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AMEN. GOV. MCMASTER: THANK YOU. I HAVE TWO THINGS TO TALK ABOUT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING. ONE IS ABOUT MONEY AND THE OTHER IS ABOUT A VACCINE. YOU KNOW THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS. THE ACCELERATED TASK FORCE HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE SAFE AND SWIFT REVITALIZATION OF OUR STATE’S ECONOMY AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE DOING BETTER THAN A LOT OF OTHER STATES ARE DOING BECAUSE WE HAVE MADE GOOD DECISIONS. THE OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES PRODUCED THROUGH THE ACCELERATED SC AND PUBLIC EFFORTS HAVE ALLOWED OUR STATE TO GRADUALLY AND RESPONSIBLY REMOVE THE LIMITED AND TARGETED MEASURES ENACTED TO COMBAT THE COVID-19 VIRUS. ONE IMPORTANT CHARGE GIVEN TO ACCELERATED SC WAS THE CONDUCT OF A COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT. THEY HAVE ALSO TASKED WITH PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO MY OFFICE WITH A $1.9 BILLION CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND THAT INCLUDED THE CARES ACT FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA COVID-19 RELATED EXPENSES. ON JUNE 10, I PROVIDED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THOSE FROM ACCELERATED SC FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF EXPENDITURES OF CARES ACT FUNDS. THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED REPLENISHING OUR UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND, PROVIDING RESOURCES TO DHEC AND THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, FOR STATEWIDE TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING, ALSO THE CREATION OF THE STATEWIDE STOCKPILE OF PPE, AND FUNDS TO REIMBURSE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR COVID RELATED EXPENSES. TODAY, I HAVE PROVIDED RECOMMENDATIONS, WE MAY HAVE A COPY THERE, FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF EXPENDITURES OF THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT , THESE ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SECOND PHASE. THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND, TO PREVENT OUR STATE’S SMALL BUSINESSES FROM PAYING HIGHER TAXES TO REPLENISH THE FUND, I HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT AN ADDITIONAL $450 MILLION BE AUTHORIZED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND. IN THE FIRST PHASE, THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED $500 MILLION INTO THAT FUND. FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, I HAVE PROPOSED THAT $30 MILLION BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF A ONE TIME $5,000 GRANT TO SMALL BUSINESSES THAT DID NOT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. A LOT OF MONEY WENT OUT UNDER THAT PROGRAM, BUT SMALL BUSINESSES DID NOT RECEIVE THAT MONEY. THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH MONEY THAT 30 MILLION TO PROVIDE 6000 SMALL BUSINESSES AND OUR STATE WITH THE $5,000 GRANT WHICH WE ARE CONFIDENT WOULD BE VERY WELCOME BY ALL. FOR CERTAIN NONPROFITS, I HAVE PROPOSED A SIMILAR GRANT FOR CERTAIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE PPP LOANS BECAUSE OF THEIR TAX STATUS. A NONPROFIT LIKE RIVERBANKS ZOO IN COLUMBIA IS NOT ELIGIBLE. WHILE THEY WERE CLOSED, THEY HAD TO PAY EMPLOYEES, KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN, TAKE CARE OF THE ANIMALS. MY PROPOSAL WOULD PROVIDE $15 MILLION TO PROVIDE NONPROFITS. . PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO PROVIDE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THEIR LIVES REVOLVE AROUND THOSE SCHOOLS. WITH CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS, THAT ALLOWS PARENTS TO DO OTHER THINGS AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR CHILDREN TO BE IN SCHOOL FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. MANY WORKING PARENTS CANNOT STAY HOME WITH THE CHILDREN EVERY DAY BUT THEY HAVE TO GO TO WORK, HAVE TO FEED THE FAMILIES, PROVIDE SHELTER AND SECURITY, MEDICAL CARE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE. IF A PARENT WANTS TO SEND THEIR CHILD BACK TO SCHOOL OR IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR CHILD AT HOME, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR CHOICE. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR CHILD OR THEIR JOB. 19 SCHOOL DISTRICTS BEGAN THIS SCHOOL YEAR WITH CLASSROOMS OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK. HOWEVER, A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHOSE NOT TO PROVIDE PARENTS WITH THAT OPTION. PARENTS ARE NOT HAPPY. I AM NOT HAPPY. I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY WHO IS HAPPY ABOUT THIS. MY OFFICE, AMONG OTHERS, HAS BEEN FLOODED WITH CALLS FROM PARENTS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS AS WELL AS EMAILS AND LETTERS AND THERE IS A SENSE OF FRUSTRATION ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT THIS. IF STATE LAW ALLOWED ME AS GOVERNOR TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE IN PERSON INSTRUCTION FIVE DAYS A WEEK AS AN OPTION, I WOULD HAVE ISSUED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER MONTHS AGO. I HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE FACE-TO-FACE EDUCATION TO THE CHILDREN. NO AUTHORITY. WHAT I CAN DO, HOWEVER, IS HELP THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE OPENED FOR FACE-TO-FACE EDUCATION WITH THE COST OF DOING THAT. THE COST OF IN PERSON REOPENING ARE SIGNIFICANT. SO I HAVE RECOMMENDED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT UP TO $50 MILLION BE AUTHORIZED TO REIMBURSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DISTRICTS, AND CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZES FOR COVID-19 RELATED COSTS INCURRED BY THOSE SCHOOLS REOPENING AND PROVIDING FIVE-DAY IN PERSON CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION TO THE STUDENTS. SOUTH CAROLINA’S ECONOMY IS RETURNING TO NORMAL BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO RETURNED TO THEIR WORKPLACE FOLLOWED PRECAUTIONS DESIGNED TO KEEP THEM HEALTHY AND WORKING. I BELIEVE THAT SCHOOLS ARE NO DIFFERENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE FOLLOWING OFFICIAL COVER PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS, SCHOOLS CAN BE REOPENED SAFELY AND SENSIBLY THE SAME WAY BUSINESS MANUFACTURERS, MERCHANTS, AND STATE GOVERNMENT HAVE DONE AND ARE STILL DOING SUCCESSFULLY TODAY. WE ANNOUNCED SOME TIME AGO AND MADE IT CLEAR TO ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IF THEY NEED THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, WE WILL PROVIDE AT NO COST. MANY HAVE ASKED, SOME HAVE NOT. WE DO NOT WANT THE LACK OF THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BE A REASON FOR NOT ALLOWING THOSE CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOLS. I HAVE PROPOSED AN ADDITIONAL $93 MILLION TO BE DIRECTED TO DHEC AND M USC FOR CONTINUED AND EXPANDED COVID-19 TESTING AS PREVENTION AND PROVIDING REIMBURSEMENT TO STATE AGENCIES, COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES, FIRST RESPONDERS, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER INSTIGATION -- EDUCATION FOR COVID-19 EXPENSES. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL MEET NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS CARES ACT FUNDING AMONG OTHER ISSUES. IT IS MY HOPE THAT JUST LIKE THEY DID IN JUNE, THEY WILL ADOPT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE STATE CAN PUT THESE RESOURCES TO WORK TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING AND RELIEF RIGHT AWAY. SECOND POINT IS ABOUT THE VACCINE. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, THE CDC, ARE RAPIDLY MAKING PREPARATIONS TO IMPLEMENT LARGE-SCALE DISTRIBUTION OF COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE FALL OF 2020. THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO BE A PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORT OF SIGNIFICANT SCALE, POTENTIALLY INVOLVING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF VACCINE DOSES TO BE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WILL COORDINATE THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS VACCINE WHEN IT REACHES SOUTH CAROLINA. SIMILARLY, TO THE HOSPITAL BED SURGE PLAN THAT WAS FORMULATED IN THE SPRING, THE VACCINE PLAN WILL BE A TEAM SOUTH CAROLINA EFFORT AND INVOLVE THE PARTICIPATION OF STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, NATIONAL GUARD, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. I HAVE ASKED DHEC TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR PREPARATION FOR DISTRIBUTING THIS VACCINE WHEN IT ARRIVES AND WE KNOW THAT THE INITIAL SHIPMENTS WILL BEGIN AND OTHERS WILL FOLLOW. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY VISITATION PLANS. DIRECTOR, IF YOU PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. GOOD AFTERNOON. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PARTNERS, ESSENTIAL WORKERS, AND OTHERS WHO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS. IT IS BECAUSE OF THEIR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION THAT SOUTH CAROLINA CAN BE HOPEFUL WE WILL BRING THIS VIRUS UNDER CONTROL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOVERNOR MCMASTER AND THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL AS THEIR STAFFS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF OUR EFFORTS. FIRST, I WANTED TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON NURSING HOME VISITATION PLANS. WE HAVE RECEIVED 46 OF THESE PLANS FROM FACILITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND WE HAVE APPROVED 24 PLANS. WE HAVE FIVE WE ARE WAITING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION AND THESE FACILITIES TO GET THEIR PLANS SUBMITTED TO US AND GET THEM BACK OUT TO THE FACILITIES SO THAT VISITATION CAN START. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS HAPPENS SOON SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THEIR RELATIVES AND VISITATIONS CAN BEGIN IN FACILITIES THAT QUALIFY FOR VISITATIONS TO OCCUR. WITH REGARD TO VACCINES, THERE HAS BEEN INCREASING ATTENTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT ON THREE VACCINES. AIMED AT HELPING TO END THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. DHEC AND OUR PARTNERS ARE WORKING CLOSELY TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR DISTRIBUTING A VACCINE WITHIN OUR STATE ONCE ONE BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE PLAN WILL BE BUILT ON GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CDC AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND OTHER AGENCIES. THERE IS NO CONFIRMED DATE ON A VACCINE. AS WE LEARN MORE, OUR TEAM WILL PROVIDE THE PUBLIC INFORMATION AS THAT INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. IN LOU OF A VACCINE, WE MUST CONTINUE IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST THIS DISEASE. REMAINING VIGILANT ABOUT TAKING RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS, INCLUSIVE -- INCLUDING PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEARING A MASK, AND KNOWING THEIR STATUS BY GETTING TESTED. I WILL TURN TO FLOOR OVER TO STEVEN WEITZ, OUR DIRECTOR OF IMMUNIZATIONS, TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PLANNING EFFORTS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MOST OF YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT COVID VACCINATIONS ON THE NEWS AND OVER SOCIAL MEDIA OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. EACH DAY, WHICH HE -- WITH EACH PERSON THAT ENROLLS IN A TRIAL, INCLUDING IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE MEDICAL WORLD IS LEARNING MORE ABOUT THREE PROMISING VACCINES BEING TESTED IN THE U.S. I KNOW WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT ONE OF THESE VACCINES WILL PUT AN END TO THIS VIRUS THAT SPREADS WITHOUT SYMPTOMS, LITERALLY STEALING THE BREATH FROM OUR LOVED ONES AND NEIGHBORS, COLLEAGUES, AND FRIENDS. NOT JUST IN SOUTH CAROLINA, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE VACCINE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE, I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT DHEC IS FORGING PARTNERSHIPS AND FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR DISTRIBUTING THE VACCINE WITHIN OUR STATE WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THIS PLAN WILL BE BUILT ON THE GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CDC, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND OTHER AGENCIES. THE SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL GUARD, STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, DEPARTMENT, AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS ARE WORKING WITH DHEC TO DEVELOP SOUTH CAROLINA’S COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN. THE GOAL OF THIS PLAN WILL BE THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE. WE, LIKE YOU, HAVE HEARD THAT AN IMPROVED VACCINE COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE AS EARLY AS THIS FALL. WE WILL BE READY. THERE ARE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO KNOW. WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED BY KEY SCIENTIFIC STAKEHOLDERS LIKE THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH THAT NO VACCINE WILL BE RELEASED UNTIL IT HAS UNDERGONE THE SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL TESTING THAT ALL VACCINES ARE HELD TO. SECOND. WHEN THE VACCINES BECOME AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE NUMBERS OF DOSES BILL BE LIMITED. THESE LIMITED DOSES WILL BE ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO FEDERAL GUIDANCE TO THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK FOR CONTRACTING THE VIRUS AND THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF DEATH. THESE GROUPS INCLUDE OUR FRONTLINE MEDICAL PERSONNEL, INCLUDING THOSE WHO PROVIDE CARE FOR OUR SENIOR POPULATIONS IN NURSING HOMES, RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES, AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE EMPLOYEES. AS VACCINATION PRODUCTION RAMPS UP, AND ADDITIONAL VACCINES COMPLETE THE PROCESS, THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT DOSES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN OF VACCINATIONS TO THE PUBLIC. VACCINATION IS A TWO DOSE SERIES WHICH MEANS INDIVIDUALS WILL NEED TWO DOSES OF VACCINE TO PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19. TIMING BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND DOSE IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN , HOWEVER ASSUMPTIONS ARE WE COULD BE LOOKING AT 28 DAYS OR LONGER. INDIVIDUALS THAT RECEIVED THE FIRST DOSE WILL NEED TO RECEIVE THE SAME BRAND OF VACCINE FOR THE SECOND DOSE. OUR CURRENT COVID VACCINATION PLANNING PROCESS AND TIMELINE WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. AS WE LEARN MORE, WE WILL KEEP SOUTH CAROLINA’S UPDATED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF COVID-19 VACCINES AND OUR PLAN TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE FAR REACHES OF THE STATE AS SOON THE SUPPLY ALLOWS. THE FIRST DOSES OF THE VACCINE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK FOR DEVELOPING SEVERE COMPLICATIONS AND DEATH FROM COVID-19 AS WELL AS THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS EVERY DAY. THERE ARE MANY MONTHS TO GO BEFORE THE VACCINE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MASS QUANTITIES. MONTHS THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT AS FAMILIES PLAN FOR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS WHILE CONTINUING TO PROTECT THOSE MOST VULNERABLE. DURING THESE TIMES, AS WE WAIT FOR THE VACCINE, THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET TO THE FINISH LINE TOGETHER. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONTINUE TO WEAR YOUR MASKS WHEN YOU ARE AROUND OTHERS EVEN WHILE OUTDOORS. PLEASE MAINTAIN AT LEAST SIX FEET OF DISTANCE FROM OTHERS. AVOID GROUP SETTINGS, ESPECIALLY IN INDOOR SPACES, AND WEAR A MASK AND SOCIALLY DISTANCE IF YOU MUST BE IN A GROUP SETTING EVEN IF OUTDOORS. IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS, INCLUDING MILD SYMPTOMS LIKE A SORE THROAT, COUGH, OR HEADACHE, STAY HOME. PLEASE GET YOUR FLU SHOTS. I WOULD LIKE TO AMOUNT -- REMIND EVERYONE THAT MORE TESTING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. WE HAVE 540 TESTING LOCATIONS AND THE TURNAROUND TIME FOR THE RESULTS IS BECOMING FASTER AND FASTER. WE ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY SHOULD GET TESTED TO GET TESTED AND ANYONE WHO IS REGULARLY OUT AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHERS BECAUSE OF WORK OR OTHER REASONS TO GET TESTED ROUTINELY AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TESTING OPPORTUNITIES THAT DHEC AND OUR PARTNERS HAVE MADE AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE ACCESSIBLE AND TESTING REMAINS A CRITICAL