LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Another three Nebraska prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services on Friday announced.

Two of the sick staffers work at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, and the other ill staffer works at the Lincoln Correctional Center.

The state correctional department said the workers at self-isolating at their homes.

The announcement comes after the agency reported another three infected staffers Wednesday and six more sick workers Thursday.

On Tuesday, the agency announced that an inmate in his 70s had died after contracting the virus.

So far 359 Nebraska prison workers have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Most have recovered, but roughly 100 are still ill.

Statewide, the Nebraska health department reports at least 136,325 people have tested positive for the virus statewide so far.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Another three Nebraska prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services on Friday announced.Two of the sick staffers work at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, and the other ill staffer works at the Lincoln Correctional Center.The state correctional department said the workers at self-isolating at their homes.The announcement comes after the agency reported another three infected staffers Wednesday and six more sick workers Thursday.On Tuesday, the agency announced that an inmate in his 70s had died after contracting the virus.So far 359 Nebraska prison workers have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Most have recovered, but roughly 100 are still ill.Statewide, the Nebraska health department reports at least 136,325 people have tested positive for the virus statewide so far.

More Nebraska prison staff test positive for virus

By Kerri Rempp, Discover Northwest Nebraska Director

The global COVID-19 pandemic has upset the status quo in all sorts of ways this year, but at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Northwest Nebraska, the staff is using the pandemic to expand the park’s offerings.

“2020 has been unique for all of us, but even through all of that, we started the year off very well,” said Superintendent Dan Morford. “The staff here was very resourceful.”

Established in 1965, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument south of Harrison features exhibits and walking trails that detail the ancient mammals that called the region home, ranging from small rhinos and gazelle camels to burrowing land beavers and the large Moropus, an animal that resembled a cross between a horse and a ground sloth. The park is also home to the famed Cook Collection, which showcases the relationship between rancher James Cook and Native American Chief Red Cloud and other Plains Indians.

While the Agate Fossil Beds visitors’ center was forced to close for part of the year during the pandemic, the park remained open to visitors.

“The trails are still wide open from sunrise to sunset,” Morford said, adding that the picnic shelters are also available for use. Rangers at Agate Fossil Beds also set up an outdoor visitors’ center inside a tent that included appropriate social distancing measures, allowing staff to greet visitors and answer questions. The main visitors’ center re-opened in September, though the Cook gallery of Native American artifacts remains closed due to its smaller confines, Morford said.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is unique in the National Park system in large part due to its distinction as one of a handful of parks focused on a region’s fossil record.

“You get to walk the grounds where different mammals used to roam, and in that you get exposure to the prairie. And the Niobrara River runs through the park,” Morford said. Agate is the first interpretive stop after the Wyoming-based headwaters of the Niobrara River, where visitors can learn about the river.

Add in wildlife sightings and the ability to sit and hear the breeze through the cattails or a variety of birds singing, along with views of the river, prairie and rock outcroppings, and Agate offers a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience, Morford said.

“It’s a beautiful, quiet (spot),” he added. “We had visitors a few weeks ago that said ‘we did not realize places like this still existed.’”

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the park to cancel its slate of onsite programming this year, which typically includes star parties, writing workshops, ranger talks and artists-in-residence, as well as its Boxing Day celebration. School field trips and ranger visits to schools have also been halted. In their place, however, rangers hosted Facebook Live events and created other digital programming.

“We’re really looking at how to use this whole experience to take us to a widened perspective on what we can offer to visitors and (to followers) on social media,” Morford said.

Staff tested the waters on a small scale in 2020 and will look to expand those offerings in 2021 with You Tube videos and safe, outdoor 5-7 minute “popcorn talks,”, all of which can add to the experience of visiting Agate Fossil Beds even after the pandemic subsides, Morford said.

Online offerings aren’t entirely new for Agate Fossil Beds, as the park implemented distance learning opportunities in 2014. Lead Park Ranger Alvis Mar said the distance learning programs focus on the park’s main themes of geology, paleontology and the culture of the Northern Plains Native Americans. Since its inception, the distance learning lessons have been primarily made available to school groups that cannot visit Agate Fossil Beds in person due to distance.

Schools in eastern Nebraska and from across the country have taken advantage of distance learning lessons, the complexity of which increases with the age of the students. Mar, a former science teacher, has also custom-built lesson plans for schools if they are interested in other topics, such as the region’s ecosystem or career exploration. The recent addition of Education Ranger Jeremy Hoyt, who was a history and English major, will provide a broader variety of programs in the future.

An on-site field trip to Agate Fossil Beds typically lasts three to four hours and includes hikes on either the Fossil Hills or Daemonelix Trails. Distance learning lessons, by contrast, last anywhere from 20-90 minutes. In 2020, Mar has noticed that sessions have been lasting a bit longer as there are more questions, and park staff is willing to accommodate leaving the session open to answer those.

“We want them to understand that fossils are not just dinosaurs. It’s the full spectrum of life,” he said.

To accomplish that goal, the rangers work to make their distance learning activities interactive to increase engagement and retention.

“That’s the key to our success,” Mar said.

Students might play a game of charades to learn about Old Faithful or use the force of their hands pushing against each other to demonstrate how mountains are formed, Mar said.

“Even doing distance learning, we can do a lot to help kids hone in on the concepts,” he noted.

Distance learning requests have stayed relatively stable in 2020, as the park is typically at capacity in teaching the lessons due to staffing levels. Hoyt’s addition to the staff will allow Agate Fossil Beds to offer more slots, Mar said, but 2020 has seen another major change and that is the increased number of requests for home-schooled students.

“Homeschool is a newer audience for us,” Mar said.

Agate Fossil Beds works closely with ESU 13, so its programming aligns well with the Nebraska standards. About half of the park’s distance learning lessons are delivered to in-state students, and half to out-of-state students. Even regional schools who visit the park in person often take advantage of distance learning, providing students with a brief introduction to the park online before their field trip, Mar said.

The park is using the lessons learned during the pandemic to build a catalog of videos that will be available on its website in the future, which will allow teachers to select from short snippets to augment their own lesson plans throughout the year.

“Essentially, we’ll have self-serve opportunities for teachers,” Mar said.

With Hoyt now on board, and expanded digital offerings coming soon, Agate Fossil Beds also hopes to broaden its digital programming reach beyond schools. Mar has worked with summer camps in the past and would also like to make the digital programming available to civic groups, museums, nursing homes and assisted living centers.

To learn more about Agate Fossil Beds distance learning programming, call 308-665-4110 or 308-436-9760.

