Dr. Allison Berry said that the latest local surge of COVID -19 is abating, but Influenza is on the rise. She recommends the flu vaccine for all and said that if you need a COVID booster, the flu vaccine and an RSV shot it’s fine to get them at the same time. She also spoke about SNAP benefits which are up in the air right now. She said the people most affected by this are Veterans and children, and said the better fed that people are, the less likely they are to contract disease and place a greater burden on the healthcare system. Willie Bence said there is a seminar on WINTER PREPAREDNESS at the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock on Tuesday, November 4 at 10:30am (which is Election Day, by the way).

For the October Public Health Report the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) led off with a proclamation for Mental Health Week. Dr. Allison Berry talked about vaccines and the scarcity of COVID vaccines for children, RSV is pretty rare at the moment. The latest COVID and Flu vaccines are available for adults and recommended, especially for those over 65. Willie Bence mentioned that the Great Shakeout is on October 16 (10/16 at 10:16 am) and he reminded us to DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON! at that time; pull over and stay in your car at that moment as well. We can build “muscle memory” so if an earthquake occurs we will know what to do and not panic. Also, the 4th Annual Fire & Rescue Fest is at the EJFR fire house on Lawrence Street is Saturday, October 15 from 10am to 2pm.

This month, Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry is back from maternity leave and for her first BOCC Public Health Report in three months gave a virus and vaccine update to the Commissioners, answered KPTZ listener questions (quite a few), and talked about the confusion due to the disconnect between the two Washingtons. She also offered hope and reassurance that there are many organizations across the country and in WA State who are trying to get out science-based vaccine recommendations. Director of Emergency Management, Willie Bence offered insights about local and state wildfires too, and a few words about wildland firefighters who are now under more stress because of the increased scrutiny of ICE agents.

Dr. Allison Berry is on maternity leave, so Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence gives a report on this year’s fire season (raised to MODERATE fire danger as of June 1), public safety, and evacuation protocols. The BOCC issues two public declarations at the start: One: for Public Transit Month, and Two: for PRIDE Month. The All-County Emergency Preparation Event is on June 28 at Finnriver in Chimacum (formerly it was held at the All-County Picnic). Anyone with a cellphone can sign up for NIXLE alerts by texting JEFFCODEM to 888777.

This month on the BOCC Public Health Report, Dr. Allison Berry said that avian flu is down in WA state and locally. Pertussis (whooping cough) is up, with 14 reported cases. She said that it starts with cold-like symptoms and proceeds to a persistent, severe cough. As a bacterial infection, it can be treated, so seeking treatment is essential and staying up to date with vaccinations (every 10 years for adults) is good practice. Willie Bence talked about how FEMA money is drying up under the new administration in Washington DC, upcoming safety seminars, and the “All County Picnic” at Finnriver on June 28, among other things. Dr. Berry will be on hiatus for a few months (she’s having a baby). but Willie Bence will be on this summer with important public safety updates every first Monday in June, July and August on KPTZ.

This month on the Public Health Report to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, there was a public declaration at the top naming April 7 to 13 Public Health Week here in Jefferson County as it is Public Health Week nationwide. Then Dr. Allison Berry talked about the special challenges facing Washington State and the county due to the cuts in funding from the federal and state governments. Willie Bence talked about FEMA and Wildfire prep. Property owners can go to wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov and get a free assessment from East Jefferson Fire Rescue of their property and the ways they can make property and homes safer from wildfire. Willie said after a relatively “normal” spring we can expect hotter and drier conditions July through September. The assessment is free, and is available until June.

This month Dr. Allison Berry, Public Health Officer for Clallam and Jefferson Counties, and Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management for Jefferson County gave a report to the Board Of County Commissioners about communicable diseases, earthquakes, and community emergency prep. Dr. Berry also answered listener questions. There is a public information session on Neighborhood Prep at the the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock at 10:30am on March 20. Also, if you want to report on what you FELT when the earthquake happened this morning (10 miles deep off the coast of Orcas Island on 3/3/25 at 5am) go to https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uw62078906/tellus.

This month on the Public Health Report to the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry talked about the surge that is currently happening with RSV and FLU, especially among children in schools. Both of these viruses can present as common colds, so to err on the side of caution, she recommends staying home if sick, wearing masks in crowded spaces, and getting seen in a clinic or doctor’s office for testing and treatment. Avian Influenza has seen 67 human cases across the US, but none here in Jefferson County, almost all those cases among workers in poultry and dairy farms. Cats need to be kept indoors if they tend to kill birds, as they can contract avian flu. Your cat can give you avian flu if they get it, so if your cat is sick, get them to the vet.

Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence recommended more following distance when driving in this snowy weather. We are predicted to have more this coming Wednesday.

Both Dr. Berry and Willie talked about adjusting to the new reality of the new administration in Washington DC.

This Month on the BOCC Public Health Report, Dr. Berry talked about many different viruses: Covid, Influenza, Pertussis, Avian flu, RSV, and Norovirus. And Willie Bence answered a listener question about what to hold on to when we “drop, cover and hold” in an Earthquake.

The Jeffco. Dept. of Emergency Management is holding a series of presentations on Emergency Prep; the first (on individual preparation) is on Thursday, January 16 from 10:30am tp Noon at the Library in Port Hadlock. Family, and neighborhood prep presentations will follow in February and March respectively.

Flu season is here nationwide. Norovirus is around and presents as a sudden onset of vomiting; it is severe but usually clears in just a few days. The vomit can aerosolize so it can be quite contagious. Washing hands and masking up around anyone who has it can stop the spread. If you are sick, do not prepare food for others.

Another COVID booster will be available in the spring and for those 65 and older, it is recommended twice a year, as the virus does not go away in the summer months yet.