Robbinsville – A new vaccine initiative will seek to increase vaccine doses administered in Graham County by 1,000.
At Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting, County Manager Jason Marino discussed the new COVID-19 vaccine initiative, which was developed by Marino, Graham County Health Department Director Beth Booth, Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight, Graham County Economic Development Director Sophia Paulos and other community leaders. Dogwood Health Trust will also be involved in the plan.
The “Take One for the Team” initiative seeks to increase the number of vaccinated individuals by donating funds to the youth program of the recipients’ choosing.
“What it boils down to is coming up with ideas and making an incentive to help the community, so if $50 will go to a kids activity for each vaccine, we’ll put into our sports, activities and athletics for the county and schools,” Marino said.
He said the $50 could also go to non-sports programs, including band, STEM club and others.
“We’ve been working our tails off to try to come up with initiatives and ideas to try to encourage people to get vaccinated,” Marino said.
County Finance Director Becky Garland said the initiative fell under the American Rescue Plan, should more money be needed for it.
However, not everyone present was in support of COVID-19 measures. During public comments, Debra Dinschel decried Graham County Schools’ decision to require students to wear masks, and went as far as suggesting that the county not fund the school district over the school board’s decision.
“It’s wrong in every way,” Dinschel said. “The Founding Fathers would never agree to put masks on kids. There’s no science to back it up. There’s nothing to gain by putting masks on kids.”
Dinschel has spoken out against masks and other COVID-19 measures at public meetings over the past several months.