With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continuing to spread across the state and the country, Gov. Jim Justice once again Friday urged all West Virginians to get vaccinated or get their booster shot as soon as possible.
“I’ll never understand the logic of those who made the decision to get the full first round of their vaccination, but then haven’t gotten the booster. If it’s been long enough, you’re basically walking around as if you had never been vaccinated at all,” Gov. Justice said. “What in the world are you waiting on?”
“Getting vaccinated or getting boosted stacks the deck to keep you out of the hospital – I’m living proof,” added Gov. Justice, referencing his recovery after a recent bout with COVID-19. “With how fast this thing is running now, if you don’t get your booster because you just don’t feel like it, you’re making a real mistake.”
On Thursday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.7% for December 2021; breaking the all-time record for the lowest unemployment rate recorded in state history for the 3rd consecutive month.
December’s rate of 3.7% bested the previous state record of 4.0%, set just one month prior in November 2021.
On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Steve McDaniel will retire from state government at the end of the month and transition to a role as an advisor to the DNR.
“Steve is a true friend of mine and has been a superstar in my administration. He has served the people of West Virginia incredibly well for five years and I sincerely thank him for his service to our state,” Gov. Justice said. While I am happy he will remain part of my team in an advisory role, I surely understand his desire to spend more time with his family and I wish him a happy retirement and nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors.”
During Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Justice was joined by West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Bill Crane, who announced that hundreds of Guard Soldiers either have already been or will be training to provide staffing support to hospitals throughout the state.
Last week, Gov. Justice directed his Joint Interagency Task Force and his COVID-19 pandemic leadership team to immediately begin reviewing and approving requests from West Virginia hospitals for staffing support, which is being provided by the Guard.
“Our National Guard is doing all kinds of great work backing up our hospitals to make sure that they are fully operational,” Gov. Justice said. “We commend them for all they’re doing to support our pandemic response every day.”
On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that the preliminary approval of over $17.4 million in Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program funds for various broadband infrastructure projects throughout the state.
This marks the first round of grants awarded as part of Gov. Justice’s Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy, also known as the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan (WVBIP).
On Monday, Gov. Justice held his first COVID-19 briefing since testing positive for the disease the previous week.
Instead of conducting the briefing from the normal location inside the Governor’s Reception Room, Gov. Justice opted to hold the briefing secluded away from the rest of his staff in his private office.
The Governor opened his briefing by discussing his bout with COVID-19 and thanking the countless West Virginians who offered their thoughts and prayers over the past week.
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