Congratulations to the UNC-Chapel Hill Class of 2021 from the Carrboro Town Council!
While the past months have been full of challenges, you have proven that focus, hard work, and dedication can get you to your goal. Thank you for being a wonderful part of the Carrboro community! Cheers to you all!
To comply with mass gathering restrictions and public health guidance, Carolina will hold multiple in-person, ticketed Commencement https://commencement.unc.edu/ ceremonies on May 14, 15 and 16 in Kenan Stadium. The ceremonies will be led by a small platform party and feature live and pre-recorded content.
Graduates will be grouped by their school or department in the College of Arts & Sciences so that classmates can celebrate together.
Drs. Anthony Fauci and Kizzmekia Corbett ’14 (Ph.D.) will team up to deliver Carolina’s Spring Commencement address. Learn more about Dr. Corbett’s ties to Orange County and early experience in science as a high schooler at a Carolina lab at UNC.edu. https://www.unc.edu/discover/a-full-circle-moment
Interested community members can watch the ceremonies online at https://www.youtube.com/uncchapelhill or at commencement.unc.edu
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Freight Train Blues Begins May 14 with Alexa Rose
LIVESTREAM MUSIC SERIES HONORING PIEDMONT BLUESWOMAN ELIZABETH ‘LIBBA’ COTTEN
PERFORMANCES BY AMYTHYST KIAH, JOHNNY RAY DANIELS, THE HAMILTONES, ALEXA ROSE, AND HARVEY DALTON ARNOLD
Livestream each concert via the links below:
May 14 – Alexa Rose –Alexa Rose was born in the Alleghany Highlands of western Virginia, raised in the tiny railroad town of Clifton Forge. Though no one in her immediate family played or sang, she inherited a deep musical legacy. That visceral connection is at the core of Rose’s debut album, Medicine for Living (Big Legal Mess).
Get the full schedule and details at freightrainblues.com
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Following New CDC Guidance on Face Coverings, Governor Cooper Lifts Many COVID-19 Restrictions
Message from Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle: “Governor Cooper’s announcement today was possible because most of us have taken this pandemic seriously since last spring by following the state’s health protocols, and getting our vaccinations. I know a vast majority of us have done so in Orange County. However, even though this announcement makes face coverings optional in most circumstances, there are still folks who have not been vaccinated because of health conditions, age, accessibility, or other reasons. Because of this, under the Governor’s new order, businesses are still allowed to require face coverings. Let’s be cautiously excited about the fact that we have progressed this far, but not forget that COVID-19 is still here until more of us are fully vaccinated.”
News Release from Governor Roy Cooper:
State to lift gathering limits, social distancing requirements in all settings and indoor mask mandate for most settings
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Today (Friday, May 14), Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. shared an update on the state’s COVID-19 progress. Throughout the pandemic, state officials have taken a data-driven approach and have been guided by the science in making decisions. Following yesterday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others, the state will remove its indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. These changes are now in effect as of 1:30 PM today.
“We can take this step today because the science shows our focus on getting people vaccinated is working,” said Governor Cooper. “But to keep moving forward – and to make sure that we keep saving lives – more people need to get vaccinated.”
The ability to lift restrictions sooner than anticipated following the CDC’s guidance shows the importance of vaccinating all North Carolinians. As of this week, even more people can get vaccinated. Younger teens between 12 and 15 can now get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Young people are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus, just like everyone else, and the percent of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina children 17 and under has been increasing.
North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered over 7.7 million doses. 51% percent of those 18 and up are at least partially vaccinated, and 46% percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.
“I am so proud of the incredible progress we have made in beating back this pandemic,” said Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Vaccines continue to be incredibly effective at protecting individuals from this terrible virus. And as more and more people get vaccinated, the results show in our stable metrics with lower cases, lower hospitalizations, and lower deaths.”
