6A | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS
SEPTEMBER from page 5A
Locally, Mapleton and Siu-
slaw school districts began
the 2020-21 school year in
CDL. Boys and Girls Club
initiated PACE, an all-day
program that allowed staff
to help children with their
distance learning activities in
the morning while engaging
in traditional club activities
in the afternoon.
September also amped
up towards the November
election, with local races
bringing aspects of the na-
tional debates to town. Lane
County Republicans hosted a
Candidate Q&A at the Flor-
ence Events Center for local
city council candidates, as
well as candidates from other
Republican races. The event,
however, showed differing
positions on COVID-19, as
many in the crowd did not
wear masks or maintain six
feet of distance despite at-
tempts by organizers to en-
force guideline requirements.
OCTOBER 2020
On Oct. 7, Lane County
led the state in confirmed
COVID-19 cases, with 53 of
the 305 new cases in Oregon.
The county reported another
90 in the next two days, lead-
ing to a total of 1,723 cases in
the county. LCPH had to con-
duct contact tracing for each
case, attempting to keep tabs
on 617 people who may have
been exposed to the virus.
“We can have an outbreak
or clusters in one popula-
tion of people, but unless the
entire community is really
taking the health recommen-
dations seriously and being
vigilant on those, then we will
see spread to all corners of
our community,” Davis said.
“Unfortunately, that’s what
we’re starting to see.”
By Oct. 7, Oregon had a
total of 36,116 cases and 594
deaths from COVID-19.
Brown moved Lane Coun-
ty to the watch list on Oct. 16,
saying, “It will take the entire
county working together to
bring these numbers under
control. Once COVID-19 is
spreading in the communi-
ty, small family get-togethers
can also lead to dozens of in-
fections.”
Local businesses also con-
tinued to report the impacts
of COVID-19, with small
closures for testing and sani-
tation. One of those was Siu-
slaw Public Library, which re-
sumed operations soon after.
Although autumn was
normally filled with seasonal
adventures, most large-scale
events were reduced or con-
verted to virtual. CROW held
a pumpkin carving contest
and Coast Radio, True Value
and SVFR gave out pumpkins
in a drive-by format.
Brown
extended
the
state of emergency over
COVID-19, citing the over
200,000 Americans who had
died from COVID-19.
NOVEMBER 2020
Brown announced new
metrics for the return to
school through OHA and
Oregon Department of Edu-
cation’s “Ready Schools, Safe
Learners” guidance.
Oregon continued to show
a rise in COVID-19 cases,
due in part to the resumption
of school for grades k-12, but
also the return of collegiate
students in Eugene.
On Nov. 18, Brown man-
dated a statewide “two-week
freeze,” during which restau-
rants could serve take-out
and delivery only, social
get-togethers were limited to
six people, faith-based gath-
erings were limited to 25 in-
doors and 50 outdoors, and
gyms, pools and other large
venues were closed.
The governor said, “The
dreaded winter surge is
here,” noting that hospitals
were expecting an influx of
COVID-19 patients during
what could be the “roughest
days of the pandemic.”
Community groups again
adapted to COVID-19 safety
measures — this time to raise
food and funds with the an-
nual Pounding for Florence
Food Share and provide a
to-go Thanksgiving Dinner,
planned by the Florence Ki-
wanis Club at the Florence
Elks Lodge.
“It’s a little different this
year,” said Kiwanian Shan-
non Sheets.
In addition, Lane County
provided the use of 20 Pal-
let shelters to the Florence
Emergency Cold Weather
Shelter so it could provide
shelter to the unhoused
during COVID-19. A part-
nership with the City of Flor-
ence and First Step Florence
allowed the shelters to be
installed at a temporary site
north of town.
