The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, EOC, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Today, April 12, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared his assessment of the pandemic in Jefferson County and answered questions submitted by KPTZ listeners. Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence also gave an update on current Emergency Operations actions, in light of the most recent developments.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

On this week’s edition of Through Science to Health, KPTZ host Chris Bricker and his co-host Lynn Sorensen, RN discuss the need for continued masking even if you are fully vaccinated. Dr Locke’s update included the risk, while low, of the fully vaccinated possibly transmitting the virus to the unprotected. Washington state will open up vaccinations for all adults as of April 15. No more tiers or restrictions to receive the vaccine – just an appointment!

Next time on Through Science to Health, Dr. Joseph Mattern, Chief Medical Officer of Jefferson Healthcare, will be our guest and will discuss Jefferson Healthcare’s continuing drive-through vaccination program.

Today, April 5, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared his assessment of the pandemic in Jefferson County and answered questions submitted by KPTZ listeners. Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence also gave an update on current Emergency Operations actions, in light of the most recent developments.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Today, March 29, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared his assessment of the pandemic in Jefferson County and answered questions submitted by KPTZ listeners. Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence also gave an update on current Emergency Operations actions, in light of the most recent developments.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Through Science to Health programming celebrates its one year anniversary today with KPTZ host,Chris Bricker and co-host Lynn Sorensen, RN. Lynn commemorated the anniversary by reading the poem titled Pandemic by the Rev. Lynn Unger written in March 2020. Lynn had read this poem on the very first Through Science to Health show on March 20, 2020.

Chris and Lynn spoke of the numbers nationally and locally; the number of cases, deaths, vaccinated, and the array of metrics used by the state for the Roadmap to Recovery, Phase 3. Chris gave the phone numbers to the state’s help line for vaccination appointments: 800-525-0127 and 888-856-5816. Locally, the Dept. of Emergency Management call center staffed by volunteers can also be called for help finding a vaccination appointment: 360-344-9791.

Today, March 22, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared his assessment of the pandemic in Jefferson County and answered questions submitted by KPTZ listeners. Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence also gave an update on current Emergency Operations actions, in light of the most recent developments.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Note: Generally, the Board of County Commissioners does not meet when there is a fifth Monday of the month, however, the Board will meet on Monday, March 29 for the Public Health and Department of Emergency Management update for the residents of Jefferson County.

The following is a summary of the presentation made on March 15 by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, EOC, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting:

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Note: Generally, the Board of County Commissioners does not meet when there is a fifth Monday of the month, however, the Board will meet on Monday, March 29 for the Public Health and Department of Emergency Management update for the residents of Jefferson County.

KPTZ’s Through Science to Health program is almost at its one year anniversary date, while the initial shut down in the United States due to the pandemic marked its one year anniversary yesterday, 3/11/2021. KPTZ host Chris Bricker and co-host Lynn Sorensen, RN discussed relatively positive news on the pandemic front on today’s edition of Through Science to Health.

• President Biden announced last evening his goal for all adults in the country to have access to vaccinations by May 1.
• Dr Locke stated this week that he anticipates COVID-19 vaccine to be available to all who want it by May or early June.
• Washington state has exceeded the goal of more than 45,000 vaccinations per day.
• The CDC issued guidelines this week that those who are fully vaccinated can meet with other fully vaccinated adults inside without masking or social distancing.