Make wishtv.com your home page

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Friday is the big day: COVID-19 vaccinations will soon be distributed to more Hoosiers. People aged 80 and older will be able to schedule their vaccination appointments.

Hoosiers 80 and older make up more than half of Indiana’s 8,000+ COVID-19 deaths. Health professionals believe getting seniors vaccinated will help protect some of our most vulnerable population.

Community spread of COVID-19 is rising by the day. This week, 57 of the state’s 97 counties are in the worst category of red.

Marion County Public Health Department Director Dr. Virginia Caine said seniors exposed to COVID-19 have the highest risk for hospitalizations and deaths.

“It’s much more deadly the older that you are because your immune system wanes,” said Caine.

Like many people, Caine said seniors have had questions and concerns about the vaccine. Now that they’re rolling out the vaccine to that age group, she wants to put them at ease.

“It’s got one of the highest effectiveness related to this vaccine compared to almost any other vaccines we’ve had in the past, at 95%. One of the vaccines is almost at 100% preventing you from being intubated or having to be placed on a respirator,” said Caine.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said this vaccine is a big step for people getting their freedom back.

“We must try equally hard to reach residents and educate them on the importance this vaccine will play in getting them and our entire community back to everyday life,” said Hogsett.

Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday that 81 more Hoosiers have died from COVID-19, for a total of 8,452 deaths.

Coronavirus links

Indiana coronavirus timeline

With information from the Indiana Department of Health through March 4, 2021, this timeline reflects updated tallies of deaths and positive tests prior to that date.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Bankers Life Fieldhouse will welcome guests back to the arena for the “Disney on Ice” show. But this time around, it’s going to be different.

The show has been on hiatus since March because of the pandemic.

A Marion County Public Health Department spokesperson said they are reviewing the risk mitigation plan for the show planned for January.

The show will follow COVID-19 safety standards and introduce a new “Guest Wellness Enhancements” plan to help keep families safe at its live events.

“Having to be on the sideline and not being able to bring the joy and magic to families like you’re used to doing on a nightly basis is somewhat disheartening,” said Jenifer Maninger, Feld Entertainment senior global public relations director.

The title of the show this year is “Dream Big.”

“Every story begins with a dream. I think we are seeing this right now, now that people are taking this time. They wouldn’t normally have this long of a pause in their life. They’re just taking a look to see, ‘What is my dream?’ We are seeing a lot of people pursue passions that they weren’t before,” said Maninger.

The “Guest Wellness Enhancements” plan includes: ticketless entry, pod seating, seating capacity at 25% and required face masks.

“We’ve stayed in isolation until we we could put a plan in place where we felt not only our skaters and crew and staff were safe but also where we could safely bring families into venues so they, too, can enjoy the magical experience of ‘Disney on Ice’ in a safe environment,” said Maninger.

Daniel Davis doesn’t have children but he said if he did, he would take them to show. He said he supports live entertainment coming back to Indianapolis as long as it’s done safely.

“I think it’s great. It’s been a real bummer with everything being shut down; it’s great,” said Davis.

Even though the show will not be able to accommodate a full audience, Maninger said they’re just happy to get back on the ice.

“Families should feel confident we have done everything possible to make sure we are taking their wellness in consideration,” said Maninger.

Coronavirus links

Indiana coronavirus timeline

With information from the Indiana Department of Health through March 4, 2021, this timeline reflects updated tallies of deaths and positive tests prior to that date.