Thread by @PeteKaliner

NC Governor's COVID briefing starting.

ncdps.gov/news-conference

#NCpol

Gov:
Cases rising.
We're monitoring the data
Do the 3 Ws.
I have newfound hope in vaccines.
Should be available soon & our job will be to get them to people quickly. Our DHHS has been working on a distribution plan.
#NCpol

Gov:
We'll get Pfizer vaccine which needs ultra-cold storage.

Vaccine will be free. Health workers will get it first.

#NCpol

Gov:
I have confidence in the vaccine process. When it's my turn to get the vaccine I will roll up my sleeve.

Here's Health Secretary Mandy Cohen.

Cohen:
Our numbers are worrisome. Too many people are becoming seriously ill. Record levels of hospitalizations.

#NCpol

Cohen:
In 11 months, COVID has killed 5,000.
The flu killed 1,500 in 10 years.

3 Ws will prevent people from getting sick and save lives.

#NCpol

Cohen explains how vaccines work.
Cohen explains how the vaccine development & approval processes work.
An advisory committee developed an "equitable" distribution plan for who gets the vaccine first.

#NCpol

Cohen:
High risk health care workers & hospitals.
Long term care staff & residents.

We hope to vaccinate high risk populations in January.

Limited supplies at first.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Having a vaccine is not a quick fix. It will take several months for everyone to get a vaccine.
So, keep doing the 3 Ws until we all get vaccinated.

#NCpol

Cooper:
We need federal assistance.

3 Ws
Don't give up now!
Wearing masks = boost to economy.

Thanks to Asheville, Buncombe County, Winston-Salem that are increasing enforcement of my #SHEO.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Will you put new restrictions in place within the next week?

Gov:
We'll do what we need to do - to keep people safe. But we have strong protocols in place already.
If people will abide them & gov't enforce them, we can avoid going backwards.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Rumor last week that you're considering a 9pm curfew.

Gov:
We continue to look at all options. All options on the table.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Will teachers, staff, & first responders get first priority to get vaccine?

Gov:
We are using that independent advisory committee recommendations on who gets the vaccine first.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Yes, as we explained 5 minutes ago... there's a process recommended by advisory group.
(Cohen restates all of her earlier comments about this.)

#NCpol

Reporter follow-up Q:
So, beyond all those people you mentioned... who will be the NEXT group?

Cohen:
We have a full list that is published on the website.
(Cohen restates (again) the priority groups.)

#NCpol

Gov:
We want people to get vaccinated when it's your turn. We have concerns that people won't get it.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
High profile infections in Pitt County... does it need to do more?

Gov:
Anyone can get it. Community spread across entire state. We want people to set an example about what they can do to reduce the number of people getting sick and dying.
3Ws.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Has politicization decreased?

Gov:
We're all in this together. Wear a mask for others. More people understand that science is clear & masks reduce spread & protects people around you.
Masks show you care about other people.

#NCpol

Reporter follow-up Q:
You're expressing confidence in the vaccine - are you worried you might be overstating it's effectiveness?

Cohen:
Prelim data shows high rates of preventing COVID - about 90%. FDA had originally wanted to see 50%.
Scientists I respect endorse it.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Why Pfizer for NC?

Gov:
It's the first one that requested authorization. Our hospitals can cold store the 84,800 doses.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Federal government plans to do weekly distribution of vaccines.
About 85,000 on the first round.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Forsyth shows test positive % that is much higher at the county level than the state dashboard. Which is correct, and why the constant discrepancy?

Cohen:
Forsyth has more spread. High levels across the state.
Limit social circles.
Take out > dine in.
3Ws

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Will the doses arrive by Thanksgiving? Will mask mandate be relaxed?

Cohen:
2 vaccines in FDA approval process.
Allocations after Dec. 15-17.
Don't know for sure.
We need to wear masks at Christmas.

#NCpol

Reporter follow up Q:
100 youth soccer teams coming to Raleigh this weekend. Concerned about impact?

Gov:
I would be concerned. People need to abide by mass gathering limits.

Cohen:
We discourage tournaments. They are required to wear masks.
#NCpol

Final Reporter Q:
Who establishes co-morbidities?

Cohen:
We list the conditions in our plan.

#NCpol

Reporter follow-up Q:
Self reporting the co-morbidities? How does that get policed?

Cohen:
Self-reporting. Not require a doctors note.

*COVID briefing ends.*
#NCpol

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