Echoing the concerns surrounding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural America, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) questioned HHS and CDC officials on Operation Warp Speed. This operation oversees the research, creation, and production of a potential COVID-19 vaccine and the plans for future distribution. West Virginia, a hotspot for recent rural COVID-19 infections, will need quick and effective distribution of the vaccine when it is ready. Manchin made clear that the HHS and CDC must ensure rural providers have the necessary equipment and personnel to administer the vaccine.
