>> Good afternoon.

This is the 2 minute warning please press one to ask a question.

>> Okay good afternoon, everyone and thank you for joining today's COVID-19 update North Carolina.

As of today, North Carolina has had 700's 764,228 confirmed cases.

2,926 new cases reported since yesterday.

2004 741 people in the hospital.

And sadly 9,409 people have died.

We're praying for those who are fighting this virus.

And those who've lost loved ones and friends to friends to COVID-19.

Today we continue to see stabilization in our covid numbers.

The number of hospitalizations has dropped for 8 straight days along with decreases in our confirmed cases and percent positives.

Although these numbers are still too high.

We are encouraged.

Still we must not let our guard down and we all need to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Any time we leave our homes.

Protecting public health has been the top priority since the start of this pandemic.

We've taken decisive action to put strong safety protocols in place including in our schools.

When the pandemic first hit in March, we move to remote instruction to keep people safe from this virus that we knew little about.

We asked science and public health experts to develop safety plans to help students continue learning whether they were in the classroom or at home.

Learning has continued.

Educators parents and students have persevered.

We've learned much more about this virus.

And now it's time to get our children.

Back into the classroom.

Protecting the health and safety of the people of this state, especially our children and our teachers has been our goal.

And since North Carolina went to all remote instruction at the beginning of this pandemic.

Our number one priority has been getting our children safely back into the classroom.

We know school is important for reasons beyond academic construction.

Schools where students learn social skills, get reliable meals and find their voice.

And teachers and staff play an important role in keeping students safe by identify cases of abuse.

Hunger homelessness and other challenges students face outside of school.

At least 90 of our 115 school districts are doing just that by providing in person instruction for some are all of our students right now.

What's new is that research done right here in North Carolina tells us that in person learning is working.

And that students can be in classroom safely with the right safety protocols in place.

Today I'm joined by our state education leaders to strongly urge that all schools provide in person learning for their students.

In addition, it's critically important that the school strictly follow the safety protocols laid out by the Department of Health and Human Services.

That got its reinforces the importance of in person learning.

While maintaining strong public health measures to protect students, teachers.

Staff and families.

Students should still have the option of remote learning this school year if that's best for them.

And the teachers who are at risk should be providing that remote instruction.

But students who are ready to return to the classrooms should have that chance.

This pandemic has tested este in different ways.

But our educators and school staff have never stopped showing up for our students.

Our teachers have work to engage our students whether remotely or in person.

Our custodial staff has worked to keep schools clean and safe.

Our bus drivers have gotten meals to students and taken them to and from school safely.

I know how hard you're working.

And that your state appreciate deeply your extraordinary service.

Parents deserve a lot of credit right now too.

And I thank them.

We know they've served as teacher assistants at home on top of their jobs and other responsibilities.

And our students have worked hard to learn amid unprecedented challenges.

I'm so grateful for the way people have stepped up for our schools.

Our team and health officials have worked closely with the Department of Public instruction and superintendent Katherine true it.

And the state Board of Education and its chairman Eric Davis.

We're committed to working together on this.

And you'll hear from them in a moment.

But first I want to recognize doctor Mandy Cohen our secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dot co. >> Thank you governor before I talk about our strong track record in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

I want to share a few quick announcements first North Carolina has now administered more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses across the state that's an incredible milestone.

We have expanded our call center to help answer your questions about vaccine.

Whether we want to know about the vaccine and how they work when you're eligible to take your shot or where your spot is to get a vaccine.

You can call 8, 8, 8, 675-4567 7 days a week.

3rd we launched a new online tool where you can enter your zip code or your current location to find nearby vaccine providers.

Remember supply of vaccine is extremely limited.

So you may have to wait for an appointment, even if you're currently eligible to get your vaccine.

Last please join us tonight on our social media channels as we live stream a conversation on vaccines with reverend doctor William Barber.

OK now back to schools.

From the outset of the pandemic governor Cooper took early and aggressive action to protect the health of North Carolinians.

We have been guided by data and the developing science.

It was that data and science that prompted us to allow school districts to go back to in person instruction last July.

At the time the emerging evidence showed that school was a lower risk setting and that we could further reduce risk for students, teachers and staff with strong guidance and preventive measures.

