The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Thursday March 4, 2021

Olivia Butts
 
Nurse Tammy Miller asks Beverly Gerard, 92, of Beverly, Iowa, questions before administering her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 1. Gerard secured an appointment at the Tama County Public Health Department clinic through her niece.

Nurse Tammy Miller asks Beverly Gerard, 92, of Beverly, Iowa, questions before administering her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 1. Gerard secured an appointment at the Tama County Public Health Department clinic through her niece. Natalie Krebs/Side Effects Public Media

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Thursday March 4, 2021

Today’s headlines:

  • Members of the Democratic State Central Committee last night elected fifth–term Congresswoman Robin Kelly to lead the party —representing a shift away from the consolidated power former House Speaker Michael Madigan had on the party.

  • Vice President Kamala Harris says she won’t insist a minimum wage hike be part of President Biden’s massive COVID-19 stimulus package.

  • The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is the third COVID-19 vaccine to receive FDA emergency use authorization. Doctors advise getting whichever vaccine is available to you first.

  • Champaign County health officials announced 40 new coronavirus cases Wednesday. Sixteen residents are currently hospitalized with the virus, and there are nearly 300 active cases throughout the county. Nearly 18% of the vaccine-eligible population in Champaign County has been fully vaccinated.

In today’s deep dive, Iowa is now weeks into distributing the coronavirus vaccine to residents who are 65 or older. With vaccine demand still far outstripping supply, many Iowans are frustrated by being unable to get an appointment.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Dave McKinney, Dana Cronin, and Natalie Krebs.