By Kerri Rempp, Discover Northwest Nebraska Director<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607112644333.jpeg" alt="The trails and picnic shelters at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument have remained open for use throughout the pandemic. Photo by Kerri Rempp/Discover Northwest Nebraska" />
 <figcaption>The trails and picnic shelters at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument have remained open for use throughout the pandemic. Photo by Kerri Rempp/Discover Northwest Nebraska</figcaption>
 </figure>The global COVID-19 pandemic has upset the status quo in all sorts of ways this year, but at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Northwest Nebraska, the staff is using the pandemic to expand the park’s offerings.“2020 has been unique for all of us, but even through all of that, we started the year off very well,” said Superintendent Dan Morford. “The staff here was very resourceful.”Established in 1965, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument south of Harrison features exhibits and walking trails that detail the ancient mammals that called the region home, ranging from small rhinos and gazelle camels to burrowing land beavers and the large Moropus, an animal that resembled a cross between a horse and a ground sloth. The park is also home to the famed Cook Collection, which showcases the relationship between rancher James Cook and Native American Chief Red Cloud and other Plains Indians.While the Agate Fossil Beds visitors’ center was forced to close for part of the year during the pandemic, the park remained open to visitors.“The trails are still wide open from sunrise to sunset,” Morford said, adding that the picnic shelters are also available for use. Rangers at Agate Fossil Beds also set up an outdoor visitors’ center inside a tent that included appropriate social distancing measures, allowing staff to greet visitors and answer questions. The main visitors’ center re-opened in September, though the Cook gallery of Native American artifacts remains closed due to its smaller confines, Morford said.Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is unique in the National Park system in large part due to its distinction as one of a handful of parks focused on a region’s fossil record.“You get to walk the grounds where different mammals used to roam, and in that you get exposure to the prairie. And the Niobrara River runs through the park,” Morford said. Agate is the first interpretive stop after the Wyoming-based headwaters of the Niobrara River, where visitors can learn about the river.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607112674291.jpeg" alt="The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument visitors' center re-opened in September after being closed to the public during the summer due to the pandemic. The Cook Gallery remains closed, however. Photo by Kerri Rempp/Discover Northwest Nebraska" />
 <figcaption>The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument visitors' center re-opened in September after being closed to the public during the summer due to the pandemic. The Cook Gallery remains closed, however. Photo by Kerri Rempp/Discover Northwest Nebraska</figcaption>
 </figure>Add in wildlife sightings and the ability to sit and hear the breeze through the cattails or a variety of birds singing, along with views of the river, prairie and rock outcroppings, and Agate offers a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience, Morford said.“It’s a beautiful, quiet (spot),” he added. “We had visitors a few weeks ago that said ‘we did not realize places like this still existed.’”The COVID-19 pandemic forced the park to cancel its slate of onsite programming this year, which typically includes star parties, writing workshops, ranger talks and artists-in-residence, as well as its Boxing Day celebration. School field trips and ranger visits to schools have also been halted. In their place, however, rangers hosted Facebook Live events and created other digital programming.“We’re really looking at how to use this whole experience to take us to a widened perspective on what we can offer to visitors and (to followers) on social media,” Morford said.Staff tested the waters on a small scale in 2020 and will look to expand those offerings in 2021 with You Tube videos and safe, outdoor 5-7 minute “popcorn talks,”, all of which can add to the experience of visiting Agate Fossil Beds even after the pandemic subsides, Morford said.Online offerings aren’t entirely new for Agate Fossil Beds, as the park implemented distance learning opportunities in 2014. Lead Park Ranger Alvis Mar said the distance learning programs focus on the park’s main themes of geology, paleontology and the culture of the Northern Plains Native Americans. Since its inception, the distance learning lessons have been primarily made available to school groups that cannot visit Agate Fossil Beds in person due to distance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607112789505.jpeg" alt="Agate Fossil Beds Lead Ranger Alvis Mar describes the Niobrara River and prairie ecosystem during a distance learning lesson. Photo courtesy of Agate Fossil Beds" />
 <figcaption>Agate Fossil Beds Lead Ranger Alvis Mar describes the Niobrara River and prairie ecosystem during a distance learning lesson. Photo courtesy of Agate Fossil Beds</figcaption>
 </figure>Schools in eastern Nebraska and from across the country have taken advantage of distance learning lessons, the complexity of which increases with the age of the students. Mar, a former science teacher, has also custom-built lesson plans for schools if they are interested in other topics, such as the region’s ecosystem or career exploration. The recent addition of Education Ranger Jeremy Hoyt, who was a history and English major, will provide a broader variety of programs in the future.An on-site field trip to Agate Fossil Beds typically lasts three to four hours and includes hikes on either the Fossil Hills or Daemonelix Trails. Distance learning lessons, by contrast, last anywhere from 20-90 minutes. In 2020, Mar has noticed that sessions have been lasting a bit longer as there are more questions, and park staff is willing to accommodate leaving the session open to answer those.“We want them to understand that fossils are not just dinosaurs. It’s the full spectrum of life,” he said.To accomplish that goal, the rangers work to make their distance learning activities interactive to increase engagement and retention.“That’s the key to our success,” Mar said.Students might play a game of charades to learn about Old Faithful or use the force of their hands pushing against each other to demonstrate how mountains are formed, Mar said.“Even doing distance learning, we can do a lot to help kids hone in on the concepts,” he noted.Distance learning requests have stayed relatively stable in 2020, as the park is typically at capacity in teaching the lessons due to staffing levels. Hoyt’s addition to the staff will allow Agate Fossil Beds to offer more slots, Mar said, but 2020 has seen another major change and that is the increased number of requests for home-schooled students.“Homeschool is a newer audience for us,” Mar said.Agate Fossil Beds works closely with ESU 13, so its programming aligns well with the Nebraska standards. About half of the park’s distance learning lessons are delivered to in-state students, and half to out-of-state students. Even regional schools who visit the park in person often take advantage of distance learning, providing students with a brief introduction to the park online before their field trip, Mar said.The park is using the lessons learned during the pandemic to build a catalog of videos that will be available on its website in the future, which will allow teachers to select from short snippets to augment their own lesson plans throughout the year.“Essentially, we’ll have self-serve opportunities for teachers,” Mar said.With Hoyt now on board, and expanded digital offerings coming soon, Agate Fossil Beds also hopes to broaden its digital programming reach beyond schools. Mar has worked with summer camps in the past and would also like to make the digital programming available to civic groups, museums, nursing homes and assisted living centers.To learn more about Agate Fossil Beds distance learning programming, call 308-665-4110 or 308-436-9760.

