How Campbell County Is Handling An Extreme Spike In COVID-19 Cases
Positive COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing in communities across Wyoming. As of Thursday, there are more than 11,000 active cases with over 1,300 in Campbell County alone. But addressing the problem has been a challenge. Wyoming Public Radio's Catherine Wheeler explains.
Nursing Home Staff And Residents Face Stress During The Pandemic
Since the start of the pandemic Nursing Homes and long term care facilities have been on pins and needles. With some huge outbreaks in facilities across the state, leading to a number of deaths, that anxiety has skyrocketed. Jonni Belden oversees The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Campbell County. She joins me to describe the challenges they've faced keeping their older residents safe and the impacts this is having on their staff. We begin our conversation discussing the residents themselves.
Goshen County School District Takes On COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Wyoming's COVID-19 surge is having an overwhelming effect on state and local contact tracers. Public health officials might not be able to reach everyone that may have been exposed. That could have a major effect on K-12 schools around the state, since it's up to the county and district how they handle it. Wyoming Public Radio's Catherine Wheeler spoke with Goshen County School District Superintendent Ryan Kramer about how the district has begun contact tracing all of its cases.
New Businesses Open In Laramie Amidst Pandemic
The pandemic has caused nationwide economic struggles, including here in Wyoming. But it's also created a new wave of entrepreneurs. In Laramie, Noa Greenspan reports several new businesses have opened.
Why You Should Follow Health Guidelines No Matter Your COVID-19 Symptoms
Wyoming is the least populated state per capita but is consistently in the top five states with the most new COVID-19 cases per day. Public health officials are asking people who have the virus or may have been exposed to follow social distance guidelines no matter whether they feel sick or not. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska explains that's because any level of COVID is a serious one that may infect others.
Wyoming Hospitals Face Rising Demand, Staff Shortages As Pandemic Rages
Hospital capacity is one metric that has stayed relatively stable throughout the pandemic. But in the past month, that's changed as hospitals run out of space and staffing is stretched thinner. Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor reports the state is recruiting outside help, but healthcare workers are still feeling the pinch.
Pandemic Puts Teletherapy To The Test - Reviews Are Mixed
With lockdowns across the country, telehealth boomed a few months ago and that unprecedented growth is expected to continue. But when it comes to mental health treatment over a screen, it's getting mixed reviews. The Mountain West News Bureau's Madelyn Beck reports.
According to a Pew Research Center study, scientist is one of the most trusted professions in the U.S., second only to the military. Trust levels are lower for K-12 principals, religious leaders, the media, and elected officials. So why do we hear so many people question scientific findings? Wyoming Public Radio's Ashley Piccone explains.
Audio for this story coming Monday, November 23rd
Democrats once again lost ground in much of the rural West this election… including in Montana… where Senator Jon Tester will soon be the only Democrat holding a statewide office. He's also the only working farmer in the U.S. Senate. Tester recently wrote a book about how progressives can win back rural America. He spoke over the phone from his farm with our Mountain West News Bureau's Nate Hegyi.
