Two weeks ago I turned 18 and along with the excitement of this important date, there was better news. I was now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine because I am Latina; in Montana Latinos and other people of color are priority groups for receiving the shots because we are more vulnerable to the virus.
It has been an interesting year of politics amidst a pandemic. Gov. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) decided to roll-back the statewide mask mandate created by former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, who termed-out and vied for a Senate seat.
It is a fact that Latinos are more at risk of acquiring and spreading Covid than non-Hispanic whites. It is also a fact that Latinos as a group are more resistant to the idea of vaccinations; up to 30% fewer Latinos opt into any adult vaccinations.
This week partners from Big Sky Resort Area District, Bozeman Health, Madison Valley Medical Center, Gallatin City-County Health Department, and Madison County Public Health Department met to increase cross-county collaboration for vaccinations in Big Sky.
Demand for community testing remains high according to a recent Big Sky Relief meeting.
The face covering rule in Gallatin County will be extended until April 20, as will the isolation and quarantine rule and rule for visitation at nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and senior and assisted living facilities, per a recent Gallatin City-County Board of Health meeting.
Joyce Santos, resident of the Gallatin Rest Home, barely flinched when she received the facility’s first COVID-19 vaccination alongside Gallatin Rest Home Administrator Darcel Vaughn. Another resident keenly observed the Dec. 29 proceedings. Santos said the vaccination did not hurt and she is doing well.
Big Sky Medical Center received 100 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on December 23.
This allotment will be enough to immunize all Big Sky Medical Center employees who want to and are able to be immunized at this time, Bozeman Health Marketing and Communications System Director Lauren Brendel explained.
Bozeman Deaconess Hospital employees recently began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations just as area leaders anticipate a holiday surge. Taylor Rose, director of Clinical Services & Operations Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center said holiday staffing looks good, the medical center is not currently at capacity and preparations have been made.
BIG SKY, Mont. – Big Sky Relief, the collaborative COVID-19 relief effort, today announced the Big Sky Winter COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Partnership to keep the community healthy and businesses open entering the winter season.