Monthly Archives: February 2022
Federal government set to distribute free N95 masks
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
WASHINGTON — The federal government launched a program in mid-January to distribute free N95 masks across the U.S. to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study about the effectiveness of different types of face masks in reducing the spread of the virus and found N95s were among the most effective.
The study looked at the mask habits of 1,528 people who tested positive for COVID-19 between Feb. 18-Dec. 1, 2021, and 1,511 people who did not have the virus as a control.
Masks were separated into three categories: cloth, surgical and respirator, which includes both N95 and KN95 masks.
The study found consistently wearing respirators reduced a person’s chance of getting COVID-19 by 83 percent. Surgical masks reduce the risk of infection by 66 percent, and cloth masks brought up the rear with
56 percent.
The government pledged to send out 400 million free N95 masks for residents, which White House spokesman Jeff Zients said was “the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history.”
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
DHEC pushing Test to Stay program to help keep students in class
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
COLUMBIA — The “Test to Stay” program South Carolina launched in January was created to keep students in school without having to wait multiple days for 
COVID-19 test results.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) included the program in its school guidelines when students returned after winter break.
The program allows unvaccinated students who were exposed to COVID-19 but aren’t showing symptoms to use
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Easley departments request Rescue Plan funds
EASLEY — The Easley departments that provide public health and safety services requested city leaders use American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide
them with $623,000 in requested equipment and other needs.
Easley City Council discussed those requests and ARPA funding during a special called meeting on Jan. 24.
The city’s Public Health and Safety Services, which includes fire, police and court, identified needs in the amount of
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Clemson considers infrastructure areas for federal money
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — Clemson engineer Nathan Hinkle said several areas are being considered for infrastructure projects as part of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money the city expects to receive.
“We believe that we should have approximately $6.5 million in ARPA funds for projects,” Hinkle said. “The areas that we are looking to apply those funds are
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
State declared drought-free
COLUMBIA — After a dry autumn caused an uptick in wildfires, South Carolina has received much-needed rain.
The S.C. Drought Response Committee met Tuesday to update the drought status of each county in the state and announced the whole state is now drought-free.
The committee met Dec. 9 because of the surge in wildfires and placed 34 counties into incipient drought status.
South Carolina had twice the 10-year average of wildfires in the month of November and in the first week of December had already surpassed 1.5 times the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Navigating the Wild West of free enterprise
Maybe you can help me with a decision: Should I buy one tube of Aim toothpaste for 84 cents or go with the three-pack for $11.26?
I’m no math whiz, but that three-pack deal looks a little outrageous.
Yet I run across this kind of off-the-wall, weird, ridiculously high priced stuff online all the time. I suspect you do too.
It seems like a fairly recent phenomenon, and I thought maybe it was somehow related to the supply chain issue,
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Narcan, fentanyl test strips are lifesaving tools
Those with severe allergies carry EpiPens. Some diabetics carry glucose monitors and accessories, as well as insulin and quick ways to raise their blood sugar.
Those can be lifesaving in times of need.
The opioid crisis is both a national and a local problem. You probably know someone who has been impacted by it. I know I do.
Maybe someone in your life has substance use disorder and you
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Letters to the Editor 2-9-22
Show love at all times
Dear Editor,
February is already here. Second month of the new year begun.
February is remembered for Valentine’s Day. Some may not know about a priest named Valentine who was executed on Feb. 14 by the Roman government for continuing to perform marriages,You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
When praying for rain, don’t forget your raincoat
We’ve heard the old saying that life is not a bed of roses for as long as we can remember. I understand what it’s trying to convey, but I’ve also thought it would not be all that great to lie down on a bed of sharp thorns.
Nevertheless, the point is that life will have its ups and downs, and most of us will experience our share of hard times. Whether it’s a financial worry, a medical situation, relationship problems or being concerned for the condition of the world, life is a daily challenge.
However, amid all that is going on, we have the opportunity to know God, who is an endless source of love, authority and hope. We can choose to embrace the encouraging truth that He cares about our problems and to
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Obituaries 2-9-22
DAVID EARL GILSTRAP
PICKENS — David Earl Gilstrap, 76, husband of 44 years to Kathy Grant Gilstrap, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at his residence.
A native of Pickens County, David was born on Nov. 11, 1945, to the late Glenn and Edna Hannah Gilstrap. He retired from Bellsouth with 31 years of service 25 years ago and worked as a reserve deputy with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for years. David was a long-time member of Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where he worked with the youth and Senior Action group
