Montana Public Radio

COVID-19

Sen. Daines Encourages Montanans To Get COVID Vaccine

By • Dec 18, 2020
A syringe in a container labeled COVID-19 vaccine.
iStock

Republican Sen. Steve Daines is encouraging Montanans to get a COVID-19 vaccine when doses become available. This follows federal emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged 16 years and older. Ten Montana hospitals received their first shipments of the vaccine this week.

Lawmakers Plan Hybrid Approach Rather Than Fully Remote Legislative Session

By • Dec 18, 2020
Sen. Jason Ellsworth (R) SD43 during a Joint Rules Committee meeting, December 16, 2020.

It’s been clear that the 2021 legislative session at the Montana Capitol will look different amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but it wasn’t clear how different until Wednesday. Republican state lawmakers are planning an in-person session, rejecting mask requirements and allowing lawmakers the option to tune in remotely.

Montana Lawmakers Plan In-Person Session With Remote Option

By • Dec 16, 2020
The Capitol dome in Helena, MT.
William Marcus / Montana Public Radio

Montana lawmakers Wednesday advanced a proposal to hold the 2021 legislative session in a hybrid format, allowing for both remote and in-person participation. Republican lawmakers approved holding an in-person session, while Democrats pushed for full remote participation or a postponed session.

Lawmakers heard from a slew of citizens and lobbyists during Wednesday’s Joint House and Senate Rules Committee meeting, pleading them to reshape how they will meet amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Gallatin County Judge Says Bozeman Bar Must Follow COVID-19 Health Orders

By editor • Dec 16, 2020

A district court judge ruled from the bench Wednesday that a Bozeman bar must comply with a county health order intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The Gallatin City County Health Board and health officer took Rocking R Bar to court after the popular watering hole intentionally stayed open late nine times in Nov. despite a health order curfew and warning.

Helena's St. Peter’s Health Expects Most Employees To Get Vaccinated

By Kevin Trevellyan • Dec 15, 2020

Ten large Montana hospitals this week are beginning to vaccinate frontline health care workers against COVID-19. The shot won’t be mandatory at one Helena hospital, which still expects most of its employees to get vaccinated.

Spokesperson Katie Gallagher said Tuesday roughly 70 percent of the 1,200 St. Peter’s Health employees who responded to a recent survey want or are interested in getting vaccinated. She said staff members wanted more information about the science behind the vaccine and known risks and benefits.

Billings Hospital Signals Patient Discharges With “Code Joy”

By editor • Dec 15, 2020

More than 3,000 people in Montana have been hospitalized with severe cases of COVID-19. One hospital in Billings has started celebrating each recovered patient's return home with a new code: Joy.

Just a week ago, machines were artificially doing the work of Ellen Edlund’s lungs and heart.

Edlund, a 20 year Billings Clinic registered nurse hospitalized with serious complications from COVID-19, credits her recovery to her colleagues’ expertise and an outpouring of community support and prayer.

Worker Exodus Could Leave Lasting Impacts On Public Health Services

By • Dec 14, 2020
Nurse in a mask sitting, looking tired.
iStock

More Montana public health workers are quitting their jobs as they face mounting stress, and in some cases, threats, because of their work during the pandemic. The loss of experience could complicate the work of health departments now and in the future.

In Grizzly Country, COVID Brings Massive Recreation Increase, Surprisingly Fewer Conflicts

By • Dec 11, 2020
Fish cooking over a campfire.
iStock

Wildlife managers across the region noted a drastic increase in the number of people recreating in bear country this year, but that spike didn’t lead to a bump in conflicts between humans and grizzlies. 

That's the takeaway from a year-end review of grizzly management in the Lower 48 states this week.

Montana COVID-19 Nursing Home Death Rate Ranks Second In The Nation

By • Dec 10, 2020
Nursing Home Resident COVID-19 Deaths Per 100 Residents for the four weeks ending 11-15-20
AARP

Montana has been identified as a state that has seen one of the highest rates of death due to COVID-19 in nursing homes, according to a report from AARP. 

Montana Unemployment Insurance Payments Double Due To New Program

By • Dec 8, 2020

 Updated on Dec. 9, 2020

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry issued 38,584 unemployment insurance payments last week, nearly double the 20,308 it issued the week before. The department paid over $12.5 million in unemployment benefits last week. 

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