Pandemic drives innovation at Agate Fossil Beds

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled House has approved a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level. 

The bill would reverse what supporters called a failed policy of criminalizing pot use and take steps to address racial disparities in enforcement of federal drug laws. 

Opponents, mostly Republicans, called the bill a hollow political gesture and mocked Democrats for bringing up the measure at a time when thousands of Americans are dying from the coronavirus pandemic. 

The bill now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it is unlikely to move forward.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled House has approved a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level. The bill would reverse what supporters called a failed policy of criminalizing pot use and take steps to address racial disparities in enforcement of federal drug laws. Opponents, mostly Republicans, called the bill a hollow political gesture and mocked Democrats for bringing up the measure at a time when thousands of Americans are dying from the coronavirus pandemic. The bill now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it is unlikely to move forward.

House votes to decriminalize marijuana at federal level

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of coronavirus cases continues to grow within Nebraska's prison system.

 The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release late Thursday that six staff members across the state's system had tested positive for the virus. That's in addition to another three infected staffers announced on Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, the agency announced that an inmate in his 70s had died after contracting the virus. 

The latest cases bring the number of Nebraska prison staffers infected since the pandemic began to 356. Of those, 250 have recovered.

 Nearly 700 inmates had tested positive for the virus by late last week.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of coronavirus cases continues to grow within Nebraska's prison system. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release late Thursday that six staff members across the state's system had tested positive for the virus. That's in addition to another three infected staffers announced on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the agency announced that an inmate in his 70s had died after contracting the virus. The latest cases bring the number of Nebraska prison staffers infected since the pandemic began to 356. Of those, 250 have recovered. Nearly 700 inmates had tested positive for the virus by late last week.

Number of virus cases continues to grow in Nebraska prisons

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Americans couldn’t resist the urge to gather for Thanksgiving. That's according to data from roadways and airports provided to The Associated Press.

 Americans drove only slightly less than a year ago and largely ignored the pleas of public health experts, who begged them to forgo holiday travel to help contain the coronavirus pandemic. 

The nation’s unwillingness to tamp down on travel offered a warning in advance of Christmas and New Year’s as virus deaths and hospitalizations hit new highs. 

U.S. deaths from the outbreak eclipsed 3,100 on Thursday, obliterating the single-day record set last spring.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Americans couldn’t resist the urge to gather for Thanksgiving. That's according to data from roadways and airports provided to The Associated Press. Americans drove only slightly less than a year ago and largely ignored the pleas of public health experts, who begged them to forgo holiday travel to help contain the coronavirus pandemic. The nation’s unwillingness to tamp down on travel offered a warning in advance of Christmas and New Year’s as virus deaths and hospitalizations hit new highs. U.S. deaths from the outbreak eclipsed 3,100 on Thursday, obliterating the single-day record set last spring.

Data shows Americans couldn't resist Thanksgiving travel

Twelve additional COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle are being reported. This brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 79. The deaths are being announced as follows:

“We share our heartfelt sympathy to the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. We wish you peace and comfort especially during this holiday season,” expressed Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.

Changes have been made on the quarantine requirements allowing two additional options.

The Governor’s Directed Health Measure determines and establishes the quarantine options in Nebraska. A 14-day quarantine timeframe is still recommended due to the incubation period of COVID (2-14 days).

The following options may be chosen for close contacts:

If either of these options are chosen, symptom monitoring and masking through the full 14 days is still required.

Unified Command confirms 283 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Monday, November 30. Recoveries are available on the Panhandle dashboard at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>. The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.

By PPHDTwelve additional COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle are being reported. This brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 79. The deaths are being announced as follows:Box Butte County<ul>
 <li>One female in her 50s</li>
 </ul>Dawes County<ul>
 <li>Two females: one in her 80s &amp; one in her 90s</li><li>One male in his 90s</li>
 </ul>Cheyenne County<ul>
 <li>One female in her 70s</li>
 </ul>Scotts Bluff County<ul>
 <li>Five males: three in their 60s &amp; two in their 90s</li><li>One female in her 90s</li>
 </ul>Sheridan County<ul>
 <li>One female in her 60s</li>
 </ul>“We share our heartfelt sympathy to the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. We wish you peace and comfort especially during this holiday season,” expressed Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.Changes have been made on the quarantine requirements allowing two additional options.The Governor’s Directed Health Measure determines and establishes the quarantine options in Nebraska. A 14-day quarantine timeframe is still recommended due to the incubation period of COVID (2-14 days).The following options may be chosen for close contacts:<ul>
 <li>On day 10 without testing and no symptoms</li><li>With this strategy, transmission risk is estimated at 1%-10%.</li><li>On day 7 after receiving a negative test and no symptoms</li><li>Testing may be collected within 48 hours before the 7th&nbsp;day.</li><li>Quarantine&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;be discontinued earlier than day 7.</li><li>With this strategy, transmission risk is estimated at 5%-12%.</li>
 </ul>If either of these options are chosen, symptom monitoring and masking through the full 14 days is still required.Unified Command confirms 283 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Monday, November 30. Recoveries are available on the Panhandle dashboard at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>. The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607055834641.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>March 2-December 3, 2020<ul>
 <li>Total Tests Conducted: 27,015</li><li>Positive: 6,272</li><li>Recovered: 3,958</li><li>Active Cases: 2,235</li><li>Weekly Positivity Rate: 43.8%</li><li>Deaths: 79</li><li>Active Hospitalizations: 66</li><li>Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 395</li><li>Last week’s cases: 541</li><li>Doubling time (November 4-December 2): 29 days</li>
 </ul>

12 more COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle reported

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Cities in Nebraska juggle the issue of whether to require masks as the state's governor continues to resist issuing a statewide mask mandate while the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the state. 

The Omaha suburb of Papillion is voting Thursday on a proposal to require masks in public buildings. 

Grand Island police have made clear they'll enforce that city's mandate, passed last week, by charging violators with public nuisance counts.

 A surge in cases in recent weeks led Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts to reissue some statewide restrictions, including requiring masks in salons and tattoo parlors.

 But Ricketts has refused to impose a statewide mask mandate.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Cities in Nebraska juggle the issue of whether to require masks as the state's governor continues to resist issuing a statewide mask mandate while the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the state. The Omaha suburb of Papillion is voting Thursday on a proposal to require masks in public buildings. Grand Island police have made clear they'll enforce that city's mandate, passed last week, by charging violators with public nuisance counts. A surge in cases in recent weeks led Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts to reissue some statewide restrictions, including requiring masks in salons and tattoo parlors. But Ricketts has refused to impose a statewide mask mandate.

