Monday, March 25, 2024
Home Blog Page 37

Oregon reports 26 new COVID-19 cases

0

COVID-19

Oregon Health Authority reported 26 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 114, as of 8:30 a.m. March 20.

COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (4), Deschutes (2), Grant (1), Linn (1), Marion (4), Multnomah (5), Union (1), Washington (6) and Yamhill (2).

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Publisher’s note: Lincoln County still has no confirmed cases of Covid-19 but people who are sick are being tested for the disease. 

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

Lincoln City hospitality industry remains open amid wave of closures

27
Hospitality
The Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln City

Lincoln City citizens have isolated themselves at home, schools are closed and local restaurants have closed or converted operations to comply with government orders designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, yet the hospitality industry remains open for business.

Hotels, motels and vacation rentals are in full operation and visitors are free to book a room or rent a house and travel to Lincoln City. Housekeepers and staff are still doing their jobs attending to out-of-town guests.

Captain Cook Inn

According to some hotels, cancellations have been pouring in and refunds are being issued. Some non-refundable bookings made on deal sites like Booking.com are being moved to later dates in an effort to bridge the gap and satisfy the customer.

In a letter sent to Homepage, a concerned housekeeper had this to say:

“We are putting our lives at risk because the hospitality industry is still open. I have kids home from school and a husband that is home from work and yet I am required to go to work and clean after people who would rather travel instead of staying home. I feel the only way to insure the virus does not keep traveling is to also close down the hospitality industry.”

The housekeeper said she was contacting state representatives in the hopes Governor Kate Brown will notice and “shut it all down.”

Lincoln City City Manager Ron Chandler had a response:

“The Governor issued new directives further limiting gatherings. Specifically, all gatherings of 25 or more are prohibited, all restaurants will be closed and restricted to serving take out and urged Oregonians to avoid gatherings of 10 or more. Many business are closing or reducing their hours. When making travel plans, please review the directives and information given by the Governor, the Oregon Health Authority, Lincoln County Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control. In addition, please consider the businesses that have closed when making travel plans.”

As a tourist town, Lincoln City relies heavily on revenue from the transient room tax generated from hotels, motels and vacation rentals. Lincoln City has a large amount of lodging compared to other coastal towns making it the major industry for the city. A shut down of the hospitality industry could severely impact Lincoln City’s economy.

Chinook Winds Casino, one of the biggest resort hotels in Lincoln City, closed down its resort and casino operations March 17 as a result of COVID-19.

Hotel managers say they are taking extra precautions, such as wiping down counters and doorknobs and maintaining social distancing during check-in and check-out. They said housekeepers have been directed to wear gloves and use bleach solution everywhere possible.

Oregon Health & Sciences University leaders have asked the public to avoid spring break travel in Oregon and beyond. 

Time will tell whether or not government steps in and forces the hospitality industry to close and local government is likely to follow direction from the state and federal level.

Social distancing: What it is and what it means to you

3

Social Distance

What exactly is social distancing and how can you use it to protect your family from the novel coronavirus COVID-19?

Social distancing is not shaking hands, avoiding crowds, standing at least six feet from other people and, most importantly, staying home if you feel sick. It can be hard to master but adhering to social distancing can mean the difference between catching a virus and spreading it to others.

The wave of cancellations and closures are designed to slow or stop the spread of the disease and to give our healthcare system a chance to care for patients over time. Canceling events that draw large crowds and shutting down bars, restaurants and schools is social distancing.

The White House has issued guidelines for all Americans to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The guidelines say to avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people. Also noted is to use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options for food. Avoiding discretionary travel is also listed, including shopping trips and social visits.

Samaritan hospitals have put visitor restrictions in place until further notice to protect patients and reduce exposure to COVID-19. Each patient is allowed two visitors per hospital stay and no children under 12-years-old are allowed. The hospitals say that if you are sick you should stay at home.

Now that the government and local hospitals have stepped in and showed you some examples of social distancing, how can you practice it?

Are you or your family touching railings unnecessarily?

Are you staying at least six-feet away from others?

Have you been using FaceTime or Skype to communicate with loved ones?

Ask yourself, “How can I limit interactions?” Nobody can isolate entirely but making good decisions about what you do in public can help. Limiting movement in the community is especially important for those who are sick and showing symptoms.

Social distancing essentially means limiting contact with people as much as possible.

Testing has been severely limited in Lincoln County due to shortages of tests and without knowing who is infected with this novel virus, collective action could be the only way to slow it down.

