Weekly Health News Round Up 2.5.21

A scaled-back bill to allow people to opt out of vaccines passed the state Senate this week after it was revised to ease concerns of medical professionals. Senate Bill 8 will allow people to opt out of a vaccine based on “conscientiously held beliefs” in the event of an epidemic. 

This week, the House Local Government Committee passed legislation aimed at helping Kentuckians with substance use disorders in all 120 counties. House Bill 7 will establish a framework for communities to become “Recovery Ready,” bringing consistency to local substance use prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. 

Thirteen Kentucky Walmart stores have been approved to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccinations are available in Kentucky for health care workers, residents 70 or older, first responders and K-12 school personnel. 

Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s leading health official, addressed double-masking this week. He said it’s not a simple answer, but stressed the importance of staying six to eight feet away from others. 

The Coalition for Smoke-Free Tomorrow held a virtual rally this week to advocate for the Kentucky General Assembly to give local communities more tools to combat youth tobacco use, such as reinstating funding for tobacco addiction prevention and cessation programs.