Local News for 10/25/22
Jevon’s Forest
(Airdate: October 24, 2022) This week, host Steve Evans delves into the KPTZ archives to bring you a program first aired in August of 2015 – and to take you far, far to the south, to perhaps the most biodiverse and critically endangered rainforest in the world – the one known as the Chocó.
County Public Health Report ~ 10/24/22
The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by Jim Burke, producer of KPTZ’s Tuesday’s Local News.
The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Meeting took place yesterday, and Dr. Tom Locke, who was in for Dr. Allison Berry, and Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management spoke to the commissioners during the Public Health Briefing. This was the final weekly briefing in October, and for the foreseeable future. The 31st is the fifth Monday of the month, so the Board isn’t meeting, and then the Public Health Briefings are going to go to one per month, on the third Monday of the month. So the next Public Health Briefing should be November 21.
In Jefferson County, the two-week COVID-19 case rate is 240 per hundred thousand, lower than last week, but still in the high category. Two people are currently hospitalized. 36 new cases were added this week for a total of 6,110 cases. No additional death was reported this week in Jefferson County. The total count of COVID-19-related deaths stands at 32.
In Clallam County, the dashboard on the website has not been updated since last week so the two-week COVID-19 case rate is 136 per hundred thousand. There are 38 new cases this week for a total of 15,735 cases since the pandemic began. One person is hospitalized at this time. The total count of COVID-19-related deaths is now at 125.
Dr. Locke said we are doing okay now, but this lull we are experiencing locally will likely give way to another surge. He used the analogy of a three act play to describe the pandemic: He said “We are still in Act II, “and the beginning of Act III will reveal how prepared we are for the end of the pandemic.” The South and the eastern US are starting to see a rise in Flu cases early; European countries and Singapore are seeing another surge in COVID-19 cases, and here in the US there is a rise of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. Many Children’s hospitals east of here are stretched to capacity with very young children hospitalized with RSV. These increases in Flu and RSV cases are not surprising, Dr. Locke said. After two years of mask wearing and quarantine there is not an abundance of community immunity to fend off these infections. The best course of action, he said, is to get the flu shot, get the COVID-19 bivalent booster before the holidays. Wear a mask in indoor settings and increase ventilation wherever possible in indoor settings. Avoid large gatherings.
The next two COVID-19 mutations of concern are probably coming our way in the next month to six weeks, and they are both immunity avoidant, that is they can get by even our double and triple boosted immunity, but having the vaccines, and even being exposed to COVID-19 in the community can help keep those cases mild and out of the hospital.
Willie Bence said 100 slots were reserved in a covalent booster clinic held this past Saturday, which was to be for children 5 to 17 years of age, but they opened it to all. An additional 60 people waited in line to receive their Covalent booster at Blue Heron School in Port Townsend. The covalent MNRA booster shot as well as the Novovax shot and booster are available at your local pharmacy. The Novovax booster is still based on the original virus, but is available to those who wouldn’t or couldn’t get the MRNA vaccine.
There is a mobile Vaccination & Booster Clinic (Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax) for anyone 6 months or older this coming Sunday, October 30 from 1-4pm at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Avenue in Port Townsend.
Homebound? Receive a home visit for a COVID-19 vaccination by leaving a message at 360-344-9791.
Interested in receiving the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine?
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and to Willie Bence by emailing [email protected]. Note: The deadline for these to be submitted is on Friday, November 18 at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.
Community Tides ~ 10/21/22
(Airdate: October 21, 2022) This week on Community Tides, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and co-host Siobhan Canty, President & CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation, find out more about the history of Quimper Grange and the movement that sparked it. Over time, the building has enjoyed a physical renaissance to become a welcome gathering place for 21st century Port Townsend. The first Quimper Grange master was Jacob Miller, and for the first 30 years, Grange meetings were held in his chicken house The current building itself was a donated barracks originally built for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps at Fort Worden. Quimper Grange’s Sheila Blech Long tells us more and paints us a picture of the newly renovated building, hall, and dance floor, along with information about meeting there, playing music there, dancing there – and of course, joining the Grange.
Local News for 10/21/22
Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 10/20
Today on Brewocracy Now, co-hosts Jim Burke and City Manager John Mauro were joined by Port Townsend Mayor David Faber and Carrie Hite, Director of Parks & Recreation Strategy. Among topics discussed were the upcoming public outreach meeting for the Golf Course planning and the sale of the Port Townsend Paper Mill.
Local News for 10/20/22
Nature Now #589 Feathers
(Airdate: October 19, 2022) Mary Robson and Christie Lassen, owner of Birds Unlimited in Gardiner, review the biological structure of feathers and their effect on individual bird survival and behavior.
Local News for 10/19/22
ShakeOut Drill 2022 ~ Thursday, 10/20 at 10:20
International ShakeOut Day is always the third Thursday of October. KPTZ’s Emergency Team is prepared in case of any major emergency. On Thursday, October 20 our Team will observe the annual Great ShakeOut Drill, set for 10:20am. When the alarm sounds, KPTZ will feature information about what will happen in the event of an emergency, and what to do.
In case of actual emergency, and on Thursday for the ShakeOut drill, everyone is encouraged to tune into 91.9FM for up-to-date information about the situation. On October 20 at 10:20am, DJ host Sonny Flores will be joined by members of the station’s Emergency Team: Team Lead Nora Petrich and on-call member Lynn Sorensen.
To participate in Thursday’s ShakeOut Drill, please take a minute out of your busy lives to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” This exercise is simple, but should not be underrated. Wherever you are Thursday morning at 10:11am, DROP under a sturdy table, desk or chair. COVER your head and your neck. HOLD ON to the object you are taking cover under to prevent it from moving over you.
If you are outside, move clear of any building facades, trees, and power lines that might fall. If you are driving, slow down and pull off the roadway until the shaking stops. If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone (up to 50 feet above sea level), once the shaking stops, grab your go kit and head to higher ground. The ShakeOut is a great opportunity to practice your route.
For more information on emergency preparedness or to sign up for Jefferson County Emergency Management’s Nixle emergency text alerts, go to www.jeffcoeoc.org or text JEFFCODEM to 888777 to be automatically enrolled.
