(Airdate: November 8, 2021) Attention Please! host Larry Stein talks with Teresa Verraes, Exec. Director of Northwind Art, about Michael D’Allesandro’s departure as Exhibitions Director, and the new Director, Kathleen Garrett. Larry then takes us on a Story Walk at Kah Tai Lagoon, a new installation of Children’s books by the Port Townsend Public Library, that can be read as you walk the Nature Trail. Library Director, Melody Sky Weaver tells us about the project.
The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners 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 Deputy Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke. Also Willie Bence, Director, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
County Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry Monday told Commissioners that the county’s COVID-19 case rate numbers are “getting better.” The current cased rate is 180 per 100,000, down from 250 last week, and our percent positivity is 7.6 – a bit higher than she’d like to see. Ideally it should be below 5%. Two Jefferson residents are hospitalized – one locally and one out of town who has been hospitalized for months. We’ve lost 17 of our citizens due to COVID-19. Currently, 73% of those who are getting infected with COVID-19 are unvaccinated in our community. “In Washington state right now as of today, you’re five times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 than if you are unvaccinated, and you are 12 times more likely to die of COVID-19 if you are unvaccinated,” she explained.
Dr. Berry said the biggest news this week is that the Pfizer vaccine was approved for kids 5 to 11. So now any child in Jefferson County 5 or older is eligible for getting vaccinated. “We are very excited about this,” Berry said. “I think, as we’ve discussed a little bit in the past, there’s a common misconception that kids are not affected by COVID-19 – and that is just not true.” She explained that over 8,000 kids in that age group have been hospitalized in the U.S. and a third of them required ICU level care. “I don’t think any of us wants to see any of our kids affected that way, she said. “30% of the kids in that age group who got hospitalized had no underlying conditions whatsoever. They were otherwise healthy kids who ended up in the hospital or the ICU.” Dr, Berry said kids are much more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 than any other age group and there is a small potential risk from the vaccine. “When we look at the side effects found in the trials of the Pfizer vaccine for kids, the most common side effect by far was a sore arm. Then after that was fatigue and a headache.”
Dr. Berry also reported there have been two small clusters of outbreaks locally related to our schools: one football team with 4 positive cases and one kindergarten class with 4 positive cases. She said those are the places where she anticipates some transmission to occur.
Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence said the next opportunity for kid’s vaccines is Saturday, November 20 at the Chimacum School. The all-day event has 220 appointments available in the morning and 200 in the afternoon. To sign up, go to the Jefferson County Public Health website or call Emergency Management at 360-344-9791. Second dose clinics for this population will be scheduled in December. Additionally, Jefferson Healthcare has received some Pfizer vaccine for use in well-child checks and it’s encouraged that you talk with your physician if the mass vax clinic setting is not an option.
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and to Willie Bence by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.
The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners 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 Deputy Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke. Also Willie Bence, Director, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
On Our Working Waterfront today we bring you a reprise of a visit with Dave Thompson, our Boatyard’s iconic shipwright. We learn a little about his life, his career, and his mentoring of past and current young shipwrights and apprentices that have graced his open-air shop. His “Career of a Lifetime” has spanned the decades here, from the mid-1970s to present day, as apprentice, as advisor to artisans, as the Yard’s advocate, as two-term Port Commissioner, and overall generous soul. Oh, and he also reveals the origin of “Charlie Noble Enterprises” (a.k.a. Thompson Boat)!
Listen to the Compass Tour of KPTZ Studios at Fort Worden
Dear KPTZ Family and Supporters,
It’s hard to believe that we are approaching two full years of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic that has been so disruptive to what was “normal life.” As I write this letter, COVID-19 deaths in the United States are about to surpass 750,000, a staggering number and the greatest catastrophe suffered by this country. Practically every family has been touched by this tragedy, including mine, and yet instead of national mourning, we face a potentially unending pandemic fueled by misinformation.
Since the very beginning of the pandemic, KPTZ has been a shining light of truth and insight for our community.
Veteran journalist Charlie Bermant’s singlehanded effort to initiate local daily news reports augmented our excellent, ongoing informational programming. Our exceptional pivot to incorporate weekly broadcasts of Dr. Locke’s (now Dr. Berry’s) COVID-19 updates to county commissioners, as well as providing listener access to city manager John Mauro, has helped you chart a path though turbulent times.
One informed listener said: “Your broadcasts of the weekly COVID-19 briefings have saved lives.”
We are more than half way through our fund drive, and just over half way to raising our $50,000 goal, and I will ask you to consider a gift in a minute. There is more you need to know before you decide, but if you’d like to cut to the chase, you could donate now.
During the past two years, KPTZ has pressed forward with completing construction of its new studios/offices in historic Building 305 at Fort Worden. KPTZ is the anchor tenant for the visionary Makers Square project. Through pandemic interruptions and disruptions, along with delays related to Fort Worden PDA internal challenges, we are proceeding with the technical build-out of our beautiful space and looking forward to moving there early in 2022. Once we occupy our premises, we shall have 19 years of stability via our favorable lease with Fort Worden PDA.
Your gift now to support our transition to our new home and build our news capacity is critically important.
I believe our service through two years of crises has been crucially important, by providing the information you need and the solace you may achieve by listening to your favorite music DJ. The KPTZ Board of Directors has put a part-time news producer into our current budget, and I am determined to seek funding to make this an ongoing, full-time position. I am confident that you and other listeners who have depended on KPTZ over the past year will respond to our appeal for support.
Your generous donation is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for your support!
cheers,
Robert Ambrose
President, KPTZ Board of Directors
Host, Rhythm Connection, Tues 1-3
[email protected]
P.S. Last week a generous donor directed his Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to KPTZ, avoiding income tax and giving its entire value to KPTZ, a 501(c)3 non-profit. We can help you make donations from your assets.
John Mauro is joined by Eron Berg, Port of Port Townsend; Kevin Streett, JeffcoPUD; Mark McCauley, Jefferson County Administrator, and Steve King, PT Director of Public Works. Today’s topic is the replacement of the Lombardy Poplars along Sims Way, and what to expect from the upcoming Town Hall on November 9.
Email your questions in advance to [email protected].
(Airdate: November 3, 2021) Nora Petrich, sound engineer for Nature Now, gives us some of her favorite clips from the season.
