COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces $43 million to help thousands of businesses with cost of providing healthcare; celebrates progress on vaccine…

GOVERNOR CELEBRATES REPORTED SUCCESS OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 VACCINEAlso on Monday, Gov. Justice took time to celebrate that early reports on a COVID-19 vaccine, currently being developed by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, indicate that the vaccine may be performing better than expected.

According to Pfizer, the vaccine proved to be effective in more than 90% of the first 94 test subjects who were infected with the coronavirus, vastly exceeding the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations minimum expectation of 50% efficacy for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Lets just hope and pray that this is the right news, because this could be the biggest announcement that we have ever had in our lifetime, Gov. Justice said. If we have a vaccine that will work at a level greater than 90%, it is unbelievable to think that has been pulled off in the timespan it has taken to make this a reality.

If this is above 90%, this will enable us to eradicate COVID-19, just like we did with smallpox, Gov. Justice continued. This is an incredible announcement. It has the stock market going crazy to the upside. They think they will have this vaccine very soon, especially for our most vulnerable.

Weve got to be absolutely thankful to God above if its a reality, and everybody seems to think its just that. Its a testament to great American ingenuity, science, and all the goodness that we have.

In apress release announcing the early results, Pfizer said that the clinical trial will continue through to final analysis at 164 confirmed cases in order to collect further data and characterize the vaccine candidates performance against other study endpoints. The release added that Submission for Emergency Use Authorization to the FDA is planned for soon after the required safety milestone is achieved, which is currently expected to occur in the third week of November.

How do we bridge the gap between now and, hopefully, when this vaccine becomes a reality? Weve got to get tested, we absolutely have to wear our masks, and we have to continue to practice proper social distancing, Gov. Justice said. Its really tough and frustrating. But, for crying out loud, were so close now. Please, West Virginia, youve got to buckle up, youve got to try really hard.

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces $43 million to help thousands of businesses with cost of providing healthcare; celebrates progress on vaccine...