Does social distancing work?

There are historical cases of social distancing and other measures working, and the Spanish Flu of 1918 is a good example.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a rapid response was crucial in containing the 1918 flu pandemic:

Cities where public health officials imposed multiple social containment measures within a few days after the first local cases were recorded cut peak weekly death rates by up to half compared with cities that waited just a few weeks to respond. Overall mortality was also lower in cities that implemented early interventions, but the effect was smaller. These conclusions — the results of systematic analyses of historical data to determine the effectiveness of public health measures in 1918 — are described in two articles published online this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“These important papers suggest that a primary lesson of the 1918 influenza pandemic is that it is critical to intervene early,” says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which funded one of the studies. “While researchers are working very hard to develop pandemic influenza vaccines and increase the speed with which they can be made, nonpharmaceutical interventions may buy valuable time at the beginning of a pandemic while a targeted vaccine is being produced.”

Social distancing can only take us so far and needs to be used in conjunction with proper hand washing technique or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay informed from official sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. Don’t believe rumors, such as the Covid-19 virus can’t live in hot climates. According to the WHO, COVID-19 can live in all areas according to evidence so far, including hot, humid environments.

CDC

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Samaritan Early Learning Center to remain open

0

Because childcare services are a critical support to working families – including those in the medical and emergency services sector – Samaritan Early Learning Center (SELC) will continue to remain open.

Last week, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a statewide closure of public schools from March 16 to 31, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Currently, the Oregon Early Learning Division is not requiring childcare facilities to close.

As always, cleaning and disinfecting will remain a priority. Family members who are picking up or dropping off their children will be asked to wash their hands before entering the classrooms.

“Providing quality childcare is always important but even more so now,” said SELC Director Barbara Dougherty. “Samaritan Health Services understands the importance to support childcare needs for our most vulnerable families, as well as the families of health care professionals and first responders.”

Some families may choose to self-isolate and not send their enrolled children to the Early Learning Center. For these families, there will be no charge if they remove their child temporarily from care. Dougherty said that slots that are vacated may be reallocated for possible childcare needs for first responders, law enforcement, hospital and clinic employees, or others who must remain working.

Families with questions may contact Dougherty at [email protected].

Meanwhile, here are ways families and others can help stay healthy:

  • Stay home when sick, and stay away from work, school and errands. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. All SELC children, teachers and staff who are ill must stay home until their fever and symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours.
  • At gatherings, keep six feet between yourself and other people.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
  • Wash hands for 20 seconds under running water to help prevent the spread of germs.
  • If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% to 95% alcohol.

Lincoln City declares state of emergency over COVID-19

17

The City of Lincoln City declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic Monday after an emergency city council meeting and subsequent unanimous vote.

According to city counselors at the meeting, the emergency declaration was instituted to make daily operations run smoother and to give City Manager Ron Chandler more tools to take action when needed in a more timely fashion.

From the Lincoln City Municipal Code:

A state of emergency exists whenever any part of the city of Lincoln City is suffering or in imminent danger of suffering from a tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snow or ice storm, drought, fire, explosion, health hazard, infestation, toxic substance, civil disorder, disruption of community services, or any other catastrophe whereby extraordinary measures must be taken to save lives, to protect public health, safety and welfare, to minimize destruction of property or the environment, or to avert or lessen the threat of a major disaster. (Ord. 2018-03 § 1)

CITY MANAGER UPDATE

One city counselor had reservations with voting for the declaration because they did not want to add to the panic and confusion. He proceeded to ask questions to make sure they were doing the right thing.

“In trying times, take a deep breath and try to remain calm,” the counselor said. “We have a great community that cares and helps each other. Businesses are still open. Just remember to wash your hands, love on your kids and family and shop local. We’ll all get through this together.”

Under the declaration, the city manager can redirect funds for emergency use, prohibit price gouging and issue other emergency orders.

Restricting travel and curfews are a couple extreme examples of what the city manager can do, and curtailing commercial activity, prohibiting or restricting the sale of alcohol and  cannabis, and prohibiting the possession of loaded firearms on public streets, public property or any outdoor place are all powers granted to the city manager. For a full list check out the Lincoln City Municipal Code:

MUNICIPAL CODE: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

City offices will remain open although the City prefers to conduct business by phone.

From the City of Lincoln City’s website:

Also on March 16, 2020 Governor Brown issued further directives concerning COVID‐19. The governor’s actions are effective March 17, 2020 lasting four (4) weeks until April 17, 2020.

