Beginning in mere moments... @NC_Governor Roy Cooper's COVID briefing.
I will live-tweet here.
Apologies for non-#NCpol followers. :)
You can watch the carefully-managed theater here: ncdps.gov/news-conference
Gov:
952k cases
1,963 new cases since
1,168 hospitalized
12,480 dead
We continue to make progress.
Stable trends. But numbers are not yet declining.
Our strong protocols are why we avoided surge overwhelming hospitals.
We struck the right balance.
Gov:
We continue to monitor trends here & in other state. Let's not be one of those states where there are sharp increases.
We're so close.
3 Ws.
Get vax'd.
Cohen:
If we work together, we can bring back summer to NC!
Cohen:
Metrics are stable.
More than 70% of people 65+ are fully vax'd.
Masks will still be important -- even when we lift restrictions in June.
If we get to 2/3 vax'd, we could lift mask mandate & lift other restrictions.
(At some point? Cohen didn't define.) #NCpol
Cohen:
Bring Back Summer campaign going to launch - aimed at getting 2/3 of adults vax'd.
My daughters want summer back. So do I. Until enough of us are vax'd, we aren't done just yet.
(No mention of people with natural immunity.) #NCpol
Cohen:
Keep masking. Get tested if you have symptoms - even if vax'd.
WRAL reporter Q:
No change to mask mandate on June 1 ? Target date for that?
Gov:
We'll keep mask mandate through May. We'll announce what kind next week.
After June 1, we hope it will only apply for people at public places indoors.
If we get to 2/3, we hope to lift all. #NCpol
Follow-up reporter Q:
I think you made a lot of people really happy with that announcement.
Still getting complaints about unemployment benefits & rental assistance issues.
Gov:
We know it's tough. We've give a lot of money. Appeals process is hard. We added more staff. #NCpol
Gov:
HOPE program has given millions of $ to thousands to pay rent & utilities. Money goes directly to landlords & utilities.
Changes were made to law by #NCGA, and working to implement those.
New requirements with new fed money.
N&O reporter Q:
During her visit, did you talk with VP about any future role in the administration?
Gov:
We talked about how well we've done. And how great Biden-Harris has done.
Talked about new jobs, clean energy.
Winston-Salem Journal reporter Q:
View on re-opening bills? EMA fix?
Gov:
Evidence is clear we're doing this right, when you look at stats showing per capita NC has among the fewest deaths and fewest job losses.
After this is over, glad to discuss Ex & Leg powers.
Gov:
We want everyone to get vax'd. How we turn corner. Easy to get them now. Lots will get vax, we just have to work to get it done.
Lot of hospital capacity.
We're protecting most vulnerable. Significant decline in deaths.
ABC-11 reporter Q:
What an honor! Thanks so much!
Thank God we know the virus doesn't transmit outside & between kids. Why would kids have to wear masks at camp outside?
Cohen:
Kids can't get vax. Heading in the right direction.
#ChauvinTrial -- Judge is now giving the jury instructions.
Closing arguments are over.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson now alleging prosecutorial misconduct, because the prosecutor made multiple accusations that the defense lied in presenting its case.
"There's lot of law on this."
Dangerous variants.
We're consulting with health experts. Science & data.
Soon we'll give you a forecast of things you can do safely for July 4th.
Lots of vax'd. We're doing better than even we predicted!
Numbers have remained relatively low & stable.
Trends look good, but keeping watchful & concerned eye on COVID variants in our state - they could spread more easily & make us sicker.
NC Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee is making the same excuse for agreeing to the latest "sue & settle" deal that Board of Elections officials made when they agreed to their own deal. Ishee says it was taking a lot of their time.