South Carolina’s response to covid has not been good.

That's the assessment of Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

The vaccine roll out has been worse, the senator who represents western Lexington County wrote in an email to his constituents.

"I know you’re frustrated," the Senate Majority Leader wrote. "I’m frustrated.

"I will provide more information as I learn it, but here’s what I know now:

VIRUS NUMBERS – South Carolina’s infection rate is way too high. You can see the daily numbers here Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | SCDHEC. 

We have to do a better job of controlling the spread of the virus. Please wear a mask, avoid large crowds, and wash our hands frequently. We can all help this process if we take these steps.

TESTING SITES  – You can find COVID testing locations near you here COVID-19 Testing Locations | SCDHEC.

VACCINE ELIGIBILITY – South Carolina is currently in Phase 1A of the vaccine distribution. Here’s who’s eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1A:

• Frontline healthcare workers who are high risk of exposure and mission-critical to the overarching goal of preventing death
• Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
• Admitted hospital patients who are aged 65 years and older
• Anyone 70 years and older
• State/local government employees and their contractors who are mission-critical for maintaining operations of COVID-19 vaccinations and testing

You can read more information about the phases and eligibility here COVID-19 Vaccine | SCDHEC.

WHAT IF I’M NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER PHASE 1A? – DHEC estimates that Phase 1b eligibility will begin near the end of February and the remaining phases will follow. You can see more information about phases and eligibility here COVID-19 Vaccine | SCDHEC.

HOW DO I GET THE VACCINE? –   DHEC's online map here VACCINE LOCATIONS FOR COVID-19 (arcgis.com) is live and updated daily. This online map shows the locations currently accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccine and the map will provide the contact information for scheduling appointments at those locations. The map itself is not a way to schedule an appointment.

You can also call DHEC's Care Line at 855-472-3432 for assistance in locating the contact information for scheduling an appointment. The Care Line cannot schedule an appointment but can help provide the phone numbers of locations offering vaccine appointments. If you do not have internet or an email address, DHEC says that this is the way to schedule an appointment.

Appointments should be scheduled because walk-ins may not be able to receive the vaccine.

You will be asked to provide a driver's license or other form of ID at your appointment to confirm your age in order to receive vaccine.

The hours of operation for the appointment scheduling phone line for each location depends on the location -- not DHEC.

Like all states, South Carolina currently has a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, some locations offering vaccine may not have an appointment available for several days or weeks depending on the vaccine supply and demand.

WHAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET OR EMAIL? – DHEC says that people without internet and/or email access should call the DHEC Care line at 855-472-3432 for help in connecting with a provider.

I’VE HEARD MY APPOINTMENT MIGHT BE CANCELED BECAUSE SC DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH DOSES - DHEC says that the provider will cancel the appointment if vaccine is not available. Do not assume that your appointment is cancelled based on media reports about the vaccine supply.

HOW IS  SOUTH  CAROLINA DOING IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VACCINE? – As of Sunday, January 17, South Carolina had received 313,100 doses and has administered 158,232. You can keep up with how many doses we have received and administered here COVID-19 Vaccine Allocations in South Carolina | SCDHEC. This site is updated daily.

If you are a constituent of Sen. Massey, contact him at shanemassey@scsenate.gov

If you have questions, contact us at JerryBellune@yahoo.com

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