These directives include the following: 

All restaurants will be closed and restricted to serving takeout and delivery food only. Exemptions to this ban include grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores and workplaces.

Gatherings of 25 or more individuals are prohibited.

Governor Brown at the same time urged Oregonians to avoid being around 10 people at a time and suggested businesses that cannot serve customers in a way that minimizes interpersonal contact should shut down completely during the pandemic. In response to both the emergency and Governor Brown’s directives, the City of Lincoln City has taken the following actions:

1. The Lincoln City Culinary center will close from March 17, 2020 through April 17, 2020.
2. The City will hold municipal court on March 17, 2020 and strict social distancing will be enforced. The court will then be closed until April 17, 2020.
3. The City Planning Commission meetings will be cancelled until April 17, 2020.
4. The Driftwood public library will close March 17, 2020 through April 17, 2020. The library will be developing alternative service delivery options and will provide this information on the web and social media sites.
5. The Lincoln City Community Center will close March 17, 2020 through April 17, 2020. The community center will be developing alternative delivery options and will provide this information on websites and social media site.
6. City Hall for Lincoln City at this point will remain open, we are asking citizens that need to conduct business with the Finance, Planning and Public Works department to call first at (541) 996‐2151 to determine if business transactions can be done by phone or email.

We encourage you to conduct all business with the City remotely if possible. We’ll post alternative service delivery options for conducting business tomorrow.

As of Monday, March 16, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Lincoln County.

Keep calm and carry on, at least six feet away

10

Keep Calm

As a member of the media I have witnessed sensationalism in the news and a seemingly never ending cascade of Coronavirus COVID-19 stories from virtually every angle media outlets can piece together.

Fear is a healthy response to danger as it helps the body get ready to fight by increasing adrenaline levels and heightens awareness so we can take in information about our situation and process it quickly.

As a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, I adhere to its ethical rules and I’m seeing many of these rules being broken by all types of media, further fueling the flame of panic and fear.

Speaking with members of the community here in Lincoln City I’m shocked by the level of fear that exists due to the sheer number of coronavirus related stories and the way this event has unfolded and been reported. Everything from buying toilet paper to price gouging articles have a severe impact on the way people live, shop and interpret information.

Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.

Speaking with countless people in Lincoln City and Newport has been eye opening for myself as I did not fully grasp the level of fear they were experiencing because of misinformation and unreliable data.

I get it. There’s not enough information and there’s a bunch of confusion about what to do and how to protect families from this new coronavirus.

Some have a handle on their fear and are continuing life as normal. Others, not so much, as evidenced by the depletion of many household items online and in stores. A NY Times article of a Tennessee man who bought up 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer illustrates why online retailers the likes of Amazon and Ebay have curbed price gougers from capitalizing on a pandemic.

“I think we have a bad virus that targets a narrow band of the population,” a police chief said while shopping at Safeway. “I don’t think it warrants the run on toilet paper, rice and pasta.”

Former Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams, who has been speaking out against overreaction for close to a week says, “It’s time for this lunacy to stop.” Williams expressed concern over the loss of constitutional rights, such as the right to assemble peaceably that has been suspended recently by an order from Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown.

From the Constitution of the United States of America:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Our reporting has been based on facts from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and prevention, as well as local sources like the Oregon Health Authority, however, it needs to be said that a complete picture of this disease has not been put together and the numbers may not be what they seem.

Time published an article that called into question the 3.4 percent mortality rate for COVID-19, saying the data from countries with robust testing systems supports the idea of a mortality rate lower than 3.4 percent. The United States has tested vastly lower numbers of people and have focused on the most severe cases. This suggests that testing more people for all severities of the illness would cause the mortality rate to go down. With some, such as the President and local doctors saying it could be less that 1 percent.

So it may not be as bad as you think. Probably not so bad that you need to buy enough toilet paper for two months. All the President’s men say the chance for contracting COVID-19 is very low unless you’ve come in contact with an infected person.

But how would we know?

Is it imperative we get enough tests to find out who has it?

I’ve been to Safeway, IGA, Walmart, Bi-Mart and Fred Meyer grocery stores and observed first hand the panic in people based on what’s in their carts alone.

Seeing a lady buying five 20 pound bags of cat food didn’t seem reasonable. The lady who saw the woman buying such a large quantity of cat food and loading up the same amount herself seemed even less reasonable.

One man was buying buckets and when I asked him why, he said, “for bathroom purposes, ya know?”

