As 2020 finally comes to a close, COVID has shifted from a breaking news item to an everyday topic of conversation. Ending the year on a positive note, the most recent news surrounding the pandemic and its many facets, is encouraging.
Vaccine: Governor's Sisolak's office, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), issued a press release stating that the vaccine will be available at no cost to Nevadans. Whether or not you have private insurance, are covered through Medicaid, or through the exchange with Nevada Health Link, there will be no out-of-pocket expense to receive the vaccine. Uninsured individuals are encouraged to visit https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/ to see if they qualify for coverage, find free local assistance, and may also seek the assistance of a Federally Qualified Health Center. Although the vaccine will not be available to the general public until Spring, state agencies are preparing to update communities on how, when, and where the vaccine will be made available.
Business Loans: The new COVID relief package passed by Congress went into effect this week. With it, loans for small businesses will be available, although there will be more rigorous qualification guidelines, and business owners must show a minimum 25% drop in revenue for any given quarter. The primary goal of the package is to provide payroll funds to keep Americans working. Nevada industries hit hardest by the pandemic and government mandates are service and hospitality businesses. Hotel, restaurant, and bar owners will have access to tax-free payroll loans that will cover up to 3.5 months of employee wages that do not have to be repaid provided the guidelines are followed. Other businesses may apply for payroll loans covering 2.5 months of wages. 
Stimulus: The second round of stimulus payments remains at $600 for most taxpayers. The IRS has already began processing the payments via direct deposit and paper checks. The House of Representatives passed a measure to increase stimulus payments to $2,000 for some taxpayers under a certain income level and is currently making its way to the Senate. 
Nevada COVID Data: COVID deaths in Nevada have now reached 3,000 with 697 deaths reported in December. However, the number of daily deaths has seen a sharp decline recently. Hospitalizations are at 2,000 as of the 30th. The positivity rate has remained between 19.7% - 20% since mid-month. Statewide, the age group with the highest positivity rate are those aged 24-49. Most COVID-related deaths occur in patients over 60 with underlying health conditions. 
In the Governor’s COVID update press release Wednesday afternoon, Sisolak stated that “Nevada has the 2nd highest positivity across the nation.” Additionally, he directed anyone over 65 with underlying health conditions to not enter any public place where people are unmasked. “If we don’t start making smart choices, 2021 will look a lot like 2020.” Further, he stated, “State enforcement authorities will be out in force on New Year’s Eve.”
Local COVID Data: Churchill County positive cases show a decline over last week, along with current hospitalizations. According to DHHS, the county shows the 14-day average positivity rate at 15.1%, well below the overall state average.
While most people are experiencing a bit of COVID fatigue (the emotional fatigue caused by COVID-19 and the many ways the pandemic has affected our lives), it may help to remember that a new year is on the horizon and with it comes more effective ways to combat the virus. They say “you can’t keep a good man down” – neither can you keep a good Nevadan down.
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