Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Inslee extends nine proclamations relating to COVID-19
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of nine proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A May 9, 2020, letter from the Legislature extends proclamations 20-37.1, 20-38.1, 20-39.1, 20-41.1, 20-42.1, 20-43, 20-44, 20-52 until May 31, 2020. The statutory waivers and suspensions cited in 20-36.1 are extended until July 8, 2020. 20-36.2: Health Care Facilities
Tuning out the pandemic | Corona Song by Dominick Failla
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. CORONA SONG | Dominick Failla (grandson of Orcas Islander Nancy Schafer) If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
Guest Opinion | A math problem
-- from Meg Massey -- Ms. Smith comes back to Orcas after a day spent with three friends in Bellingham. One of the them, Mr. Jones didn’t wear a mask to the get-together. He never wears a mask. The friends discussed the matter, and every one of the four de-masked.
Recap of Today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on May 10, there are 17,122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 231 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response
Inslee issues guidance for partially resuming the dine-in restaurant and tavern industry in Phase 2
-- from the Office of Governor Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidance today for partially resuming the dine-in restaurant and tavern industry for counties granted variance under the Safe Start Phase 2 recovery plan laid out last week. Through the Washington "Safe Start" plan, more businesses and activities will re-open
Historical Museums thank Orcas Food Co-op
-- from Carol Kulminski for Orcas Island Historical Museums -- The Orcas Island Historical Museums had big plans for our garden this year. Seeds had been ordered, weeding had begun, and we’d started to implement ambitious plans for our Heritage Garden, hatched after in-depth consultation with our plant history expert,
County moves toward requesting Phase 1 re-opening variance
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- At the Monday, May 11, meeting of the San Juan County Board of Health, Public Health Officer Dr. Frank James stated his clear support for San Juan County to request a variance that would allow the County to move from Phase 1
Face-covering signage now available for businesses, other organizations
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- In order to help San Juan County businesses and other organizations protect their employees and customers, the County COVID response team has produced printable posters to support their effort. Multiple versions and sizes of posters are available, including the Orcas specific
Guest Opinion | When normal isn’t normal any more
-- from Michael Johnson -- Virtually everyone I talk to exclaims something along the lines of, "I like how quiet it is now," or, "I like working from home better," or "I don't miss the traffic and the rush," or, "it's nice not getting woke up early or late to
Inslee and Western leaders send letter to Congress requesting $1 trillion in state and local aid
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig joined the governors and state legislative leaders of California, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada today in urging congressional leadership to dedicate $1 trillion in direct and flexible
Rep. Rick Larsen virtually launches re-election campaign
-- from the Office of Representative Rick Larsen -- Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced he is running for re-election to represent Washington’s 2nd Congressional District in a video message marking the beginning of candidate filing week. Below are excerpts from Larsen’s announcement: “This is an important week in Washington
Three additional Washington counties approved for early move to next phase of reopening
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Camp Murray, WA — Today Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved applications from Wahkiakum, Skamania, and Stevens counties to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan. This brings the total to 8 counties. Last week, Secretary Wiesman approved
Letter to Editor | Did we just have a surge of visitors?
-- from Hilary Canty -- As I drove to Orcas Village on Friday, I passed a long line of cars arriving from the mid-afternoon ferry. I recognized none of them, several towed boats or bikes. When I spoke to someone who had been on that ferry, they reported that it
Port Commission announces special meeting
Special Meeting, May 11, 4 - 7 p.m., via Zoom -- from Mia Kartiganer, Port Commission chair -- The call to order will be followed by an Executive Session for the sole purpose of interviewing Airport Manager candidates. The Executive Session will end at 7 p.m., at which time the
Tuning out the pandemic | Jacques Duphly’s Rondeau by Marianne Lewis
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming!
Summary of local updates
ORCAS UPDATE 05/06/20 From the Orcas Island Community Foundation Here is some information you may want to know about. You may receive this from different sources. GIVING HELPS EVERYONE To date, generous donors have given $652,105 to the Emergency Community Response Fund at OICF. This fund has granted $445,200 to island