A fight almost erupted at Lincoln City’s Dollar Tree as the TP ran out, with a father of three pleading for one package from a man who had just grabbed the last four. The issue was settled with the man buying one for $5 from the other guy.

Some people I spoke to had pertinent information.

One commercial fishing boat captain I approached in the wine aisle at Walmart said he was worried because he could not send his fish to a port in South Korea. He went on to say how that country did a good job of testing their population and has since reopened the port of Busan and said they “nipped it in the bud.” When I asked him if the U.S. was doing a good job he looked bewildered and shouted “Nooooo!”

“They didn’t get the test kits out in time. They are too slow.” He said COVID-19 was “not that bad for most” and that people were freaking out for no good reason over a really bad “flu.”

A surgeon I spoke with at McKay’s said we had about three more months of COVID-19 in our future. He said that by June “this will be in our rearview mirror.”

An investigative journalist said he was sick at home on self-quarantine. He said “We’re all going to get it and the best thing you can do is hunker down.”

Another journalist said:

“The mainstream and social media are mostly to blame for this sensationalism. There would never have been this insane overreaction 10 years ago.”

There is a real disease spreading throughout the world and vulnerable populations should limit their exposure by staying home as much as possible. Check reputable websites like the CDC and WHO, and please wash your hands, don’t touch your face and stay six feet away from people.

I’m curious to know what you think. Leave a comment below and let us know how you are reacting to the coronavirus pandemic.

Motel Voucher Program created to protect homeless from coronavirus

0

Homeless Motels

Lincoln County Commissioners working in concert with Coastal Support Services and Grace Wins Haven, have created the Emergency Motel Voucher Program to protect Newport and Lincoln City homeless populations from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The new program is expected to start Monday, March 16 and run until Tuesday, March 31.

Coastal Support Services‘ Amanda Suzanne Cherryholmes and Grace Wins Haven’s Traci Flowers had a plan to house local homeless at Newport’s Expo Center to provide a solution to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The two warming shelter directors brought the idea to Lincoln County Commissioners Claire Hall and Kaety Jacobson. The commissioners came back with the Emergency Motel Voucher Program, finding $10,000 in funding to put homeless individuals who literally sleep outside, into motels.

Under the new program, $5,000 will be allocated to Lincoln City’s Travelodge, where six rooms have been secured. The other $5,000 will fund Newport’s Summer Wind Budget Motel, which has dedicated four rooms with the possibility of adding more as the program starts.

Coastal Support Services will run lead on the project, vetting local homeless by completing a basic intake form, obtaining a urine analysis test and securing a room via credit card.

The program criteria is as follows:

  1. A person must identify as homeless, literally sleeping outside. People in RVs or vehicles do not qualify.
  2. Persons cannot be showing any signs of respiratory issues.
  3. Persons must provide a clean UA with marijuana being an exception if all other criteria has been met.

“We’re doing our best to keep people off the street during this crisis,” Cherryholmes said.

Lincoln City’s Warming Shelter located at First Baptist Church will continue to remain open with some restrictions on who they allow to stay the night. Homeless individuals must be local and not show signs of respiratory sickness. Cherryholmes said 11 people were staying at the warming shelter Saturday night. The operation is taking precautions, such as keeping people six-feet apart while they sleep and providing hand sanitizer and wiping down surfaces.

It is currently 39 degrees in Lincoln City as of the publishing of this article.

Want to contact the people involved with this program?

For Emergency Motel Voucher Program in Lincoln City, contact Amanda Cherryholmes directly at 541-264-0457.

For Emergency Motel Voucher Program in Newport, contact Ken Wood directly at 541-270-8767.

Contact Lincoln City reporter Justin Werner at [email protected] or 541-992-0321.

Lincoln City ‘Senior Pastor’ George Moore dies at age 93

George Moore Lincoln City
George Moore

At 12:50 a.m. Thursday, March 4, Lincoln City’s “Senior Pastor” George Moore, passed peacefully in his sleep at Life Care Center in McMinnville.   

Born in 1926, George spent his childhood on a farm in rural Brinkman, Okla. He recalls riding his blind horse to school, driving his dad’s Model A (at age 9), singing hymns with his sisters, and like a character in The Grapes Of Wrath, recalls watching that farm turn to dust during what is now referred to as the Great Depression. Like the novel, the family then moved to California.

George spent World War II in the Merchant Marines sailing the Pacific. When discharged, George moved back to Corona, California where he met and married Ruth Wilcox. They would remain married for 73 years. 