Mask orders stay at forefront of virus outbreak in Nebraska

PPHD: Virus risk levels by activity

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — U.S. hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are trying to lure nurses and doctors out of retirement, recruiting students and new graduates who have yet to earn their licenses and offering eye-popping salaries in a desperate effort to ease staffing shortages.

 The number of U.S. patients in the hospital with the virus has more than doubled over the past month to a record high of nearly 100,000, pushing medical centers and health care workers to the breaking point.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — U.S. hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are trying to lure nurses and doctors out of retirement, recruiting students and new graduates who have yet to earn their licenses and offering eye-popping salaries in a desperate effort to ease staffing shortages. The number of U.S. patients in the hospital with the virus has more than doubled over the past month to a record high of nearly 100,000, pushing medical centers and health care workers to the breaking point.

Nurses wanted: Swamped hospitals scramble for pandemic help

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could gets its first shipments of a coronavirus vaccine in less than two weeks if the proposed drug wins federal approval, but health care workers will be given first priority and the general public may not get access until April. 

Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that the state tentatively expects to receive 15,600 doses of a vaccine produced by Pfizer the week of Dec. 13. 

Another 19,500 doses from the company are slated to arrive the following week, plus 32,100 doses from manufacturer Moderna if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves that company’s drug.

 State officials are planning to receive more than 100,000 by the month’s end.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could gets its first shipments of a coronavirus vaccine in less than two weeks if the proposed drug wins federal approval, but health care workers will be given first priority and the general public may not get access until April. Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that the state tentatively expects to receive 15,600 doses of a vaccine produced by Pfizer the week of Dec. 13. Another 19,500 doses from the company are slated to arrive the following week, plus 32,100 doses from manufacturer Moderna if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves that company’s drug. State officials are planning to receive more than 100,000 by the month’s end.

Nebraska could get first virus vaccine doses mid-December

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

British officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.

The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.

“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.

“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.

Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.

Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.

Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.

A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.

Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”

“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.

While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.

One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.

Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.

“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.

The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”

Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.

The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.

“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.

The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.

Final testing must still be completed. Still to be determined is whether the Pfizer-BioNTech shots protect against people spreading the coronavirus without showing symptoms. Another question is how long protection lasts.

The vaccine also has been tested in only a small number of children, none younger than 12, and there’s no information on its effects in pregnant women.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604926559777.png" alt="Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKA, Associated PressBritish officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.ADVERTISEMENT“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.Final testing must still be completed. Still to be determined is whether the Pfizer-BioNTech shots protect against people spreading the coronavirus without showing symptoms. Another question is how long protection lasts.The vaccine also has been tested in only a small number of children, none younger than 12, and there’s no information on its effects in pregnant women.___

First COVID-19 vaccinations expected next week

CHADRON – The Chadron State Foundation’s annual Fall Fund Drive raised $101,984 for student scholarships and college programs in October. According to Jake Rissler, Chadron State Foundation Director of Development, more than 100 volunteers participated in the fund drive asking potential donors for contributions. The campus co-chairs were Shaunda French-Collins and Taylor Osmotherly. The community co-chairs were Gabby Michna and Trish Martens.

The Foundation annually recruits volunteers who are divided into 10 teams of college employees and 10 teams of community members. The volunteers are assigned contacts to request donations. Prizes are awarded to the top teams based on a point system.

The winning team on campus included Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht, chair, Dr. Dawn Brammer, Brenda Barry-Schommer, Alex Helmbrecht, John Murphy, and Dr. Lorie Hunn.

Members of the winning community team were: Clayton Riesen, chair, Pam Strotheide, Angela Harris, and Tammy Davies.

Students enrolled in French-Collins’ Communication Campaigns (CA 450) assisted by creating the theme and mark, radio ads, a press release, and conducting an analysis of the campaign for their final project.

Rissler said the volunteers and donors are integral to the effort.

“Despite a pandemic, our donors came through for us again. A sincere thank you to all the local businesses and individuals who donated to support the Fall Fund Drive this year. Thank you for supporting the life of CSC,” he said.

By CSC College Relations<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606926992478.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CHADRON – The Chadron State Foundation’s annual Fall Fund Drive raised $101,984 for student scholarships and college programs in October. According to Jake Rissler, Chadron State Foundation Director of Development, more than 100 volunteers participated in the fund drive asking potential donors for contributions. The campus co-chairs were Shaunda French-Collins and Taylor Osmotherly. The community co-chairs were Gabby Michna and Trish Martens.The Foundation annually recruits volunteers who are divided into 10 teams of college employees and 10 teams of community members. The volunteers are assigned contacts to request donations. Prizes are awarded to the top teams based on a point system.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606926977454.jpeg" alt="The Chadron State Foundation's annual Fall Fund Drive celebration Nov. 18, 2020. Co-chairs of the CSC volunteers Taylor Osmotherly, left, and Dr. Shaunda French-Collins, center, announce the total amount of the fund drive, $101,984, via video conference. Community co-chairs are Gabby Michna and Trish Martens (not pictured). Foundation Director of Development Jake Rissler, right. (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Chadron State Foundation's annual Fall Fund Drive celebration Nov. 18, 2020. Co-chairs of the CSC volunteers Taylor Osmotherly, left, and Dr. Shaunda French-Collins, center, announce the total amount of the fund drive, $101,984, via video conference. Community co-chairs are Gabby Michna and Trish Martens (not pictured). Foundation Director of Development Jake Rissler, right. (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>The winning team on campus included Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht, chair, Dr. Dawn Brammer, Brenda Barry-Schommer, Alex Helmbrecht, John Murphy, and Dr. Lorie Hunn.Members of the winning community team were: Clayton Riesen, chair, Pam Strotheide, Angela Harris, and Tammy Davies.Students enrolled in French-Collins’ Communication Campaigns (CA 450) assisted by creating the theme and mark, radio ads, a press release, and conducting an analysis of the campaign for their final project.Rissler said the volunteers and donors are integral to the effort.“Despite a pandemic, our donors came through for us again. A sincere thank you to all the local businesses and individuals who donated to support the Fall Fund Drive this year. Thank you for supporting the life of CSC,” he said.

Chadron State Foundation completes annual Fall Fund Drive

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of deaths linked to the coronavirus jumped 62 in Nebraska on Tuesday as the state reported nearly 2,000 more cases of COVID-19. 

