💉 COVID-ictionary: “Vaccine” (noun) “a preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease.”
Helping foster the feeling that there may be a bright light at the end of a very dark, socially-distanced + Zoom face-freezing tunnel, several COVID-19 vaccines were approved + released to the public toward the end of 2020.
Since the announcement of the vaccine rollout, we’ve seen quite a few questions about the process, the phases of distribution and the availability to the general public. So, we did a little research and have broken down the need-to-know details of South Carolina’s vaccine distribution plan.
Phases ○ Phase 1A – currently ongoing; deadline is this Friday, Jan. 15. Includes healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and staff, home health and hospice workers, dentists, dental hygienists/assistants, pharmacists, hospitalized individuals over 65 (who test negative for COVID). ○ Phase 1B – expected late winter 2021. Includes those over 75 (with or without underlying health conditions), frontline essential workers. ○ Phase 1C – expected early spring 2021. Includes continued essential workers, those 65-74 (with or without underlying health conditions), those 16-64 with underlying health conditions. ○ Phase 2 – expected late spring to fall 2021. Includes everyone who wishes to be vaccinated (widespread availability).
See additional details on who’s included in each phase here.
Last week, Gov. Henry McMaster announced that everyone eligible for a vaccination in Phase 1A must either receive the vaccine or schedule an appointment to do so by this Friday, Jan. 15. Those who wish to receive the vaccine and don’t meet the deadline will have to wait until Phase 1B.
Are you a part of Phase 1A, would like to be vaccinated and haven’t done so yet? Find information on scheduling a vaccination appointment here.
Pfizer-BioNTech vs. Moderna Currently, there are two COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved and are available in the US – Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. In South Carolina, all Moderna vaccine doses are currently being used for long-term care facility residents and staff. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses are available for all other Phase 1A recipients.
For more vaccine distribution information in South Carolina, check out the full COVID-19 Vaccine Plan here.
Weather ○ 52º | Scattered showers | 30%chance of rain
Gov ○ Gov. Henry McMasterannounced his Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Executive Budget on Friday. The budget includes a $500 million “Rainy Day Fund”, $123 million for small business grants, $35 million for classrooms + to resume step salary increases for teachers, and more. Read the full budget here.
Coronavirus ○ Hospital patients 65 or older(who haven’t tested positive for COVID-19)have been added to Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan. DHEC is encouraging hospitals to vaccinate these patients to ensure the most vulnerable are vaccinated quickly. ○ Over the weekend, new visitation restrictionswent into effect at Prisma Health hospitals. In general, visitation has been paused and hospital staff will facilitate virtual visits for patients. Limited visitation guidelines have been set for pediatric, OB, patients undergoing a sedative procedure and end-of-life situations. (Cola Daily) ○ Lexington Two’s remote learning period has been extended through Jan. 15. Activities, sporting events and in-person learning will resume Jan. 19. (WIS)
ComingSoon ○ It’s official, the BullStreet District Starbucks is opening this Friday, Jan. 15. Crews completed the project ahead of schedule, as the original opening date was planned for the spring.
Announced ○ The Five Points Association announced that the annual St. Pats in Five Points will not take place as the traditional large festival in 2021. However, the event committee is planning on a reduced version of the event, details of which haven’t been determined. (Post and Courier)
WaterCooler ○ For the first time in 34 years, Gamecock Football + the Virginia Tech Hokieswill meet at the 2025 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, which will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on either Aug. 31 or Sept. 1. The game will be the Gamecocks’ first appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game and the third for Virginia Tech. (Gamecocks Online) ○ Gamecock Football quarterback Collin Hill will not return for the 2021 season – instead, he’ll begin training for USC’s NFL pro timing day. The fifth-year senior transferred to UofSC for the 2020-2021 school year + followed coach Mike Bobo. (The State) ○ Following Gamecock Women’s Basketball’s pause last week, the men’s basketball team is now also paused due to positive COVID-19 tests– which is the team’s third pause of the season. (Post and Courier)
SodaCitizens ○ Crissy Roddy and Anna Duvall, school counselors in Lexington County School District One, published a resource book for counselors, practitioners and students titled “Managing Student Anxiety in School Settings”. The two were approached by a textbook company about writing the book following a presentation at a national conference on student anxiety. The book can be purchased here. (Cola Daily)
Biz ○ Coastal Carolina National Bank (CCNB), which is currently located on Assembly Street, has purchased and will renovate the former TD Bank building on Blossom Street. Following renovations, CCNB will move to the Blossom Street location, which it expects will take place in the spring. (The State)
Community ○ Did you know Columbia has a local chapter of the Podcast Brunch Club? It’s like a book club, but for podcast-listeners. This month’s theme is friendship + features five episodes. Sign up for the local chapter here.
NowOpen ○ If you’ve been to the new 20-acre public park in The BullStreet District recently, you’ve likely noticed the dreamy rooftop and lush patios over at Merrill Gardens. Here’s everything you need to know about Columbia’s newest senior living community. Ⓟ
Award ○ Lexington Medical Center is the first hospital in SC(and one of 30 in the country) to receive the HeartCARE Center™ National Distinction of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology. Learn more about this achievement + what it means. ❤️Ⓟ
Are you in search of a kitty in need of adoption?Pawmetto Lifeline is featuring their admin cats (which free roam their office areas) as “Pawffice” characters in an effort to boost adoption rates. Whether you identify more with Michael, Dwight or Jim, you can bring home a furry part of the show + help an animal in need.
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Watch ○ 2021 National Championship | Mon., Jan. 11 | 4 p.m. | The GRAND | Free | Watch the National Championship game while enjoying food + drink discounts, including bottomless boneless wings and a draft beer for $25. 🏈
Dish ○ Lobster Dogs Food Truck | Mon., Jan. 11 | 5-8 p.m. | Curiosity Coffee Bar | Free | Start your week off with a lobster roll from one of Columbia’s food trucks. 🦞
Show ○ Jokes @ The Joint| Mon., Jan. 11 | 7:30-10 p.m. | The Joint at 1710 Main | Free | Spend your night laughing at this week’s live comedy show. 😂
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Answered: On Friday, we asked if y’all enjoyed a good bloody mary as much as the COLAtoday team does and 61% answered that it’s not brunch without a bloody, while 24% said they would rather sip on a mimosa. Either way, we can cheers to that!
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