By the end of Novem-
ber, Oregon had 912 deaths,
4,518 hospitalizations and
75,431 cases of COVID-19.
brings a smile to many of
our faces. It surely has been
a year for the books,” Brown
said. “Even in our most dif-
ficult moments, I continue
to be endlessly impressed
DECEMBER 2020
with how Oregonians come
Local businesses contin- together and lift one another
ued to feel the impact from up during tough times.”
the pandemic, exacerbated
by the governor’s “freeze,”
JANUARY 2021
which was extended. Lane
On Jan. 1, Lane County and
County’s chambers of com- 23 other counties remained
merce penned a letter to in “extreme risk” of commu-
Brown pleading for relief for nity spread of COVID-19. In
small businesses. City Lights Florence, cases of COVID-19
Cinemas again adapted, this surpassed 80 as small clusters
time offering curbside con- were reported from social
cessions as well as its stream- gatherings.
“Every week, more Ore-
ing service.
On Dec. 18, Oregon re- gonians are being vaccinated
ported more than 100,000 against this deadly disease.
cases of COVID-19, bringing But, until vaccines are widely
available with high partici-
the state total to 100,308.
Again, there was hope, pation rates, the surest way
as the state received its first to open our communities is
doses of vaccine, made by to continue practicing the
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, measures we know are effec-
on Dec. 14. A vaccine man- tive in reducing the spread
ufactured by Moderna Inc. of COVID-19 — wear your
arrived on Dec. 22. By the mask, keep physical distance
end of the month, the state from others, avoid gather-
received 124,705 doses of the ings, wash your hands often,
and stay home when you are
Pfizer vaccine.
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor sick,” Brown said.
Florence reported its first
Medical Center administered
its first COVID-19 vaccina- two deaths from COVID-19,
with 36 new cases reported
tions on Dec. 24.
Mapleton and Siuslaw in just two weeks.
Despite the rising local
school districts began limited
in-person instruction (LIPI), numbers, the Little Brown
bringing small amounts of Hen and The Firehouse
students back to campus for restaurants chose to reopen
the first time since the previ- for indoor dining.
“If businesses reopen too
ous March.
“It’s very structured,” said early and, instead, create new
Mapleton
Superintendent spikes in COVID-19 cases,
Jodi O’Mara. “There’s a lot of the actions of a few business
expectations, lots of guide- owners could set entire com-
lines, and lots of protocols in munities back and keep them
place to keep everyone safe. in the ‘extreme risk’ category
It took a lot of planning and for even longer,” said Brown.
LCPH hosted a Vaccine
training and a lot of conver-
sations, but we were able to Town Hall to emphasize that
make it happen — and we are “vaccines belong in arms, not
freezers” and that the state is
so grateful we are.”
OSAA revised the school working to inoculate people
sports calendar, moving the as vaccine supply becomes
start of activities to late Feb- available.
Mapleton and Siuslaw
ruary.
December remained a school districts continued
time for winter cheer, which to bring students in for LIPI
people helped foster with the while revising plans under
Soroptimist International of new “Ready Schools, Safe
Florence’s Christmas Food Learners” guidance that said
Basket Giveaway, Florence hybrid options could begin
Elks’ to-go Christmas Din- in February.
City Lights Cinemas’ Go-
ner, small fundraisers and
toy giveaways. New Year’s FundMe campaign was fully
Eve traditions were similarly funded, keeping the lights
shining despite the ravages
quiet.
“I know the mere thought of the pandemic on the mov-
of 2020 coming to an end ie theater’s business model.
Additional businesses briefly
closed and reopened due to
cases of COVID-19, with no
large clusters reported, and
vaccinations continue their
slow roll out.
FEBRUARY 2021
On Feb. 4, Lane County
announced the opening of
COVID-19 vaccination pre-
registration. So many people
logged in to sign up that Lane
County’s website went down
for several days.
OSAA sanctioned the be-
ginning of the football sea-
son, so the Siuslaw Vikings
played a 7-on-7 match-up
against Sweet Home at Hans
Petersen Field on Feb. 5.
Volleyball received approval
once counties could enter the
“high risk” or lower designa-
tion — which Lane County
did on Feb. 26.
Under “high risk,” peo-
ple were still asked to wear
a mask, limit gatherings to
small groups, keep at least six
feet distance between people,
wash their hands, stay home
when sick and consider
getting a flu vaccine. How-
ever, restrictions lifted on
restaurants, allowing limited
in-person dining, and other
businesses.