The state reported 1,080 deaths and 1,787 new virus cases Tuesday to give Nebraska a total of 130,194 cases of the virus since the pandemic began. 

The number of people hospitalized with the virus declined again Tuesday to 869 from the previous day’s 907. 

That total is now more than 100 people lower than the record of 987 that was set on Nov. 20, but it remains nearly four times higher than the level it was at two months ago.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of deaths linked to the coronavirus jumped 62 in Nebraska on Tuesday as the state reported nearly 2,000 more cases of COVID-19. The state reported 1,080 deaths and 1,787 new virus cases Tuesday to give Nebraska a total of 130,194 cases of the virus since the pandemic began. The number of people hospitalized with the virus declined again Tuesday to 869 from the previous day’s 907. That total is now more than 100 people lower than the record of 987 that was set on Nov. 20, but it remains nearly four times higher than the level it was at two months ago.

Nebraska reports 62 new deaths and 1,787 virus cases Tuesday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials say they are preparing to receive nearly 8,000 COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as Dec. 15. 

The prospect of vaccines being just weeks away offered a blip of good news in the state’s coronavirus crisis, but officials from the Department of Health said they don’t yet know when more doses will arrive. 

Medical providers can begin administering the 7,800 doses of the vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer Inc., the day after the shipment is received. 

Medical workers are expected to be at the top of the list to receive vaccines, with the elderly and other vulnerable populations soon to follow.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials say they are preparing to receive nearly 8,000 COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as Dec. 15. The prospect of vaccines being just weeks away offered a blip of good news in the state’s coronavirus crisis, but officials from the Department of Health said they don’t yet know when more doses will arrive. Medical providers can begin administering the 7,800 doses of the vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer Inc., the day after the shipment is received. Medical workers are expected to be at the top of the list to receive vaccines, with the elderly and other vulnerable populations soon to follow.

South Dakota readies for 7,800 vaccine doses in 2 weeks

SCOTTSBLUFF- Western Nebraska Community College's final virtual production of 2020, "Very Valley Christmas," will air Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.

Very Valley Christmas is a collaboration of WNCC's Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Theatre Arts programs. All the songs and performances will be pre-recorded and pieced together into one video.&nbsp;"Our Very Valley Christmas performance will be virtual this year, so that we can keep our friends and neighbors safe. But it will be just as jolly as ever,'" Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, WNCC's instrumental activities director&nbsp;said. "We are so fortunate to be able to give back to the people of the Valley in this way, and I think it's needed this year more than ever." WNCC's performance ensembles like Cougar Rock will be featured with classic pieces like "Feliz Navidad," "All I Want for Christmas is You," and " Call Me Claus." Other groups like the Brass Choir, Fire in the Pan Swingers, Collegiate Chorale, Varsity Vocalise, the Theatre Arts&nbsp;department,&nbsp;and more will all perform their own classic holiday tunes for the show.

&nbsp;"Many musicians and actors are unable to perform at all right now," Johnson said. "The fact that we are able to perform, even in this alternate format, is a testament to the tenacity of our WNCC students and community members.

All the vocal and instrumental ensembles and the Scottsbluff High School Choir will finish the show with the chorus of "Hallelujah."

The performance will be available to stream by visiting <a href="http://wncc.edu/performingarts">wncc.edu/performingarts</a>, the official WNCC YouTube channel, or the WNCC Facebook page.

 The video will premiere at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, but will remain on YouTube to watch at any time.&nbsp; &nbsp;

SCOTTSBLUFF- Western Nebraska Community College's final virtual production of 2020, "Very Valley Christmas," will air Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606923317418.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Very Valley Christmas is a collaboration of WNCC's Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Theatre Arts programs. All the songs and performances will be pre-recorded and pieced together into one video.&nbsp;"Our Very Valley Christmas performance will be virtual this year, so that we can keep our friends and neighbors safe. But it will be just as jolly as ever,'" Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, WNCC's instrumental activities director&nbsp;said. "We are so fortunate to be able to give back to the people of the Valley in this way, and I think it's needed this year more than ever." WNCC's performance ensembles like Cougar Rock will be featured with classic pieces like "Feliz Navidad," "All I Want for Christmas is You," and " Call Me Claus." Other groups like the Brass Choir, Fire in the Pan Swingers, Collegiate Chorale, Varsity Vocalise, the Theatre Arts&nbsp;department,&nbsp;and more will all perform their own classic holiday tunes for the show.&nbsp;"Many musicians and actors are unable to perform at all right now," Johnson said. "The fact that we are able to perform, even in this alternate format, is a testament to the tenacity of our WNCC students and community members. All the vocal and instrumental ensembles and the Scottsbluff High School Choir will finish the show with the chorus of "Hallelujah."The performance will be available to stream by visiting <a href="http://wncc.edu/performingarts">wncc.edu/performingarts</a>, the official WNCC YouTube channel, or the WNCC Facebook page. The video will premiere at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, but will remain on YouTube to watch at any time.&nbsp; &nbsp;

WNCC's 'Very Valley Christmas' going virtual for 2020

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of Nebraska’s largest county jails is locked down after an outbreak of the coronavirus among inmates, and a state prison inmate with the virus has died. 

Lancaster County officials said Tuesday that their jail was locked down as a precaution after 12 inmates tested positive for COVID-19. 

All of the ill inmates are being treated in the jail’s infirmary and more testing is being done in the two housing units where they had been held.

   Separately, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said Tuesday that an inmate in his 70s died at a Lincoln hospital. 

The department said the inmate had COVID-19 and other underlying medical conditions.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of Nebraska’s largest county jails is locked down after an outbreak of the coronavirus among inmates, and a state prison inmate with the virus has died. Lancaster County officials said Tuesday that their jail was locked down as a precaution after 12 inmates tested positive for COVID-19. All of the ill inmates are being treated in the jail’s infirmary and more testing is being done in the two housing units where they had been held. Separately, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said Tuesday that an inmate in his 70s died at a Lincoln hospital. The department said the inmate had COVID-19 and other underlying medical conditions.

Lancaster County jail locked down after virus outbreak

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Capitol won’t be hosting all of its usual holiday celebrations this year to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. 

The annual tuba and horn concerts normally scheduled in December won’t be held this year. 

The Capitol tree-lighting ceremony has been canceled this year as well. 

Instead, the Office of the Capitol Commission said it plans to illuminate two large fir trees at the base of the Capitol’s outdoor north plaza. 

The Capitol will remain open for tours except on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. 

