June 15, 2021 COVID-19 Update
A one-minute long news update, focused on COVID-19, airing before and after PBS NewsHour.
Stay in the Know
Resources
KET Covers COVID-19
A robust collection of programs and articles produced by KET
Beginning in March 2020, KET began producing content focused on the coronavirus and its effect on Kentucky. The collection includes:
- KET undertook a new series, Coronavirus: A Kentucky Update, to inform Kentuckians about the disease and its implications.
- Coronavirus: A KET Forum shared the latest information and answered viewer questions.
- KET aired the Governor’s daily COVID-19 updates and provided the feed to other media outlets to help keep the public informed.
Programs and Articles
Psychologist Julie Cerel
Renee Shaw and psychologist Julie Cerel, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, discuss grief and mental health challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This chart shows how COVID cases have plummeted as more people get vaccinated
Isabella Isaacs-Thomas of PBS NewsHour examines the dramatic decline in COVID-19 cases in May and June, recently hitting their lowest numbers since March of 2020. As of June 3, cases were down 94 percent from their peak, in January of this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kentucky’s Rebound from COVID-19
Renee Shaw and guests discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Kentucky's public health and economy and reflect on lessons learned as the state prepares to fully re-open. Guests include: State Sen. Ralph Alvarado (R-Winchester); State Sen. Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington); Ashley Montgomery-Yates, MD, UK Healthcare; and William Paul McKinney, MD, UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences.
News of the Week: June 4, 2021
Bill Bryant and journalists discuss the week's news from the commonwealth, including the latest on COVID-19 vaccinations and re-opening Kentucky's economy. Guests: Ryland Barton, Kentucky Public Radio; John Cheves, Lexington Herald-Leader; and Melissa Patrick, Kentucky Health News.
Addressing concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Even as the rest of the world is clamoring for the vaccine, there are still a large number of Americans who don't want it or are hesitant to get it. We asked some of our viewers to tell us about their concerns and why they've chosen to wait, and Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.
5 tips from mental health experts on transitioning out of COVID restrictions
With vaccines widely available and case numbers dropping, cities around the U.S. are dropping restrictions and focusing on “getting back to normal” for the summer. But for many — after more than a year in isolation — “normal” feels scary. In this video and article from PBS NewsHour, experts say we need to talk more about what transitioning to a more open society will be like — and what our new normal will be like.
News of the Week: May 28, 2021
Bill Bryant and journalists discuss the week's news, including the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the state. Guests: Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald-Leader; Jess Clark, WFPL in Louisville; and Deborah Yetter, Louisville Courier Journal.
Can people vaccinated against COVID-19 still spread the coronavirus?
Writing for PBS NewsHour's The Conversation, Sanjay Mishra discusses the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing any virus particles from entering a person's body and whether those who have been vaccinated can spread the virus. Research is ongoing but early studies show promising results that those who receive COVID-19 vaccines are far less likely to get infected and spread the virus if they do have a "breakthrough infection."
News of the Week: May 21, 2021
Bill Bryant and a panel of journalists discuss the news of the week, including Gov. Andy Beshear's decision to keep distributing enhanced unemployment benefits and other steps Kentucky is taking prior to a full reopening. Guests: Lisa Benson, Louisville Business First; Daniel Desrochers, Lexington Herald-Leader; Joe Sonka, Louisville Courier Journal; and Wes Swietek, Bowling Green Daily News.