PART AGAINST THIS FIGHT. THANK YOU. GOV. MCMASTER: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >> TODAY, WE FIND OUT -- WE FOUND OUT THAT THE OHIO GOVERNOR , THE DOCTOR IS GOING TO BE LEAVING DHEC. WHEN WHERE YOU ARE AWARE AND THERE IS A REASON SHE IS LEAVING? >> WE LEARNED THIS AFTERNOON AS WELL. SHE HAS FAMILY IN OHIO AND SHE IS GOING TO BE CLOSER TO HER FAMILY AND THIS IS A PROMOTION FOR HER, SO WE ARE HAPPY FOR HER. WE WILL MISS HER, SHE HAS BEEN AN ASSET, BUT UNDERSTAND HER DECISION. >> WHEN HIS HER LAST DAY? >> SHE IS GOING TO BE HERE FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS, THERE IS GOING TO BE A TRANSITION PERIOD. >> WHO WILL BE THE NEXT -- WHO WILL BE HERE AFTER SHE LEAVES? >> THAT IS STILL TO BE DETERMINED. >> WAS A VACCINE BECOMES AVAILABLE, WE KNOW AND USC HAS BEEN TESTING THOSE VACCINES, HAVE THEY GIVEN ANY INDICATION AS TO WHEN THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE? >> NOT THAT I KNOW OF. >> I AM NOT AWARE AT THIS MOMENT. >> YOU KIND OF HAVE TWO PARTS OF PEOPLE, SOME WHO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN BRUSHING THE VACCINE AND IT MAY NOT BE READY BY THE TIME IT IS READY. THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER SET OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST VACCINES IN GENERAL. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS BEING COMBINED AND HEIGHTENING THE NUMBERS OF THOSE NOT GETTING IT? >> I WILL TRY MY BEST TO ADDRESS THAT. MESSAGING IS CRITICAL FOR WHO CAN GET THE VACCINE AND WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE. TO YOUR POINT ABOUT SAFETY OF VACCINES, WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR CDC COUNTERPARTS AND OTHERS IS THAT THE VACCINE WILL BE SAFE AND EFFICIENT BEFORE THEY PUSH IT OUT. AS FAR AS THE HECK IS CONCERNED, WE DON’T MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. >> A DOCTOR SAID THERE WOULD BE A SURGE TESTING KIT TEAM -- TESTING TEAM COMING TO SOUTH CAROLINA. CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN? >> SURGE TESTING HAS BEEN DONE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY HAVE CHOSEN COLUMBIA, TO DO SURGE TESTING, WHICH IS BASICALLY THEY ARE HERE FOR 12 TO 14 DAYS AND PROVIDE ALL THE TESTING SUPPLIES UP TO 12,000 TESTS PER DAY SO IT IS A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE COLUMBIA AREA AND THOSE SITES ARE STILL BEING DETERMINED, TESTING SHOULD START NEXT WEEK, BUT THEY WILL BE HERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. DHEC AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA IS GOING TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THOSE TEAMS, BUT THEY DO BRING AND ALL THE TESTING SUPPLIES, THEY DO ALL THE ANALYTICAL LAB WORK. IT IS A GREAT RESOURCE AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THEM BRINGING US ON. >> WILL IT BE ONLY COLUMBIA OR AROUND THE STATE? >> IS GOING TO BE JUST THE COLUMBIA AREA. I BELIEVE THEY ARE PLANNING FOR TWO SITES TO BE ANNOUNCED. >> A TEACHER DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS. HAVE YOU BEEN IN CONTACT IN TERMS OF AN ACTION PLAN IN CASE THERE ARE MORE DEATHS? GOV. MCMASTER: SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EACH HAS THEIR OWN ACTION PLAN. WE ARE VERY SORRY ABOUT THAT. THERE WAS A QUESTION OVER THERE. >> GIVEN THE DEATH OF THE TEACHER -- YOU ASKED SCHOOLS TO OPEN, ARE YOU WORRIED IF MORE SCHOOLS OPEN, -- GOV. MCMASTER: THE VIRUS IS STILL HERE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET IT. THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR AND SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE TEACHERS, SOME ARE GOING TO BE STUDENTS, MAYBE EVEN SOME OF US HERE, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BUT WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD. WE CANNOT LIVE IN FEAR OF THE VIRUS AND SHUT DOWN EVERY INSTITUTION INSIDE, IT WILL NOT WORK. >> I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR TAYLOR. WHERE IS DR. BELL? >> SHE IS WORKING AT DHEC. SHE IS THE HEAD OF OUR AREA AND SHE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS RESPONSE AND CANNOT BE MORE HAPPY TO HAVE HER. >> I HAVE SPEC AND -- SPOKEN TO CORONERS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD INCONSISTENCIES WITH DEATH REPORTING OF YOUR NUMBERS AND THEIR NUMBERS AND I DON’T KNOW IF THERE IS AN EXPLANATION ON WHERE THERE MIGHT BE SOME CONFUSION AND INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THOSE. >> THE CORONERS GET THEIR INFORMATION THROUGH A DIFFERENT STREAM THAN WE DO SOMETIMES WHICH CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENCIES. EVERY DEATH, THE CORONER IS NOT NOTIFIED OF EVERY DEATH IN THE COUNTY. IT IS THE DEATHS THEY ARE INVOLVED IN. SO BETWEEN THAT AND A LACK IN INFORMATION, SOMETIMES RELATED TO INFORMATION THAT THEY RECEIVE , CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENCIES. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH THE CORONERS TO GET THEM THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED AND THAT WE CAN LEGALLY PROVIDE. WE ARE RESTRICTED UNDER THE LAW AS TO WHO WE CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION. >> IS THERE A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE AGENCY AND SOME CORONERS? ONE TODAY SAID HE HAS HAD TROUBLE GETTING A HOLD OF PEOPLE AT THE HECK. >> THERE SHOULD NOT BE A DISCONNECT AND IF THERE IS, I NEED TO CORONERS TO CALL ME AND WE WILL MAKE SURE WE COMMUNICATE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY BECAUSE THE CORONERS ARE IMPORTANT. >> DR. DUVETS DEPARTURE, HOW WILL THAT AFFECT THE AGENCY’S RESPONSE? >> IT WILL NOT AFFECT THE RESPONSE. WE HAVE MANY QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS STILL WORKING AT THE AGENCY AND WE HAVE LEADERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AREA THERE NOW AND DR. DUBY IS GOING TO BE THERE UNTIL WE DETERMINE WHO IS GOING TO TAKE HER SPOT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THIS EVENT AS WE HAVE WHILE DR. DUBY IS HERE. >> THIS WEEK, DHEC ANNOUNCED THAT THOUSANDS OF NEGATIVE TESTS WERE IN THE DATABASE. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS? WHY THESE TESTS WERE NOT IN THAT DATABASE? >> MANY OF THE TESTS, WE DID NOT RECEIVE. THERE WAS A REPORT DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE LABS, THEY SHOULD REALLY -- THEY SHOULD BE REPORTING BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TESTS. DESPITE THE FACT WE HAVE PUT OUT NOTIFICATIONS IN THE EARLY PARTS OF THE SPRING SAYING THAT WAS NECESSARY. WE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TO EVERYONE THAT BOTH NEGATIVES AND POSITIVES ARE TO BE RECORDED -- REPORTED AND THOSE ARE BEING ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM AS WE GET THEM, SO THAT SHOULD CLEAR UP PROBLEMS GOING FORWARD. >> DO YOU THINK THAT SKEW THE PERCENT POSITIVES WE HAVE BEEN SEEING? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THAT. THAT WILL BE DETERMINED ONCE WE RECEIVE ALL THE RESULTS AND WE CAN LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. >> YOU ARE GIVING ALL THIS MONEY TO THE SCHOOLS AND THEY FOLLOW YOUR GUIDANCE. IS THIS PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE SCHOOLS WHO STILL NEED FUNDING? GOV. MCMASTER: IT COSTS MONEY TO OPEN A SCHOOL. YOU HAVE ELECTRIC BILLS, YOU HAVE TO CLEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF EXPENSES AND THIS IS DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT THAT AND WE HOPE IT WILL ALLOW MORE TO OPEN UP. >> HOW MANY TEACHER DEATHS IS ACCEPTABLE? GOV. MCMASTER: ZERO. NO DEATH OF TEACHER OR OTHERWISE, IT IS ALWAYS A TRAGEDY. I DID NOT KNOW THE YOUNG LADY BUT SHE SOUNDED LIKE A BEAUTIFUL PERSON, THAT IS SAD FOR THE FAMILY, BUT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE OF THIS VIRUS AND THAT IS THE REASON WE ARE HERE, TO KEEP THAT NUMBER AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AND ZERO IS THE ACCEPTABLE NUMBER. >> IS THERE A PARTICULAR PERCENTAGE OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE COVERED BY THE VACCINE THAT WOULD HELP SOLVE -- GOV. MCMASTER: ALL OF THEM. BUT THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE POSSIBLE. >> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. TO THE GOVERNOR’S POINT, WE WOULD LOVE FOR EVERYONE TO GET VACCINES, HOWEVER, NOT ALL POPULATIONS DO RECEIVE VACCINES. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS FOR WHEN THE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE. ANOTHER POINT IS THE VACCINE IS INDICATED ONLY FOR ADULTS, NOT CHILDREN. THAT IS IMPORTANT AS HOPEFULLY MORE VACCINES BECOME AVAILABLE IN TIME. >> VENUES A SAY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE EMPLOYEES, WHO IS A PRIORITY AMONG THOSE -- WHAT IS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE? >> THERE IS A LONG LIST. I THINK WE CAN PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE TO YOU. IT IS A LONG LIST. >> THE CDC ASKED STATES TO HAVE A PLAN BY NOVEMBER 1. IS DHEC FOLLOWING THAT TIMELINE? [INAUDIBLE] >> WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CDC ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND SOMETIMES A DAILY BASIS AS INFORMATION IS COMING OUT. A VACCINE PLAN IS GOING TO BE DUE TO THE CDC PRIOR TO VACCINE ALLOCATIONS, WHICH WE HOPE TO HAVE BY THE END OF THE MONTH. YES, WE WILL BE WORKING WITH CDC ON OUR VACCINATION PLAN. >> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE GOVERNOR. >> I HAVE A QUESTION AS WELL. THERE ARE MIXED REACTIONS WITH VACCINES. WHEN THIS IS AVAILABLE AND YOU CAN TAKE IT, WOULD YOU? GOV. MCMASTER: IF I’M ON THE LIST TO TAKE IT. IF IT IS AVAILABLE, YES. AND A FLU SHOT. >> WITH THE GOVERNOR NOT BE CONSIDERED A PRIORITY TO GET A VACCINE? GOV. MCMASTER: THE GOVERNOR IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR SOME PEOPLE. [LAUGHTER] >> I HAVE A QUESTION. COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN OPENING. WE HAVE SEEN HIGH CASES INCLUDING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. BAR OWNERS HAVE BEEN RAISING ALARMS, THEY FEEL THEY ARE IN A TOUGH SPOT BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET BUSINESS IN BUT AT THE SAME TIME, COLLEGES HAVE BEEN REOPENING AND YOU HAVE STUDENTS COMING IN. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO UNIVERSITY OF CLEMSON AND SCHOOLS WHERE SCHOOLS ARE SEEING HIGH NUMBERS OF POSITIVE CASES, WHAT SHOULD THEY BE DOING TO HELP LIMIT -- GOV. MCMASTER: THEY ARE DOING IT. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN COLUMBIA AS WELL AS REGIONAL CAMPUSES, THE PRESIDENT AT CLEMSON, ALL OF THOSE ARE WORKING ON THEIR PLANS. WHAT I HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO DO IS TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO KEEP THE STUDENTS ON CAMPUS, THAT IS, NOT GOING HOME, TO KEEP THEM HERE, WHERE THEY CAN BE IN TOUCH WITH THEM AND COORDINATE WITH THEM AND SEE THAT THEY ARE TESTED. WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADERSHIP OF ALL OF THOSE LEADERS. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GET TESTED YARD I HAVE DONE IT -- TO GET TESTED. I HAVE DONE IT FOUR TIMES. THERE IS NOTHING TO IT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE -- IT IS SO WIDELY AVAILABLE IN OUR STATE, IT OUGHT TO BE MORE SO WHEN THAT TEAM GETS HERE. IT IS A GOOD TIME TO GET TESTED. IT DOESN’T HURT. >> THERE HAS BEEN A DROP-OFF IN PEOPLE GETTING TESTED. IF YOU OR THE DIRECTOR COULD ADDRESS THAT, WHY ARE WE SEEING A DROP OFF? >> WE ARE NOT SURE BUT WE THINK SOME OF IT IS TESTING FATIGUE. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED IN THE PROCESS CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT THAT IS ACTUALLY GETTING BETTER BECAUSE THERE ARE NEW TYPES OF TESTING, SALIVA TESTING, ALSO TESTING BUT YOU DON’T GO ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE NASAL CAVITY. TIMES OF THOSE UNCOMFORTABLE TESTS ARE HOPEFULLY SOON BEHIND US. THE OTHER THING IS, THERE ARE A LOT OF ASYMPTOMATIC PEOPLE WHO DON’T THINK THEY DID TO GET TESTED AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO GET TESTED SO THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE THE DISEASE AND THEY CAN TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WE ARE MAKING TESTING AVAILABLE, IT IS EASY, IT IS NO LONGER UNCOMFORTABLE. WE WOULD REQUEST THAT PEOPLE GET TESTED. >> WE HAVE HEARD OF ISSUES OF PEOPLE RECORDING [INAUDIBLE] WHEN THEY WERE NEVER TESTED OR DID NOT SHOW SYMPTOMS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR PEOPLE [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE THEIR LOVED ONE WAS NEVER TESTED FOR COVID? >> I’M GOING TO LET THE DOCTOR SPEAK TO THE DEATH CERTIFICATE ISSUES. >> THANK YOU. SO, WE NOT ONLY TAKE THE REPORT THAT WE RECEIVE FROM HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND PROVIDERS, WE ALSO CROSSMATCH IT WITH THE DEATH CERTIFICATE. WE CROSSMATCH THAT DEATH CERTIFICATE WITH LABS TO LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE. ALL OF THE CONFIRMED DEATHS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE. IF SOMEONE IS CONCERNED THAT THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS INCORRECT, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY REACH OUT TO THE MEDICAL PROVIDER WHO COMPLETED IT AND DISCUSS IT WITH THEM. >> THAT PERSON DID NOT HAVE A TEST BUT THERE CERTIFICATE SAYS COVID. [INAUDIBLE] >> THOSE ARE CONSIDERED PROBABLE. THAT PERSON, ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF FILLING OUT THE DEBT SPECIFIC IT -- DEATH CERTIFICATE, THAT PERSON HAD SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH COVID-19 BUT DID NOT HAVE ANY TEST PERFORMED. THOSE ARE THE PROBABLE DEATHS. THOSE DO COUNT AS PROBABLE BUT NOT AS CONFIRMED. >> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRICE OF A VACCINE, HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST, AS WELL AS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO PROVIDING FREE VACCINES? >> WHEN VACCINES BECOME AVAILABLE, WE CURRENTLY HAVE PROGRAMS WITHIN DHEC THAT SERVE THOSE POPULATIONS THAT EITHER DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE OR ARE UNDERINSURED. AT THIS MOMENT, THOSE CONSIDERATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN UNDER CONSIDERATION. WE DON’T WANT COST TO BE A BARRIER FOR VACCINES. >> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SALIVA TESTING. WE HAVE SEEN IT ROLLED OUT SUCCESSFULLY. ARE THERE TO GO IS OUT ON A COMMUNITY LEVEL? >> THERE ARE PLANS TO ROLL IT OUT STATEWIDE AND MAKE THAT THE PRIMARY WAY PEOPLE GET TESTED. THE LEVEL OF ACCURACY IS ALMOST EQUIVALENT TO THE PCR TESTING, NASAL SWAB TESTING. WE ARE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH OUR LABORATORY TO USE THE YELLOW MODEL -- YALE MODEL. WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH USC TO EXPAND THEIR RESOURCES SO THEY CAN TAKE THEIR TESTING BEYOND USC. I THINK SALIVA TESTING IS THE TESTING OF THE FUTURE AND WE ARE PUTTING A LOT OF EFFORT WITH OUR PARTNERS INTO SALIVA TESTING. >> WHEN MIGHT THAT BE ROLLED OUT? >> IT IS ALREADY BEING ROLLED OUT. WE HAD A SMALL TESTING EVENT, BUT WE ARE ROLLING THAT OUT. UNTIL IT IS STATEWIDE, IT WILL BE A FEW WEEKS UNTIL IT IS STATEWIDE, BUT IT IS BEING ROLL ED OUT. >> THERE WAS A CHILD WHO DIED, WHAT HAPPENED THERE? >> THE FACILITY ENTERED INFORMATION INCORRECTLY, SO WE REPORT WHAT IS REPORTED TO US. WE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, DR., IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN MORE DETAIL, SHE CONDUCTED THE INVESTIGATION. >> IT WAS REPORTED TO US INITIALLY AS A PEDIATRIC DEATH WITH THE DATE OF BIRTH CORRESPONDING TO THAT. THAT IS WHAT WE REPORT OUT, THAT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO COUNTY LEADERSHIP BEFORE IT WENT TO THE PRESS. WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THIS INVESTIGATION AND THROUGH THAT, DETERMINED THAT THE DATE OF BIRTH WAS KEYED IN INACCURATELY INTO OUR SYSTEM BY THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY, SO IT WAS AN ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL. WE CONTACTED FOLKS AT DHEC AND THE CORONER’S OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW OF THAT. >> WAS AT A NURSING HOME THAT REPORTED THAT DEATH? >> IT WAS A HEALTH CARE FACILITY. >> I HAVE A VACCINE QUESTION. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED IT IS NOT OFFERED RIGHT NOW, BUT I AM WONDERING, WHEN IT DOES COME TO CHILDREN, THERE ARE CERTAIN VACCINES KIDS NEED TO GET TO GO TO SCHOOL. DO YOU FORESEE A COVID VACCINE AS BEING A REQUIREMENT FOR KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL? >> WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT DISCUSSION YET. >> THAT IS A DECISION BY THE LEGISLATURE AS TO WHAT VACCINES ARE REQUIRED TO GO TO SCHOOL. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> DO YOU RECOMMEND THEY TAKE THAT UP NEXT YEAR? >> I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL. GOV. MCMASTER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING AND WE WILL SEE