The commission may limit tour group sizes to 10 people.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Capitol won’t be hosting all of its usual holiday celebrations this year to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The annual tuba and horn concerts normally scheduled in December won’t be held this year. The Capitol tree-lighting ceremony has been canceled this year as well. Instead, the Office of the Capitol Commission said it plans to illuminate two large fir trees at the base of the Capitol’s outdoor north plaza. The Capitol will remain open for tours except on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The commission may limit tour group sizes to 10 people.

Virus nixes some Nebraska Capitol holiday plans this year

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKABritish officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.Final testing must still be completed. Still to be determined is whether the Pfizer-BioNTech shots protect against people spreading the coronavirus without showing symptoms. Another question is how long protection lasts.The vaccine also has been tested in only a small number of children, none younger than 12, and there’s no information on its effects in pregnant women.

UK authorizes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use

NEW YORK (AP) — Health care workers and nursing home residents should be at the front of the line when the first coronavirus vaccine shots become available, an influential government advisory panel said Tuesday.

The panel voted 13-1 to recommend those groups get priority in the first days of any coming vaccination program, when doses are expected to be very limited. The two groups encompass about 24 million people out of a U.S. population of about 330 million.

Later this month, the Food and Drug Administration will consider authorizing emergency use of two vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna. Current estimates project that no more than 20 million doses of each vaccine will be available by the end of 2020. And each product requires two doses. As a result, the shots will be rationed in the early stages.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet again at some point to decide who should be next in line. Among the possibilities: teachers, police, firefighters, and workers in other essential fields such as food production and transportation; the elderly; and people with underlying medical conditions.

Tuesday’s action merely designated who should get shots first if a safe and effective vaccine becomes available. The panel did not endorse any particular vaccine. Panel members are waiting to hear FDA’s evaluation and to see more safety and efficacy data before endorsing any particular product.

Experts say the vaccine will probably not become widely available in the U.S. until the spring.

The panel of outside scientific experts, created in 1964, makes recommendations to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who almost always approves them. It normally has 15 voting members, but one seat is vacant.

The recommendations are not binding, but for decades they have been widely heeded by doctors, and they have determined the scope and funding of U.S. vaccination programs.

It will be up to state authorities whether to follow the guidance. It will also be left to them to make further, more detailed decisions if necessary — for example, whether to put emergency room doctors and nurses ahead of other health care workers if vaccine supplies are low.

The outbreak in the U.S. has killed nearly 270,000 people and caused more than 13.5 million confirmed infections, with deaths, hospitalizations and cases rocketing in recent weeks.

As the virtual meeting got underway, panel member Dr. Beth Bell of the University of Washington noted that on average, one person is dying of COVID-19 per minute in the U.S. right now, “so I guess we are acting none too soon.”

About 3 million people are living in nursing homes, long-term chronic care hospitals, and other U.S. long-term care facilities. Those patients and the staff members who care for them have accounted for 6% of the nation’s coronavirus cases and a staggering 39% of the deaths, CDC officials say.

Despite the heavy toll, some board members at Tuesday’s meeting said they hesitated to include such patients in the first group getting shots.

Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, an infectious diseases researcher at Vanderbilt University who was the lone committee member to vote against the proposal, cited flu research that found vaccinating the staff of such facilities has the greatest impact on preventing its spread there.

Dr. Richard Zimmerman, a University of Pittsburgh flu vaccine researcher who watched the meeting online, echoed Talbot’s concerns.

“I think it was premature” to include nursing home residents as a priority group, said Zimmerman, a former ACIP member. “Their vote seems to assume that these people will respond well to the vaccine. ... I don’t think we know that.”

Committee members were unanimous in voicing support for vaccinating health care workers — about 21 million people, according to CDC officials.

That broad category includes medical staff who care for — or come in contact with — patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and doctor’s offices. It also includes home health care workers and paramedics. Depending on how state officials apply the panel’s recommendations, it could also encompass janitorial staff, food service employees and medical records clerks.

The government estimates people working in health care account for 12% of U.S. COVID-19 cases but only about 0.5% of deaths. Experts say it’s imperative to keep health care workers on their feet so they can administer the shots and tend to the booming number of infected Americans.

For months, members of the immunization panel had said they wouldn’t take a vote until the FDA approved a vaccine, as is customary. But late last week, the group scheduled an emergency meeting.

The panel’s chairman, Dr. Jose Romero, said the decision stemmed from a realization that the states are facing a Friday deadline to place initial orders for the Pfizer vaccine and determine where they should be delivered. The committee decided to meet now to give state and local officials guidance, he said.

But some panel members and other experts had also grown concerned by comments from Trump administration officials that suggested differing vaccine priorities.

Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force said in a meeting with CDC officials last month that people 65 and older should go to the head of the line, according to a federal official who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Then last week U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar stressed that ultimately governors will decide who in their states gets the shots. Vice President Mike Pence echoed that view.

Asked whether Azar’s comment played a role in the scheduling of the meeting, Romero said; “We don’t live in a bubble. We know what he said. But that wasn’t the primary reason this is being done.”

Jason Schwartz, a professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health, said it makes sense for the panel to take the unusual step of getting its recommendation out first.

“Without that formal recommendation, it does create a void from which states could go off in all sorts of different directions,” said Schwartz, who is not on the panel.

HHS officials have said they will distribute initial doses to states based on population, and it’s possible that some states won’t receive enough to cover all of their health care workers and nursing home residents.

CDC officials said they are optimistic such shortages would last only a few weeks.

Still, governors and local officials may have to decide which health care workers or regions get shots first, Schwartz said.