In the almost 7 months since ongoing research continues to reaffirm the early science that guided those decisions.

Children particularly younger children continue to be less likely to get and spread COVID-19 than adults.

When children do get COVID-19 most have very mild illness.

Only in very rare instances have children did not develop severe symptoms.

New studies also re reaffirm that strong prevention measures like the ones we have here for our North Carolina schools.

They work.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently cited North Carolina as an example that schools can reopen safely even during periods of high community transmission.

When they follow those COVID-19 safety protocols.

A study by North Carolina's ABC collaborative found that if someone is attending school had COVID-19 it was very unlikely that they got COVID-19 at school or that they gave it to anyone else at the school.

And in the schools that the collaborative study there were no cases of student to staff transmission.

This is consistent with other studies in the United States and around the world that showed children rarely transmit COVID-19 to other children and rarely transmit it to adults in an in person school setting.

It comes down to strong public health safety measures in our school.

Since August at least 90 of our State's 115 school districts have provided in person instruction for some or all of their students using those safety protocols.

Even with the thousands of students and teachers attending school in person across the state.

We have seen few COVID-19 clusters in our public schools.

And now as a wake County public school parent myself I want to thank all the teachers and staff that have gone over and above to implement the safety protocols.

So my first and 3rd grader could attend in person school this year.

Our department will continue to serve our school communities.

Offering resources and support.

So we can keep our school doors open.

And no matter how old you are or where you go practice those 3 W's whenever you're with people who don't live with wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart and wash your hands often thank you governor.

>> Thank you doctor.

Cohen next hour recognize Catherine true it our superintendent of public instruction superintendent for.

>> Thank you to governor Cooper and secretary Cohen for your clear statement today on the need to send children back to school.

The hard truth is that even with immediate action.

We face a challenging path way ahead.

Even before the covid crisis, a majority of our students were already behind in reading and math proficiency imagine what has happened after nearly a year of remote learning.

We also know that remote learning in this pandemic have taken a tremendous toll on thousands and thousands of families disrupting jobs childcare Healthcare, social networks and even food security.

In short this crisis has negatively impacted students mental health.

And overall well-being as well as their academic preparation.

Data shows us that are most vulnerable students are also those who are disproportionately impacted by the remote at home learning environment.

As we have heard we have received extensive data to confirm.

But the health risks of in person attendance were thankfully much lower.

Then we initially feared.

As a former classroom teacher myself I am well aware of the important role that schools, play.

In all aspects of a child's life and after suddenly being thrust into into the role of the substitute teacher at home.

I know that thousands of parents have a newfound respect for the profession of teaching.

Most teachers want nothing more than to return to the classrooms and teach in person, but they like our students are being held back by district-wide policies over which they have little input.

I understand that for many schools, the logistics of returning to in person instruction 5 days per week may be a challenge.

But this is absolutely a challenge we must face head on.

For some children, this challenge is about fulfilling their potential.

But for others it's as simple as ensuring that they have a chance in life.

We hope that today's DHA just guidance empowers local school districts to require students and teachers to return to their classrooms.

Well also offering a choice of remote instruction for those teachers and students who are at high risk from COVID-19.

Our students cannot lose any more time.

Thank you.

Thank you governor.

>> Thank you superintendent true it at this time our recognized Eric Davis, the chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education chairman Davis.

On behalf of my colleagues on the state Board of Education and along with superintendent true it.

>> When extend my thanks to the governor and secretary Cohen for your leadership throughout this pandemic.

On 3/14/2020 in partnership with governor Cooper and secretary Cohen.

We made the tough decision to close our schools for in person instruction due to the many unknowns about COVID-19.

Following the science with a learning mindset to gain greater understanding and how to protect our families and especially our teachers and students.

We test our districts to create multiple operating plans to address the health and safety concerns and their respective communities.

Since last March.

And despite the heroic efforts of teachers principals and family members.

Too many of our students have not received the academic instruction or the social emotional.

Her mental health supports that they so desperately need.

Quite simply not enough of our students are receiving the benefit of in person instruction.

We know that equitably and fully address the needs of the whole child in every student.

It's imperative that schools reopen for in person instruction.

Since August public school leaders have proven the merits of the safety protocols that have kept our schools safe.

