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What Is COVID’s Delta Variant? Jun 23, 2021

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – As we return to pre-pandemic life, COVID-19 keeps evolving. A new strain, called the Delta variant, is starting to appear in the United States. It’s more contagious and severe than previous strains.

So we wanted to know: What is the Delta variant? And should vaccinated people be concerned about it? Good Question.

The number of people lining up for the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota has dropped in recent weeks and so too has the number of cases.

But a new strain known as the Delta variant is now making its way through the country after originating and quickly spreading through India a few months ago.

Kris Ehresmann, director of infectious disease at the Minnesota Department of Health, said there have been 47 Delta variant cases in Minnesota. Of that total, nine were hospitalized and two have died. Although the sample size is small, Ehresmann said it highlights the variant’s severity.

“This variant has been identified as being 60% more transmissible than the Alpha, or the B117 variant [first found in the U.K.], and that was even more transmissible than the original strain,” she said.

The MRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna have shown a strong efficacy rate against the Delta variant. But the Johnson & Johnson and Astra Zeneca, both just a single dose, has a significantly lower efficacy rate: around 60%, according to MDH.

“The protection is less, slightly less than what we’re seeing for the original [COVID-19] strain but there is some protection,” Ehresmann emphasized.

But is it possible to even prevent a new strain from forming?

“Every time there’s transmission, that’s an opportunity for the virus to mutate,” Ehresmann said.

Preventing mutation happens by stopping transmission, which is helped through vaccination.

There are 2,771,183 Minnesotans who have been fully vaccinated (two weeks since final dose) as of May 30. Of those people, 3,080 have tested positive for COVID-19, meaning the infection rate of fully vaccinated people is 0.11%.

There have been 333 fully vaccinated people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 51% were admitted because of COVID-19, while 49% were admitted for different reasons (surgery, trauma, labor and delivery) and tested positive for the virus upon arrival.

“I think it’s important that people recognize that these variants represent a serious concern and the best way that we’ll be able to address them is if everyone takes advantage of vaccination,” said Ehresmann. “And there’s plenty of vaccine in the state, so it’s a great time to get it. And you can even get an incentive now, for heaven’s sakes, if you get vaccinated.”

To learn more about the incentives for getting vaccinated in Minnesota, click here.

**Trinity Ottoson-Smith, 9, Dies Days After Stray Bullet Struck Her At North Minneapolis Birthday Party** May 28, 2021
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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Trinity Ottoson-Smith, the 9-year-old girl who was struck by a stray bullet 12 days ago while jumping on a trampoline at a friend’s birthday party in north Minneapolis, has died from her injuries.

Raishawn Smith, Trinity’s father, told WCCO’s David Schuman that she passed away late Thursday afternoon.

Trinity becomes the second young girl to die from a stray bullet to the head in north Minneapolis in the past eight days. Aniya Allen, 6, died on May 19, two days after she was shot while in her family’s car on the way home from McDonald’s.

Trinity Smith (credit: Raishawn Smith)

On April 30, 10-year-old Ladavionne Garrett Jr. was also shot in the head while sitting in the back seat of his parents’ car, en route to his grandmother’s house in north Minneapolis.

MPD Public Information Officer John Elder said in a Thursday night press conference that Trinity was rushed to the hospital by responding officers in a squad car. He said “several teams of investigators” have been assigned to these three cases, and a “great number of tips” have come in. No one is in custody.

A $30,000 reward fund has been set up by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber in the effort to gather information that leads to arrests in these shootings.

Ladavionne Garrett Jr., Trinity Smith and Aniya Allen (credit: Submitted/CBS)

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tipline at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online via the Crime Stoppers website.

“Keep sending tips through Crime Stoppers. Help us solve crimes in your community. We have an incredible rate of arrests and charging when the community works with us,” Elder said. “We know full well people know what happened, who did this. Come forward with that info. You can remain anonymous and get a reward.”

Elder says homicides are at more than double what they were at last year, and four times as much as 2019. And shooting victims are “well over” what they were at in 2020.

‘For Me, It Was A Celebration’ | Maryland Woman Wears Wedding Dress To Get Vaccinated Apr 13, 2021

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Maryland woman wore her wedding dress to get vaccinated over the weekend.

The University of Maryland Medical System shared photos on Twitter of Sarah Studley, all decked out in white, getting her COVID-19 vaccination at M&T Bank Stadium.

Her wedding reception was canceled due to the pandemic, so Studley decided not to let the dress go to waste.

