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– “Take your photos, friends”, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted Monday. “And let’s get back to normal!” With that, the state will remove the restrictions on who can get a coronavirus vaccination from Tuesday. Mississippi already had someone 50 or older make an appointment, the New York Times reports, and Reeves suggested that people in that category sign up quickly. Speaking to the nation last week, President Biden said he wants them to open vaccinations to everyone on May 1. Alaska also beats that date so that anyone living or working in the state has a chance to shoot. Michigan said it will open April 5.
About 20% of Mississippi residents have received at least one dose of vaccine and 11% have had two; The state supply consists of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, according to the Oxford Eagle, both of which require a second shot. Those numbers are higher than most of Mississippi’s neighbors, but lower than most other states, according to the US TimesReeves, a Republican, has already lifted the state’s mask mandate, which Biden called a flaw. The governor also allowed companies to return to full capacity, per WAPT. The president had called in his speech to “abide by the rules” in an effort to contain the virus. (European countries stopped using one vaccine on Monday.)