In Other News ...
The top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as of September 15, 2021.
Welcome to the Laramie Reporter’s “In Other News” segment, a biweekly rundown of the top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as reported by local, state and national media. Subscribe to our newsletter to get this rundown in your inbox every other week.
-
The Albany County School Board passed a mask mandate for all of its K-12 schools. The decision came near the conclusion of three contentious school board meetings during which debates about the effectiveness of masks and the limits of parental choice played out during public comment periods. Protesters picketed the first meeting, which did not allow public comment, and momentarily shut down the two subsequent meetings — first by shouting, whistling and howling over the county public health officer and then by refusing to wear masks in the boardroom. The mandate passed on a 6-2 vote. Trustees in support of the mandate spoke of avoiding mass quarantines and needing to have “scientific humility.” Several UW scientists, some of them parents, made impassioned pleas for the mandate, echoing concerns shared by local medical professionals about the real, present danger the delta variant poses to the district’s students and everyone who comes in contact with them. A few dozen students and their parents protested the mandate Friday, walking out of class for a rally that lasted 30 minutes.
Reading status: Open access
-
Meanwhile, rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are pushing Wyoming’s healthcare infrastructure to the limit.The Casper Star-Tribune reported how the new delta-driven surge is pushing hospitals, including Ivinson Memorial Hospital, to nearly full or full capacity. Those hospitalizations are almost entirely among unvaccinated individuals. With school back in session, pediatric beds are also filling up.
Reading status:Casper Star-Tribune paywall
-
Shooting for a 70 percent vaccination rate, a coalition in Albany County has launched an incentive program. Vaccinated individuals can enter their names for a chance to win weekly $1,000 cash prizes, and individuals receiving their first or second shot now at any Laramie pharmacy are given a $25 gift card. The program has also set aside funding to help people deal with the financial barriers to getting vaccinated, from transportation to childcare to missed wages. The Laramie Reporter will be highlighting each weekly winner in English and Spanish.
Reading status: Open access
-