No mask debate
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Officials recommend wearing masks when
in public, and there is a reason why
The Observer
UNION COUNTY —
One of the most often-
heard, and often-de-
bated, recommendations
for combating the spread
of COVID-19 is to wear a
mask.
“We continue to see
evidence coming forward
through studies being con-
ducted about their effective-
ness,” said Carrie Brogoitti,
public health administrator
for the Center for Human
Development, La Grande.
“We don’t want people to
have a false sense of secu-
rity it will 100% protect
them. Truly, the masks are
to protect those around
you rather than the wearer.
We see their effective-
ness as a tool in stopping
transmission.”
Those who are not con-
fi rmed cases or don’t have
symptoms of COVID-19
are recommended to wear
a mask when in an area of
high traffi c and potential
contamination, such as gro-
cery stores, work, social
and mass gatherings, and
where physical distancing
cannot be achieved, such as
public transportation or at
the doctor’s offi ce. Those
with COVID-19 symp-
toms or confi rmed cases
are advised to wear a mask
always when leaving the
house.
“The purpose of the
masks is to protect the
people around you,” Bro-
goitti said. “To take care
of each other. In my mind,
our mission is to protect
the most vulnerable in the
community. Those who are
at risk due to conditions
and age. Our objective is to
keep those people safe.”
There are two different
types of masks, medical
and non-medical. Medical
masks include N95 respi-
rators and surgical masks,
and the World Health Orga-
nization does not rec-
ommend these for gen-
eral use, as it could divert
a needed resource from
health workers and at-risk
individuals. Non-medical
masks including paper dis-
posable masks, cloth masks
and other face coverings
that can be made at home.
They are not as effective as
medical masks, but studies
show they provide a level
of protection in slowing
the spread of COVID-19,
according to the World
Health Organization.
WHO released an
updated document
regarding mask wearing on
June 5, stating: “The use of
masks is part of a compre-
hensive package of the pre-
vention and control mea-
sures that can limit the
spread of certain respiratory
viral diseases, including
COVID-19. Masks can be
used either for protection
of healthy persons (worn to
protect oneself when in con-
tact with an infected indi-
vidual) or for source control
(worn by an infected indi-
vidual to prevent onward
transmission).”
Perhaps part of the con-
fusion around the effec-
tiveness of face coverings
comes from the fact that
WHO did not recommend
everyone wear face masks
in the initial advice pub-
lished in April. The organi-
zation has since changed its
guidance as more research
became available.
However, there are some
known and researched risks
regarding wearing face cov-
erings. According to a 2006
and 2017 study on contam-
ination, there is a risk of
self-contamination when
using a face mask and then
subsequently touching the
eyes or face after removing
it. Contamination also can
occur when masks are not
removed after being wet or
soiled.
Depending on the type
of mask used, other poten-
tial risks include skin irri-
tation and acne, diffi culty
breathing and headaches.
Some people may not be
able to wear a mask due to
medical conditions, which
is why Brogoitti said it is
important for those who can
wear a mask to do so.
While there is evidence
of risks and ineffectiveness,
local, national and interna-
tional public health agencies
and governments all agree
at this time that masks are
one of the most effective
tools in curbing the spread
of COVID-19.
Some att ractions open
during Phase 1 and 2,
others remain closed
By Rosemarie Stein
The Oregonian/OregonLive via AP
StoryShare
AQUARIUMS & ZOOS
The Oregon Zoo is
getting ready for a lim-
ited reopening in the near
future. Guests should
expect timed-entry passes
that will need to be pur-
chased in advance.
The Oregon Coast
Aquarium in Newport
remains closed, but
Seaside Aquarium is
open. All visitors and staff
are required to wear masks.
MUSEUMS
The High Desert
Museum in Bend reopened
June 17. The museum will
require patrons to wear
PUBLIC GARDENS
The Portland Japanese
Garden reopened to visi-
tors with some restrictions
June 11. See new rules and
guidelines at japanese-
garden.org/reopening
The Grotto reopened
June 12. Hours are
9 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. daily.
See a list of visitor guide-
lines at thegrotto.org/
reopening-guidelines
The Crystal Springs
Rhododendron Garden
remains closed.
The Oregon Garden
in Silverton is open. For
a list of changes made in
response to COVID-19 go
to oregongarden.org
The Lan Su Chinese
Garden has not set an
opening date.
Tracey Tracy, MD
To the GRH Regional Medical Clinic team as a Primary Care Provider (PCP)
Tracey Tracy, MD, joins the GRH Regional Medical Clinic primary care team from a family
medicine clinic in Clackamas, Oregon. She attended medical school at Oregon Health & Sciences
University in Portland, and completed her residency with Providence Milwaukie Family
Medicine. Dr. Tracy welcomes patients of all ages and gender identities from infants to seniors,
and enjoys taking care of multi-generational families. Her goal is to partner with each patient to
achieve optimal management of their chronic health conditions and focus on preventive
medicine. In her free time, you'll find Dr. Tracy outdoors. She loves cycling,
hiking, golfing, snowshoeing, travel, and exercises daily as well. She spent
her childhood in eastern Oregon, then lived in Europe and in the Midwest.
After spending over 20 years in the Portland metro area, Dr. Tracy is
excited to be back on the sunnier and drier side of the state. Join us in
welcoming Dr. Tracy to the Grande Ronde Valley!
GRH Regional Medical Clinic
Tracey Tracy, MD
506 4th Street, La Grande • 541.663.3138 • grh.org/RMC/
Now accepting new patients!
Learn more about Tracy in our online
Provider Directory at www.grh.org today!
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PORTLAND — As
metro-area counties are
approved to open for Phase
1, some attractions are now
allowing visitors.
The openings in Mult-
nomah County are tied to a
three-week state-mandated
pause on further reopening
of neighboring Washington
and Clackamas counties.
It also comes with a man-
date that beginning June 24,
members in the Tri-County
region and in Marion, Polk,
Lincoln and Hood River
counties must use a face
covering whenever they are
indoors in a space shared
by other members of the
public.
Here’s a look at what’s
open and what closed
among museums, shopping
malls and other attractions.
face coverings and will cap
entries. Purchase advance
tickets for timed entry at
highdesertmuseum.org/
tickets
OMSI will partially open
June 20 with timed entry
admissions, heightened
cleaning guidelines, and a
limited number of people
allowed to view the Body
Worlds “The Cycle of Life”
exhibit and for submarine
visits. Details at omsi.edu
The Oregon Historical
Society is working on plans
to reopen in early July.
The Portland Art
Museum and Northwest
Film Center remain closed.
The End of the Oregon
Trail Interpretive Center
remains closed to the
public.
Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics proudly welcomes:
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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
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