Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Recent statewide COVID response updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 457,647 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 11. There have been 6,215 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
County expected to be impacted by wildfire smoke through the weekend
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Wildfire smoke from fires in British Columbia and Eastern Washington has settled over the County and is expected to be here through the weekend. Limit your time and activity level outdoors to limit your exposure to harmful particulate matter. Some air quality monitors
SJC COVID cases are on the rise
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Data Dashboard. Since the last update on Thursday August 5, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 213 to 237. Of these 24 new cases, nine
WSF decides reinstating Sidney route not a good idea right now
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| WSF will delay the resumption of service to Sidney, British Columbia until 2022 due to the uncertainty of the reopening of the maritime border between the United States and Canada, along with continued significant crewing and vessel availability challenges. Adding international service at this
Island Hospital urges precautions due to wildfire smoke & COVID-19
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Due to wildfire smoke, heat and rising COVID-19 cases, Island Hospital is asking community members to take extra precautions with their health this weekend. Per the CDC, wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you
‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Masking requirement reinstated by SJC Health Officer beginning Friday the 13th forward
Masks required to enter all businesses in San Juan County. Vaccinated or not. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As per a recent Health Officer order, all customers entering businesses in San Juan County will be required to mask up beginning at 5pm on Friday August
State high temperature warnings may not impact San Juans
Another extreme heat event expected over the weekend. Cooling centers considered a key tool in preventing illness for people without air conditioning ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- Hot weather is back again and is expected to impact the entire state starting on Friday, with temps expected
Rising statewide case count being fueled by highly-transmissible Delta variant
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| The number of coronavirus cases in Washington state has surpassed 500,000, with a new surge in cases fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant. The state Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the grim milestone Wednesday afternoon, more than a year and a half after
Hot Topic #54 | Surging cases is the islands’ new reality
It is time to rethink our understanding of COVID in the islands and beyond. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Fourteen new COVID cases were reported in San Juan County on August 10. While 11 of these cases were tied to two household clusters, this is
How about coffee, cocktails, Q&A with Friends of the San Juans at Virtual County Fair?
||| FROM KATIE FINCHER for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| We are all ready for some new connections and opportunities. Through the Virtual Fair, you have an opportunity to connect with Friends of the San Juans’ staff, ask questions, and hear the passion that drives their mission. Join the
In Hawaii, talk of reducing tourism is still just talk
Despite the many problems the massive summer surge of tourism has brought to Hawaii, plans to manage the tourism industry lack seriousness and urgency. ||| FROM CIVIL BEAT ||| For decades, the state and the visitor industry have seduced would-be tourists to buy plane tickets to Hawaii, book hotel rooms
Latest from the State Health Department
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 450,748 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 9. There have been 6,187 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more,
Letter to Editor | WSF boo-boo: There are no San Juans service reductions scheduled
||| FROM BOB DISTLER ||| It turns out that Washington State Ferries has no plans to send the 90-car Sealth to the San Juans, confirming its position stated in the June public meeting. As I had found, the reservations system was incorrectly showing a series of vessel changes and service reductions
Larsen, McMorris Rodgers, Tester, Moran: Bipartisan bill will improve rural veterans’ access to healthcare
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help veterans who live in rural communities get to and from their medical appointments. The Rural Veterans
Health Care District offers tips for accessing health care when needed
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Island Primary Care – Orcas is committed to meeting the health care needs of our community. This means providing access when you have a health care concern that can be scheduled into the future, as well as accommodating times
