Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
Statement on misinformation circulating about quarantine orders and facilities in Washington state
Statement from John Wiesman, Secretary of Health and Dr. Kathy Lofy, State Health Officer The Department of Health is aware of rumors and misinformation circulating about quarantine orders and specialized quarantine facilities. Public health officials regularly ask people who are sick with an infectious disease or may have been exposed to
Help for Orcas islanders from OPAL mortgage and rental assistance
-- from Crystal Mossman for OPAL Community Land Trust -- As of May 14, OPAL had received 182 requests to help pay rent or mortgage from islanders who had lost income due to COVID-19. Using donations made to both the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund and directly to
Sheriff’s Report | May 6 – 12, 2002
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, May 6, 202020-003224 Weapons Offense 08:20:28 05/06/20An Orcas Deputy was dispatched to a weapons noise near Eastsound. A bullet was found to have gone through a window and then a wall. An investigation was completed and a report taken. 20-003228 Fraud
Editorial | Yikes, wow, phew, and words like that
-- by Lin McNulty, Editor -- It was January 21, 2020 that Orcas Issues published our first corona virus story reporting on the first known case in the state. At that point, it was typical for us to post 3 - 5 stories per day. That was a comfortable workload
Additional county approved to move to phase two of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Camp Murray, WA — Today Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved the variance application for Whitman County to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan. This brings the total to 9 counties. Businesses in the counties approved to
COVID-19 Community Conversations: Round Six
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- This week “COVID-19 Community Conversations” continues with another set of videos highlighting specific efforts from organizations and people in our community that provide key services and crucial leadership around the county. You can find our entire collection of videos on our
Farmers Market to open tomorrow — beginning in phases
-- from Kristen Fay, Market Manager -- Pavilions dot the Eastsound Village Green at the Saturday Farmers Market The Orcas Island Farmers Market Board plans to open the Orcas market slowly, in Three Phases. The first of these phases will begin Saturday, May 16 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on
Letter to Editor | Time to diversify our local economy?
-- from The Vacation Rental Work Group -- We face a unique challenge in San Juan County. We have a greater ability than most areas to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, yet simultaneously depend economically on visitors. We also have a disproportionately elderly population, who are at increased risk for
Inslee issues additional guidance for outdoor recreation in Phase 1 and Phase 2
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee today issued guidance clarifying Phase 1 outdoor recreation requirements, and set forth outdoor recreation guidance for Phase 2. Through the Washington "Safe Start" plan, more businesses and activities will re-open in phases, with adequate safety and health standards in
Pandemic poetry | Immortality by Lisel Mueller
IMMORTALITYby Lisel Mueller In Sleeping Beauty’s castlethe clock strikes one hundred yearsand the girl in the tower returns to the world.So do the servants in the kitchen,who don’t even rub their eyes.The cook’s right hand, liftedan exact century ago,completes its downward arcto the kitchen boy’s left ear;the boy’s tensed vocal
This week’s virtual cinema features two cutting edge women filmmakers
-- from Orcas Island Film Festival -- “Saint Frances,” - written by and starring Kelly O’Sullivan. The movie premiered at last year’s SXSW Film Festival and won the audience award in the narrative feature competition, as well as a special jury recognition for breakthrough voice. O’Sullivan (who makes her feature screenwriting debut while also
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of May 13, there are 17,773 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 261 cases in the last 24 hours.Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response Updates Long Term Care Facility (LTCF) Reporting: As of May 9, a total of
The testing of three northwest counties
--by Michael Riordan, excerpted from Northwest Citizen -- Comparisons of the Covid-19 public-health responses and data from San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties reveal striking differences that may help these counties and Washington state chart a viable path forward beyond the current crisis. The novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 crept northward from King and
County Council will hold joint meeting on Friday with Board of Health
-- from Ingrid Gabriel -- Please Notice that the San Juan County Council and San Juan County Board of Health will be holding a Special Meeting via Skype teleconferencing on Friday, May 15, 2020 beginning at 9 am. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Board’s COVID 19-Response.
Letter to Editor | Public health, protests, and the missing link
-- from Tom Eversole -- Public Health functions include assessment, policy development, and assurance. Successful response to a pandemic requires an “All of Government” approach to successfully manage the outbreak. When data show that too many children are dying from vaccine-preventable diseases (assessment), a school exclusion policy requiring proof of immunity serves to
Recap of Today’s COVID-19 News and Updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of May 12, there are 17,512 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 182 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response Updates 2020 Wildland Fire Season & COVID-19 Telebriefing: Warm, sunny days have
