MAY 21, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5
Confused about masking? Blood drive at
You're not alone,
this is the latest
By ERIC A. HOWALD
Of the Keizertimes
Gov. Kate Brown and Oregon Health
Authority (OHA) offi cials updated mask-
ing requirements throughout the state.
Combined with new guidance from
the Centers for Disease Control, what’s
required and where is enigmatic and,
sometimes, outright confusing.
Under the updated guidance, people
who are fully vaccinated will no longer
be required to wear a mask indoors or in
most public settings where vaccination
status is checked. In public settings where
vaccination status is not checked, masks
will still be required. Residents are con-
sidered fully vaccinated two weeks after
their second dose of the Pfi zer or Moderna
vaccine or the single-shot Johnson &
Johnson vaccine.
In a press conference Friday, May 14,
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state epidemiologist,
said state residents have a choice: get
the COVID-19 vaccination or continue to
wear masks and social distance.
Retail businesses and restaurants can
relax their masking requirements, but
need to confi rm the vaccination status
of customers before permitting maskless
entry. Businesses and venue operators
remain free to establish their own, more
restrictive policies regarding mask usage.
Businesses, employers and faith insti-
tutions can choose to no longer require
masks and physical distancing for fully
vaccinated individuals or continue to
require masks and physical distancing in
their locations for all individuals, regard-
less of vaccination status.OHA health
experts announced that
mask requirements
no longer apply
to anyone who
is
outdoors.
However,
OHA
recom-
mends that indi-
viduals continue
to wear a mask or
face covering in crowded areas
and
large gatherings (such as sporting
events), and to maintain physical dis-
tance as much as possible. OHA urges
unvaccinated individuals and those at
risk for complications to wear masks in
these settings.
Masks and physical distancing are still
required for everyone on public transpor-
tation and in schools, hospitals and clin-
ics, homeless shelters, youth and adult
correctional facilities and long-term care
facilities.
Those 12 and older are eligible for
COVID-19 vaccinations, but there are no
vaccination options for younger children
as yet.
Marion County is still at the highest
KPD paying extra attention to
seat belt usage this month
During the month of May, members
of the Keizer Police Traffi c Safety Unit
will be participating in the national
“Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Offi cers will be dedicated to edu-
cating and enforcing laws related to
speeding, using electronic devices
while driving, seatbelts and child occu-
pant safety. In addition, offi cers will be
working diligently to take impaired
drivers off the road. Funding for these
activities is paid for by state grants.
level of risk for COVID-19 infection with
more than 1,000 cases confi rmed in the
past two weeks and an 8.3% COVID test
positivity rate. While the number of cases
and positive tests are declining in Marion
County, it is doing so at a slower rate than
other areas of
the state and
nation. Both
of the met-
rics
used
to measure
risk, the num-
ber of cases
per 100,000 and
test positivity, are well above
state averages in Marion County.
Brown said capacity restrictions on
dine-in restaurants and stores could be
lifted when at least 70% of Oregonians
eligible for vaccination have received at
least one dose.
On their face, the new guidelines
appear to contradict recent changes
suggested by the CDC, which indicated
fully vaccinated people no longer needed
masks or to maintain social distance from
others, but the state, local, tribal and ter-
ritorial guidelines supersede the CDC
guidance.
Vaccination remains the best tool to
combat the spread of COVID-19. It’s eff ec-
tiveness against variants and stopping
the spread of the infection to others have
been key to turning the tide on a more
than yearlong pandemic.
St. Ed's May 27
The American Red Cross will
hold a blood drive at St. Edward
Catholic Church on Thursday,
May 27, from 1 to 6:30 p.m.
To donate blood, sched-
ule an appointment by calling
1-800-RED-CROSS, or sign up
online at RedCrossBlood.org using
sponsor code: stedwardskeizer.
Clean up at
Wallace House
Claggett Creek Watershed Council
is hosting a cleanup/planting project at
Wallace House Park Saturday, May 22,
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The eff ort will focus on removing
black berry bushes by digging the roots
up as well as removing ivy from trees.
Organizers are requesting that par-
ticipants bring shovels, wheelbarrows,
pitch forks, garbage cans and pruning
shears that are clearly labeled with an
indication of ownership. Thick leather
gloves and weather/work-appropriate
are encouraged.
Lunch and water will be provided.
Although we are currently closed we are still serving the
community. More than a building, a center without walls.
The Keizer Police Department
understands the month of May, and
specifi cally Memorial Day weekend, is
thought of as the unoffi cial start to sum-
mer. The Keizer Police Department
hopes your activities are fi lled with
laughter, enjoyment and responsible
safe travel.
For questions concerning traffi c
safety, please contact Sgt. David LeDay
at 503-390- 3713 ext. 3482 or email
at Ledayd@keizer.or.
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PREFERRED HOME: Ruby is looking
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