In accordance with the new CDC guidance, there will still be certain settings where masks and other safety measures will be required. Masks will still be required in child care, schools and camps as most children are either not yet vaccinated or are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Everyone, including people who are fully vaccinated will still be required to wear a mask in certain settings such as public transportation, health care settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices and long-term care settings like nursing homes, and certain congregate settings like correctional facilities and homeless shelters.
NCDHHS will continue to have strong public health recommendations for individuals to continue to protect one another until more people are vaccinated. People who are not vaccinated should wear a mask and maintain distance in all indoor public settings and in outdoor settings when they can't maintain six feet of distance.
Masks are strongly recommended for everyone at large crowded indoor events like sporting events and live performances.
NCDHHS recommends public facing businesses post signage reminding guests to social distance and wear a face covering if they are not fully vaccinated; remind employees to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19; have a plan to immediately isolate and remove sick workers; and clean high-touch surfaces once a day. Businesses may choose to continue to require that their customers wear masks.
The Department of Health and Human Services will also continue to expand strategies to reach people who have not yet gotten vaccinated.
Information on the state’s vaccine distribution is available at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish). People can find nearby vaccine providers using NCDHHS’ online tool, Find a Vaccine Location https://myspot.nc.gov/ The state’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline number is 888-675-4567.
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May is Bike Month
This May, the Town of Carrboro is celebrating Bike Month!
“I urge all Carrboro residents to have fun this month by riding a bike,” said Mayor Lydia Lavelle, who proclaimed Bike Month in Carrboro.
Established in 1956 and promoted by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month has been celebrated in communities from coast to coast.
Open to everyone, the Town of Carrboro and community partners are planning events to encourage new riders by showcasing the many benefits of biking, such as enjoying the outdoors and using active transportation options to commute.
Thanks to our partners, including the Town of Chapel Hill, the Carrboro Bicycle Coalition, Orange County Commuter Options, and UNC Transportation and Parking.
Carrboro Bike Month
- May 14 – Taco Truck Tour – 7 p.m. at ReCYCLEry
- May 17-23 – Bike to Work Week
- May 18 – Bike to Work Day Afternoon Snack – 4 to 6 p.m. at Libba Cotten Greenway
- May 21 – Salute Heroes & Bike to Work/School – Decorate Your Bike
- May 21 – Full Moon Ride – QRC Cruiser Ride – 8 p.m. Queer Ride Carrboro – Meet at ReCYCLEry
For more information above bike month events being held across the Triangle, visit: https://gotriangle.org/bikemonth
Related Materials
- Mayor Lavelle’s Bike Month Proclamation – https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/9098/2021-Bike-Month
- Carrboro Bicycle Plan - http://www.townofcarrboro.org/1174/2020-Bike-Plan-Update
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Local Pharmacy Provides Vaccines
Local Carrboro Pharmacy Offers Pfizer Vaccine for 12+. Local #Carrboro pharmacy at 370 E. Main St. Carrboro, NC 27510 offering Pfizer vaccine for 12 and older.
Call Pharmacist Malli Hadimani at (919) 240-7827 or email ttpharmacy17@gmail.com to schedule an appointment btw 11 am and 5 pm.
Find more vaccine providers at www.orangecountync.gov/2617/Vaccine
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Youthworx in Carrboro
A COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held at Youthworx, next door to CommunityWorx Thrift Shop, 125 W. Main St. in Carrboro, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 22.
Walk-ins are welcome. Free and no ID necessary.
Choose between Johnson & Johnson (available to anyone 18 and older) or the Pfizer (available to anyone 12 and older).
Reserve a spot at https://form.jotform.com/211245718739057
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Town Council Update
Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at townofcarrboro.org/signup
Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions at council@townofcarrboro.org
Coming Up
The Town Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, to consider the agenda bit.ly/3ogbnEK that will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
To view, livestream at carrboro.legistar.com or YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). To speak at the meeting email publiccomment@townofcarrboro.org
For the summary of the May 11 meeting, link to http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1720
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