Harrisonburg man at Wednesday’s protest says he was not with violent group

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - A single-dose COVID-19 vaccine may be authorized for emergency use in just a matter of days. The FDA recently confirmed that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effective. This highly anticipated vaccine does not require a second dose, nor does it need to be stored in ultra-cold freezers. “This is a public health war and just like in any war, the more weapons you have, the better prepared you are. I think this is a good weapon to have for its logistical, you know, more ease of distribution, than one shot efficacy. And I think this will be a big step toward trying to get to heard immunity,” said Dr. Taison Bell, a critical care physician with UVA Health. Despite reports of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine not being as effective as the others, Bell said the context of vaccine testing is key. “The only way that we can really say that one vaccine performed less compared to others as if we compared them directly head to head. We have to remember that the Pfizer and Moderna trials were both done at a different time with less of these variants circulating around,” Bell said. “The J&J vaccine was done in multiple locations, and we knew that the variants were circulating and we’ve seen that they can at least have an effect on the neutralizing antibody that you can have against the SARS-CoV-2. Bell said the vaccine is effective in not only helping prevent infection but also in minimizing hospitalization for infected patients. Logistically, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could also help make vaccine distribution more equitable, especially for marginalized communities who are already at high risk of getting the virus but lack the resources to get their shot. “Of the three, if you wanted something like a vaccine van that could go into a community, this would be the candidate that could do that more easily than the others. Obviously, the one-dose makes that easier as well, too, because you don’t have to do a follow-up,” Bell said.

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Micah Tatar, 42, is wanted by the local police. He is wanted by the Harrisonburg Police Department for violating a protective order and stalking. Tator is known to be from Harrisonburg, according to the Harrisonburg Police Department. If anyone has information concerning his whereabouts, contact the Harrisonburg Police Department at 540-434-4436 or give Crime Solvers a call at 540-574-5050.

SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - People Inc. kicked off a new service this week that is helping community members who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic access internet services. They have $500,000 of CARES Act funding to help people in Clarke County, Frederick County, Page County, Shenandoah County, and Warren County. If you qualify, People Inc. will set up accounts for clients and pay up to six months of internet services. “We did choose to provide this service because we’ve been hearing from clients that internet is not a convenience anymore, it’s a necessity now,” Rachel Fogg, with People Inc., said. “The pandemic has really shown us that.” Fogg said People Inc. can support those who have lost their job due to the pandemic or have reduced hours at work, have students learning from home, or other pandemic-related circumstances. Clients must also meet income eligibility, provide documentation requirements, and show their need for internet service. To see if you qualify, call People Inc. at (833) 962-2039.

HARDY COUNTY, W. Va. (WHSV) - The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) passed a motion on Feb. 23 requiring pre-K through grade 8 to return to full, five-day instruction in the state. Families still have the choice to continue with virtual learning for their children. The Mountain State’s education board also recommended high schools return to five days of in-person instruction too, but because older students may transmit the virus at higher rates grades 9 through 12 may remain with blended instruction if the infection rate in the community is high. Hardy and Pendleton counties returned to full-time, in-person instruction earlier this week, but School Superintendent Doug Lambert of Grant County said they do not want to follow that plan. Grant County plans to submit a waiver to the WVBE on Feb. 25, requesting to stay on their current schedule until the end of the 2020-2021 school year, Lambert said. Students currently attend four days a week, Wednesday being a remote learning day. “Best scenario is we’re in school. That’s the absolute best scenario, so if it’s a five-day schedule, we’ll make it work,” Lambert said. “I’m hopeful they will grant us our waiver and I think our parents will be happy. I truly believe our teachers will be ecstatic.” Lambert said he believes having Wednesdays will boost teacher and staff morale. He said teachers, staff, counselors, and psychologists check in with remote students, and teachers use that time to prepare online assignments. At this time, about 12 percent of Grant Co. students learn from home. Lambert said he hopes to hear back from the WVBE by the end of the week.