Ruth and George Moore
Ruth and George Moore

By 1959 the family included Diane, David, Peggy and Cary.

Soon after their marriage, George became a full-time Church of Christ minister. The Moore family made their home in the northwest and for the next seven decades George Moore would serve as pulpit preacher, teacher and missionary in the service of Christ. 

Of special note was George’s love for the people of Taiwan. After spending 1967-71 in Taipei, George continued to take yearly trips to support the work he began there in the Unity Village Church of Christ. He loved the people and the culture. 

George and Ruth have been residents of Lincoln City since purchasing Lil Sambos restaurant in 1995. George could often be seen at many bible studies taking place in the banquet room or at a table having a meal with a friend. His wife Ruth is a local celebrity as well and at 91 still runs her gift shop, hand-writing every tag placed on gift shop items.

A memorial service will be held at St Peter Lutheran Church at a date to be determined due to public health concerns. Pastor Ben Baker of the Church of Christ will be officiating.   

As for me, the rest of my life will include a big empty place where my dad used to be.

Donations in memory of George Moore can be sent to Coastal Support Services which provides services to our Lincoln City homeless.

Please mail your donation to 125 S.E. Mast Lincoln City, Oregon 97367.

NWS issues ‘winter weather advisory’ for snow in passes

0

Oregon Coast mountains snow

National Weather Service Portland (NWS) issued a “winter weather advisory” for the Central Coast Range passes Friday night into Saturday with the possibility of snow accumulation of 2-5 inches.

NWS warns drivers to be prepared for slippery conditions up until midnight Saturday in the passes, including the Van Duzer Corridor, which peaks at 760 feet. ODOT has declared the summit a “snow zone” and requires drivers to “carry chains or traction tires regardless of conditions.”

OREGON CHAIN LAW

Additionally, NWS said to expect colder temperatures Saturday through Sunday as breezy east winds will create a wind chill of 15-25 degrees Saturday night into Sunday morning with temperatures in the lower and mid-20s.

Latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 and checking tripcheck.com.

Local restaurateur to provide food for underserved Lincoln City students

3
Dan Clanton
Grill 1646 owner Dan Clanton is once again helping people in need

Update 3/14: Clanton is serving hot dogs with potato chips all day. Pepsi donated water and soft drinks after learning of students in need of a meal. Grill 1646 is open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Update 3/14: Starting Monday, March 16th, LCSD and its partner Sodexo, will be offering meals at no charge to all children age 1 through 18 years of age. No income verification or household documentation is required to participate.

A communication was sent to parents Saturday, notifying them of the opportunity.

———————————————————————————————–

Grill 1646 owner Dan Clanton will be redirecting his resources to make hotdogs and “PB & J’s” for homeless students who will be unable to get free meals due to a recent statewide K-12 school closure.

Clanton went live on Facebook Friday morning with a heartfelt message as he drove his truck to his restaurant located at 1646 NE Highway 101 in downtown Lincoln City. In the video, Clanton speaks about the “drastic moves” Governor Kate Brown made by closing all K-12 schools in Oregon Thursday night. He goes on to say the move will hurt students who depend on the school for meals and pledged to feed the underserved students. Clanton said 20 percent of students are homeless and called it a “staggering number.”

Clanton said he was driving back from a vegetable run for his restaurant where he decided to buy hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly to feed the students and decided to go live on Facebook spontaneously.

“The reason that I’m coming to you right now is because that 20 percent plus more — for the next two to three weeks as schools are closed — don’t know where their meals are coming from because they eat breakfast and lunch at school,” Clanton said in the video. “With the school being closed, they don’t have that resource.”

Clanton said he’s putting his Kickstarter crowdfunding project to put a food pod in Lincoln City on hold during the school closures. Kickstarter campaigns are timed and if a project is not funded within 60 days, all funds go back to the backers who pledged money. Clanton’s campaign will most likely be “killed” by the redirection of time and resources.

Clanton is also putting plans to expand his restaurant on hold while schools are closed.

Clanton said kids can come see him at Grill 1646 for a meal and is seeking volunteers to help for a few hours a day. He also plans to put a food cart at Taft 7-12 for a few hours a day.

“There’s not going to be any questions asked,” Clanton said. “If you guys are hungry you come see me.”

This is not the first time the entrepreneur has jumped at the chance to help people in need. Last Christmas Clanton and his family fed people in Portland, Lincoln City and Salem serving over 600 meals.