>> Well good afternoon, everybody and thank you for joining today's press conference as of today we have had a 1 million 3 thousand 200 43 covid cases.

268 new cases reported since yesterday 602 people in the hospital and sadly 13,101 people have died.

Even as more people receive the vaccine and life returns to a more normal pace.

Many of our fellow North Carolinians are mourning the loss of family and friends.

And we still hold them in our thoughts.

While we still have people getting sick and dying from this disease.

Cases hospitalizations and percentage of test positive are decreasing as vaccinations are increasing.

And we're working on new ways to get as many people vaccinated as possible.

Today almost 80% of people 65 and older have been vaccinated has great news because that's our most vulnerable population.

Children as young as 12 were eligible.

And we're glad to see young people who want a vaccine.

So they can stay safe from this virus.

That's more help for our plan to have all students in North Carolina be able to attend in person school this fall.

The North Carolina apartment Health and Human Services has begun pilot programs in 4 counties offering $25 cash cards for anyone who gets vaccinated or drives someone to get their shot.

The results show that the financial support is making a difference in getting more people vaccinated.

We're glad to see private businesses schools and community groups sponsoring vaccine events on site.

And we continue to explore other creative ways to bring people in.

Right now I'd like to ask doctor Mandy Cohen our secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services to share an update with us.

Doctor Cohen.

Thank you governor.

>> Well there is more work to do vaccines are helping us to turn the corner of this pandemic more than 4.2 million North Carolinians have done their part to protect themselves protect their communities and help move us forward so we can get back to the people and places we love.

As of today as the governor said 53% of North Carolinians 18 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

And 80% of those 65 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine and that's great progress.

We continue to use data to drive our vaccine work.

Our new tool that maps social vulnerability and vaccination rates by census tract has helped North Carolina vaccine providers increase vaccinations by 50% in 89 underserved communities since the end of April mess, another the piece of good progress.

Vaccinations have had an impact on our covid trends as the governor mentioned the number of people going to the emergency room with covid like illness continues to decline.

Cases are at levels we haven't seen for more than a year.

The percent of tests that are positive has been under 5% for more than 3 weeks and hospitalizations have decreased dramatically over the past month.

In addition to protecting yourself from COVID-19 and virus-related hospitalizations and deaths getting vaccinated means being able to do all the things that you did before the pandemic.

If you're unvaccinated remember that you still need to wear a mask in public indoor settings and public outdoor settings when you can't maintain physical distance.

If you haven't been vaccinated you also need to quarantine if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you need to participate in testing and screening programs.

To make it as easy as possible for people to get their vaccine as the governor mentioned we are offering $25 summer cash cards at select vaccine sites to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated.

Through June.

The 8th summer cash cards are available in a pilot program locations in Mecklenburg Guilford Rowan and Rockingham counties.

Anyone 18 and older who gets their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or drives someone to their vaccination at one of these participating locations can receive a $25 cash card while supplies last.

In the first week of the pilot program we distributed almost a 1000 cards to vaccine recipients and more than 375 cards to drivers.

Surveys are showing that the financial support is making a difference.

More than 40% of people said having someone to drive them was a very important reason that they got vaccinated at one of the summer cash card events.

And almost a quarter of the people surveyed said that the summer cash card was a very important motivation for getting vaccinated that day.

The summer cash card pilot is part of our bringing some are back get out the vaccine campaign with more than 275 organizations agencies and businesses signing on to promote COVID-19 vaccinations and their community.

We have a strong supply of COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina and it's free to everyone for those who still have questions please take the time to learn about COVID-19 vaccines and why they are safe affective shots and are your best shot at getting back in control of your life and back to the people and places you love visit your spot, your shot dot NC .gov for answers and remember backs up or mask up.

Thank you doctor Cohen.

>> As we continue to see the amazing results from these effective vaccines.

Please keep talking to your family friends and neighbors and encourage them to get their shots.

Though a lot of the economic fog caused by this pandemic is lifting many families across the country are still hurting.

To support our neighbors North Carolina created the hope program last year to provide assistance with rent and utility payments for families that are struggling to make the payments.

