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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (March 27, 2020)
PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, MARCH 27, 2020 Humane Society goes appt. only The Willamette Humane Society is limiting all adoption and intake of animals to ap- pointment only. The organization has closed its doors to walk-in traffic at the main hub on Turner Road Southeast. The WHS Spay and Neu- ter Clinic and the Thrift Store Downtown remain open as usual. Adoption appointments can be made at by emailing adoptions@whs4pets.org Appointments to surrender an animal or bring in a stray can be made by schedule an appointment by calling and leaving a message at 503-585- 5900 (select option #1 or dial extension 300) or email info@ whs4pets.org. The organization has can- celed all humane education and youth programs, the monthly volunteer orientation and com- munity outreach events. There is no evidence that companion animals can spread the virus. There is also no ev- idence of people catching the virus from companion animals. KPD takes extra precaution Keizer Police Department officials are still responding to all calls for service, but striving to maintain social distancing. “Your police officers are equipped with necessary personal protective equipment to respond to all emergencies while also ensuring we aren’t either getting or spreading the virus,” said Lt. Bob Trump, of the Keizer police. Police are not responding to medical calls unless specifically requested by medics. If CPR is needed, gloves masks and eye protection are man- datory for officers. Recruiting efforts at the department have been delayed until at least April 28. Officers are advised to take a 48-hour leave if they begin displaying signs of COVID-19 infection. Underlying conditions that exacerbate COVID infection The COVID-19 virus is nondiscriminating in its spread, but there are certain conditions that make individ- uals more likely to suffer se- vere symptoms and outcomes. This is the list of underly- ing conditions known to ex- acerbate the virus impacts, ac- cording to the Oregon Health Authority: • Lung disease, including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions as- sociated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen • Compromised immune system (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for can- cer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, receiving an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV with a CD4 count <200) • Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners) • Chronic kidney disease • Chronic liver disease • Current or recent preg- nancy (in the last two weeks) • Diabetes, or other endo- crine disorders • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disor- ders and mitochondrial disor- ders) • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, con- gestive heart failure and coro- nary artery disease) • Neurological and neuro- logic and neurodevelopment conditions Food bank scrambles to meet local need By MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Keiz- er Community Food Bank has been a lot busier than normal. Jim Johnson, a spokes- person for the food bank, said that they prepared al- most twice as many meals last week then they are used to. “With the grocery shelves becoming bare, it’s become a little bit crazy,” Johnson said. Although donations only make up for 5 percent of the food bank’s distribution, the food bank is in serious need of donations. Currently, Keizer Food Bank’s biggest needs right now are milk, eggs, bread and meat. Canned goods would also be incredibly helpful according to John- son. Cash donations are also accepted and preferred — the food bank can purchase items that are needed for the pantry at 35 cents on the dollar. People can also make financial donations at tinyurl.com/keizerfb. On Monday, March 23, Keizer Food Bank posted on their Facebook account their appreciation for mem- bers of the community step- ping up to make donations in a time of great need. “Thank you Keizer for stepping up in such a big way for our Keizer Food Bank this evening … The number of families we are serving is unprecedented (and) with grocery store shelves empty it’s getting harder for people to feed their families. So thank you and keep the food coming …,” the post said. They are still operat- ing during the same hours (Monday 6-7:30 p.m. and Thursday 9:30- 11 a.m). Customers will no longer be allowed in the building — volunteers will bring the food to your car or deliver to food to your home. “We intend to stay open as long as we can get vol- unteers and food,” Johnson said. Keizer Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organi- zation and is located at Faith Lutheran Church (4505 River Rd. N). 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In a matter of hours, eight area lodges provided a $2,200 in items requested for the 144 residents of the Leb- anon facility and two meals for the 120 staff members that work there. Elks volunteers logged more than 30 volun- teers who committed more than 125 hours in shopping, cooking and delivering food. Cherriots alters services Health concerns in light of COVID-19 have altered the way that Cherriots will operate until further notice. At press time, Polk County Flex and Cherriots Shop and Ride services have been suspended. They are continuing to provide service on Cherriots Local, Cherriots Regional and Cherriots LIFT. As of Wednesday, March 18, all Cherriots buses were fare- free. Cherriots asked riders to enter through the back door unless they needed the ramp to board. Priority seating was tapped off, though still available for seniors, people with disabilities and people with children in strollers, in an effort to protect their drivers. Cherriots was experiencing staffing shortages as of Mon- day, March 23, riders were advised to check cherriots.org/ alerts for more information. The customer service windows and lobby are closed at both the Downtown Transit Center and the Keizer Transit Center. Customer service staff are avalible by phone at 503- 588-2877, by email at info@cherriots.org and on Cherriots social media channels. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about Cherriots response to the vi- rus, visit Cherriots.org/health.
