More vaccine doses expected

State health officials plan to order more than 100,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines next week.

That’s about 8,000 more than this week.

Another 41,000 doses of the new 1-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine were to arrive this week, the Department of Health and Environmental Control said.

But state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says the demand still far outweighs the supply.

Lexington Medical Center is accepting requests for vaccinations.

To receive a vaccination, go to LexMed.com/vaccine and click on “Request Form.”

If you don’t have an email address or computer, call (803) 739-3363 Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

Gov. lifts 2 covid restrictions

Say goodbye to February, small gatherings and closed bars after 11 pm.

As of Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster is lifting covid restrictions on mass gatherings and the sale of alcohol past 11 pm.

This will be the 1st time in 7 months you will be able to:

• Attend an event with more than 250 people.

• Buy an adult beverage in a restaurant after 11 pm.

The restrictions were intended to lower the spread of covid-19.

Large gatherings organizers are urged to:

• Limit attendance to either 50% of the event space’s occupancy limit or fewer than 250 people

• Ask everyone at a large gathering to wear face masks.

• Comply with sanitation, social distancing and hygiene guidelines established by the CDC, DHEC and other health officials.

Foes fight $1.9 trillion covid bill

Monday, Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement:

“This $1.9 trillion budget reconciliation package is nothing more than another wasteful wish list. This embarrassing legislation put forth by Democrats would use taxpayer dollars for frivolous big city projects and keep our schools closed as students continue to suffer. We must have a more targeted approach when it comes to providing relief, and working American families should come first as we continue to recover from the pandemic. I cannot support this bill as long as it is packed with such wasteful spending and job-destroying policies.”

Cayce honors covid-19 victims

The City of Cayce will now honor the victims and the survivors of the covid-19 pandemic.

Cayce’s City Council designated the 1st Monday in March as Covid-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.

The resolution states that it serves to remember “those who have lost their lives and in honor of those who are forever marked by covid and continue to suffer from the impact of this virus.”

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin said, “This is an opportunity for us to recognize the lives lost and the families impacted by this deadly virus. It is also an opportunity to recognize our amazing first responders and healthcare workers that continue to be at the forefront of this pandemic each day.

In Lexington County, more than 7,000 people have died from covid-19.

Do you dare get vaccinated if pregnant?

Pfizer and BioNTech say their 1st pregnant participants have been given shots.

This is a large-scale clinical trial to assess the safety of their covid vaccine for pregnant women.

The companies want to enroll 4,000 pregnant women in the trial.

They estimate the trial will finish by January 2023.

The National Institutes of Health believes pregnant women face greater risk of severe illness from the virus.

Pfizer and BioNTech say their research found no evidence of fertility or reproductivity toxicity in animals.

Some participants in Moderna’s and Pfizer’s US trials became pregnant, and no vaccine problems were reported.

How Kroger will help with vaccinations

Local Kroger grocers will make it easier to book covid vaccinations online.

The company’s new online scheduling tool will allow you to book appointments for your 1st and 2nd doses.

The new tool will also let you know if and when you are eligible.

The grocery chain is administering vaccines at 1,300 Kroger pharmacies in 25 states, including South Carolina.

The Chronicle welcomes your covid questions at JerryBellune@yahoo.com .