We knew that tough times met the man would exceed funding we had available.

And we saw flood of applications come in very quickly.

Ultimately the program awarded more than a 133 million dollars in assistance to help more than 36,000 family statewide.

But we knew that demand outstripped the resources and that people still needed help.

It was good to see the Congress followed North Carolina's lead in recognizing this and providing additional funds.

2 weeks ago, North Carolina opened a second application period for the hope program using funding from the American rescue plan.

And I'm pleased to announce that checks are already on their way to landlords and utility companies to keep people in their homes with the lights on.

As of today, 924 checks for a total of one 0.1 million have already been held to help North Carolinians in need just in the first 2 weeks.

This second version of the whole program is serving low income renters in 88 North Carolina counties.

12 additional mostly larger counties and 5 tribal governments received money directly from the federal government to operate their own programs.

No matter where you live people needing help can just call one number 8, 8, 8, 9 ask hope.

Or visit www.

hope dot NC .gov to apply.

Previous applicants who received help can reapply if they still need assistance.

And as with the first version of the whole program.

Payments will go directly to landlords and utility companies.

In the last 2 weeks more than 8,000 people have already applied for financial assistance and we expect more checks to go out every day.

I appreciate the work of floor hogs head and her team Mike sprayberry and his team and so many others and what they've done to build capacity and get these funds to those who need help.

Now we need to get the word out.

I like to ask bar hock said who is the chief operating officer of the North Carolina office of recovery and resilience or in core to share more about this program.

Mark.

Thank you governor.

>> I'm honored to be here today on behalf of the North Carolina housing opportunities and prevention of evictions or hope program to discuss the opening of a new application period for rent and utility assistance as with the first phase of the program hope remains focused on promoting housing stability by preventing evictions and utility disconnections while families across the state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hope program team has been hard at work improving and streamlining the application process making it easier for people to quickly get the rent and utility assistance they need.

We've greatly increase the number of support staff and out of the call center dedicated to assisting program applicants.

While the program was able to serve 36,000 households during phase one.

We know that more people need help.

We look forward to helping even more North Carolina families through this second phase of the whole program.

As governor Cooper said hope assistance is now available to very low income renters who have lost income been unemployed for experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic this includes people who have missed rent or utility payments at some point since April first 2020 or have been faced with homelessness or possible eviction.

You do not have to be late on your rent when you apply in order to qualify for assistance and being late on an essential utility, some time since April first 2020 qualifies you as being at risk of addiction or homelessness for people who previously applied to the whole program whether you received assistance or not you can reapply during this application period if you still need help.

Re applicants should check their e-mail for more information.

As the governor mentioned in addition to the whole program, 12 counties and 5 tribal governments are operating their own emergency rental assistance programs.

If you are not sure whether to apply to the whole program or local program.

You can get that information at www.

hope.

>> Dot NC .gov or by calling 8, 8, 8, 9 ask hope and speaking with program specialist you'll also find detail program information and an online application at www.

hope dot NC .gov.

On behalf of all the staff working behind the scenes on the hope program we look forward to serving and supporting the people of North Carolina through this important program.

Thank you Sir.

>> And thank you.

Laura Ryan your team.

Secretary hooks in Mike sprayberry everybody's working really h#*#*#* o#* this it's important.

I strongly encourage landlords and utilities across our state to lend a hand to their communities and to participate in these programs.

So that we can keep people in their homes with the lights on.

For many life is starting to look more normal.

And more people are returning to the workforce every day.

The childcare obstacles and concerns about the virus for people who are unvaccinated are very real.

And the need for rental and utility assistance remains.

I'm real proud that North Carolina is taking steps to support families who need it as we emerge from this pandemic.

Also with me today is our secretary public safety Eric hooks, our director of emergency management Mike sprayberry.

Monica mcgee and Mark leinberger our sign language interpreters and behind the scenes, Jackie and jasmine the tour of the year our Spanish language interpreters.

We have a couple of reporters in person present here we're going to take up their questions and then we're also going to go and take some remote questions from.

Reporters who are on the phone line so will begin.

But in person.

>> I'm on with the news observer.

First off wanted to find out where things stand with what happened was de la County today.

And if you're searching for another nominee, and then with where we are with vaccinations and incentives and and maybe some flexibility with the money.

From the federal government that you can use are there other incentives at play.

Of course I will follow.

>> First secretary Dion Delhi, Gotti is well qualified to serve as the new secretary.

She is a scientist she is a veteran and she has years of experience in environmental and energy policy.

>> I I would hope that the Senate would not vote on this tomorrow.

>> She is well qualified to.

Handle this job and to do the job.

Say this to anybody who's listening any lobbyist or whoever that nothing's going to stop this administration.

From working toward a clean energy future for North Carolina.

And protecting our air and water.

As to the second part regarding vaccines we're continuing to look at ways to incentivize people to get vaccinations and we've looked very closely at the drawings and other promotions that other states have done.

And have looked at their results.

And hopefully we will we will be following some of their lead soon we're going to we're going to continue to examine it continue to work through potential legal issues discuss things with the Legislature of Council state.

Other state agencies to do what we can do to get more people vaccinated.

>> You think it is that tied to.

How long the state of emergency needs to continue.

>> Oh sure where the state of emergency needs to continue we need to continue to draw down federal funds we need to continue to do things to make sure that we get people vaccinated we still have mask mandates in places that are recommended by the CDC.

Many many other reasons to maintain the state of emergency at this time the mask order schools and is like right about or at least like the end of the school year for wake County.

>> Is that is are those dates tied together is there going to be something else with the.

>> Masks in schools and other places through the summer.

So I'll let doctor Cohen address the mask sq dot co. >> Thanks for that question.

So we continue to recognize that the vast majority of students are unvaccinated is just a few weeks ago that we were able to get those who are 12 and above vaccinated and we think that folks should go out as quickly as possible and make sure you're getting.

Vaccinated but the CDC continues to recommend that those who are unvaccinated that they wear a mask indoors.

That includes the vast majority of our children who are in K 12 schools and that will continue until the guidance changes from from the CDC.

So we will of course re evaluate governor's executive orders.

And be able to change our guidance is anything with to change from the CDC, but right now they continue to.

Say that those who are unvaccinated to continue to wear masks.

Indoors and that will include our children, thank you.

The journal news of service to farms.

>> Quick question just to clarify the state of emergency order.

You're saying that it's it needs to continue, but what metrics what does got to be in place before you dismantle that executive order.

I mean it's been in place since March 10th of last year.

And secondary question in terms of the vaccinations we've seen all these we're seeing the pilot program with a gift cards and a possible lottery situation like other states and that sort of thing and there's been a lot of mention of equity when it comes to vaccine distribution but we were I was wondering if you could define what you mean by equity what you what you believe equity.

>> Well first.

This has been a once in a generation occurrence with this pandemic and it has since has been such an extraordinary event is required an extraordinary response.

The state of emergency has been able to help us free up resources.

Personnel to be able to waive regulations in order to stem the tide.

This virus to help get people vaccinated we are still in the middle of this pandemic we still have a large number of North Carolinians who are unvaccinated.

We still have people in the hospital and dying.

Every day.

So there is more work to do to get us to to the end of this.

When I talk about equity in vaccinations everybody should have an opportunity to get vaccinated and we have seen many underserved communities who have suffered from the health care systems in place people don't have health insurers, they can't.

It makes it very difficult for them to go to a doctor consequently it's more difficult for them to make the decision and to go get vaccinated I think the department has done a good job.

In trying to reach out to those underserved communities to get more people vaccinated we still don't have vaccinations that match our demographics yet.

But they're working on it and doctor Cohen if you want to give up more answer to that.

>> Sure just a building with the governor saying around equity and yes, it is about access in every community that has been a priority since day one rural or bin.

Communities across our state so we have really made it a priority to make sure that we have vaccine access all across our state and what you can see.

If you go to my spot that NC .gov is really those access points everywhere in our communities.

But I would also say that we spent at a particular emphasis on making sure are underserved communities historically marginalized communities are African American communities are Hispanic latinx communities are.

American Indian communities, particularly are getting access to this vaccine because we have known that this unfortunately COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on those communities.

When I'm very proud of as you look at our data you can see that we have we are vaccinating at a rate that is near proportional to the those folks in in our population, we have more work to do, I'd still like to make sure that we are reaching even more folks in our underserved communities exactly why we're doing things.

Like improving access points like doing the customer cash card is we know that folks that it is challenging to take time off from work and to go get these vaccines.

We want to make it as convenient and easy as possible.

But I'm really proud that the data that we have collected is driving our work in an equitable way, thanks.

>> The secretary Collins will house.

A lot of parents are asking why their children still need to remain masked in schools, we know the CDC has given this guidance that they should remain m#*#*#*#* schools, but with teachers having been in the first wave of vaccinations in the state.

Is this going to continue into fall lot of parents want to know is my child going to end up being masked in the fall.

And I think that they deserve an answer for that thank you for taking the time or has it said to the other questions so can we continue to know that everyone under the age of 12 is not eligible for vaccination right now the CDC continues to recommend that everyone.

>> Who is not vaccinated to continue to wear a mask, so that means the vast majority of children are unvaccinated and again we can continue to recommend wearing masks in those situations.

I think we will need to see as the summer moves along.

It may be possible that vaccinations will be available for younger.

Our younger students.

I think it will be later into the fall before that vaccine and eligibility becomes possible.

We also may learn more and we always said we will incorporate new information if there any new guidance that comes from the CDC you see that we act on that very quickly here at the state level.

But as of right now.

We want to make sure that we're protecting our star students and making sure that those who are unvaccinated are wearing mask and that is what we will continue to do and do stay tuned as we learn more, and we would update guidance as we go through the summer, thanks.

Take some questions from our reporters who are now being remotely do we have any.

>> Our first question from Brian Anderson with the Associated Press.

By governor night after Cohen burn engine here at the A P thanks for for taking the time.

>> Governor said earlier that it appears that there's some benefit each of the financial support is making a difference in getting more people vaccinated I remember a couple months ago just asking if North Carolina going to do something similar to a West Virginia.

And I you said the word soon I'm curious what is soon mean when can we expect an announcement and will it apply to people who have already gotten vaccinated or people who haven't yet gotten vaccinated.

>> Thanks for that question Brian and we're still examining what's happening in other states studying the effectiveness of that and working to see if we can put something in place in North Carolina that will work for North Carolina as well.

And.

We want to make sure that everything is done done right legally and that we make sure that we approve something that works.

So those questions will be answered when we get to a point and we're ready to propose something we are having conversations with other leaders throughout the state we think that it's important however to use more incentives we've been encouraging private companies to to give incentives and I yeah I got covid and I just went to Rockingham County and visited a a business there that was offering cash drawings for their employees who are who are getting shots and that was drawing more people in so we're encouraging this across the state the cash cards seem to be working and so we're going continue to examine what the best ways or to get more people vaccinated we know we have more work to do.

>> You have follow-up.

Ryan Anderson Associated Press.

Thanks for that >> follow up just a question for doctor Cohen regarding the pace of vaccinations we've seen it.

Slow down and at the current pace, I remember there's that goal of getting 2 thirds of adults at least partially vaccinated with at least one shot.

And we appear not even close to that and take months and months at this level.

I'm just curious.

What's going to be that the thing that changes that.

And when you see North Carolina sort of in the bottom 15 of the 50 states.

As far as that nation per capita what would you attribute that to.

>> Well thanks Brian, you know I really see the folks who continue to be unvaccinated in in 3 groups.

I think there are still folks who it is it's been hard because of their work schedule life schedule to find a vaccine site and an appointment that makes sense for them so I think that there are still quite a number of folks who are eager to get a vaccine.

And just haven't been able to make the time to do it we hope that our actions of making it easier compensating them for travel time for missed work time with something like the summer cash card all those things can can help.

I think there's a group of folks who have real questions about the vaccine.

We want to make sure that they get good answers to those but to those questions when make sure that they can talk to their doctor maybe get vaccinated at their doctor's office we we know from talking to others that that they often if they are not vaccinated want to get vaccinated at their doctor's office so again working with our providers make sure they have vaccine on the shelf can have those conversations.

So there are folks who have have questions then there there is a group that you know continue to articulate that they do not intend to get a a vaccine.

We're hoping to make that group as small as possible.

But we're just going to keep at this and I appreciate the governor support to take a look at all the data from other states what are they doing what are the things that are working we do our own research here to understand what can continue to motivate folks how can we make things even easier.

That's what we're doing with our bringing some are back campaign raising awareness of this encouraging businesses so we're pulling out all the stops to try to make sure that vaccines are convenient they're easy.

The folks can access them give some additional incentives beyond the fact that they protect you and your community and so I'm I'm still hopeful that there is progress for us to make here.

We need to all work together and I know North Carolina has done that at every turn as we have fought back this pandemic so I know we will continue to make progress.

Thanks Brian.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Garrett bergquist spectrum news.

Good afternoon governor at your request with spectrum news one of returning to the Delhi got the nomination situation to questions from that one.

>> Senate Republicans said they were concerned that she was not able to answer questions specifically dealing with infrastructure vulnerabilities now that's on your allies on the Democratic side senator saying well that's not exactly in the wheelhouse want to get your take on that criticism and then second.

The Senate does vote not to confirm.

Tomorrow where does that leave us both in terms of interim leadership of the HQ and in terms of I your nomination for a full-time secretary.

>> First this doesn't have anything to do with her knowledge her qualifications she is eminently qualified to do this job.

It has everything to do on whether we're going to have a clean energy future.

And whether we're going to protect our air and water.

And whatever happens here.

I'm going to remain committed to protecting our air and water and to a clean energy future in North Carolina.

I would hope the Senate would delay this vote.

She was there in the meeting today to answer any questions that they had.

She testified 5 weeks ago.

And they said they were going to bring her back but they never did.

This isn't about what she knows this isn't about her qualifications this is about whether we're going to have a clean energy future for North Carolina.

And whether we're going to be able to protect the air and water of the people of this state and I would hope and asked that they delay this vote and give her an opportunity to.

Clear up anything that she needed to clear up with them I fear, however that it doesn't have anything to do that.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from rose Hoban with North Carolina health news.

>> So thanks for taking my question and I have a I have a couple of different types of questions, one is.

The sense of how many households have taken advantage of the civic and more spring and then and would be at risk for the next one big fire.

And you know what what are you going to do I know you talked about the you know your programs earlier but you know what you guys do to avoid a housing crisis.

One that eviction.

Or explaining why are you know will that will the rent a business enough to avoid a cry for all of those as badly because if you know people have to move that the real lack of affordable housing so.

You know what what the last big air.

>> So I'm deeply concerned about people who may be evicted from their home.

I do think that the order that we've had in place has helped.

It obviously doesn't cover everybody.

But it covers a lot of people I think it has helped in addition, I think that the whole program has help and will continue to help.

We've asked the general Assembly to use some of the American rescue plan money to help us with affordable housing.

This is one of those issues that the pandemic.

We're shining a light on its already a challenge for while zing already a challenge for us.

The pandemic is magnified.

So not only should we continue funding this whole program as a temporary.

Help we also need to invest in affordable housing.

Across our state and I hope that the Legislature will look seriously at the proposals that we have made.

That question.

>> Follow-up rows of the North Carolina health news.

>> Thank you for taking a question.

Spent a pit.

You know in Ohio they and the numbers to find out that their vaccine lottery that would pay for what they have waited only 40 I you admissions.

What's the cost benefit calculation that you post has made.

>> Well first we haven't proposed that yet, but that you know that kind of comparison makes sense to me.

The more people we get vaccinated obviously got a look at the fact that you you will be saving lives that's the most important thing.

But also we do know that people who get sick with covid in particular you go into the hospital and have ICU care that can be very expensive as well.

And in general usually everybody bears the cost of increased cost of health care.

Doctor Cohen would you want to comment on that okay.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Jason marks with W a t I.

>> Governor thanks for taking my call.

This is not dealing with covid dealing with the conversation you just had we had the folks from Elizabeth city could you talk about the meeting you just had with them.

What your message was to them and your message to Elizabeth city-pasquotank community do feel that maybe justice still has it been served for Andrew Brown.

>> So it was an amazing meeting with committed people.

>> Who are.

>> Searching for justice and the attorney general in a number of legislative wars and I heard their concerns not only about the killing of Andrew Brown junior.

But also about other incidents as that occurred in their lives because of the color of their skin.

We talked about the recommendations of the task force that that I appointed the task force on racial equity in criminal justice.

How we should have a special prosecutor in cases of police shootings that they're sure that the camera footage should be public record and many other issues that are being debated over in the General Assembly better being implemented in state law enforcement offices.

So I appreciated hearing from them.

It's clear that we have a lot of work to do to fight for racial justice, not only in the criminal justice system but in education and health care in economics.

And I'm committed to working with them and others to to do that.

Next question please.

>> Our next question from Ashley Talley with WRAL.

Hi thanks for taking my question I wanted to revisit rose.

Heaven the question about didn't know or have an estimate on the number of people who have been helped by the whole program or.

By the eviction moratorium and do you have any plans to extend that moratorium passed Jan 30 >> I'll answer the second part first we're going to evaluate where we are it's now the first.

We can June and it does expire the end of June and will continue to assemble information and get this whole program going I'm gonna let law Hawks head talk a little bit about how it's helping and how it works with the eviction moratorium.

Bark.

>> Thank you for the question so in the first round of the hope program we assisted more than 36,000 households with rent and utilities.

And what we know about the intersection between the hope program and the the eviction moratorium is that if you are an applicant to the whole program you are protected under that eviction moratorium so we need to we need landlords to sign the paperwork.

We need landlords to participate in order to get the payment that they are due from those tenants that have fallen behind on rent.

So that they get caught up and that we're not so dependent on the eviction moratorium, but we do know that there are more households out there that need assistance and especially as the moratorium is slated for either renewal or expiration we need to make sure that as many folks as possible get into the program and get that check so they can get caught up and get on with their lives.

Next question please.

>> Our final question today is from Holland recurring with blue Ridge public radio.

Thanks so much for taking our call my call I have a question for doctor Cohen and we get.

>> Listener questions and we've got a number of a listener questions from listeners have gotten the Johnson and Johnson vaccine who are now worried they are not adequately protected noting that now that mask mandates have been dropped.

A lot of them say their understanding was he a less effective change a vaccine would be fine as long as masks and social distancing precautions.

Were kept up so the specific question is should these listeners get and they want to know do they need a Mister dos or should they get another shot of the more effective mrna vaccines for better protection.

Thanks.

>> Helen thanks for that question.

First I want to start by sharing I got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine all 3 vaccines are free they're safe and all 3 are affected at preventing covid and preventing you from getting covid to others.

You have to remember that these vaccines were both.

Researched and put into clinical trials, a different points in this pandemic so it is really hard to look at effectiveness side by side of these vaccines.

What we know is all of these vaccines are incredibly effective again at protecting you and others it's why I made the decision to get that vaccine for myself and so what I would say is that if you are vaccinated with any of those vaccines you can feel protected.

That you and the CDC guidance is if you've taken any one of those 3 vaccines that you no longer need to be wearing.

I'm asking doing social distancing either indoors or outdoors if you are unvaccinated though you are still at risk and want to just remind folks to continue to wear masks.

Indoors if you are on that Sun aided.

But if you have the Johnson and Johnson vaccine you are protected and we encourage folks to get the first vaccine that is available to them some folks getting the Johnson Johnson is really advantageous because it is one shot and then they are done on the one to address the question about boosters.

I think that is something the scientific community will continue to evaluate whether Lynn need boosters for any of the 3 vaccines, we'll look at 2 different factors, how long your immunity last with these vaccines and does this virus change which would make us need to get a different type of of protection as we go forward I think I have said before I think boosters will likely be necessary in the future similar to how we get a flu shot every year.

I don't know if that will be here in this this year in 20 21 or in in the net in the coming years, but that's what the scientific community will continue to evaluate as we go forward.

Thank you.

>> Thank you all for joining us today.