Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes encourages vaccinations at roundtable discussion in Racine

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- COVID vaccines are speeding up the return to normal and that's good news for business owners. Minority-owned business were especially hit hard during the pandemic. 

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes lent an ear to minority-owned businesses in Racine Thursday, June 10. Barnes visited businesses and attended a roundtable discussion with city leaders, the Racine-Kenosha Black Nurses Association and Racine's Vaccine Champions. 

They discussed vaccine myths and what more needs to be done to get people vaccinated. The conversation was taped and will be used as part of the "Vaccinate Racine Campaign." 

"I hope that the takeaway is we need to get as many people vaccinated as possible and we can overcome this tremendous hurdle that has held up back for over a year," said Lt. Gov. Barnes. 

According to state data, 39 percent of Racine County residents are fully vaccinated.