ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Dolly Parton Has A ‘New’ Song: ‘Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine, Vacciiiine!’

Mar 3, 2021, 1:56 PM | Updated: 2:00 pm

“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vacciiiine! I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate,” sang Dolly Parton, riffing on her hit song “Jolene” as she received her first COVID-19 vaccine dose.

“I know I’m trying to be funny now, but I’m dead serious about the vaccine,” she told the camera. “I think we all want to get back to normal, whatever that is, and that would be a great shot in the arm, wouldn’t it?”

 

But as this joyful video was shared on Parton’s Twitter account on Tuesday, several US states went against the advice of health experts by lifting mask mandates and loosening other restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The governors of Texas and Mississippi defied federal government warnings not to relax restrictions or open economies too fast by rescinding mask mandates and allowing businesses to operate at full capacity. Their counterparts in Louisiana and Michigan announced that restaurants will be allowed to increase capacity, among reopening measures in other states.

The looming relaxations are paradoxically a symptom of President Joe Biden’s success as confidence grows in the availability of vaccines, Stephen Collinson writes. But experts are warning that opening too quickly could provide a vast petri dish that new variants of Covid-19 need to thrive.

After the number of new coronavirus cases in the United States declined from unprecedented highs recently, the downturn appears to have stagnated at a high level, and seven-day average case levels are as high as they were last summer. “We should not ease up, allow indoor dining, big groups … getting rid of mask mandates. We have to hold on for another two or three months in this condition,” Dr. Zeke Emanuel, who was a member of Biden’s Transition Covid-19 Advisory Board, told CNN.

The new COVID-19 variants that are sweeping across the globe are often not just more infectious, they could also make vaccines less effective. That means that states like Texas and Mississippi, which were slow to adopt steps like mask-wearing, are not just risking their own citizens but all other Americans too.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Arts + Entertainment

A Early Childhood Education teacher at Sunshine Academy in Alpine and his younger brother celebrate...

Waverly Golden

Pair of brothers handout painted flower pots for Mother’s Day

A Early Childhood Education teacher at Sunshine Academy in Alpine and his younger brother celebrated Mother's Day at River Meadows Senior Living.

11 months ago

Vatican Museum restorer Alice Baltera works on the bronze Hercules statue, in the Round Hall of the...

Francesco Sportelli, Associated Press

Vatican experts uncovering gilded glory of Hercules statue struck by lightning

Vatican Museum restorers are working to remove centuries of grime from the largest known bronze statue of the ancient world: the gilded Hercules Mastai Righetti.

11 months ago

Hasbro has announced Park City will be featured in an edition of Monopoly.  Photo credit: Justin Su...

Tom Haraldsen

Hasbro to feature Park City in an edition of Monopoly

Hasbro has announced that Park City will be featured in an edition of Monopoly. The Park City version of the popular board is expected out early next year.

11 months ago

Marshall N. White Community Center...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Ogden’s Marshall N. White Community Center to be torn down and rebuilt

The Marshall N. White Community Center, built in 1968, is set to be demolished and rebuilt from the ground up.

11 months ago

Roots High School students and employees at Ken Garff West Valley put together over 300 baskets for...

Waverly Golden

Mother’s Day celebration for over 300 Utah refugees

Roots High School students and employees at Ken Garff West Valley put together over 300 baskets for Utah refugees.

11 months ago

After nearly 45 years at KSL NewsRadio, Doug Wright has announced he will be retiring from his role...

Kevin LaRue, Program Director

KSL’s Doug Wright to host final movie show program, continues with long-time host Andy Farnsworth

After hosting a daily news talk show for more than three decades, Doug Wright stepped back from daily hosting in 2018.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Dolly Parton Has A ‘New’ Song: ‘Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine, Vacciiiine!’