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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 14, 2021)
6A | SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS Compared to previous years, the blueberries have peaked in batches and the rows of bushes have ava- lanched on top of each other. “The bushes are so heavy with fruit that some limbs have fallen down,” the Crays said. Although many pickers have come by the farm, there are many green blueberries left to ripen. The Crays said they feel confident the season will continue through the end of August, with a possibility of MASKS from page 1A “If our hospitals run out of staffed beds, all Oregonians will be at risk.” The Lane County Com- mission serves as the local Board of Health. “In the past 24 hours, 264 positive cases were report- ed in Lane County — the highest one-day total for the county since the pandemic began,” the board wrote in Shoppe LOCAL #MyFlorence Shop. Eat. Support. SAVE. SHOP SUPPORT Greentrees Flea Market Sat. 08/21/21 9am-3pm 1600 Rhododendron Dr. carrying into September. up in the late 1970s with Beyond blueberry different owners, pre- picking, the Crays have vious berry pickers at added feathery members the farm have returned to their farm. as adults, bringing their “We’ve had 12 chick- loved ones to join the ens for about a year now experience. The Clear and a peacock, with a Lake Blueberry Farm couple of ducks on the has watered long-time pond,” they said. “The family grassroots for the kids love to go throw community and has re- berries at the chickens united pickers from then to feed them, and the to now. People can pick their own blueberries each chickens like it too.” “It’s neat that we meet Since the farm’s start- week at Clear Lake Blueberry Farm. people who have been the announcement. “The number of individuals being currently tracked as infec- tious within Lane County is the highest by a factor of two as compared to the previous high during the winter surge of November 2020 to Janu- ary 2021.” On Aug. 9, over 590 indi- viduals were in hospitals in Oregon, with more than 150 in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. The number of hospi- talizations of Lane County residents with COVID-19 is exceeding daily counts observed during the winter surge and stressing the ca- pacity of the local hospital system. Lane County, as Oregon’s second largest regional hos- pital hub, is also receiving patients from other counties in Southwest Oregon. Lane County Public Health is working with PeaceHealth Oregon and McKenzie Wil- lamette Medical Center to report COVID-19 hospital- izations. As of Tuesday, 64 people were hospitalized in the county, with 33 as coun- ty residents. Fourteen of the state’s COVID-19 ICU pa- tients are in Lane County. This recent surge is at- tributed to the Delta vari- ant of COVID-19, which Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said on Tuesday ac- counts for nearly 100 percent of Oregon’s new cases. “COVID-19 vaccines re- main the strongest preven- tion tool against the rapidly spreading Delta variant,” OHA wrote in its news re- lease. “OHA anticipates out- breaks will continue to occur, particularly in communities with low vaccination rates.” Since late July, OHA has recommended that all per- sons, regardless of their vac- cination status, wear a mask indoors in public spaces. OHA also encourages all Or- egonians to consider mask- ing if they plan to attend crowded outdoor events, es- pecially if they are at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 or live with indi- viduals who are unvaccinat- ed or at higher risk for com- plications from COVID-19. Lane County’s Emergen- cy Public Health Advisory “specifically calls for all indi- viduals, businesses and em- ployers to ensure that indoor masking is adhered to for those older than five years of age (two and older if tolerat- ed), regardless of vaccination status; maintaining distance from individuals outside of immediate households when inside indoor shared spaces; practicing good hand wash- ing and sanitation hygiene; and other relevant measures as necessary to limit ongoing community spread and save lives in Lane County, and should begin or be resumed immediately for anyone who hasn’t yet adopted these practices.” Earlier this week, Mult- nomah County adopted a similar mask measure. The governor supported this message by stating that city and county leaders have asked her for local control and the ability to make local public health decisions when it comes to COVID-19. Brown then thanked the county’s leaders for “tak- ing bold action to slow the spread of the Delta variant in our communities.” She also said action could not stop with just one or two counties. “I am calling on local lead- ers to take action now to in- stitute mask requirements,” Brown stated. “At this point in the pandemic, local lead- ers are in a unique position to help deliver the message to members of their commu- nities about effective safety measures like vaccination and masks. But the fact re- mains, we have a finite num- ber of staffed hospital beds in Oregon. If local leaders continue not to act and their regional hospitals exceed their capacity, it will impact hospitals all across the state. We will continue to explore statewide health measures necessary to stop the Delta variant from stretching Or- egon hospitals beyond their full capacity.” In the state, breakthrough cases — where fully or par- tially vaccinated individuals test positive for COVID — make up roughly 20 percent of the current cases. “The latest science is clear: although unvaccinated in- dividuals are more likely to contract the disease, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can spread the Delta variant,” Brown said. “Masks are a simple and effective way to make sure you are not unknowingly infecting your friends, family members, neighbors and colleagues.” New modeling from OHA and Oregon Health & Sci- ence University (OHSU) projects that, without new health and safety interven- tions in place, COVID-19 hospitalizations will far ex- ceed Oregon’s health system capacity in the next several weeks. Without these addi- tional mitigation measures, Oregon could be as many as 500 staffed hospital beds short of what will be needed to treat patients hospitalized for any reason by September. “There are two keys to sav- ing lives. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family against se- vere illness, hospitalization and death. And, by wearing masks, all of us — vaccinat- ed and unvaccinated — can help ensure that a hospital bed staffed by health pro- fessionals is available for our loved ones in their time of need,” Brown continued. “If we all do our part, we can beat COVID-19 once and for all, keep our economy open and thriving, and return our kids to the classroom with minimal disruptions in a few weeks.” The governor also an- nounced that all State of Or- egon executive branch em- ployees will be required to be fully vaccinated on or before Oct. 18, or six weeks after a COVID-19 vaccine receives full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion, whichever is later. The requirement will ap- ply to all executive branch employees, including em- ployees working for all Or- egon state agencies, and in consultation with Oregon’s statewide elected officials, employees of the Oregon State Treasury and the Ore- gon Secretary of State’s Of- fice, as well as employees of the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries and the Oregon Department of Justice. Employees will be required to show proof of vaccination by the deadline. Individuals unable to be vaccinated due to disability or sincerely held religious belief may be able to qualify for an exception, as required by state and federal law. State of Oregon employ- ees will not have the option of weekly testing instead of showing proof of vaccina- tion. “Vaccines are safe and effective, and they are the surest way to prevent Ore- gonians from ending up in intensive care units,” said Brown. “I am taking action to help ensure State of Ore- gon workplaces are safe for employees and customers alike, and I am strongly en- couraging all public and pri- vate employers to follow suit by requiring vaccination for their employees. The only way we can stop the spread of COVID-19 for good is through vaccination.” The vaccination require- ment does not apply to em- ployees of Oregon’s legisla- tive and judicial branches of government, though the governor is encouraging the leadership of both branches to consider a similar require- ment. “After a year and a half of this pandemic, I know Or- egonians are tired of health and safety restrictions. This new mask requirement will not last forever, but it is a measure that can save lives right now. It will help to protect all of us, including people who are immuno- compromised and our chil- dren under 12 who are not yet eligible to get vaccinat- ed,” Brown said. “Masks are a simple and effective tool that will keep our schools, businesses, and communities open.” To learn more about COVID-19 and vaccina- tion efforts in Oregon, visit healthoregon.org/corona- virus and covidvaccine. oregon.gov, as well as lane- county.org/coronavirus and lanecounty.org/vaxclinics. We are doing everything we can to safely serve our community. We are open: Noon to 8pm every day 2020 VOTED F BEST O F LO E N C R 1285 Bay Street, Old Town Florence (541) 902-8338 www.1285Restobar.com Drift wood Shores is off ering competitive wages for Housekeepers, Front desk, Restaurant, and Banquet staff . Full time or part time positions available. Stop by the front desk at the hotel and pick up an application or visit our face book page at Drift woodShores.com. Get Results...List With Tim. Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 87808 Saltaire St – Nice 3 bdrm, 2 bath home with open living and dining area, large master bedroom with attached bathroom, and a peaceful back deck. Easy-care landscap- ing on this quiet, dead end street. $425,000. #3228-21428023 Drift wood Shores 88416 1st Avenue, Florence 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 We are open and ready to assist you! ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance SandPine Annual HOA Garage Sale Sat. 08/14 9am-1pm Off 35th Something for everyone. Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence Garage Sale Fri. 08/13 & Sat. 08/14 9am-3pm 2010 Willow Loop Furniture, tools, rugs, misc. GARAGE SALE Fri. 08/13 & SAT. 08/14 10am-? 1607 37th ST. Household, beads, books, craft items, collectable, lots of misc. No early Birds coming since they were kids, and now they’re older and they’re bringing their kids. It’s a good family circle,” the Crays said. Looking forward, the couple re- iterates how appreciative they feel for the community. “I really enjoy it. Every day, I think ‘What can I do to bless the people that come out here?’” Deb- bie said. “We just want people to have a good experience.” For more information, visit the Clear Lake Blueberry Farm’s Face- book page. We are open for dine-in, take-out, sidewalk & patio seating E BLUE from page 1A Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer Education Support on the Oregon Coast www.ustooflorence.org BOTH MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD. WATCH SIUSLAW NEWS FOR RESUMPTION • Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends. • Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends. Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net Alva Bracey Broker Your goals are my top priority. Let’s get together! Call, Text or Email Cell: 541-505-1180 Johnston Motor Company Alva@CBCoast.com Since 1939 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes • Shocks Alignments 4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 COAST REAL ESTATE