“It’s up to states to figure out the more granular detail,” he said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Health care workers and nursing home residents should be at the front of the line when the first coronavirus vaccine shots become available, an influential government advisory panel said Tuesday.The panel voted 13-1 to recommend those groups get priority in the first days of any coming vaccination program, when doses are expected to be very limited. The two groups encompass about 24 million people out of a U.S. population of about 330 million.Later this month, the Food and Drug Administration will consider authorizing emergency use of two vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna. Current estimates project that no more than 20 million doses of each vaccine will be available by the end of 2020. And each product requires two doses. As a result, the shots will be rationed in the early stages.The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet again at some point to decide who should be next in line. Among the possibilities: teachers, police, firefighters, and workers in other essential fields such as food production and transportation; the elderly; and people with underlying medical conditions.Tuesday’s action merely designated who should get shots first if a safe and effective vaccine becomes available. The panel did not endorse any particular vaccine. Panel members are waiting to hear FDA’s evaluation and to see more safety and efficacy data before endorsing any particular product.Experts say the vaccine will probably not become widely available in the U.S. until the spring.The panel of outside scientific experts, created in 1964, makes recommendations to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who almost always approves them. It normally has 15 voting members, but one seat is vacant.The recommendations are not binding, but for decades they have been widely heeded by doctors, and they have determined the scope and funding of U.S. vaccination programs.It will be up to state authorities whether to follow the guidance. It will also be left to them to make further, more detailed decisions if necessary — for example, whether to put emergency room doctors and nurses ahead of other health care workers if vaccine supplies are low.The outbreak in the U.S. has killed nearly 270,000 people and caused more than 13.5 million confirmed infections, with deaths, hospitalizations and cases rocketing in recent weeks.As the virtual meeting got underway, panel member Dr. Beth Bell of the University of Washington noted that on average, one person is dying of COVID-19 per minute in the U.S. right now, “so I guess we are acting none too soon.”About 3 million people are living in nursing homes, long-term chronic care hospitals, and other U.S. long-term care facilities. Those patients and the staff members who care for them have accounted for 6% of the nation’s coronavirus cases and a staggering 39% of the deaths, CDC officials say.Despite the heavy toll, some board members at Tuesday’s meeting said they hesitated to include such patients in the first group getting shots.Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, an infectious diseases researcher at Vanderbilt University who was the lone committee member to vote against the proposal, cited flu research that found vaccinating the staff of such facilities has the greatest impact on preventing its spread there.Dr. Richard Zimmerman, a University of Pittsburgh flu vaccine researcher who watched the meeting online, echoed Talbot’s concerns.“I think it was premature” to include nursing home residents as a priority group, said Zimmerman, a former ACIP member. “Their vote seems to assume that these people will respond well to the vaccine. ... I don’t think we know that.”Committee members were unanimous in voicing support for vaccinating health care workers — about 21 million people, according to CDC officials.That broad category includes medical staff who care for — or come in contact with — patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and doctor’s offices. It also includes home health care workers and paramedics. Depending on how state officials apply the panel’s recommendations, it could also encompass janitorial staff, food service employees and medical records clerks.The government estimates people working in health care account for 12% of U.S. COVID-19 cases but only about 0.5% of deaths. Experts say it’s imperative to keep health care workers on their feet so they can administer the shots and tend to the booming number of infected Americans.For months, members of the immunization panel had said they wouldn’t take a vote until the FDA approved a vaccine, as is customary. But late last week, the group scheduled an emergency meeting.The panel’s chairman, Dr. Jose Romero, said the decision stemmed from a realization that the states are facing a Friday deadline to place initial orders for the Pfizer vaccine and determine where they should be delivered. The committee decided to meet now to give state and local officials guidance, he said.But some panel members and other experts had also grown concerned by comments from Trump administration officials that suggested differing vaccine priorities.Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force said in a meeting with CDC officials last month that people 65 and older should go to the head of the line, according to a federal official who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Then last week U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar stressed that ultimately governors will decide who in their states gets the shots. Vice President Mike Pence echoed that view.Asked whether Azar’s comment played a role in the scheduling of the meeting, Romero said; “We don’t live in a bubble. We know what he said. But that wasn’t the primary reason this is being done.”Jason Schwartz, a professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health, said it makes sense for the panel to take the unusual step of getting its recommendation out first.“Without that formal recommendation, it does create a void from which states could go off in all sorts of different directions,” said Schwartz, who is not on the panel.HHS officials have said they will distribute initial doses to states based on population, and it’s possible that some states won’t receive enough to cover all of their health care workers and nursing home residents.CDC officials said they are optimistic such shortages would last only a few weeks.Still, governors and local officials may have to decide which health care workers or regions get shots first, Schwartz said.“It’s up to states to figure out the more granular detail,” he said.

US panel: 1st vaccines to health care workers, nursing homes

Seventeen additional COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle are being reported. This brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 67. The deaths are being announced as follows:

“We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. This insidious virus reminds us how precious life is and how we all must remain vigilant with safety precautions for one another,” expressed Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.

Please do not wait to reach out for help if you are struggling with feelings of depression, sadness, or anxiety. Several free and low-cost resources are available:

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations, social support from family or friends remains important. Finding healthy and safe outlets like going for a walk, calling or video chatting with a friend or family member, or enjoying a new book or TV series are all healthy and safe coping strategies.

This public health emergency requires the public to be caring citizens and to contribute to the solution for the sake of our communities and those we love.

By PPHDSeventeen additional COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle are being reported. This brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 67. The deaths are being announced as follows:Box Butte County<ul>
 <li>One female in her 50s</li><li>Two males in their 70s</li>
 </ul>Dawes County<ul>
 <li>One female over 100</li><li>One male in his 90s</li>
 </ul>Cheyenne County<ul>
 <li>Three females: one in her 40s, one in her 80s, one in her 90s</li><li>One male in his 60s</li>
 </ul>Kimball County<ul>
 <li>One male in his 60s</li>
 </ul>Scotts Bluff County<ul>
 <li>Two females: one in her 60s, one in her 80s</li><li>Five males: two in their 50s, two in their 70s, one in his 80s</li>
 </ul>“We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. This insidious virus reminds us how precious life is and how we all must remain vigilant with safety precautions for one another,” expressed Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.Please do not wait to reach out for help if you are struggling with feelings of depression, sadness, or anxiety. Several free and low-cost resources are available:<ul>
 <li>Mental Health Providers in the Area -&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/y4m7a9g4" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/y4m7a9g4</a></li><li>Region 1 Behavioral Health Authority -&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/y4wm4pzv" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/y4wm4pzv</a></li><li>Nebraska Strong Recovery Project</li><li>Nebraska Rural Response Hotline: 800-464-0258</li><li>Nebraska Family Helpline: 888-866-8660&nbsp;</li><li>National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:</li><li>800-273-8255 for English or 888-628-9454 for Spanish&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/" target="_blank">https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/</a></li>
 </ul>Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations, social support from family or friends remains important. Finding healthy and safe outlets like going for a walk, calling or video chatting with a friend or family member, or enjoying a new book or TV series are all healthy and safe coping strategies.This public health emergency requires the public to be caring citizens and to contribute to the solution for the sake of our communities and those we love.Avoid the Three Cs:<ul>
 <li>Avoid Crowded Places – Avoid gathering in groups where you cannot maintain 6-feet of distance from others</li><li>Avoid Close Contact – Wear a mask over your nose and mouth or maintain 6-feet distance when you are spending more than 15 total minutes with people you don’t live with</li><li>Avoid Confined Spaces – Avoid enclosed spaces with poor ventilation</li>
 </ul>

17 more virus-related deaths in the Panhandle 

There is an old saying, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.”&nbsp; It has two meanings. &nbsp;The first is that, despite difficulties, there is hope on the horizon.&nbsp; The second meaning is that circumstances can be at their very worst right before things get better.&nbsp; As we enter December, there are reasons to hope an effective vaccine will become available soon—on a limited basis even this month.&nbsp; At the same time, we may be entering the toughest stretch of the pandemic this winter as people head indoors. &nbsp;It’s time for all of us to put our trademark Nebraska grit and determination to work as we buckle up for the coming months of the pandemic.

