Kansas City COVID Fatigue & Vaxx Push Christmas 2021 News Links

Kansas City COVID Fatigue Christmas 2021 News Links

The COVID news keeps coming and right now we share another collection with a local spin and a glimpse at how the ongoing pandemic impacts our cowtown.

To understand the perspective of health officials, here's a graphic that made the rounds today . . .

As always, we share reading that we found interesting and let readers decide for themselves . . .

Check-it . . .

Demand for COVID vaccines, boosters increases in Kansas City as cases rise, holidays arrive

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Health leaders are urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot as cases begin to skyrocket again. Some pharmacies are doing what they can to make the vaccine available to everyone eligible. Price Chopper in Overland Park is hosting a walk-in clinic from noon to 6 p.m.

1st COVID-19 case of omicron variant confirmed in Johnson County

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, have confirmed the first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in the county Wednesday.

As omicron spreads ahead of holidays, no new precautions being taken in the KC metro

No new mask mandates or COVID-19 restrictions are planned across the Kansas City metro ahead of the busy Christmas and New Year holidays, even as the highly contagious omicron variant raises new concerns. On both sides of the state line, health officials are monitoring rising case counts and hospitalizations - now at their highest levels since cases of the delta variant surged this summer.

Burnout continues among hospital employees

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- As Omicron takes over hospitals in the metro, The University of Kansas Health System is raising concerns about staffing. The medical system made burnout a fixture of conversation at this morning's daily briefing.

University of Kansas Health System Dr. Stites talks omicron, holiday weekend

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The University of Kansas Health System hosted their Morning Medical Call Wednesday to talk about the rise of the omicron variant and the upcoming holiday weekend. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven Stites warned about making early assumptions about the omicron variant and said with the variant being so new there is a lot medical professionals don't know.

Liberty schools to only recommend masks for students after winter break

When Liberty students return from winter break, masks for students will be optional. The Board of Education voted Tuesday night that masks will only be recommended for when they return Jan. 6."I'm definitely very concerned. I don't think that's probably the right decision," said Ashley Breaux, a nurse practitioner and Liberty parent.

Jackson County Health Department not accepting walk-in COVID-19 testing due to high demand

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Jackson County Health Department announced Wednesday that they would no longer be accepting walk-ins for COVID-19 tests due to high demand. The department said that those with appointments would still be tested. Due to high demand, we can no longer accept walk-ins at today's testing site (12/22).

College Football Playoff announces national title could be decided by forfeit if a team is hit by COVID-19

The College Football Playoff publicly outlined its cancellation policies and procedures Wednesday as COVID-19 cases spike across the country because of the Omicron variant. The playoff said in a statement that the title game could be moved from Jan. 10 to as late as Jan.

Concerns grow over Biden's cough following speech on COVID response

As President Biden addressed Americans Tuesday about his administration's response to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, many social media users raised questions about the president's own health due to his persistent coughing throughout his remarks.

WHO says vaccine booster programs will prolong Covid crisis: 'No country can boost its way out of the pandemic'

World Health Organization officials on Wednesday criticized blanket Covid-19 vaccine booster programs as poor countries struggle to obtain initial doses, warning that the unequal access to immunizations could lead to more mutated variants that drag out the crisis.

GOOD NEWS: Willie Gay, Josh Gordon removed from COVID-19/reserve list, no new players added

The Kansas City Chiefs got some good news Wednesday - two players have been added back to the team's roster after previously testing positive for COVID-19.Willie Gay Jr., linebacker, and Josh Gordon, wide receiver, have been removed from the COVID-19/Reserve list and were both working with the team at practice Wednesday.This comes after seven players were added to the COVID-19 list Tuesday, and three other players earlier this week.

'Omicron is 80% less likely to cause hospital admission than Delta'

South African study found 2.5% of Omicron cases are hospitalised, compared to 12.8% of Delta infections This means people who catch Omicron are 80% less likely to be hospitalised than Delta, the researchers said And it is 70% less likely for their illness to be severe compared to Delta hospitalisations in last wave People who catch Omicron are 80 per cent less likely to be hospitalised than those who get Delta, a major study from South Africa suggests.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for tonight.