The March 2022 Kerr-Tar COG Newsletter is here! It is FULL of upcoming events, deadlines, and opportunities, so be sure to take note of everything! Click HERE or click the image below to read.
Author Archives: Kerr Tar COG Staff
State Health Officials Update Mask Mandates
On February 17, 2022, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 metrics and trends. As North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics continue to move in the right direction and with vaccines widely available, Governor Cooper encouraged schools and local governments to end their mask mandates.
“We are taking a positive step on mask requirements to help us move safely toward a more normal day to day life,” said Governor Cooper. “It’s time to focus on getting our children a good education and improving our schools, no matter how you feel about masks.”
As entities decide how to move forward, people and businesses should continue to make the best decisions for themselves, their employees and their customers. There are still some places, such as health care, long-term care and transportation like airplanes, where a mask will be required because of the setting or federal regulations.
As it has throughout the pandemic, North Carolina is adapting its response based on the data and for the current stage of the pandemic. Vaccines and boosters are widely available and have protected millions of people against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Treatment is available for those at higher risk of severe disease. And the state’s COVID-19 trends are decreasing, lowering the risk of infection, and improving hospital capacity.
“NCDHHS has always been committed to using the right tools at the right time to combat COVID-19 and chart a course for us all to get back to the people, experiences, and places we love,” said Secretary Kinsley. “At this time, the most effective tools are vaccines and boosters. Everyone five and older should get a COVID-19 vaccine and everyone 12 and older should get a booster as soon as they are eligible. It’s not too late to vaccinate.”
To date, North Carolina has administered over 15.7 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 71 percent of the adult population fully vaccinated. About 75 percent of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 96 percent of North Carolinians 65 and over. About 51 percent of eligible adults have received their booster shot.
North Carolinians can learn more about the state’s vaccine distribution at myspot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish). Find a nearby vaccine provider using NCDHHS’ online tool, Find a Vaccine Location. The state’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline number is 888-675-4567.
View a summary of the changes to the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit and the ChildCareStrongNC Public Health Toolkit.
VISION 2022: Reimagining Tomorrow’s Workforce Today
Public Input Needed: NC Bicycle Route System Update
North Carolina’s bicycle route system was developed in response to the 1974 Bicycle and Bikeway Act. The system was created on roads across North Carolina that were safer for bicycling, designating a network of “bicycling highways” that provided access to small towns, state parks, historic sites and other points of interest. These routes generally parallel the major highways along which cyclists often wish to travel but offer a more lightly traveled alternative than the busy, major roads that are familiar to most people.
Given the extensive development that has occurred across North Carolina since the 1970’s and associated changes to the roadway network, the N.C. Department of Transportation recognized the need to re-evaluate and update the state bike route system in 2013, as part of the statewide bicycle and pedestrian plan, called WalkBikeNC.
NCDOT is now initiating another update to the route system, based on a more current review of existing and planned bicycle facilities throughout the state. The public is invited to help identify additional potential changes to the system, based on recent roadway projects, local planning, and local knowledge and understanding of the routes. To provide input, please visit the NCDOT State Bike Route System Public Input Map. Input will be accepted until March 14, 2022.
Resurfacing Projects Awarded for Granville & Franklin Counties
Thanks to two new contracts awarded by the NCDOT, totaling more than $5.8 million, about 40 miles of area roadway will be resurfaced.
- Under a $2.6 million contract, Carolina Sunrock or Raleigh will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 17.1 miles of state-maintained roads throughout northern Granville County. The northernmost 14-mile stretch of NC 96 will be resurfaced along with three other roads. This work may begin this spring and must be complete by the end of next summer.
- Under a $3.2 million contract, ST Wooten of Wilson will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 22.9 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Franklin County. Some of the roads to be resurfaced include Rocky Ford (SR 1239), MC Wilder (SR 1706), Ruffin Collie (SR 1630), and Lane Store (SR 1118) Roads. This work may begin in July and must be complete by the end of next year.