For students and staff.

Along with the remote instruction option for hire a students and parents seeking such an option.

The science is clear.

It is safe to reopen our schools in accordance with the health protocols.

Following the 3 W's washing our hands wearing our mask and waiting 6 feet apart.

We know the pathway to effectively reopen schools.

We look forward to partnering with our districts and all educators.

As students or return to school buildings this month.

Student overall health.

Safety and academics are improved when they are with our caring teachers in our schools.

Working together.

We can fulfill our responsibilities to our students and support them and recovering from the damaging effects of covid.

Thanks chairman Davis.

Also we have Monica mcghee and lee williamson as our sign language interpreters.

>> And behind the scenes jasmine the to veer Erica Cook Lehrer, Spanish language interpreters.

All of us are available to take questions and we'll begin with the first one if you can identify your organization in yourself place.

>> Our first question from Claire Donnelly with W S a. Hi there could not only from wsfa e the question is actually for secretary Cohen.

I'm wondering what land the state had to reach residents who might not be able to leave their home for vaccines, either you know because of a disability or illness.

>> Hi Claire thanks for that question.

So obviously we're working to get vaccine out to all of the folks in North Carolina who need it as quickly and as equitably as possible and we know that folks have challenges with transportation and leaving their home either because frailty due to illness or other reasons so working with a lot of different mechanisms to get our vaccine out I know our local health departments are are working to serve their underserved communities just a couple weeks ago we released 2 and a half million dollars to our local transportation providers to allow for transportation to and from vaccine visits but anyone who is homebound and is eligible, I would encourage them to get in touch with their local health departments and others to see if there are ways in which we can work out vaccination efforts I encourage everyone to be patient.

The most important thing to remember about our vaccines right now is we do not have enough supply to reach everyone right now.

So as we have patients, we're working to get everyone through multiple mechanisms things clear.

>> Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Eric spangenberg with the Charlotte business Journal.

The governor that Eric and bird with the Charlotte business Journal.

I want to ask you you've been I guess everyone's been through so many holidays and Kerry period for you're trying to get people not to gather obviously the Super Bowl this weekend.

I wonder what you would say not only the people who are thinking about gathering but also what would you say to restaurant owners and other business owners in terms of proper protocol for this weekend.

>> The same thing we've been saying all along that it is not a good idea right now to gather, especially indoors with people that you do not live with.

Not only is that important for this pandemic we're in right now but also with these COVID-19 variants that we see that's not what we want and we hope people won't do that you can stay at home this year and watch the Super Bowl.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Nate Morabito with wcnc.

It is governor I have an unemployment question for you the state is now the ministry another round of unemployment benefits.

>> But federal forms a show even with changes last year North Carolina continues to be among the worst in the country for getting jobless benefits out in a timely manner people turn to lawmakers and journalists.

Across the state to move their cases along and they really are still reaching out all these months later.

You're secretaries on the oversight Committee last week.

The delays are due in large part to the next period.

First time file.

But even if that's true.

Why does it take a phone call email from a journalist or lawmaker to pry loose a person's unemployment.

Why can't regular people get their money without having turned up.

>> Well that shouldn't have to happen and our Department of employment security has gotten out millions of dollars to thousands of people.

One of the concerns that I have continued to have is that our state ranks near the bottom and unemployment benefits that the state provides the shortest period of time and some of the lowest benefits.

So one of the things that I'm going to recommend to the General Assembly is that we increase our state.

Unemployment for people who are out of work because of this pandemic I know the department continues to work very hard to get help to people because that's critically important and they will be ready to administer the new federal money that's coming in.

Next question place.

>> Next question from dawn Vaughn with the news and observer.

>> I Don Bonner the news on server.

And this is a you know strongly urging not a mandate.

Governor Cooper will you find the in person learning bill that's moving through the Legislature right now and why or why not.

>> Well first.

We agree that we need to get our children back to in person learning in the classroom.

The question remains what's the best way to do that.

A lot of superintendents school board leaders at the local level has said that if you as the state can provide us.

Encouragement in got it on doing it then we'll take the step forward.

The state Board of Education I and others believe that it's important to have this local control and I believe that many if not all of the school board will look very carefully at this and we'll make the decision going forward to get students back into the classroom.

