Until a certain percentage of citizens receive the COVID vaccination, Mayor Diane Delaware urged the city council to not lift its restrictions within Yazoo City.
“I ask that we stand together,” Delaware said, during the recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. “Unless we vaccinate a certain percentage of our people, we should not go back to opening bars or clubs or have large gatherings.”
As of press time, a total of 2,323 cases and 53 deaths were in Yazoo County by the Mississippi Department of Health.
“Even though 2020 brought us a lot of change, anger and difficult stress upon all of us, most of us have come to understand the importance of COVID requirements,” Delaware said.
Restrictions within Yazoo City, which are implemented by the city council, prohibits gatherings of ten or more people, closes bars and limits access to restaurants due to COVID. Masks are also encouraged in public places.
Delaware said there have been problems with some local convenience stores reporting that some patrons refuse to wear masks inside their businesses.
“The Yazoo City Police Department has been generous,” Delaware said. “They have talked to people and continue to hand out masks. Some of us have made the decision that we will not comply. You have that right, but I wish you would pay attention to the rise in cases.”
“None of us have the right to make other people sick in Yazoo City,” Delaware continued. “The city has COVID-19 orders, and we will seek every day to get you to comply with them. You would have had to be living under a rock to not know that masks save lives.”
Delaware said that healthcare workers and long-term care facility workers have started to receive the COVID vaccination. She said that first responders will be the next in line to be vaccinated. As the vaccination becomes available to more citizens, she said that she would like the mentally challenged to be heavily considered and intends to work with Warren Yazoo Behavioral Health Services.
Delaware urged the city council to stand firm with its city-wide COVID restrictions until a certain percentage of citizens have been vaccinated.
The Yazoo Herald was unable to confirm a local vaccination provider by press time. However, adults age 75 and older, can be vaccinated at any of the state department’s drive-through locations. To find a location or schedule an appointment, visit the state department of health website or call 1-877-978-6453.
