Gov. Jim Justice is pleading with West Virginians to get the vaccine. The governor said at a news conference this week he believes the nearly 3,000 who have died from COVID-19 in West Virginia would have opted for a shot if they had the opportunity. The governor also pondered how low the total death figure in the state would have been, if the vaccine had been available all along.
Last week, the CDC released new guidance about mask wearing and social distancing for fully vaccinated people and said masks aren’t necessary outdoors and at most indoor settings after the shots. With the new guidance, health leaders are turning their attention to the honor system. More than 640,000 West Virginians have been fully vaccinated.