“It went into the closet and it stayed there,” Studley said. “It just didn’t feel like it was going to be possible to have a wedding that was both safe and fun.”

“I knew this was the dress I would wear,” she said. “No pretty dress should sit in your closet forever unworn.”

Here comes the bride…to get her vaccination at M&T Bank Stadium Mass Vaccination Site! Rather than let the beautiful gown for her pandemic-cancelled wedding reception just hang in her closet, Sarah Studley wore it to get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/eeRJvITO51

— University of Maryland Medical System (@umms) April 12, 2021

“This was supposed to be my wedding reception dress and now I decided to make it my vaccine reception dress,” Studley said.

And the bride was the belle of the ball.

“For me, it was a celebration,” Studley said. “There were so many low moments during the pandemic, so many things that got canceled, this dress, if nothing else, represents hope.”

Maryland moved into Phase 3 of the state’s vaccination plan Monday, meaning anyone 16 or older are eligible to receive the vaccination around the state.

Two more mass vaccination sites opened in Maryland Monday at Frederick Community College and the Navy-Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department’s website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ’s coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.

Extensions End: 110,000+ People In MN Now Have Invalid Driver’s Licenses, Permits Or ID Cards Apr 01, 2021

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The extension for those who had their driver’s license, instruction permits or ID cards expire during the COVID-19 pandemic has now ended, and thousands now have invalid licenses.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division, the extension ended March 31 and approximately 113,814 people now have invalid licenses.

“Minnesotans who received an extension because of COVID-19 and have not yet renewed their driver’s license or ID card need to do so right away. Their licenses are invalid today,” the release said.

The DVS says testing is not required as long as the driver’s license is expired less than one year and was in good standing prior to expiring.

Those who need to renew their licenses can do so online. Minnesotans must renew in person to make changes to their driver’s license or intend to apply for a Real ID or enhanced driver’s license or ID card.

**‘Comment Below, Tag 3 Friends’; Scammers Targeting Instagram Giveaways** Feb 18, 2021
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*By Elyssa Kaufman, CBS 2 Digital News Producer*

**CHICAGO (CBS)–** “Comment below and tag three friends” is your chance to win free items from your favorite brands on Instagram. It’s also becoming a quick and easy way for scammers to target Instagram users’ information.

In the hopes of connecting with followers, Corey Paige Designs, a New York-based designer who sells products in three Chicago-area stores, posted an Instagram giveaway offering a Valentine’s Day-themed gift. One winner would be selected from the comment section.

However, many hopeful followers woke up to a direct message from an account that looked similar to @coreypaige_designs. The fake account told “winners” they would receive their promised gift by signing up for a streaming service and sending in a screenshot of the verification page within a time limit.

Corey Paige Designs

A credit card was required to sign up for the streaming service promising, “1 year free music and movies” through a seemingly sponsored website. The deal implied the design brand had partnered with the streaming service, when in reality this was a ploy to get credit card information from hopeful followers.

“As soon as I was made aware of this, I did everything I could to report the account and contact Instagram,” Corey Paige told CBS 2. “I hope this can serve as a warning to those beyond just the Corey Paige Designs community, so users are aware of these types of accounts, and only provide information to someone known to them.”

Corey Paige Designs

The designer posted a warning on her Instagram story asking followers to report the fake account.

Corey Paige said this scam is frustrating because Instagram has been a trusted platform for growing her business during the pandemic, even expanding business to many Illinois customers.

“It’s very frustrating to have fake or spam Instagram accounts pretending to be me and contacting my followers,” Corey Paige told CBS 2. “Not only does this impact my brand, but I would never want to be the cause of a follower providing private information to someone.”

She is not alone. A Chicago resident sent in a screenshot of a similar scam she received on Instagram after commenting on a giveaway, hoping to win a free blow dryer brush.

From the screenshot, it is clear the same scamming strategy was used. Luckily, the link was not opened and the fake hair product account was reported.

Corey Paige confirmed the fake account has been deleted. She said hundreds of her followers reported the account, and action was only taken after she went through a Facebook business chat representative.

A Facebook Company spokesperson released the following statement to CBS 2:

“Fake engagement and spammy behavior are against our rules and we’ve made massive investments to find and remove those responsible so Instagram can continue to be a place for genuine interactions. When detected, we take immediate action on the account or network responsible because people and businesses alike do not want to invest their time or money if they are not reaching real people.”

