On March 17, 2020, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors passed a COVID-19 local emergency order. Now, more than a year later, the board will consider ending the order at Tuesday's meeting. A late add to the agenda reads in part: "As Fresno County and the State of California enter...
Merced and Inyo Struggle to Escape State’s Strictest COVID Tier
Every year, tens of thousands of equine aficionados gather in the streets of Bishop for one of the biggest events in the Eastern Sierra: Mule Days. Touting “the world’s longest mule parade,” as well as an array of riding competitions and other festivities, the multi-day event leading up to Memorial...
Islamic Leaders Battle Misconception About Vaccines, Fasting
PORTLAND, Maine — Islamic leaders are using social media, virtual town halls and face-to-face discussions to spread the word that it’s acceptable to be vaccinated for the coronavirus during daily fasting that happens during Ramadan, the most sacred month of the year for Muslims. During the holy month which begins...
‘Thousands’ of Local Vaccination Slots Open as Eligibility Expands to 16
Anyone 16 years and older can get Pfizer vaccines, and those 18 years and older can get either the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Fresno County officials announced Thursday. Occupational and age restrictions have been lifted in order to fill all open appointment slots and to ensure all...
While Fresno County COVID Rates Slide Backward, State Aims To Fully Reopen in June
Fresno County's COVID-19 numbers went the wrong direction this week, though officials continue to eye a move into the state's orange tier by April 21 — the soonest possible date for a move into the less restrictive designation. The California Department of Public Health announced they've now administered more than...
Viral Thoughts: Why COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Persist
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Daniel Roberts hadn’t had a vaccination since he was 6. No boosters, no tetanus shots. His parents taught him inoculations were dangerous, and when the coronavirus arrived, they called it a hoax. The vaccine, they said, was the real threat. So when the 29-year-old Tennessee man got...
Goodbye COVID Tiers : California Plans to Fully Reopen on June 15
California plans to lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses and workplaces June 15, with officials saying enough people should be vaccinated by then to allow for life to almost get back to a pre-pandemic normal. The mask mandate in the nation's most populated state will remain in effect, Health and...
Excitement, Jitters Building Over ‘First’ Day of School for Fresno Kids
Fresno Unified's youngest students will set foot on campus on Tuesday for the first time in more than a year as the district returns to in-person instruction halted by the pandemic. For transitional kindergartners and some kindergartners, Tuesday will be their very first time in a classroom. In the weeks...
Analysis: Christian Nationalism a Barrier to COVID Mass Vaccination
While the majority of Americans either intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine or have already received their shots, getting white evangelicals to vaccination sites may prove more of a challenge – especially those who identify as Christian nationalists. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in February found white evangelicals to...
Valley Children’s Sees Spike in Rare Syndrome Caused by COVID-19
As of March 29, 443 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children had been reported statewide. Valley Children's Hospital in Madera tells GV Wire℠ it has seen at least 88 of them. "We've seen quite a few cases," said Dr. Reshma Patel, a pediatric rheumatologist at VCH. "The thought is that it's...