City council discusses COVID-19 vaccine incentive

News
Dawsonville City Logo

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawsonville City Council met Monday evening, Sept. 20, and discussed several topics on the agenda, including a possible vaccine incentive for city employees.

Dawsonville City Manager, Bob Bolz, spoke on the proposed vaccine incentive for city employees to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

He said that they already have approved for workers to be able to get vaccinated during a workday without penalty.

This means that employees are allowed to leave to get vaccinated and would still be paid for the hours missed.

“Each week I sit in with the GMA virtual conference about COVID. They are pushing herd immunity, herd immunity and the quickest way to get there is encouraging vaccinations,” Bolz said.

Currently, the city doesn’t ask for proof of vaccination but that ideally, the proposed incentive would incentivize individuals who are vaccinated to show documentation and those who are not to go get vaccinated.

The incentive would pay individuals $250 for receiving the vaccine and would pay those who have already received the vaccine if they are willing to show proof.

“If you look, Canton is doing a $500 per employee, Hall County is doing $500 per employee. If all 21 people [for Dawson County] got vaccinated, it would be a $5,250 expense of which $2,100 would be reimbursed from ARPA money. They are willing to pay $100 of incentive money so, it would be $3,150 to the city,” Bolz said.

He continued that he thought it was something that could be easily covered by the city and that this is simply an effort to get people vaccinated.

The council opted to vote on this matter at the upcoming meeting on Oct. 4.

COVID-19 vaccine moving off-site at some health department locations

Community, News
Labor Day vaccines health departments covid

GAINESVILLE – In anticipation of the upcoming flu season and to prepare for the approval of the COVID-19 booster dose for the general population, District 2 Health Departments will be re-opening some of its off-site COVID-19 mass vaccination sites.

Approval for the booster dose is still pending; however, starting Monday, September 20, Forsyth and Hall County will move to their designated off-site locations to begin administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.  The district will not administer booster doses until approval and guidance is granted by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and FDA.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) will await recommendations from the CDC and ACIP before releasing a plan to administer booster doses of Pfizer COVID vaccine in Georgia. The FDA’s discussion and review of data about the need for COVID vaccine boosters is a first step in the process; the same questions will be considered by ACIP during meetings currently scheduled for Sept. 22-23. When CDC/ACIP provide recommendations and guidelines for booster shots, DPH has the inventory to quickly ramp up access to Pfizer COVID vaccine statewide.

“We anticipate an increase in traffic in our health departments with the administration of both the COVID booster dose and flu vaccine,” said Dr. Zachary Taylor, District 2 Public Health Director. “By moving our COVID-19 operation off-site, we will alleviate the influx of people inside our waiting rooms.”

Forsyth County Health Department will operate its COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Northside Forsyth Hospital, Suite 360, located at 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr. Cumming, GA 30041.

Hall County will operate its mass vaccine site from the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, located at 1855 Calvary Church Rd., Gainesville, GA 30507.

The hours of operation for both sites are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Appointments are not required. If an individual prefers to schedule an appointment, they may do so using the VRAS scheduling system via the District 2 Public Health website.  Hours of operation and locations may change due to demand. Reference the schedule of locations and hours posted on the public health website to ensure the vaccine site in your county is operational.

For more information on the COVID-19 booster dose visit the CDC website to learn more.

Ask The Doc! Breast Implant Lymphoma and Throat Cancer

Lifestyle
ask the doc

This morning, the doctors discuss Breast Implant Lymphoma. How common is it? Did the Surgeon make a mistake? The Doctors also touch on Throat Cancer of the Epiglottis. Is the treatment plan correct? The doctors also discuss Covid-19 and the vaccine. What’s True And What’s False? Which of the Vaccines is the most effective?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Se691gSgio

Ask The Doc! Types Of Breast Cancer And The Flu Season

Community
ask the doc

This week, the doctors discuss the different types of breast cancer. They also touch on a question from a viewer regarding the treatment of their husband’s heart tumors. Is he getting the right treatment? What happened to Flu Season? What’s the latest on Covid-19? All this and more on Ask The Doc!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYnxJREiCu4

Ask The Doc: Long Term Effects of Surviving Cancer

Just For Fun, Lifestyle
ask the doc, Surface time

This week, Dr. Whaley and Dr. Raymond Tidman discuss some questions sent in by viewers. They touch on the long term effects of Cancer and some possible complications of surviving cancer. They also discuss how to know when you’re cured of cancer. Is there anyway to prevent future complications for cancer survivors? The doctors also discuss the current numbers of cancer survivors compared to in the past.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KGKAJJj2s8

Ask The Doc! Gastric Bypass Complications And Sarcomas

Lifestyle
ask the doc

This morning, the Doctors discuss Gastric Bypass Surgery and its complications. When is this surgery needed? What are its complications? They also answer a question regarding a Sarcoma. Dr. Whaley discusses why you shouldn’t google medical information. They also discuss the latest vaccine news. Who should be receiving the vaccine?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSrhQhKtnnw

New Link For Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments

Health
New appointments have been released, click below to register.
Vaccine is for DAWSON COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY who fall into PHASE 1A as outlined by DPH – healthcare workers, first responders, long term care and persons 65 years of age and older.
If possible, please print and complete the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Information & Consent Form and bring with you to your appointment.
You can read the COVID-19 Moderna Fact Sheet here.

