(First airdate: November 25, 2020) Erin Meyer is director of conservation programs and partnerships at the Seattle Aquarium, where she builds partnerships and advances innovative, long lasting solutions for our ocean from restoring coral reefs to saving endangered shark species. Erin represents the aquariums of today… and of the future, where conservation along with education is a primary function.
KPTZ Program Director Larry Stein plays it S.M.A.R.T. on his Thanksgiving eve Bring Your Records show, with a disposable microphone mask to keep it safe amid the recently Rising COVID-19, Rising Risk.
We’ve all done a great job of keeping the spread of COVID-19 at bay, and with new advances in vaccines, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel!
But it’ll be a good number of months before we can say “hasta la vista, baby” to the virus. And cases are on the rise. So, our Department of Emergency Management is asking you to be COVID S.M.A.R.T. !
That’s S-M-A-R-T:
S: Sanitize frequently.
M: Mask appropriately ~ even with family and friends outside your household.
A: Air Flow ~ When socializing try to stay outside. If you’re inside, use fans and open windows to keep that air moving.
R: Room between people ~ Stay six feet apart whenever possible.
T: Technology for gatherings ~ Use video conferencing technology instead of in-person visits.
Keep up the great work, everyone! Jefferson County will get through this…together.
(Airdate: November 24, 2020) The extraordinary impacts of COVID-19 triggered an unprecedented demand for aid, and challenged local organizations to rapidly respond with essential programs and safety-net services. Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with Megan McClaughlin of United Good Neighbors in how our community can rally around these needs. Listen in and learn how you can participate through the Give Jefferson campaign.
(First airdate: November 24, 2020) William L. Iggiagruk Hensley is the author of Fifty Miles From Tomorrow: A memoir of Alaska and the Real People. Willy was raised to live the semi-nomadic life that his Inupiaq ancestors had lived for thousands of years. In his stirring memoir, he offers us a rare first-hand account of growing up Native Alaskan and, later in the lower 48, as a fearless advocate for Native land rights. In 1971 after years of tirelessly lobbying the United States government, he played a key role in a landmark victory that enabled the Inupiaq to take charge of their economic and political destiny. It doesn’t end there. Willy is truly a model for the power of one.
Today, Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared about the recent Jefferson County increase in COVID-19 cases. He answered questions from KPTZ listeners about:
• Numbers are worse: nationally, overall cases increased 54% in 2 weeks, and deaths are also up, with lagging count behind the increase in case count.
• Jefferson County increased by 53 cases in the last 2 weeks. Testing turnaround is slower. Clallam having a similar surge. Other areas of the state are even worse.
• The ability to do high-quality contact tracing is limited when the case levels are higher. Jefferson County has 11 trained contact tracers, and so far they have been able to keep up with the pace.
• The holidays are a big concern, and it’s highly everyone recommended stay home with one’s own household.
• He recommends that healthy people schedule needed health care appointments, rather than postponing.
• COVID-19 has a residual effect on people’s health afterwards, with lingering effects for 10% of confirmed cases.
• Mask type studies on cloth masks vs. disposable masks are not conclusive.
• There are delays in testing due to higher case loads, based on staffing issues.
• Vaccines will go to first-tier responders who have first-line contact with people who may be Covid-infected. By April, the hope is that everyone can be vaccinated. So far, side effects have been mild.
• Because of higher infection rates, to be at lower risk, you should shop at less busy store times.
• Increase air exchange with ventilation system and open windows.
• Schools have reduced classroom teaching, pending reduction of transmission rate.
And, from Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence:
• A field hospital is a temporary popup hospital and if it becomes needed there is potential for opening a regional field hospital. At this point, models are not showing this to be needed. Maintaining staffing is the current concern.
• An outreach campaign “COVID SMART” is embarking, featuring Sanitation, Masks, Airflow, Room Between People, Technology for Gatherings.
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing [email protected].
This week on Community Tides, Chris Bricker and Siobhan Canty discuss the Pandemic’s shut down and its effect on local businesses, education, and our emotional health. With an uncertain forecast of government help as we turn toward the winter ahead, our creative and resilient community of good people doing good work have given us inspiration and true hope during these difficult times.
Folks are stepping up to help, and nonprofits are working the front lines. In its 65th year, the United Good Neighbors Campaign shines as an amazing and cherished tradition, where hundreds of people from all over the county make donations to help their neighbors.
Gratitude is an amazing antidote to despair. Expressing thanks is a strategy for feeling more hopeful. Thank everyone in your life and your community this year!
This week on the Compass, we ask the question: Are Murder Hornets coming to Port Townsend? Could they already be here? Hundreds of possible encounters with the world’s largest and most aggressive hornet have been reported throughout the Puget Sound area. To get the facts, we join a press conference with the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
KPTZ joins United Good Neighbors to proudly support the nonprofits, staff, and volunteers dedicated to providing basic human needs for the residents of Jefferson County. In 2020, the extraordinary impacts of COVID-19 triggered an unprecedented demand for aid, challenging local organizations to respond with critical programs and safety-net services. UGN’s annual Give Jefferson campaign ensures that food, shelter, healthcare, and education are made available to folks you interact with everyday. To all who are weathering uncertainty and recovering from crisis, Give Jefferson offers hope and the reassurance that we are not alone.
UGN supports these local organizations:
Bayside Housing & Services
Clallam Jefferson Pro Bono Lawyers
COAST Shelter
Community Boat Project
Community Wellness Project
Connected Students Initiative
Dove House Advocacy Services
ECHHO
Food Bank Farm & Gardens of Jefferson County
Foster Supports of Jefferson County
Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County
JC MASH
Jefferson Clemente Foundation
Jefferson County Farmers Market Association
Jefferson County Association of Food Banks
JCIRA
Jefferson Interfaith Action Coalition
Jefferson Teen Center
JUMP Playground
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Olympic Angels
Olympic Neighbors
PHLUSH
Saint Vincent de Paul of East Jefferson County
Skillmation
The Benji Project
Weekend Nutrition Program
YMCA of Jefferson County
City Manager John Mauro was joined by Steve King, Public Works Director, to discuss the recent water main break and the sewer outfall. Other topics included the City budget, affordable housing, and the ICG draft recovery and resiliency plan. Moderated by Discovery Road Host, Tim Quackenbush.
