* CBS 2…

A viewer worried about the vaccine delays reached out to CBS 2 about a legislative hurdle that could further jam up distribution. There are 10,000 dentists in Illinois, but state guidelines leave many unable to administer the vaccine, despite being more than qualified. […]

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued an Emergency Proclamation in December 2020, which requires dentists to take a four-hour training on administering injections. Part of the training is in-person.

Milgram said the extensive injection training isn’t necessary.

“We’re more than capable of giving injections. I’ve probably given 20 different people injections today,” he said. “Dentists probably give more shots than any other health care profession.”

Dave Marsh, director of governmental affairs at the Illinois State Dental Society, agreed. […]

Marsh is working with the state to create a one-hour online program so dentists can administer the vaccine at public health sites.

I asked the administration about this the other day and was told today they worked with dentists on new and streamlined training requirements. IDFPR issued an emergency proclamation today. Click here.

* We need more vaccines…

Only four days into efforts to get vaccines into the arms of senior citizens, complaints are piling up about clunky websites and scarce appointment times at some of the pharmacies distributing the shots.

Some seniors are giving up in frustration because of the cutthroat competition.

And those without access to a computer or high-speed internet are likely to get left behind.

Americans are unaccustomed to scarcity, particularly when it’s due to the rank incompetence and repeated failures of national “leadership.”

* Some people are insanely stupid…

Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates says he has been taken aback by the volume of “crazy” and “evil” conspiracy theories about him spreading on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, but said on Wednesday he would like to explore what is behind them. […]

They include claims that Fauci and Gates created the pandemic to try and control people, that they want to profit from the virus’ spread, and that they want to use vaccines to insert trackable microchips into people.

“But do people really believe that stuff?,” Gates asked.

Yes, they do and it’s mind-boggling.

* Edwardsville Intelligencer…

Five lawmakers are asking Gov. J.B. Pritzker to move the Metro East to the next level of the Restore Illinois COVID-19 plan.

Currently, only Region 4, containing Madison County and six other counties, is not allowed to offer indoor dining at bars and restaurants.

On Thursday, state Sens. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, and Christopher Belt, D-Centreville, were joined by state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville; Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea; and LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, in delivering a letter to Pritzker urging him to move the Metro East to the next tier which would allow restaurants and bars to reopen for indoor dining at a limited capacity and school sports practices to resume. […]

“As of today, our region has met two out of the three required criteria to move forward a tier – including both a lower positivity rate of COVID-19 and hospitalizations,” they said. “However, our region remains to be held back due to the number of available ICU beds – despite that number not being truly reflective of the actual situation for our region.

The lawmakers said that, as a border region in one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, residents use hospitals and healthcare providers on both sides of the river, particularly in St. Louis. There are many more hospital beds available regionally than reflected in the count of beds when limited to just Illinois, they said.

Um, folks, ICU availability is just 19 percent on the other side of the river. That’s only a tiny bit better than the 18 percent on the Illinois side. Sheesh.

* Tribune live blog headlines…

Can the US keep COVID-19 variants in check? Here’s what it takes

How worried should you be about missing your last routine mammogram or colonoscopy due to COVID-19 fears?

Third stimulus check updates: President Biden taking ‘creative steps’ to push for $1.9 trillion aid plan

Pregnant women get conflicting advice on COVID-19 vaccines

How the coronavirus turns the body against itself

How do I schedule a second COVID-19 vaccine shot? Why hasn’t my health system contacted me yet? Common Illinois vaccine questions answered.

City, CPS, CTU allies in dispute over in-person learning to discuss return to school

Unemployment up statewide in 2020, with near 1 million false unemployment claims

Is the COVID-19 pandemic growing or shrinking in Illinois? New website tracks a key metric.

Blaming teachers union, CPS cancels Friday in-person classes as it races to reach a deal with CTU before students are due back Monday.

Chicago health commissioner urges patience with teacher vaccines as some CPS principals push to get staffers shots ahead of full district rollout.

Novavax vaccine appears 89% effective against COVID-19. Shot also works, though not quite as well, against other strains.

First U.S. cases of South Africa COVID-19 variant found in South Carolina.

* Sun-Times live blog headlines…

Illinois vaccination efforts increasing but slow, only 1.5% of the population have received vaccine

Pandemic help wanted: Fast food managers, road race experts

Clergy, parents call on CPS classes to remain remote until vaccine is widely distributed

Canada to quarantine travelers, suspend flights south

EU regulator authorizes AstraZeneca vaccine for all adults

J&J 1-dose shot prevents COVID-19 but is less effective than some other vaccines

No in-person classes Friday as CPS, CTU continue negotiations to avert strike

Housing advocates in Chicago aiming to help tenants ahead of a potential wave of evictions