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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021 | 3A Community News Governor recommends return to masks for schools, state agencies SALEM—Last week, Gov. Kate Brown directed the Or- egon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education to create a rule to require masks indoors for K-12 schools statewide for the 2021-22 school year, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention’s (CDC) recently updated guidance and based on the latest science on the spread of the Delta variant. “The science and data are clear: the Delta variant is in our communities, and it is more contagious,” said Brown. “My priority is to ensure our kids are able to safely return to full-time in-person learning this fall, Blazing Fast Internet! ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY 19 . 99 $ /mo. where available 2-YEAR TV PRICE GUARANTEE $ 64 99 MO. five days per week and with minimal disruptions. With many children still ineligi- ble to be vaccinated, masks are an effective way to help keep our kids safe in the classroom, the learning en- vironment we know serves them best.” The governor is also working with Oregon Health Authority, which recommended universal mask use in public indoor settings throughout the state to protect Oregonians from COVID-19. OHA’s recommendation aligns with the CDC’s new guidance that everyone, including fully vaccinat- ed persons, wear a mask in public indoor settings. OHA’s recommendation ap- plies statewide, and not just areas with higher infections and high transmission, as cases have increased across the state in recent weeks due to the Delta variant. “In the meantime, as we ask Oregonians statewide to mask up in public indoor spaces, we will continue working hard to vaccinate more people so we can fi- nally beat this virus once and for all,” Brown said. “Vaccines remain the most effective and best way to protect ourselves and our families.” The governor’s guidance requires all state employees (regardless of vaccination status) in any indoor state agency space to wear face coverings; the requirement also applies to visitors and customers who enter state agency indoor spaces. “This mask requirement will protect Oregonians, many of whom have been on the frontlines of the pandemic and who con- tinue to provide essential services to Oregonians. We also must protect everyone — both agency employees and community members who visit state agencies for information, services and resources. This new guid- ance accomplishes both,” the governor said. For more information, visit governor.oregon.gov. America’s Top 120 Package 190 CHANNELS Including Local Channels! CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100 for 12 Mos. 1-866-373-9175 Florence honors Kelli Weese Offer ends 11/15/21. All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Let me Showcase your property. New Listing Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 N Mercer Lake Rd #2604 – This secluded, 1.38 acre north lakes area lot is waiting for your dream home. Wind protected, quiet neighborhood, and no HOA. Property has mature trees and native vegetation, Heceta water and power available. $79,000. #3015- 21514160 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 NOTICE We’re buying used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Any make or model, paid for or not. Please call today for quote. All quotes by appointment only. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Submit your community, arts, entertainment and other events to Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com MARK BRENNAN/ SIUSLAW NEWS On Aug. 2, the Florence City Council honored departing City Recorder and Economic Development Coor- dinator Kelli Weese (center). City Manager Erin Reynolds and Mayor Joe Henry spoke of the work done by Weese, recognizing her contributions to the city during her tenure. Read more in the Saturday edi- tion of the Siuslaw News. Visitor restrictions reinstated at PeaceHealth Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in local communities, including the circulation of the highly contagious variants, Peace- Health is temporarily re- stricting all visitor access, with some exceptions, at its four Lane County hospitals and PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics. This change will take effect at noon, on Tuesday, Aug. 3. The temporary restric- tions will apply to the fol- lowing medical centers: • PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield • PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, Uni- versity District in Eugene • PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center • PeaceHealth Peace Har- bor Medical Center in Flor- ence “We recognize the impor- tance of having loved ones visit patients in our hospitals and made this decision only after careful consideration,” said Todd Salnas, chief exec- utive of the PeaceHealth Or- egon network. “Our priority is the health and safety of our patients, caregivers and community.” PeaceHealth continues to follow CDC and state guide- lines that include requiring all employees to wear ap- propriate personal protec- tive equipment and masks, testing all admitted patients, restricting visitors and car- ing for COVID-19 patients on a dedicated unit. “We urge all who are el- igible to get vaccinated if they have not already done so,” said Dr. Jim McGovern, PeaceHealth Oregon’s chief medical officer. “We recom- mend that anyone who has questions or concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine reach out to their healthcare provider.” The following exceptions allow visitors on a case-by- case basis for patients who are not positive for or sus- pected to have COVID-19: • Two support persons for end-of-life patients WEDNESDAY THURSDAY AUGUST 4 AUGUST 5 • Two parents/legal guardians of a minor patient • One support person for Emergency Department pa- tients • One support person for Labor and Delivery and Mom-Baby at Sacred Heart RiverBend and Peace Har- bor Medical Center; may also have a certified doula or community midwife for labor and birth • Two parents of a NICU patient (Both parents must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.) • One support person to help a patient with mobility challenges or discharge in- structions Patients who have con- firmed COVID-19 or are suspected to have COVID-19 may not receive visitors except as follows: • One visitor for patients receiving end-of-life care • One parent or legal guardian of a minor • One support person for labor and delivery • One visitor for patients with cognitive or physical disability who require assis- tance PeaceHealth encourages loved ones to connect with FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 6 AUGUST 7 AUGUST 8 AUGUST 9 AUGUST 10 Sunny Sunny Partly Cloudy 68°F 52°F 66°F 52°F 67°F 53°F Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy AM Showers Mostly Sunny 69°F 54ºF 64°F 56°F patients through technolo- gy, such as cell phones, tab- lets and laptops. PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics will tempo- rarily limit visitor access at its clinics except for visi- tors accompanying patients needing assistance. Exam- ples of patients who may require assistance include children and patients with physical or cognitive im- pairments. In addition, visitors will be permitted in those clin- ical situations where a vis- itor will be integral to the decision making and infor- mation exchange process, for example, for Obstetrics, Palliative Care, Oncology and major procedural dis- cussions. PeaceHealth leadership wants to thank anyone af- fected by these restrictions for their understanding and help in keeping patients, caregivers and communities safe and healthy. For more information about visitor restrictions and COVID-19 vaccines, including scheduling an appointment, please visit peacehealth.org/coronavi- rus. 63°F 52°F 68°F 51°F WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP CAR CENTER • Full Service Repair • Tire sales • ASE Certifi ed Technician • Over 17 years experience Locally Owned. Community Minded