The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees voted today to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all employees at state universities that receive federal contracts except those who fall under limited exempt categories.
This month, the University of Southern Mississippi Faculty Senate called for IHL to reverse its policy prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates at the state’s universities and colleges, pointing to accreditation standards requiring that institutions “take reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community.”
Here is a recap of 2020, the stories that defined the year and this fledgling publication’s immense impact so far.
Oak Grove High School students are fighting back against what they claim is an atmosphere of racism and indifference in a historic white flight suburb in Mississippi’s Lamar County.
At least one Mississippi child has died from COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic arrived in the state in March. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported the death today. The State Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said the child did not suffer from other underlying health issues.
The entire University of Southern Mississippi football field, backed by coaches and staff, walked out on their planned Aug. 28, 2020 practice to protest racial injustice.
“Black Lives Matter,” the University of Southern Mississippi football team chanted as the entire group, backed by coaches and staff, marched out of Friday’s planned practice and to the front of campus to protest racial injustice. Dozens of mask-wearing fellow USM students and local residents joined them.
Mississippi public schools have confirmed 199 cases among students and 245 among teachers, Dobbs said, and school districts have ordered 2,035 students and 589 teachers to quarantine at home for two weeks after possible exposure to COVID-19. Schools in 71 of Mississippi’s 82 counties have reported cases, the state health officer said.
Mississippi Journalism and Education Group is a a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization (EIN 85-1403937) for the state, devoted to going beyond partisanship and publishing solutions journalism for the Magnolia State and all of its people.
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The Mississippi Free Press is a project of the Mississippi Journalism and Education Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit journalism organization (EIN 85-1403937).
