Residents in 61 of Mississippi's 82 counties are under a mask mandate, and gatherings throughout the state are now limited to 10 people indoors and 50 outdoors. Announcing these changes, Governor Tate Reeves advised residents to not hold gatherings this holiday season. But several parties are scheduled at the Governor's Mansion, including a gathering of state legislators.
Governor Reeves defended his position to host these parties. He says he expects many of the people who were invited won't attend. "If we get to the point where more than 50 that have RSVP'd, we have always planned to treat those events in the same way that we treat daily events. Such that we will space them out and say 'Your time slot will be from 5:30-6:00, or from 6:00-6:30, or from 6:30-7:00. So as to ensure that we continue to adhere to the guidelines that we've put in place."
Reeves said he has canceled several social events at the mansion, including a birthday party for his daughter.
The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is expected to be distributed in Mississippi next week. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says he's encouraged by the vaccine's effectiveness. He says there have been no major side effects observed yet, but there have been reports of minor aches and fatigue for several days. "Part of the reason you're feeling those symptoms is because your immune system is learning to fight a new enemy. And part of that inflammation is it figuring out what the coronavirus looks like so that when you're really exposed you can defend yourself," says Dr. Dobbs. "I just want to make sure that everybody knows that you can not catch coronavirus from the coronavirus vaccine. There is no virus in it."
Dr. Dobbs says the state will receive 25 thousand doses of the vaccine that will be administered to frontline healthcare workers at hospitals. Long term care residents and employees will receive vaccinations in the following weeks.
