One million COVID doses dispenses in South Carolina

One year ago today, a WGOG NEWS story opened with this:  “Oconee public schools continue to monitor the outbreak of the coronavirus, although the virus has not yet become widespread in the U-S.”  Well, it wasn’t long before the strange virus became widespread.  And here we are one year later with South Carolina’s announcement that, by this week, more than one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given.  Because of steady progress with the state’s phased vaccination plan, the state is ready to advance to the next phase, Phase 1b, starting Monday.  Among others, school teachers and staff will become eligible for the vaccine.  But while thousands of South Carolinians continue to receive their vaccines each day, DHEC cautions that it’ll likely be summer before enough of the population is vaccinated, everyone should take the same daily precautions that protect against the virus, even if you have been vaccinated.  There continue to be signs of a return to normal.  Locally, they include the following.  The lobby at Walhalla City Hall re-opens today to two visitors at a time, who must wear facial coverings and distance socially.  The main branch of the Oconee Public Library at Walhalla on Saturday will return to Saturday hours of 9 am to 1 pm.