Beshear’s latest update focuses on COVID precautions, economy, “Team Kentucky All-Stars”

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – Thursday’s Team Kentucky update followed the abundance of news from around the Commonwealth regarding COVID-19, the economy and giving recognition to Kentuckians.

Gov. Andy Beshear discussed the precautions that the state is taking as the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread across the state.

“With the delta variant spreading across the U.S. and only 62% of Kentuckians ages 18 or older vaccinated, right now our answer is: Masks plus vaccines equals victory over COVID,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are strong enough and resilient enough to do this. We are compassionate enough to know we have to do this.”

Coming off the CDC’s latest guidance and a need to prevent disrupting education and economic growth, the governor announced that school districts should require universal indoor masking and the requirement to wear masks at all state office buildings. Both announcements apply to the public regardless of vaccination status.

“I’m fully vaccinated, but I’m still my brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. I still believe in loving my neighbor as I would myself, so I’m going to mask up,” said Gov. Beshear. “I promised when I became Governor that I would lead by example.”

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, emphasized the importance of being vaccinating, citing statistics that from March 1 to July 28, 2021, 94.5% of COVID-19 cases, 91.8% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 88.8% of COVID-19 deaths were among partially vaccinated or unvaccinated Kentuckians.

“We have changed in the blink of an eye from a quiet, calm state to a horribly inflamed state,” said Dr. Stack. “We all know what we need to do, and that’s to get vaccinated. I’m not begging folks. I’m wondering why folks wouldn’t want to be protected. The vaccines are at no additional costs to you, and they protect you from all of these harms. It’s puzzling why folks wouldn’t do it.”

Gov. Beshear encouraged all those who are 12 and older to get vaccinated and reminded Kentuckians of the upcoming Shot At A Million drawing for $1 million or a full college scholarship. On both July 30 and Aug. 27, another $1 million winner and five more full-scholarship winners will be announced. So far, 692,205 vaccinated Kentuckians have signed up for the $1 million drawing and 40,934 vaccinated youth have signed up for the full scholarship drawing.

The press conference also touched on Kentucky’s economic progress.

“This is how we make sure we are never seen as a ‘flyover’ state again. We have more opportunity now than at any point in my lifetime, and we have to grasp it,” said Gov. Beshear.

Some of the most recent economic developments include the grand opening of a $14.7 million technology center for Estill and Powell counties, the expansion of Fruit of the Loom’s Warren County distribution center and Pratt Paper’s new $400 million paper mill project in Henderson.

The governor also recognized two groups of “Team Kentucky All-Stars.” He congratulated Lee Keifer and Will Shaner’s gold medal performances at the Olympics and celebrated students who participated in the Governor’s Scholars Program, Governor’s School for the Arts and the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs.