>> Good afternoon, everybody and thank you for joining today's briefing.

As of today we have had 1 million 62,300 cases.

3,413 new cases reported since yesterday.

1580 people in the hospital and sadly, 13,700 people have died.

Today's percent positive of cases is 12.2%.

Much higher than our 5% threshold.

And our highest really since the winter surge.

But today we we do have some good news, I'm happy to announce the 3rd winner.

The your shot at a million drawing.

18 year-old Audrey Chavis is from Winston Salem and her name was randomly drawn from the list of those vaccinated to be our latest North Carolina win.

Audrey plans to start her freshman year at Fayetteville State University this fall.

She also works 2 jobs but I'm thinking the sweepstakes when might give her a little leeway on that if she wants it.

Audrey's with us today and she's agreed to give us some of her thoughts so Audrey want to come on up.

At first like to ask you Audrey.

Why did you choose to get vaccinated.

>> I chose to get vaccinated not only for the safety of other people around me but simply for the safety of myself when covid first became big it took away my senior year and I saw how much it impacted.

Everybody around me all my fellow classmates, teachers people around the world and I saw how big of a deal it was so not only did I want to get vaccinated for my own peace of mind but for everyone around me who else might have could have been affected by covid anybody who has a sickness or it something that could prevent them from being able to live their life normally I wanted to get vaccinated so.

I could be.

Calm about going about my life and getting able to being able to get back to normal as soon as I possibly could.

>> So I drew I know you talked to a lot of people about this what are the kinds of things you would say to people who are on the fence about getting this vaccination.

>> To the people who aren't sure whether they should get vaccinated or not.

I would say I understand that there are people out there who are skeptical about what it could do to their bodies or how it could affect them negatively.

But if you do your research and you take your time the positive definitely outweighs the negative.

There are way more pluses than minuses to getting your vaccination it's easier to just get vaccinated and I have to worry about it didn't have to worry about constantly wearing a mask or.

Putting yourself at risk putting other people at risk and it's easy to just listen to science listen to the facts and just get vaccinated.

>> So Audrey what was your reaction when you learned that you want to million bucks.

My first reaction.

>> Honestly was just it was pure shock I had no other reactions just absolute shock.

I honestly I honestly didn't think that it was like a real thing I kind of thought it was spam mail when I first saw it in my e-mail.

And still on scene still stay, I'm standing at this podium and it's still not clicking for me for some reason I'm a static over the moon.

Still I still have no words to describe how happy I am it's.

Incredible for me, yeah and it's indescribable honestly.

>> So last question I don't know if you know, but do you mind telling us what you plan to do with the money if you do not.

>> So I mean thing to do with the money is number one I'm going to pay for school I'm going to use it to get through my undergrad in my master's degree a plan to major in psychology become a family marriage therapist.

>> I'm sure we'll have some money left over I plan on saving most of it investing maybe 5 or 10% of it.

The rest of that and I made to myself to a shopping spree or something I don't know.

But most of it's going straight to my savings account and it's not for school or any other family emergencies it's going to say to my savings.

>> Thanks so much for sharing your story.

Specially for getting vaccinated I'd say about paid off in more ways than one for you.

You're doing your part in this pandemic and we need more North Carolinians to follow your example.

Thanks budget Audrey appreciate it.

Now we want to turn to our update.

North Carolina's COVID-19 numbers continue to increase.

I can't stress this enough.

The sharp rise in our numbers is driven by the unvaccinated.

The date in the signs are clear that getting the covid vaccine dramatically lowers the chance of severe illness hospitalization and death.

These vaccines are safe and effective and they are the key to getting to the end of this pandemic.

Last week we announced that state government would begin verifying vaccination status for our state employees and executive Cabinet agencies and requiring anyone who's not vaccinated to be tested weekly and wear a mask.

That verification requirement takes effect September the first and agencies are already starting to collect information from their employees.

As a state employee myself I provided my vaccination card to the department.

I've also strongly encourage private businesses to do the same and many are stepping up.

A number of businesses are requiring vaccines for their workers and I applaud that.

We need all of us to come together and do what we can to increase our vaccination rate stay safe from this disease.

That includes the private sector nonprofits doctor schools, health departments.

And as K through 12 schools prepare for the new school year I encourage school boards to asked their staff and eligible students to get vaccinated as well.

Positive news in the last couple of weeks we've seen a 42% increase in first shots.

That's good.

But we can't stop there.

If you've gotten your shot continue talking with your friends and family about why they need to get the vaccine to.

I'd like to ask Cody Kinsley, our chief deputy secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services to share covid update with us Cody.

Thank you governor and congratulations on tree.

>> When you made the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccination I'm sure you never imagined that you would with a billion dollars in addition to protecting yourself, your family and your community.

I hope your story inspires more North Carolinians to get vaccinated not just because of the money you one, but the way you major decision by getting the facts about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.

It is more important than ever that we encourage our friends families and neighbors with a simple message.

Don't wait to vaccinate after months of decline, the highly contagious Delta variant is spreading rapidly in North Carolina, particularly among those that are unvaccinated and unfortunately younger people those ages, 18 to 49 make up 54% of the COVID-19 cases as of July 31st.

If you're not vaccinated you're at a greater risk for death and hospitalization due to the virus.

This is completely preventable don't wait to vaccinate protect yourself and your community.

Rigorous clinical trials among thousands of people ages 12 and older have proven.

The vaccines are safe and effective studies from across the world continue to reinforce the COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective and preventing severe disease.

Leading the hospitalization and death.

Vaccination is how we end this pandemic and put our masks away.

We need everyone eligible to step up and take their shot don't wait until it's too late.

As Audrey said learn the facts trust science and protect yourself.

Please join the more than 165 million Americans that have been vaccinated.

All COVID-19 vaccines are free.

They're available near you and there are people ready to help you with transportation if you need help getting to your appointment.

You can get the facts and find your spot to take your shot at my spot dot NC .gov or by calling 1, 8, 8, 8, 675-4567.

If you're already vaccinated thank you for doing your part with most North Carolina counties and areas of high or substantial transmission.

We recommend that everyone wear a mask in all public indoor spaces to help slow the spread of this highly contagious Delta variant.

Please also talk to your friends family and neighbors who are not vaccinated help them understand why we need everyone to get vaccinated drive into an appointment in some locations the person you take to an appointment can get a $100 summer card.

And you can get $25 just for driving.

We need everyone to come together and help end this pandemic please don't wait vaccinate.

Thanks Cody.

>> Return now to the effects of the pandemic on North Carolina families and households.

As the cdc's national evictions moratorium lapsed and president Biden put in place new protections last night.

I know it's been an anxious time for many North Carolinians who are struggling to pay rent and utilities.

If covid is affecting you in this way.

North Carolina's hope program may be able to help you.

You can visit www a hope dot NC .gov or call 8, 8, 8, 9 ask hope to get help.

We stood up this program from scratch last year and it's helping people across the state stay in their homes with the lights on.

The average turnaround time claims is is 2 to 3 weeks.

And they are getting millions of dollars in assistance out every week.

Since the hope program opened last fall more than 328 million dollars has been awarded to help North Carolina families and over 234 million have already been paid to landlords and utility provider statewide.

We've even ash landlords to Dana 5 some of their tenants who could benefit from this and many of their tenants are signing up.

I'd like to ask Laura Hogg said our chief operating officer of the North Carolina office of recovery and resilience to share an update on the hope program and how can help.

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.

I am also pleased to announce that since opening last fall hope has awarded more than 328 million in assistance with 234 million already paid to landlords and utility providers statewide.

In fact as of yesterday the second phase of the hope program marked a milestone with more than 100 million in payments since May 17th alone.

But there are still many North Carolina families struggling to pay the rent and hope is here to help.

The hope program's mission is to provide housing stability during the night COVID-19 pandemic by preventing evictions and utility disconnections we are always evaluating the program to determine how we can better support North Carolina families.

As a part of that process after reviewing feedback from stakeholder groups and analyzing data from more than 57,000 applications.

Hope has recently implemented program changes that will expand landlord participation and increase the number of us in the amount of assistance going to families across the state.

As of last week hope is accepting landlord referrals of tenants who need assistance through this program change hope will be able to increase landlord participation in the program and continue to give a financial boost to landlords whose income was impacted by the pandemic.

If you are a landlord who's tenant is struggling to pay rent you can submit their name and contact information at the hope website hope dot NC .gov or by calling 8, 8, 8, 9 ask hope.

A program specialist will follow up with the tenant and help them start the application process.

In addition, the hope program has increased the cap on financial awards to applicants so we can provide as much assistance as possible while still meeting federal guidelines.

The monthly rent award limit has increased by 30%.

And the utility award limit has increased by 100% for all new applications as of August 1st.

If you are landlords whose tenants have fallen behind on rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic refer them to the whole program.

If you're a low income renter who has lost income been unemployed or experienced any financial hardship due to the pandemic I urge you to apply today.

Hope has streamlined the application process so you can easily apply at hope dot NC .gov or by calling 8, 8, 8, 9 ask hope the call center has a team of English and Spanish speaking program specialist that are on standby to assist anyone who calls.

In addition, the turnaround time from application to payment is typically 14 to 18 days.

So assistance for renters and landlords will come quickly.

You do not have to be late on your rent when you apply in order to qualify for assistance for people who have previously applied to the hope program whether you received assistance or not you can reapply during this application period if you still need help.

Besides the hope program 12 counties in 5 tribal governments are operating their own emergency rental assistance programs.

If you're not sure which program serves your area visit the website hope dot NC .gov or again call 8, 8, 8, 9, ask hope for more information.

On behalf of all the staff working behind the scenes on the hope program we thank you for the opportunity to provide critical support during our State's recovery.

And we look forward to continuing our service to North Carolina families in the months ahead.

Thank you Sir.

>> Our thanks to you and your team for the hard work.

Several months ago analysis showed that in states across the country.

North Carolina during this pandemic had among the lowest covid related deaths as well as job losses per capita.

In a difficult year amid too much pain saving lives and jobs has been a point of pride for our state.

It shows that we follow the science to protect people's lives without losing sight of their livelihoods.

It shows that we can come together listen to health experts get input from businesses and then do the right thing.

Now as we seek to get more people vaccinated it's time to come together again.

And focus on that common goal.

With me today director of emergency management will Ray.

Doctor Susan can sangre from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Brian Tipton lee williamson our sign language interpreters and behind the scenes, Jackie and jasmine that hit here our Spain, a Spanish language interpreters and of course we have chief deputy Cody Kinsley and Moore Houck said the head of in core here to answer questions as well.

So we'll begin with questions from people in person here.

Bright.

>> Hey governor Brian Anderson here with the A P do you believe New York governor Andrew Cuomo should resign.

>> The report from the New York attorney general was troubling and yes, I believe he should step aside.

>> And 1.

One question I had was you sort of referenced Biden's eviction moratorium announcement last night will you renew calls for North Carolina Council of state to issue a statewide moratorium.

>> Well as you know I I extended the eviction moratorium from North Carolina.

But this is one of those executive orders that required the council state approval and Republicans on the Council of state turned it down because they have the majority we're going to review the Biden executive order is a little bit complicated we're trying to figure out exactly who it helps.

And we'll look at that to see what protection that provides but in the meantime we're pushing hard this whole program which can help landlords and utility companies and the people stay at home and keep their lights on.

>> As jury in the 3rd round of winners for the vaccine lottery and and where is the $125,000 scholarship recipient, Alec Cody you want to answer that.

Sure thank you governor, thanks for the question.

We are still trying to get in contact with the education scholarship winner, and so by our rules we have.

>> 30 days the connect with them so hopefully you know if you're out there getting e-mails like Audrey, didn't they're real and get back to us and then we'll be doing our drawing for the 4th round of winners today actually more for you in the different.

One check on school districts who have decided to have not.

>> Mandated mask wearing is that there's an extra quarantine period.

If you don't wear masks in schools can you just sort of talk about the link between masking and the additional burden of increased quarantine time.

Trying to look it is very important for folks to have in classroom learning.

>> And that's important and that's why we and the CDC have recommended masking and so I hope that school districts continue to evaluate that recognizing that people being out of the classroom is not what we want.

Haha.

>> I'm just curious you've traversed the state frequently for vaccination events can you name one person or one story of someone you've talked to who has gotten the vaccine because of this lottery.

>> We've talked to a number of people who've said.

Yeah I can win.

I want to do it.

I you know it's hard to know exactly what combination of factors, draws people and to get vaccinated and I think it's sort of one thing builds upon the other and so as much information as we can get out there as much incentive this we can get out there.

The better off that we are.

We did an analysis of the gift cards that that we were giving out to get people vaccinated in that we did see an uptick there so I think incentives do work.

But hopefully now with people seeing the seriousness of this Delta variant that more and more people are coming in we have seen an uptick in our vaccinations so it's good.

>> Governor Jonah Kaplan with ABC 11 Isis see you in person again want to start with another New York story which was a New York City.

Coming out with a vaccine passport.

Kind of making sure your vaccine to use Jim's indoor restaurants.

Are you working on something statewide and if not what do you think if cities like Charlotte or Raleigh or Chapel Hill for Fayetteville and local governments would you endorse them.

Doing something like that.

>> So you know we want to encourage businesses to do things that we get their employees vaccinated in hype lot things getting their customers vaccinated some businesses have made the decision that we just want vaccination people here so that we can tell all of our customers and our employees that they're going to be much safer because people are vaccinated.

People have a vaccination card that employers can use or businesses can use.

And we also have a vaccine verification process where people can go to the website and download verification of their vaccine if they got it here in North Carolina and I can have Cody explain that if it if you want more detail on it.

But I think you're going to see more and more businesses make this kind of decision more and more employees are going to require vaccinations of their employees because they want their workplace safe.

They they they want to make sure that people stay healthy.

Next question I think for you or for Cody.

>> What we know about the people who are hospital hospitalized, not just their vaccination I think the vast majority of people are unvaccinated but are they older are they seniors are they obese what kind of co morbidities do they have what kind of trends are we seeing these are if you've got to sign.

>> A lot to introduce doctor Susan can soccer from the Department of Health and Human Services doctors are.

>> Thank you governor, thank you for that question so we are seeing an increase in hospitalizations across different age ranges and we know part of the reason is because the Delta variant is much more contagious.

It also may increase your likelihood of having more severe illness and so that is leading the hospitalizations we know generally people that are at higher risk of hospitalization are those that have other comorbidities other chronic conditions that will then make them increased their severity of illness and so we are seeing that across the board now as well.

>> The athletic people with nothing that are getting that are unvaccinated getting it or is it people who sadly maybe her dealing with asthma who have other risk factors.

>> Yeah, in most cases throughout this pandemic we've seen that higher-risk individuals or those with chronic conditions now there are some cases where individuals without you know chronic conditions may also suffer from severe illness so that does happen and there are cases of that but you know increased chronic conditions other comorbidities are what put you at higher risk.

>> And governor finally.

If we tried the honor system at first you know trying to say if you're vaccinated you know you can take off the mask.

Now you're trying with and giving out the incentives at what point do we say listen if you're unvaccinated this is the risk you live with and for vaccinated people look it shows that you can deal with this it could be just like the flu for a couple days but you're more likely to it stay out of the hospital and you know stay out of a worse outcome at what point do we say this is what we're going to do but we can't rest until this pandemic is behind us and the only way that happens is that we get enough people vaccinated that we push this fire us off the cliff.

>> So we need to continue to do the things to try to get more people vaccinated because yeah you're making the decision not to be vaccinated but what you're doing is you're putting everybody else at risk because you've made this decision then you're continuing to foster this virus and the community.

So we want to continue to do things that encourage people to get vaccinated and will do that until this pandemic is behind us.

Thanks.

>> Yes, hi, I'm arrests have been North Carolina health news so I'm curious I guess this would be some for some from dhhs you know some of the areas the state where the increases are higher some of the same areas that have less hospital capacity, I'm thinking primarily like the sandhills you know what concerns about hospital capacity you have do you have an.

What are you hearing from folks like at first health of the Carolinas.

>> Well first we're constantly concerned about hospital capacity and we have seen.

I think close to triple the number of people in the hospital over the last few weeks were up over 1500 today.

Hospitals have the ability to surge into be able to create more room to take care of sick people.

There are no hospitals at this time sounding alarm bells but they remain concerned about this continuous increase and about how rapidly it occurs but I know that the Department of Health and Human Services is in constant contact with our hospitals about this you need to add anything to that code.

That can soccer okay.

>> I do question for Cody in particular about state operated facilities.

You know what is the vaccination status now of staff.

We heard that there were some pretty eye-popping numbers of cases in some of the state operated facilities earlier in the spring.

What's the status of them now great thank thanks to the question rose.

>> I'm really proud of our team at the state operated health care facilities we have over 77% of our staff that have been fully vaccinated and now we have over a 95% of our residents are patients that are vaccinated so it is really in that environment as the governor said well push the pandemic off the cliff, but we need to get the remainder of the staff vaccinated and so we continue to work in that direction.

>> As long as I've got you.

We were hearing from some community health workers.

We're having trouble telling people to get a vaccine while also telling the VAX folks to mask up so you know there's a lot of mixed messaging.

>> You know how are you.

What are you doing to try and clarify that message.

For but some of these folks who are having to.

>> Disseminated for you.

Yeah, I mean I think it's important to remember the life, you know far and away.

Vaccines are our best tool to fight this pandemic at the same time like in any other part of your life driving a car seat belt air bags is a number of measures that we put in place to to try to control that risk right now we have so much risk that week because we have so many unvaccinated people just by getting that number down that will help us and that's why vaccines are most important right now, and I just have a yes, no question for the governor.

>> Yes.

Yes in their never yes, no questions but the Senate passed is it Senate bill 96 that would increase the ability for pharmacists to give injectable drugs but it also restricts their ability to give covid vaccines to teenagers which is sign it if it got to its in the House now, but would you sign it if it came to not can give you what you want we're going to examine that legislation as it goes through the process.

It does some.

>> Important things that we know that we need to do so we're going to continue to look at it you guys are getting good at these 4, 5, Park questions here.

I got it Mister Dorn.

>> I got it covered so we'll door in from the news observer.

I was wondering if.

We continue lagging a little bit on vaccinations people are remaining resistant to get vaccinated is there a point where you consider bringing back you know limitations on nursing home visitations mask mandates maybe even business shutdowns anything like that.

>> I first say that the health and safety of North Carolinians remains the primary objective here so all options are on the table.

But we really believe that people now know what to do to protect themselves and other people and our primary focus is going to be on vaccinations that's what's going to get us at the end of the day we don't we don't want to to do those other things if we don't have to so we're going to continue making vaccinations the primary operations here.

>> Great well, and I want to press the nursing home issue just a little bit more because obviously we've seen that's where a lot of outbreaks of happened.

I is there anything that state.

Could should be doing to you know to make sure that we don't see a second large Spike from nursing homes as as the Delta variant kind of rises here.

>> You guys want to talk to soccer.

>> Thank you for that question, you know for our nursing homes, we know that they are incredibly high risk population and from the beginning.

We have implemented you know multi prong strategy to assist nursing homes and that goes from everything from infection prevention making sure that the appropriate protocols are in place to doing testing of staff as well as now making sure that vaccines are readily available and we're continuing to work with facilities across the state to make sure they have all the information they need for their employees for the residents to continue to increase vaccination rates as the governor mentioned and deputy secretary can see mentioned you vaccines are our way out of this pandemic that is our number one priority and we're going to continue to work with our facilities to make sure they're available.

Thank you.

>> Yeah, Adam Owens, WRAL news.

We just left as you may have seen on the way here bunch of health care workers downtown protesting saying that whether or not they put the shot in their body should be their choice.

And then it shouldn't potentially cost them their job what would you say to that.

That's so disappointing.

>> If you are a health care provider.

Working closely.

With patients in around patients who are often sick.

You know it's your responsibility to get a vaccine.

You know I appreciate their right to protest and their First Amendment right to protest.

But I think that these health care facilities have made the right call.

And requiring employees to get vaccinated and I hope that they will work to get the information in 2.

Be convinced that this is the right thing to do not only for themselves and their families.

But 2.

The patients that they are supposed to to treat and protect.

>> And the only other question is piggybacking off his question about the possibility of further restrictions are there any trigger points even if they're behind the scenes that that you guys have in mind that could trigger further restrictions, some point we are focused on vaccines.

Adam that's where we are right now and we want to continue to push this we're making some progress in the last couple of weeks we've seen increases.

>> So we're hoping that that momentum can continue.

Okay will go to the to the phones if we have some people have called in.

>> The first question is from Richard greater with the winston-salem journal.

>> Yes the governor this is Richard Craver was to assemble journals.

We had a nursing home yesterday announced Arbor acres announced that they want to acquire mandated vaccinations for their employees do you anticipate this that might spread to other nursing homes, long-term care facilities that would you recommend or advise that.

>> Yeah, I would support that I think that we need to make sure that people who are treating patients and looking after them.

Not only protect themselves but protect patients and you know I realize that the that some of the health care facilities have to make tough calls because there can potentially be some.

Shortages of staffing if enough people make the decision that they would rather leave their work then then get a vaccination so you know these health care facilities have got to weigh those kinds of factors before they make those decisions.

But I think moose that we make to get more people vaccinated or pot are positive particularly those who are in the health care arena.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Robin kanady with FOX 46.

Afternoon governor.

>> When a task is it.

Why you have not mandated mask in cold so far if you are concerned about keeping students in person learning this year.

>> Well we have strongly recommended that school boards require masking.

The CDC recommendations say that our doctors say that we have a lot of evidence that schools are very safe.

When protection measures are taking including masking it is so important for children to be in school in person and taking that next step to make sure that you don't have to.

Get students out of school because you have a lot of people infected we've already seen that and in some schools that we want to try to avoid that.

Now we we the battle we are fighting.

Most is vaccinations and that's that's where we want to continue our focus but a lot of school boards are stepping up and making the right calls and as this Delta variant increases we have that some other school boards would reconsider what they have done and put in the mask requirement.

Next question.

>> To follow up Robin kanady FOX 46.

The governor why are you not mandating.

>> I think everybody knows what to do.

We've given the school system's the tools that they need to make these decisions in their local areas.

We want to concentrate our efforts on vaccination and that's what we're doing.

Next question.

>> Our next question is through our leave with Carolina public press.

>> Good afternoon governor Laura we kind of the press.

Want about the follow-up to a resident question in terms of medical capacity to address the latest surge.

Beyond hospitals ability to to increase.

Are you seeing issues with shortages of Hough professional nurses, doctors and providers and and what you have to address that in the longer term.

>> Like Cody Kinsley address that.

Thank you for the question.

I think a lot of our health care systems across the state are seeing particularly difficult shortage isn't are saying in another areas right now.

>> And that has been driven by a number of factors.

Our team is working hard to make sure we can support them the good news is we're also working with the federal government so whether we need to deploy additional staff.

You know the federal government has offered resources as necessary so we're actively monitoring that we have a lot of resources in the state of course part of it could be patient transfer and other things within region to try to help balance the workload says a lot of tools that we have to try to manage that capacity me and I think it goes back to the fact that you know right now for the next couple of weeks our options are about managing staff and managing patient flow to make sure that everyone can get served by the specialist in the resources that they need.

But we can get ahead of the next we have a few weeks after that and the surge that may happen then if we can get back folks vaccinated now so people are in their community and worried about their hospitals.

>> Being overrun.

The easy way for them to step up and make a change that would be going get a vaccination.

Next question please.

>> Follow-up Marley Carolina public press.

>> Thank you at various points.

The scene.

Differentiation and surging based on region and we're tracking that with the county alert system for a while.

I'm wondering if we if you are currently seeing.

What appears to be more widespread.

Delta variant and if if in the future you anticipate reinstituting a system where we may you know consider different areas in the approach to and in different regions differently.

>> Right so we are watching carefully a regional basis.

I think as was pointed out earlier we're seeing the current surge is in our counties and communities with our lowest vaccination rate that's perhaps without surprise and so it's important for us to support those local hospitals.

There you know I think as we have found and learned in these last 18 months or so that you know the virus does not respect regional borders that we create and moves quickly and it moves across borders and so we have to be forward thinking we have to move fast in that direction.

So I think that but beyond thinking about regional controls we're just trying to make sure that every hospital is prepared and that those local communities can get their vaccination rates as high as possible.

Next question please.

>> Our next question from Caroline Hicks with wbtv.

>> Hi thank you for taking my question.

We were hearing from a union County school board member that he feels undocumented immigrants crossing the border are causing a rise in covid cases and they are going through any screening and testing if they are coming through legally is that a concern from the state and do you believe that that is worth discussing at a school board meeting.

>> I have no information that that is occurring I'm concerned about any person that is unvaccinated because unvaccinated people are causing a surge in this pandemic I've said many times that we definitely need to fix immigration at the federal level and I encourage our federal officials to come together and make sure that we have a system that works.

Next question please.

>> A final question for today's media briefing will be from an jolly to tell with WLS.

>> Well governor thanks for taking my question because school mask policies are pretty much of each district right now.

Many parents are looking for virtual options and district for masks are optional what should school districts be forced to operate virtual option for learning this year.

>> Well I think that that would be up to the school district we are encouraging in person learning for our students it is so important that that happened.

And we're going to continue to push in person learning, I'll get you the answers to whether there has to be a virtual option do you guys know the answer to that question I'm not sure that we know that but I know some schools are continuing to offer it for people in certain situations but we'll try to get that answer for you.

Thank you guys for being with us today we appreciate it congratulations again Audrey.