos said.