Month: August 2021

For weeks, the President and CEO of CoxHealth Systems, Steve Edwards, has been hinting that following FDA approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, he would implement mandatory vaccinations for employees.

On Monday, following the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Edwards made good on that plan.

Here are the details in a new release from CoxHealth:

After seeing vaccine safety, efficacy and full FDA approval, CoxHealth will move to universal COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees.

The decision was led by the health system’s physician leaders, who are advocates for the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. CoxHealth’s COVID-19 Incident Command team – comprised of medical directors of many specialties across the system, including Infectious Diseases, Pulmonology, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, and nursing and physician leaders – supports universal vaccination. Cox Medical Group leaders, who have been elected as representatives by hundreds of physicians across the system, have given it unanimous endorsement. These voices are also supported by the health system’s Board of Directors and administration.

“This decision is ultimately led by science, which has shown us that vaccinations are the way we can end this pandemic,” says Steve Edwards, president and CEO of CoxHealth.

Under the change, all CoxHealth employees must have their first dose of vaccine by October 15. This decision applies to all physicians, vendors, students and employees who are on CoxHealth’s campuses.

“Ultimately, this decision has been made in support of our most urgent priority of protecting our employees, patients and community. We have seen great tragedy over the past 18 months: Hundreds of lives lost due to COVID-19, even more left with long-term impacts, and untold moments of pain for our employees and community members due to this dreadful virus,” says Edwards. “We take this opportunity to unify and move forward together as we work to protect our community, as we have been called to do in health care.”

To date, nearly 70 percent of CoxHealth employees are already vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as more than 90 percent of physicians.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department and city of Springfield will update the community on the latest news regarding COVID-19 vaccines at 2:00 p.m. Monday.

Health leaders will be available to answer questions about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Watch live streaming video of the update here at 2 p.m. https://cityview.springfieldmo.gov/livestream/

Dangerous heat and humidity have returned to the Ozarks for much of this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for all of southwest Missouri through Thursday.

Heat index readings of 100 to 105 are in store each day, with temps climbing into the mid to upper 90’s.

Avoid heat related illness by drinking plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty, and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages while outdoors.

Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.

Some relief from the heat may arrive by this weekend.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued its full stamp of approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

The move comes eight months after the vaccine was authorized for emergency use in the United States to battle rising cases of the coronavirus.

The FDA decision clears the way for the companies to market their vaccine, which is not permitted without full licensure.

It may also set off a race for booster shots, allowing doctors to prescribe extra shots “off label” to anyone they think should get one.

The decision may also lead to more companies, schools and other groups requiring vaccinations.

A fire early Sunday morning has damaged a pizza restaurant.

Firefighters were called to the Godfathers Pizza on Ingram Mill Road near Sunshine and U-S 65.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On Facebook, the owner said the Springfield location was closed until further notice.

Chris Six, KOLR

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A teacher at a Springfield Christian school has been charged for her involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot in Washington, D.C.

Federal court documents say 29-year-old Kelsey Leigh Ann Wilson has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

As KOLR-10 reports, court records say Wilson self-surrendered to authorities on August 18 and made her first court appearance in Springfield that same day. She is currently being held in a U.S. Marshals holding facility in Springfield, where she is being cooperative with authorities.

Two Springfield Public Schools employees have filed a lawsuit against the R-12 district and Superintendent Grenita Lathan over mandatory equity training.

The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of employees Jennifer Lumley and Brooke Henderson. It claims the equity training violated their rights and is unconstitutional.

In a statement issued to local media, the school district calls the lawsuit “frivolous and without merit.”