On May 15, 2020 the Trump Administration announced Operation Warp Speed to rapidly develop a coronavirus vaccine.&nbsp; The program appears to be making remarkable progress.&nbsp; Two vaccines, one from Pfizer and one from Moderna, have proven to be highly effective in clinical trials. &nbsp;Both of the vaccines are being reviewed by regulatory agencies.&nbsp; It’s likely each of them will be authorized for emergency use by mid-December.&nbsp; Manufacturers have already produced millions of doses.&nbsp; Perhaps as many as 40 million doses will be available this month.&nbsp;

Initially, vaccinations will be limited to priority groups, such as healthcare workers at hospitals and long-term care facilities.&nbsp; As manufacturing ramps up in 2021, availability will expand to more groups.&nbsp; Vaccines are expected to be widely available to the public by late spring.&nbsp; The State of Nebraska has posted its vaccination plan on the Department of Health and Human services website at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf" target="_blank">dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf</a>.

There is an old saying, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.”&nbsp; It has two meanings. &nbsp;The first is that, despite difficulties, there is hope on the horizon.&nbsp; The second meaning is that circumstances can be at their very worst right before things get better.&nbsp; As we enter December, there are reasons to hope an effective vaccine will become available soon—on a limited basis even this month.&nbsp; At the same time, we may be entering the toughest stretch of the pandemic this winter as people head indoors. &nbsp;It’s time for all of us to put our trademark Nebraska grit and determination to work as we buckle up for the coming months of the pandemic.On May 15, 2020 the Trump Administration announced Operation Warp Speed to rapidly develop a coronavirus vaccine.&nbsp; The program appears to be making remarkable progress.&nbsp; Two vaccines, one from Pfizer and one from Moderna, have proven to be highly effective in clinical trials. &nbsp;Both of the vaccines are being reviewed by regulatory agencies.&nbsp; It’s likely each of them will be authorized for emergency use by mid-December.&nbsp; Manufacturers have already produced millions of doses.&nbsp; Perhaps as many as 40 million doses will be available this month.&nbsp;Initially, vaccinations will be limited to priority groups, such as healthcare workers at hospitals and long-term care facilities.&nbsp; As manufacturing ramps up in 2021, availability will expand to more groups.&nbsp; Vaccines are expected to be widely available to the public by late spring.&nbsp; The State of Nebraska has posted its vaccination plan on the Department of Health and Human services website at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf" target="_blank">dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf</a>.While the vaccine development offers hope, it’s not time to relax our guard.&nbsp; The coronavirus is still spreading throughout our communities.&nbsp; In fact, December could be a very challenging month. &nbsp;As the weather gets colder, Nebraskans will be spending more time indoors.&nbsp; Typically, viruses spread more easily this time of year as people stay inside.&nbsp; Over the next several weeks, it will be extremely important to avoid the “Three Cs”.&nbsp; This means avoiding crowded places, close contacts, and confined spaces.Christmas season is usually a time to shop for gifts, host parties, and travel to be with family. &nbsp;Churches and synagogues have special services. &nbsp;Friends go ice skating or caroling together.&nbsp; Folks go to the movies to see newly released blockbusters.&nbsp;We’ll need to adjust our holiday traditions in 2020 in light of the pandemic.&nbsp; Consider postponing holiday parties at work or inviting over fewer friends.&nbsp; Be thoughtful about family get-togethers to protect at-risk family members.As Nebraskans shop Main Street to support local retailers during the holiday season, it will be especially important to use tools to slow the spread of the virus.&nbsp; When you go out, wear a mask.&nbsp; Shop alone instead of taking the kids with you.&nbsp; Follow the six-foot rule when shopping.&nbsp; When possible, shop online.&nbsp; &nbsp;This isn’t the year to fight through a cold or cough while keeping with your usual routine.&nbsp; Stay home when sick. &nbsp;Quarantine immediately if you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive or shown symptoms of the coronavirus.&nbsp; Take advantage of the opportunity for free testing.&nbsp; Test Nebraska will be in operation during the holiday season.&nbsp; Go to&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.testnebraska.com%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Ccio.webmstr%40nebraska.gov%7C673586ef7d7a49f2217b08d896303995%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637424481157721050%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=rNCfLGNtjKk8Jv%2FJG%2F65kTNl9velDX38lgAcwJgRboU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">TestNebraska.com</a>&nbsp;to fill out a short health assessment and schedule a time to get tested.&nbsp; In November, Test Nebraska delivered results 24-48 hours after the initial swab.Nebraska’s coronavirus hospitalizations have stabilized over the past week, but our hospitals continue to care for high numbers of patients. &nbsp;It’s important that we all take responsibility for slowing the spread of the virus to protect our healthcare system and support our healthcare workers.&nbsp; As I’ve announced, if Nebraska reaches 25% of staffed hospital beds with coronavirus patients in them, we’ll move into the “red” phase of our pandemic response plan.&nbsp; If this happens, additional restrictions will take effect to help protect our hospital capacity.&nbsp; These restrictions include, but are not limited to...<ul>
 <li>Returning to the 10-person rule for indoor gatherings and wedding/funeral receptions.</li><li>Limiting outdoor gatherings to 25 people.</li><li>Bars moving to carry-out, delivery, and drive-thru only.</li><li>Only licensed restaurants offering dine-in services with restricted hours.</li>
 </ul>Nebraskans should prepare for the possibility of these restrictions taking effect before the end of the year if hospitalizations grow.If you have questions about Nebraska’s coronavirus phases or vaccination plan, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp; Progress on the vaccines is reason to hope, but I want to remind everyone that it will still be several months before widespread vaccination can take place.&nbsp; Until then, it’s critically important for all of us to stay focused on doing what’s right to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.&nbsp;

Coronavirus Update