Brown also extended
the state of emergency for
COVID-19 while acknowl-
edging the work counties
were doing to improve case
rates.
On Feb. 10, Mapleton El-
ementary opened for hybrid
learning, with Siuslaw Ele-
mentary following on Feb.
22. Upper grades began to
be phased in, with plans to
bring them in by the end of
March and spring break. In
addition, both school dis-
tricts were able to fully vac-
cinate their staffs.
Locally, Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce de-
cided to “postpone” the 114th
Rhododendron Festival.
In addition, OSHA fined
the Little Brown Hen and
The Firehouse restaurants
for “willful violations” for
allowing in-person dining
and potentially exposing em-
ployees to COVID-19. The
fines totaled $35,950, but the
businesses have the right to
appeal.
By the end of February,
Oregon had 155,787 con-
firmed cases of COVID-19
and 2,212 deaths. This joined
the more than 500,000 to-
tal American deaths due to
COVID reported on Feb. 22.
“Every
life
lost
to
COVID-19 is a tragedy,”
Brown said. “With more than
500,000 Americans who have
died from this virus, there are
infinitely more people who
are now without a friend,
family member or other
loved one. … I hope that,
as we remember all those
we have lost, we collectively
continue to help protect each
other from this disease.”
ONE YEAR IN
COVID-19 has been in
Oregon for more than a year
now.
“Oregon was one of the
first states in the nation to re-
port a case of COVID-19, but
a year later our state has the
fourth lowest coronavirus
case rate in the nation, the
fourth lowest death rate and
the fourth lowest COVID-19
death rate among seniors. If
Oregon’s death rate matched
the nation’s, three times as
many Oregonians would
have lost their lives,” stated
OHA Director Patrick Allen.
“You made the difference.”
Citing the many safety
measures enacted by govern-
ments, organizations, busi-
nesses and individuals, Allen
emphasized, “we depend on
each other to save lives.”
He reported that 973,022
first and second doses of
COVID-19 vaccine have
been administered in Ore-
gon.
Brown also announced a
new vaccine prioritization
schedule, which she hopes
will see all Oregonians 16
and older eligible for the vac-
cine by July 1.
“Come summer, provid-
ed supplies from the feder-
al government continue as
planned, any Oregonian who
wants the vaccine will be el-
igible to receive it,” Brown
said. “While that gives us all
a reason to breathe a sigh of
relief, it should also serve as a
reminder that the finish line
is in sight — and we cannot
let up.”
For more information
on COVID-19 in Oregon,
visit govstatus.egov.com/
OR-OHA-COVID-19 or covid
vaccine.oregon.gov.
For additional local cov-
erage of the pandemic, visit
TheSiuslawNews.com.
Kitchen Klutter Staff would like to thank
our community for nominating us as one
of the BEST Gift Shops in 2020.
We are proud to serve you and
make your shopping experience fun.
• HVAC A/C & Heating
Duct Cleaning
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Cadet Wall Heaters
• Dryer Vent Cleaning
• Gutter Cleaning
• Screen Installation
• Moss Removal &
Treatment
• And more...
..sooooo much more than a kitchen store.
Thank you for shopping local.
1258 Bay Street, Florence - 541-997-6060
DENTURE SERVICES INC.
Open 4 days a week!
Don’t Miss out on new arrivals!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook @fl orenceartefacts!
Visit us on the web www.fl orenceartefacts.com
Here to serve your denture needs:
Monday-Thursday
10am - 2 pm
March Store Hours
Wednesday - Sunday 12-4pm
We are so happy to return to our regular store hours. Stop by
and check out what we’ve been up to this last couple of months!
We’ve added some fun displays and exciting new products!
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Dentures
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Local Gift Shop: Jewelry, Purses, & Gifts
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“As a denture wearer myself,
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questions and address
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~ William Foster, LD
Dan and Teresa Lofy, Owners
And Watson
Thanks for your continued support!
1255 Bay Street
(next to Books N Bears)
541-991-3322
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100 Hwy. 101
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(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
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541-997-7777
875 Hwy 101 • Florence, OR • (541) 997-3466
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