Racine leaders stress communities of color get COVID-19 vaccine

RACINE, Wis. - There is a big plea and push happening ahead of a community vaccination site opening in Racine Tuesday. The call to action from leaders of color urgent asking their community to sign-up to receive a dose. 

"Please please please get your vaccines," Alderman John Tate II said.

One speaker after another:

"I would advise everyone to please get your shot," Alderwoman Mollie Jones said.

Pushing for people in communities of color to get vaccinated when their turn arrives:

"For communities of color, particularly those that are working class and have jobs that don’t allow you to work remotely and cannot socially distance, the best defense we have going forward and the best chance we have to return to some level of normalcy is vaccination," Ald. Tate said.

The call to action – coming from Racine County Black and Latinx leaders - one day before a new community vaccination site opens at the former Burlington Coat Factory at Regency Mall. 

"It’s important that if you have concerns ask questions. It’s OK to ask questions," Ald. Tate said.

The City of Racine also loosening some of its COVID-19 restrictions Monday. 

Places like bars, restaurants and places of worship can operate 75% capacity — as long as social distancing is maintained.

"Probably the biggest change for a lot of people would be the number of people within a public and private mass gathering, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor environment. That has gone from 50 to 200," Stephan Kurdan said.

Health officials updating restrictions as confirmed COVID-19 cases decline and vaccinations ramp up. 

"We do feel like we’re headed in the right direction, we’re still obviously still maintaining some precautions," Kurdan said.

The community-based vaccination site opens Tuesday at 11 a.m.

The City of Racine is offering free bus rides to people going to a vaccination site or who just got vaccinated and need to return to their home or work.