According to the Better Business Bureau, there has been an increase in social media scams and most victims are between the ages of 18 and 24. The 25 to 34 age group is the second most victimized.

In December, the BBB released information on how to spot an Instagram giveaway scam. Scammers are looking to accumulate likes on a post or page, to then “link to malware” in messages. This includes fake products being sold by scam accounts as well.

The BBB said an account selling products with little to no content is “a big red flag.” Checking for verification, or a blue checkmark, is one way to ensure an account is real.

According to the BBB’s Top Scams of 2020, online purchase scams were the most common scam of the year. This included fake websites leading to false purchases.

You can report scam incidents through the BBB Scamtracker

Here’s how you can detect this Instagram scam:

First, the fake account had a slightly different handle name from Corey Paige’s original account. Scammers added an “s” to the name, a slight change meant to trick users. Upon further investigation, the account profile had no posts, even though the same logo was used for the profile picture. (See photo below).

Before moving forward, it is important to check out the Instagram profile for other discrepancies. The real @coreypaige_designs has over 2,000 posts, including the original “giveaway” post. The fake account, as the BBB predicted, had no posts.

Next, a “free giveaway” from a brand should not require a credit card. If a credit card is requested, it is important to follow up with the original business.

Once you determine an account is fake, or posing a threat, the final step is to block and report the user. According to Instagram, “when you block someone, they won’t be able to see your profile.”

**Man Who Made Big Bucks Off GameStop Stock Sends Nintendo Switches To Children’s Hospital** Feb 01, 2021
Show notes

**This story was originally published on Jan. 31, 2021.**

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Stillwater man has ridden the GameStop stock wave to some big bucks that he’s using on charitable giving.

Hunter Kahn, 20, cashed in big on last week’s rally that was propelled by an online Reddit forum called “Wall Street Bets.” He bought six Nintendo Switches, and games, to donate to Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis.

“It was a better feeling than waking up in the morning and seeing that [GameStop’s stock price] was on the moon,” Kahn said. “I love video games. I know it would be terrible being a kid in a hospital with like no joy helping them through.”

Kahn’s post on Reddit about his donation has more than 175,000 “upvotes,” which is Reddit’s version of likes. Many amateur investors like Kahn purchased GameStop stock to beat wealthy hedge funds at their own game.

Hunter Kahn (credit: CBS)

“A lot of people are saying that this is somewhat like a transfer of power, but if the money’s going from here just to the other side, there’s no difference if we just are acting the same way as the people that we’re criticizing,” Kahn said. “It’s important that we don’t become men in suits ourselves, and use our money for good.”

Paul Vaaler, a business and law professor at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, says the GameStop story shows the power of the internet. He’s less bullish on this populist investing movement sustaining itself long-term.

“Getting a mob to move in one direction is a tough thing to do,” Vaaler said. “In this case, they did. Don’t hold your breath that it’s going to happen again soon.”

Despite his success, Kahn says he doesn’t want to work on Wall Street or in finance. He’s an engineering student whose dream is to build spaceships for Elon Musk.

Demonstrators Gather Across Maryland, Demand Every Vote Be Counted In 2020 Election Nov 05, 2020

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Demonstrators gathered in cities around the country on Wednesday, calling for every vote cast in the 2020 presidential election to be counted.

Across the State of Maryland, demonstraters peacefully called for a fair election.

From Annapolis to Baltimore, people came together with signs in hand, demanding every vote across the country is counted.

“No matter who gets elected, no matter who claims victory, we want to make sure all of the votes are counted,” Rev. Dellyne Hinton, of Count Every Vote Maryland, said.

This comes as President Donald Trump prematurely claimed victory in the election early Wednesday, and his campaign filed lawsuits, challenging the vote count in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia.

Along Northern Parkway in north Baltimore, members of Count Every Vote Maryland joined forces with religious leaders, calling for every ballot cast to be tallied.

“There’s no reason to stop counting votes,” one demonstrator said. “People have legally cast their votes all over the country and they need to be counted.”

In downtown Baltimore, the People’s Power Assembly shut down traffic to march.

“It’s going to take a people’s struggle to make sure there’s any form, even if it’s a distorted form, of democracy in this country,” a demonstrator told WJZ.

With the results looming, many say protecting the integrity of the election is vital.

“Every citizen deserves to have their vote counted in a lawful manner,” Charlie Cooper, of County Every Vote Maryland, said. “And the effort to not count votes is slated toward stealing power.”

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