Legislative Update
The North Carolina General Assembly is currently in the long session. All Senate bills for the session are now filed. Over the next few weeks Senator deViere will highlight and go into further detail on key sponsored legislation.
- Click here for all introduced or sponsored bills.
- Click here to view voting record.
- Click here to view committees.
The Office of Senator Kirk deViere will remain open to assist constituents with concerns, as well as to field opinions regarding the Senator’s legislative actions.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office:
Directly: DeviereLA@ncleg.gov
Office: (919) 733-5776
PFAS/GenX Virtual Forum
The NC Policy Collaboratory is hosting a virtual forum on Tuesday, May 4th from 6-8pm to discuss the Collaboratory’s and Network’s research on PFAS and GenX specifically in the Cumberland County area.
This is a rescheduled event from early 2020 that Senator deViere and Representative Szoka worked to put together but was unfortunately postponed due to Covid-19.
Featured research will include:
– Data on PFAS in public water supplies in North Carolina
– Potential health effects of PFAS
– New research projects on PFAS in soil & animals
– Methods of removing PFAS from water
There will be time for public question and answer.
Register here: https://collaboratory.unc.edu/news/2021/03/25/pfas-testing-network-virtual-forum/?fbclid=IwAR1sAr-O9YxL6SpjKpH1Cu1BxcVkFgJEylj6mDGv-yuL75PH9SS4mT18b48
NC Relaxes Outdoor Mask Mandate and Eases Mass Gathering Limits
As the state’s metrics and key indicators remain stable, Governor Cooper also signed an Executive Order outlining safety measures for the month of May. Executive Order No. 209 will take effect April 30 and is set to expire June 1. As more North Carolinians get vaccinated and adhere to safety protocols over the course of the next month, the state anticipates lifting more restrictions on June 1.
Under the new Executive Order, masks will still be required indoors but are no longer mandated outdoors. Masks are still strongly recommended outdoors by NC DHHS in crowded areas and higher risk settings where social distancing is difficult.
Executive Order No. 209 will also increase mass gathering capacity limits. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 50 to 100 and the number of people who may gather outdoors will increase from 100 to 200. Occupancy limits currently in place will remain the same.
North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered over 7 million doses. 48.7% percent of those 18 and up are at least partially vaccinated, and 39.2% percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.
State health officials are continuing to monitor COVID-19 and its more contagious variants in North Carolina, which is why it is important to continue to follow the state’s mask mandate and continue to practice safety precautions, including the Three Ws—wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash hands often.
More info: https://governor.nc.gov/news/gov-cooper-issues-executive-order-relax-state%E2%80%99s-outdoor-mask-mandate-and-ease-mass-gathering
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
A free COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all who want it.
Rest assured: you have a spot to take your shot.
- You will likely need an appointment to get vaccinated.
- Your local vaccine provider can help you get your shot. Because supplies are very limited right now, most doctors cannot provide vaccinations in their offices.
- You can also call the toll-free COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center at 1-888-675-4567.
What you should know:
- The vaccine is free everywhere in North Carolina.
- No photo ID or insurance is needed.
- Depending on where you get your vaccine, you may need to make an appointment.
- U.S. citizenship is not required or checked.
Find Vaccine Location: https://myspot.nc.gov/
Need transportation to and from your vaccine provider? People who need transportation assistance to a COVID-19 vaccine appointment should reach out to their local transit agency. You can find your local transit agency online and can call the phone number listed for assistance.
As of April 28, North Carolina has administered over 7.1 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine:
Statewide:
-3,809,352 first doses
-3,036,716 second doses
-254,770 single shot doses
7,100,838 Total Doses
Cumberland County:
-61,691 partially vaccinated (18.4%)
-54,376 fully vaccinated (16.2%)
More info: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/vaccinations