Thread by @PeteKaliner

NC Gov. Roy Cooper's regular COVID briefing gets underway at 3pm.
Video link: ncdps.gov/news-conference

As always, I'll be live-tweeting here. And, as always... my apologies too all y'all non-#NCpol followers.
:)

Gov:
Starts, as always, with case counts, deaths, hospitalizations.

NC's mission remains "fast and fair" vax. We've been recognized as the leader in the USA for collecting racial data on vax recipients.

#NCpol

Gov:
Let's not celebrate too soon, like a football player who gets the ball stripped before getting into the endzone.

#NCpol

Gov:
NCians have stepped up throughout the pandemic.
Compassionate resilience.
We continue to monitor progress to guide Executive Order decisions. If we do this right, we'll see more progress in Spring.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Getting to 1 million vaccinated is a great milestone.
Shout out to Chrissy for giving me my shot last week. It's a great feeling of relief. I was honored to get vax with Rev. Barber.
Doing another livestream fireside chat.
Focus on equity getting national attention.
#NCpol

Cohen:
Bloomberg said we're best at collecting the racial data. New ability to see local level racial data.
Vax supplies are increasing.
CDC new guidance on fully vax'd people can gather w/o masks.
But still must wear mask around non-vax'd in public.
#NCpol

Cohen:
If you're looking forward to hugging your loved ones again, then get vaccinated.
3Ws!

#NCpol

WRAL reporter Q:
What's your response to Berger's news conference that you're working on a school re-opening plan.

Gov:
Yes, I have been talking with people about getting schools open. I've urged schools to re-open since 2/3.
Not seen legislation yet.
#NCpol

Follow up Q:
Is there a metric when NC might make changes to mandates?

Gov:
We'll listen to health officials. And they want us to have mask mandate. Look forward to more progress.

#NCpol

N&O Q:
Can you tell us where you are on Berger negotiations?

Gov:
Haven't seen legislation yet. Hope to reach deal soon.
#NCpol

Follow up Q:
Where the compromise is? Local control or Plan A/B?

Gov:
Can't talk about the details. Hope for deal soon.

#NCpol

Winston-Salem Journal Q:
Oppose bill to fully open bars & restaurants?

Gov:
Ex. Order in pace. We're listening to health experts. Hope to ease EOs in future. 3Ws is way to keep numbers down until people are fully vax'd.

#NCpol

Gov:
I think we've saved lives by the actions we've taken.
Hope to get on other side of this soon.

#NCpol

Spectrum Q:
Shortages of syringes or vax materials?

Cohen:
Monitoring it. Haven't seen it.
Feds changed needles we use to get most vax out of vials.
#NCpol

Follow up Q:
Guidance on when vax for kids & <21?

Cohen:
Pfizer is eligible for 16+
Others are 18+
Clinical trials in NC underway for younger kids.

#NCpol

AP reporter Q:
Explain Phase 4 eligibility. No J&J dose delivery next week will affect Phase 4?

Gov:
Most vulnerable have had ability to get vax already.

Cohen:
We're getting more vax supplies. Greensboro FEMA site, too.
Latest 3/24, but could move up sooner.
#NCpol

WECT reporter Q:
Numbers on future shipments that might be coming?

Cohen:
Starting next week 225k first-doses.
Plus, J&J allocation in coming weeks ramp up in April.
Plus, feds vaxing at Walgreens & CVS.

#NCpol

FOX 46 reporter Q:
There has been one demographic lacking -- Hispanics. Why are they so hesitant?

Gov:
Can't know about a problem until you see it. This is why we track race & ethnicity. We've done a lot of outreach. Intentional effort. Number needs to get better.
#NCpol

Cohen:
With new info on dashboard, you can see we're getting better.
We're at 7% of Hispanic pop vax'd and they make up 9% of total pop. So, we're getting better.
Working with employers to do vax clinics in those communities.
All Spanish 'Fireside chat' last week.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Tell them that info is all private and we don't share anything with immigration agencies.

Briefing ends.
#NCpol