Thursday on Political Rewind: Georgia once again finds itself among the worst states in the nation for new COVID-19 cases and deaths, according to state data and a recent report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. While the task force numbers indicate a slight improvement in recent weeks, 821 Georgians died from the virus in just the seven-day period ending last Friday. The staggering toll comes even as the state faces a dwindling supply of vaccines as well as confusion about rollout.
However, with his first full day in office, President Joe Biden is kicking his COVID-19 plan into action. The administration has unveiled a new 21-page plan, which leans on executive authority to create a multifaceted national strategy to combat the pandemic. The response is organized around seven main goals, including efforts to protect workers and students, provide reliable information and communication, advance racial equity in the coronavirus response, and deal with supply shortages by ramping up the production of necessities like test kits, protective equipment and, of course, vaccines.
Our panel of experts discuss the state of coronavirus in Georgia and the nation, the challenges ahead, and what Biden's pandemic plans could mean for Georgians — including those now eligible for a vaccine.
Panelists:
Dr. Keren Landman — Physician, epidemiologist and journalist
Dr. Rodney Lyn — Interim Dean, Georgia State University School of Public Health
Scott Trubey — Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
