Ray Horner Show

Sen. Vernon Sykes - Black History Month

Dr. Sylvester Small - Black History Month

Russ Neal - Black History Month

Ron Fowler - Black History Month

780 doses of the vaccine will be available to the faculty and staff at Akron Public Schools. While that is not enough at the time being to cover the amount of staff they employ, it is part of a plan to get the students back in classrooms.

David James is the superintendent at Akron Public Schools, and he talked about the vaccination process they are beginning this week. James says he believes they are "good to go" on their first round of doses, and ideally, the quicker the vaccinations, the quicker the students can return to school.

The staff of Akron Public Schools will have the first round of vaccines distributed this Saturday at the administration building.

At the beginning of the pandemic, procedures and elective surgeries had been delayed, but medical professionals urge those afflicted with something to continue to get their screenings.

Dr. Debbie Plate is with Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and she joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about getting those screenings and staying in touch with their primary care physician, whether in person or virtually. Dr. Plate says there are increased guidelines to ensure the safety of those heading into a medical center or hospital if one has symptoms or an upcoming screening.

Dr. Plate also touched on supplements individuals have taken, especially the vitamins in higher doses. She says that though some vitamins can boost the immune system, she stresses caution and to not overdo it, and to check if it clashes with a person’s existing medication.

COVID-19 has been a bully to the elderly and those with a couple to several comorbidities. But as there is a push to get students back in the classrooms, how dangerous is not only the main coronavirus that has been present for over a year for them, but the other variants that have popped up?

Dr. John Bauer is medical director of medical prevention and control at Akron Children’s Hospital, and he spoke of the concerns he and his colleagues have seen with the variant in children. Though the virus has not been as dangerous towards the children, Dr. Bauer says they have seen an increase in transmission with the variants, as well as the post-infection symptoms they can experience down the road.

Dr. Bauer believes masking and social distancing should continue in the fight against transmission.

The topic of redistricting in Ohio has been on the minds of some politicians and political junkies for quite some time. A look at a congressional map shows some odd shapes and areas due to gerrymandering.

Dr. John Green is from the University of Akron’s Bliss Institute, and he talked about the questions revolving around redistricting. Dr. Green mentions the reason for the mapping, which comes directly from the state legislature, and has to do with population growth, or lack thereof.

The former interim president of the university also touched on the first week or so of Joe Biden’s administration, where the president has signed a record number of executive orders.

Each and every Thursday on the Ray Horner Morning Show, Akron mayor Dan Horrigan calls in to answer a few questions regarding the wellbeing of the residents, from public works to public health.

First, Horrigan talked about the project in the Valley at the old Riverwoods Golf Course, which spawned a separate conversation about the recent and ongoing sewer project. Horrigan says the tunnel was activated last June and the project was going well, and he understands the concerns residents have with their water and sewer bills.

Next, the mayor touched on the vaccine rollout, which has gone according to plan in conjunction with the medical corridor and Summit County Public Health. And on the topic of law enforcement, Horrigan worked alongside city council on the recommendations for an improved police presence in the community. Horrigan also wished Ken Ball, the outgoing police chief in Akron, well, as he heads towards the greener pastures of retirement next week.

Though a nationally accredited that has a diverse student body representing all areas of the world, the University of Akron still does plenty of outreach in their own community and wants to give them a chance to succeed.

Dr. Gary Miller is the president of the University of Akron, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about the partnership the university has with Akron Public Schools and the I Promise School with scholarships. One of the programs the university is promoting is a partnership with Akron City Council to give their students a real-world view of how government programs work, from the council itself to police and fire.

As for UA during the pandemic, President Miller says they are doing what it takes to remain open with reduced class size and increased sanitization. The university just went back to some in-person learning this week.