||| FROM KYRA KINNAMAN for SJC HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES |||
Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the the County Case Data Dashboard.
Since the last update on Thursday July 22, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 195 to 197.
There are approximately 25 close contacts of positive cases currently in active quarantine in San Juan County. Some of these are close contacts of locally confirmed cases; others are close contacts of confirmed cases residing outside of the county. There is one confirmed positive case in San Juan County under monitoring in San Juan County at this time.
LOPEZ ISLAND
There are no new cases on Lopez Island since the last update.
There are no confirmed positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island at this time.
ORCAS ISLAND
There are no new cases on Orcas Island since the last update.
There are no confirmed positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island at this time.
SAN JUAN ISLAND
There are two new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. One is due to community spread with acquisition here or off-island. The other case’s acquisition source is unknown at this time. Details will become after the case investigation is complete.
There is one confirmed positive case under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time.
OVERALL PICTURE
San Juan County is waiting for lab results to see if the recent breakthrough cases were a result of the Delta variant. The Delta variant is quickly becoming the lead variant in Washington state, compromising of 50% of all new cases in the state, and is also rapidly circulating in the United States, which is likely a large contributing factor to increased transmission.
Being fully vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors and limiting close contact with those who are unvaccinated remain the best ways to protect yourself and slow the spread.
Click here to see providers in San Juan County that are administering COVID-19 vaccines.
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Note that one of the two San Juan cases has been judged due to “community spread.” Today I was pleased to notice that virtually EVERBODY — customers and employees alike — were wearing masks in Island Market.
Island Market now “requires” masks, to calm some employee’s fears. The social contract protecting my “freedom to choose” has been broken. A day will come when community is needed, what then?
“Fear is a reaction, courage is a decision” – Winston Churchill
It is clear that Orcas Island businesses like Island Market didn’t pay close attention to the CDC guidance. Masks are recommended in areas of “high” virus transmission, not where current cases are ZERO.
Wearing a mask while vaccinated in a community with ZERO cases of Covid is an exercise in virtue signaling, nothing more. Data augmenting the Delta variant clinical outcomes published today in Singapore suggests viral loads decline rapidly in the vaccinated. The CDC release was based on unpublished case data, unreviewed by scientific peers. From the same people who botched the initial mask recommendation in early 2020.
It’s clear there are a lot of people here with Covid PSTD.
You know, if you don’t like the measures which Island Market has implemented which they believe are appropriate to the present Covid 19 environment then you are “free to choose” to take you business elsewhere. An old saw says something to the effect “… your freedom ends at my nose”. Seems somewhat appropriate under the circumstances.
AH-HO! Paula Treneer! I agree, absolutely! Thank You for your very sane and logical comment. It’s too bad to see that people have been encouraged to obey without deeply researching this issue. This issue, in effect, has taken the pulse of the ability of those in positions of power to control the citizens through fear. Deep analysis will reveal all.
The foregoing informs us that:
1. Masking seen at Island Market is mandatory and not an outpouring of community support.
2. The incidence of Covid here does not justify masking.
3. Many here are tired (PTSD) of a muddled and confused controversy, i.e., I took my shots and all I got was this stinking mask.
4. We remain free to shop how and where we choose, coffee and pastry at the Brown Bear – Saturday, 9am the line was out the door to the corner and up the block, not a mask to be seen and no social distancing.
5. Honest feedback to the Market’s management informs them of customer base dissatisfaction that is essential to competitive planning and facilitates “Shop the Rock” community support.
Well done!
It’s worth noting that Island Market states their masking policy is by request of those who work there, for the protection of their families and loved ones. It has nothing to do with the CDC; just basic respect and regard for the concerns of others in our community. Doesn’t seem like a big ask.
Better safe than sorry. Keep those masks on in public, please. It is not a great imposition on you, or me, and if it keeps anybody from getting sick, or from dying, it is absolutely worth the inconvenience. The life you save might be … somebody’s.
Dear Previous Commenter: The day HAS come when community is needed. Please mask up.
Case count Orcas: ZERO. Wearing masks in a zero case count population is not preventing illness, it just makes people FEEL SAFE. Let’s be honest, we’re virtue signaling here, nothing else. 99.9% of hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated, per Dr. Fauci, so wearing masks here is pandering to fear, without community transmission. No community spread is the point.
Wearing masks is not costless, it’s dangerous for those wearing glasses whose masks fog up, it causes skin infections, and it’s documented to be difficult for trauma survivors. Let’s not pretend we’re following the science, we’re just allowing fear to run our lives. It’s not my job to assuage your excessive fear.
Paula Treneer, Orcas is not at ZERO.
I willingly wear a mask in public for the purpose of assuaging the fears of others. It’s not my job. There is still misinformation- like Orcas being at zero- and I do believe that if wearing a mask helps keep stress levels down then I’m participating in keeping us all healthy.
Speaking in absolutes May be harmful to others.
Ms. Patten, I raised an objection months ago on behalf of those who cannot wear masks for a variety of medical reasons, perhaps you missed it. Others with similar disabilities commented as well including a Ms. Lewis and a gentleman concerned about his wife, as I am about mine. But the response articulated by the “lawyer lady” was for the outliers to mask up or stay home and eat from a cardboard box.
After months of prejudice, full vaccination and a glimmer of normalcy we are again relegated to unjustified discriminatory restrictions with no medical / scientific basis as noted by Ms. Treener. As we go forward those who cannot be vaccinated for age related of medical reasons, those who have medical needs outside the norm, need to be compassionately included in “community” if the word s to have any meaning.