Ask the Doc! Cologuards and the Lance Armstrong Shot

Community
ask the doc

Dr. William Whaley has returned for the new year and is ready to answer your questions about colonoscopies vs the Cologuard test and the other about Myelodysplasia and the Lance Armstrong shot.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr5QCeVJ5Ek

Gooch reviews first week in Gen. Assembly

News, Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

ATANTA — On Monday, Jan. 11, members of the Senate and the House officially gaveled in to begin the 2021 Legislative Session. The new session brings with it many familiar motions and procedures, including formally electing our President Pro Tempore, Secretary of the Senate, and Sergeant at Arms. All members of the General Assembly, both new and returning, were also officially sworn in to begin their new terms in office. In the Senate, we have eleven members who will be experiencing their first session with us and I am looking forward to getting to know them all as work to make Georgia as great as it can be.

While there were many similarities between this session and others I have experienced, new protocols have been introduced as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has drastically changed the way we do business at the Capitol. To start, all members of the General Assembly and Capitol staff are required to undergo COVID-19 testing twice a week. For those who test positive, a robust contact tracing program has been implemented to mitigate exposure of the virus. Additionally, seating in our committee rooms has been spaced out in order to socially distance committee members and new procedures have been introduced to promote fewer crowds on the Senate floor. I’m happy to report that testing and tracing has been working as intended and we are confident these measures will reduce the risk of an outbreak while we are in session.

Importantly, we are continuously working to get the COVID-19 vaccine to those in the most need. First, it is important to note that there are currently two different COVID-19 vaccines available in Georgia: Pfizer and Moderna. Both are proven to be effective and require two doses, but they differ in that Pfizer requires the doses being administered three weeks apart and Moderna requires 28 days. Right now, Georgia is receiving 120,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine each week and they are being deployed in three different phases. We are currently in the first (Phase 1), and doses are being administered to healthcare workers, employees and residents of long-term care facilities, first responders, and adults aged 65 and above. We will then move to the next phase which will include non-healthcare essential workers, followed by the final phase which will include those between the ages of 16-64 with preexisting medical conditions. If you fall into any of the groups that make up Phase 1, I encourage you to find a COVID-19 Vaccination Site near you and follow additional guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website.

On Thursday, we heard the annual State of the State Address delivered by Governor Brian Kemp. This speech highlighted a few of the Governor’s main budget priorities for the upcoming budget cycle, with a particular emphasis being placed on areas impacted by COVID-19. Specifically, the Governor is proposing $1.2 billion over the next few years to public education and $1,000 to go towards educators to ensure schools can reopen safely. Additionally, the Governor called for increased investment in rural broadband infrastructure, to expand high-speed internet access to communities such as ours.

Next week, these proposals will be examined in closer detail when members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees will meet to examine the state’s current and projected budgetary needs. “Budget Week” is one of the most important times of any legislative session, perhaps none more important than the one we are about to witness. If you ever have any questions about any of the legislative proposals we take up, progress on COVID-19 vaccinations or any budgetary items, please feel free to contact my office.

# # # #

Sen. Steve Gooch serves as the Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected].

Parks & Recreation – Facility Closures (12/23-1/3) & UPDATED COVID Guidelines

Community
Parks & Recreation
Facility Closures & Updated COVID Guidelines
Laura Fulcher
Public Affairs Officer
(706) 344-3501
Please visit the Communications & Public Affairs website for the official social media directory for Dawson County.
As always, please call or email me if you have any questions or suggestions.

The future of education; virtual classrooms in Dawson County

Board of Education, Dawson County High School, News

“We’ve had to start looking at how classrooms are going to look different in the future.”

Superintendent Damon Gibbs said the upcoming years of teaching is already on Dawson County’s radar.

Being technologically prepared is a main pDawson County Board of Education discussing future of educationriority. At the Nov. 10 Dawson Board of Education meeting, education on a virtual level was a main topic of discussion.

Online learning has become the preferred, precautionary learning method of education due to COVID-19.

Lori Grant, teacher at College and Career Academy, teaches three different education pathway levels at Dawson County High School. The pathway presented at the board meeting was pathway level three.

According to the Dawson County School website, the level three course provides “in-depth study of early brain development” for early learning with use of appropriate technology and parenting as well as child guidance trends.

Throughout the school year, classrooms are normally observed. By in-person observation, this allows one to get a clear performance on the effectiveness of each classroom. Since the pandemic, this has not been possible.

“We can’t really go into classrooms and see what a good classroom setup looks like,” Grant said.

Grant transformed the idea of observing a classroom by creating a virtual one for students to explore.

Grant recently had training to take on the idea of presenting virtual classrooms to keep students engaged – she had students design their ideal “dream classroom” while also effectively integrating essential learning elements into their desired layouts.