I haven't seen the legislation on know about it.

I have some concerns with that particularly stripping out some of the health protocols that are in place.

But that I don't think that's the way to go I think the way to go is to get our local school boards to take this action and I believe that many of them most of them will do so hopefully all of them will do so because it's the right thing to do.

That question place.

>> Follow up on our news and observer.

>> I think for a follow-up now if you don't think that the way to go does not mean that you'll view it and that the schools you said you hope for that all of the schools reopen and make all that and then what next and will there be a mandate for the school that haven't decided to.

>> Well I've talked to legislative leaders of both parties today and I've encouraged them the let's give these local boards a chance.

They've had to make some very tough decisions on the ground.

I think we we agree that our decisions are best made about education.

At a local level.

And with this encouragement with these new studies out showing the safety protocols with local school boards and superintendents knowing the local areas.

We think that this is the right way to go we'll continue talking to the Legislature I have concerns with this is legislation that's going through right now and hope today Spurs actions by local school boards and I think that that will happen.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Ashley Talley was wre I governor thank you for taking my call.

With this new to bring Chad back to the classrooms will teachers move up in the back police the taxation here.

>> We want to get vaccinations to the entire population as quickly and as equitably as possible.

Teachers are in the group of essential workers and they are up next in the priority.

I think it's important to know that these the research that has been done says that the schools can be run in a safe way if following safety protocols.

So that the team is going to continue to work to get vaccine out obviously we need more from the federal government and they will be part of the essential workers.

Next question place.

>> Follow-up Ashley Talley wre thank you to that and we've also heard that Harris teeter will be getting that scene in North Carolina is he is the coming week, 14 which is that correct you know that and will there be any other commercial entities that will be Ken.

Distributing or or or getting out the vaccine in North Carolina.

>> That the team is working on expanding the number of providers, our biggest problem right now is not enough vaccine.

But we're hoping that we'll continue to get more and more and will need more and more providers.

But I'll let doctor Cohen address that question specifically.

>> Thanks Ashley.

Yes, we are bringing on more vaccine providers but doing it in a very targeted way as the governor said our biggest issue right now is just not having enough vaccine that we can even get to all of our providers as it is.

So we are bringing on additional providers, some of them are independent pharmacies some of them are independent private doctors offices and others who can partner with us to administer vaccines quickly and equitably as far as Harris teeter that does not ring a bell to me and sound familiar.

I do know that Walgreens is our partner in the federal pharmacy program that I know will be activated within the next couple of weeks and there may be a partnership between Walgreens in Harris teeter, I'm not aware of but that is that is the pharmacy partner that will be used to the federal pharmacy program.

Thank you.

>> Next question place.

>> Our next question is from Brian Anderson with the Associated Press.

Hi governor Brian Anderson here at the A P thanks for the time and the question I have one for you and one for doctor Cohen.

>> You just talked about the importance of education sitting being made at the local level but as you remember back in September you had decided.

To allow for plan a Fort 85 at the state level it was a decision he made why not extend that out to K 12 today or do an executive order today.

And my question for doctor Cohen is are there any federally run vaccination clinics.

In North Carolina as president Joe Biden has called for.

>> But in answer to your first question what we want to do today is to make sure that children have a chance to get back to the classroom in person, I'll let doctor Cohen talk about the details of that as well as the second part of the question.

>> Hi Brian and part of your first question you're right.

We are encouraging those who are in elementary school to return in that plan those in middle and high school in a plan B but in the the updated guidance that you'll see today you'll see there's very minimal difference between A and B it is really just about in the social distancing peace and that comes strictly from the science that we keep understanding that there is a different pattern of of transmissibility between those who are under the age of 10 or up to in the elementary school age versus those that are in middle and high school.

But again in person learning is something we think should be a part of of everyone going forward K through 12.

Though there may be slightly different protocols that we expect for middle and high school to ensure the additional social distancing.

That we think is needed for our older students but again in person instruction is something that that the science supports and if we're doing those safety protocols that folks can be back safely and in person learning.

On the question related to do we have any federally supported vaccine clinics at this point.

The answer is no that we are in conversations with our FEMA, regional partners about how they can support events going forward.

The issue continues to be vaccine supply and we did get some good news from the federal government this morning we're going to get a little more supply as we go forward into next number of weeks and we're so as we move forward and there's more vaccine supply we certainly want to be working with our federal partners to have even more access points and federally supported access.

Sites that that come with with personnel and hopefully also with vaccine.

We would definitely support having here in the state.

>> Thank U next question please.

>> Follow-up Brian Anderson Associated Press.

>> And then forgive me but just to the first part of the previous question for for governor Cooper.

Why no executive order here today.

>> The school systems that we have talked to want to know what the state believes regarding getting schools.

Back open in person.

We are giving them that guidance today along with the public health guidance and let them make the decisions accordingly but we think it's important to get our students back in school and think that this is the best way to get it done.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from reading John's with spectrum news.

Hi good afternoon, the North Carolina Association of educators said yesterday that you know they'd like to see schools reopen too but they want teachers to be vaccinated first.

I'm wondering for school boards as they hear your announcement today.

And they also want teachers to be back kids first is there any clarity you can give them in the sense of when they might see vaccines for their educators.

>> First we want to get vaccines to our essential workers as quickly as possible in their next up in the priority lit list.

I will point out that the research shows that children can safely be back in school as long as health protocols are followed and that is what we are recommending today and I'll let doctor Cohen talk a little bit more about vaccines and vaccine priority.

>> Hi Reuben as you know we started meeting to have a prioritization because our vaccine supply is so limited and so right now we are vaccinating all Healthcare workers and those over 65 and over and the reason we started with this 65 and over group is because they represent 83% of the deaths in North Carolina, 83%.

All right come from those who are 65 and up so we really wanted to protect those that were at the highest risk of death from covid the next a group that we will move to is our frontline essential workers.

These are folks who have to leave their home to do their job teachers being one of them.

But also police officers, firefighters and others.

So that will be the next group up but I want to remind folks and I keep saying this.

There is such limited supply right now we're still see very high demand for those who are 65 and up and so it's going to be still a number of weeks before we're able to move forward to our frontline essential workers were working with our vaccine partners on the ground right now to help understand how what they're seeing in terms of demand from that that population, 65 and up and then we'll know how we need to move forward to the next group thank you.

>> Thank U next question place.

>> Follow-up Reuben Jones spectrum news.

>> Thank you I just want to follow-up regarding the distribution of vaccines to Walgreens from the federal government.

What will the state's role be in that and I imagine that Walgreens will have to follow the guidance for the the rules already in place in terms of who gets back seedings one.

Thank you.

>> Thanks Rubin said there is a federal pharmacy program which is different than the fact that we the state are also allocating vaccines to pharmacies right now in addition, there is a federal pharmacy program where they can get a direct allocation from the federal government that is where Walgreens is the partner here.

So in the coming week.

I don't know if it's going to be next week or the end of the week, but they will be getting a very small amount of vaccine at a few of their locations we're still working through exactly where that will be.

With our partners.

But we have heard that they that will move forward.

They are going to be following the state's prioritization so flag as I was saying we are vaccinating those who are 65 and up so they will follow our State's prioritization as they as they move forward.

Thank you.

>> Thank U next question please.

>> Our next question is from cold charcoal with W UNC.

>> Good afternoon.

Thank you for taking my question.

This is called El Jardin with W UNC.

The governor could pass is wondering what kind of resources if any are going to be appropriated to make reopening impossible for districts, I know, especially for example for wake County schools.

They didn't have enough substitute teachers to continue providing in person learning in the fall.

So I'm just wondering if that's the reason that there not operating in person right now.

How are they special start operating in person in the near future.

>> So one of the reasons for leaving the ultimate decisions to local boards is concerning staff and whether their parents and students who will be willing to go back into the classroom but I think in most every district across the state.

There will be enough teachers and enough students to have in person learning.

In every district across the state.

It's also important that this school districts have the resources and I know that significant funding has been provided to the Department of Public instruction superintendent true it is here.

We want to make sure that emergency management provides all the personal protective equipment that the schools need and the cleaning materials they need to make sure that our schools are safe.

And again we're going to push this really hard because I'm so grateful for our educators and all they do for our students but it's really important for school systems.

That are already operating in person and those that will after this announcement today.

But they follow all of the safety protocols and insisted those protocols be followed because that's what we need to do to make sure that we slow the spread of the disease.

But I think that each district should have enough resources in order to do this at some level and that's why we're encouraging this today.

Next question please.

>> Follow-up called a truck though W UNC.

>> Thank you for taking my follow-up.

I'm also wondering for the future.

If that outbreak to at some point get worse again in the state.

Where did Wednesday.

Decision today's signal kind of a change in priority going forward with their be there.

I hear another future executive order.

For example of how it gets worse.

Would you possibly consider moving to reopen schools and get schools open before this is a citizen perhaps shutting down businesses before.

District moved back to remote learning.

>> Thanks for the question.

We're going to do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians and we're going to follow the science and the data listen to the health experts.

I will say that a lot has been learned about this virus and a lot of research is going on in the schools and I was on the phone this morning with the Biden administration with a number of other governors.

And doctor walensky the head of the CDC says this we've learned this about the pandemic that schools should be the last to close and the first to open.

When you consider everything else and I think that that is good advice, however we understand that things can change science can change health advice can change in I'll be ready to do whatever I need to do to protect the people of the state after taking advice from scientists and health experts.

Next question please.

>> Our final question today is from Richard Craver with the winston-salem journal.

Yes, I countered this is Richard Craver with the winston-salem journal.

Just following up a little bit more specific on the schools.

Is it.

The view it is OK for all grades to go back.

Every day 5 days a week already still looking for them to do.

Today's all today's on and sort of rotate the number of people coming in.

>> We want to get our students back into the classroom and we're leaving some local flexibility on that, but I'm going to ask dark Cohen to talk about the various plans that we've recommended to schools.

>> Thanks Richard.

In all of our in person instruction safety protocols there some baseline that everyone needs to follow that includes everyone wearing masks all the time all the students all the staff all the teachers.

There are other protocols like screening for fever before someone walks in the school district in the school building wiping down high.

High utilization surfaces and make sure that we're cleaning and keeping up cleaning protocols.

The only difference between a plan that is what we're recommending for elementary school and plan B for our middle and high school is really about maintaining social distance when folks are seated.

In plan a we say that that you can have have what I'm sorry and plan B you want to be maintaining 6 feet of social distance at all times when students are in the classroom.

Now that does not mean that you can't go to school every day in person depending on the school building.

The number of students that you have so there are a lot of permutations here and I'd encourage folks to really look at our guidance ask questions of our team and our experts really know how you can operation allies it because plan B doesn't automatically mean less days in the classroom.

It does mean that we want to maintain that 6 feet of social distance for those who are in middle and high school I think there are many ways in which folks can go about doing that and it doesn't necessarily mean cutting down on days, certain certain school districts in school buildings given that the way that their makeup isn't their physical plant that may be the way they have to implement things but it's not an automatic so we would encourage folks work with us work with and ask questions and think about how we can operation allies this to make sure that we can get as many kids in school for as many days as possible while still following the state safety protocols.

Thank you.

>> There's follow-up question or understand.

>> Yes the follow-up question is how has this affected extracurricular activities.

Sports fans things like that.

How will that be.

You know freed up in terms of been able to participate or is it going to be restrictions still on those extra collective a tease.

>> Guidance on that, but I'll let doctor Cohen address.

>> Hi Richard so we also have guidance on activities for students and there are certain activities that are higher risk.

We already do not recommend any of the indoor contact sports like basketball and others for for students and in fact the CDC data that they put out last week that says it is safe with protocols to go back for in person learning.

They did say.

Particularly high school athletics continues to be a space where there is higher transmissibility and folks really need to look at that so our guidance already says that we do not recommend those indoor contact sports.

There are some indoor sports that are not contact where we want folks to be asked all the time on and then obviously for outdoor sports.

Where it is tennis or other things that are allowed to social distancing there other protocols there.

But I think folks should be looking at things and and those different activities that sports is one that has higher risk of transmission.

Obviously when you get together and there's singing involved shouting involved anything that increases that rate of transmission we want to make sure that we're examining that closely before allowing for their activities to go forward and I think the most important is getting our kids back into that in person instruction and thought falling the safety protocols.

Thank you.

>> Thanks everybody for being with us today.