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Mississippi Edition
10/19/20 - COVID's Rising Trends | Uninsured Children | USA IBC Pushed Back
**This episode was produced during Fall Drive and is shorter to provide time on air for drive. Participate in our Fall Drive by visiting mpbonline.org**
State health officials continue to signal the state is on the brink of another upward swing in coronavirus cases.
Then, since 2016 the rate of uninsured children in Mississippi has increased by one of the largest rates in the country. We examine why.
Plus, one of the world's premiere ballet competitions postpones its 2022 quadrennial event.
Segment 1:
Coronavirus transmission is spiking in Mississippi, and health officials are reporting cases are growing fastest in older generations. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says while transmission rates are in nursing homes, the majority of the transmission is within communities or families.
According to State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state has the testing and tracing infrastructure in place to identify cases and stop the chain of transmission. But, he also says Mississippians are ignoring one key piece of the puzzle.
Segment 2:
A news study finds the number of children without health insurance in Mississippi is increasing at an alarming rate. Georgetown University Center for Children and Families estimates 46,000 children didn’t have health coverage last year--a number that’s risen 24 percent since 2016. Linda Dixon with the Mississippi Center for Justice tells our Desare Frazier it’s one of the largest jumps in the country.
Segment 3:
It's known as the Olympics of Ballet, and it calls Jackson, Mississippi home every four years. Since 1979, The USA International Ballet Competition has hosted hundreds of dancers from around the world, competing in the one of the most renowned events the dance world offers. But, due to complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic, sister competitions in Europe were canceled, and the scheduled 2022 competition in Jackson is being pushed back a year. Mona Nicholas, USA IBC's Executive Director, explains how the international dance community came together to solve a unique problem.
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