Students Sadie Pruitt and Lily McCracken both presented at the BOE meeting. Each discussed their model classroom, as well as provided educational links for their grade level throughout the slides presented.

Gibbs said the students’ presentations were timely in relation to the amount of virtual learning this school year. The meeting closed once Gibbs announced the graduation rate for the state of Georgia, with Dawson County at 96%.

“It’s a great effort of K-12 in Dawson County and that does not come easily,” Gibbs said. “There’s a lot of issues that our students face on a daily basis and to have a staff that motivates those kids to come to school and do their best and succeed and to finish the drill when it comes to their high school education…I am just very proud of that work that we do as a team.”

Ask The Doc! Fighting Off Covid-19

Community, Lifestyle
Ask The Doc! Recovery Process Of Covid-19

This morning, The doctors address a comment left on one of the Ask The Doc Segments. What drugs are good for fighting off Covid-19 or do we just wait on a vaccine? The Doctors also address the President and first lady testing positive for Covid-19. What do the Doctors have to say about testing positive with no symptoms? When could he have contracted the virus? How long has he had it? All this and more on Ask The Doc!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rHHkEdwlKE

Ask The Doc! College And Covid-19

Lifestyle
Ask The Doc! Recovery Process Of Covid-19

This morning, the doctors discuss how colleges are dealing with Covid-19. When a Student tests positive, the colleges continue classes and give the infected student their own quarantined dorm. Is this the approach we should be taking with everything? Should we worry over the numbers? Hear Doctor Whaley and Doctor Tidman’s point of view on this right here on Ask the Doc!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBLFwj_Lmr4

Dawson County work session; COVID decrease “encouraging”

Board of Education, Community, News
Dawson County work session

The Dawson County Board of Education met for their 5 p.m. work session to go over a list of topics on their agenda in preparation for their meeting next Tuesday evening.

The meeting covered a range of topics, including additions to the College and Career Academy, out-of-state field trips and more.

As of Sept. 1, there were seven positive cases reported among students. Vice Chair Elaine Wilson said the COVID numbers are down, which she said is “encouraging.”

Superintendent Damon Gibbs said something they are looking forward to are the field trips for their Future Farmers of America, if COVID does not stop them from pursuing their out-of-state trips.

The BOE intend to hold an in-person career fair, with hopes that COVID will allow that to be possible. In previous years, there has also been mock interviews, which will be planned around the same time as the career fair.

An upcoming teacher program is being constructed to offered to all students in Dawson County. The program will be designed to give students credit to finalize their degree, as well as have opportunities to come back and intern or student teach in the county.

Dawson County Schools encourage COVID precautions

Community, News
Dawson COVID precautions

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.- With the school year for Dawson County already well underway, several precautions have been taken in the “best interest” of the students in the county for a safe school year, amid COVID-19.

“This time of the year, there are all kinds of changes [in the first few weeks of school],” Tiffany Davis, executive assistant to superintendent of Dawson County Schools, said.

The first couple weeks of the school year is when students are deciding on a school, as well as making the change from in-person to virtual as well. According to the Dawson County School District’s website, a total of 3,676 are enrolled, with 523 staff members.

There is a total of 14 positive COVID cases and one staff member.

Hershel Bennett, assistant superintendent for human resources and operations, stated this school year has been more involved on the back end of things to prepare for the arrival of students again in the fall.

“There’s a lot more work [that was] put in [during] the summer,” Bennett said.

Within the schools, there’s constant cleaning, directional arrows – as well as encouragement of masks – and social distancing with each portion to the day including lunch. Bennett explained that the schools are dispersing students to sit in classrooms, while socially distancing, and in cafeteria or lunch spaces.

Bennett claimed approximately 15% of families in the Dawson County School District are attending school online, but that will most likely fluctuate throughout the school year.

Online student login to a classroom similar to the image above.

“Continually having to be flexible and have a plan ready to start school was a key to getting started this year,” Bennett stated.

The school district is taking several steps to keep the students safe, including:

  • Buses have assigned seats; siblings next to one another, being socially distant when possible
  • Social distancing within schools, with directional arrows
  • Use of masks is encouraged
  • Created water refill stations; closed water fountains
  • Lunch schedules are extended

Bennett said the district will continue to keep the students safe and put them first, as they have been, to give the best learning experience. According to Bennett, Dawson County COVID cases have dropped each week.

“Our schools have done an exceptional job with social distancing, contact tracing and making sure that the students are following as many guidelines as they can to keep them safe,” Bennett said.

Dawson County Schools issues statement about COVID-19 testing

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Dawson County School System issued the following statement via REMIND, a private mobile messaging platform that aims to help teachers, parents, students, and administrators in K–12 schools to communicate with everyone at once:

“Based on the of Public Health guidance, any person that is being tested or has been tested for COVID-19 should remain at home until the test results come back. The Dawson County School System prioritizes the health and safety of our students, staff, and employees. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please notify your child’s principal immediately.”

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

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