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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021 | 5A Governor announces vaccination measures to address hospital crisis, help keep students safe Health care workers, K-12 educators, staff and volunteers required to be fully vaccinated PORTLAND—On Aug. 19, Or- egon Gov. Kate Brown announced two new vaccination measures to address Oregon’s hospital crisis, caused by the Delta variant surge, and to help keep Oregon students safe in the upcoming school year and minimize disruptions to in-person instruction: Oregon’s vaccination require- ment for health care workers will no longer have a testing alterna- tive. Health care workers will be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later. In addition, all teachers, educa- tors, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools will be required RALLY from page 1A the vaccine mandates for health care workers. From a few clicks and shares on Facebook, the event reached protesters from throughout Lane County who assembled on the corners of Highways 101 and 126. People who participated in the event said they dis- agreed with Brown’s ruling and believed their freedom of choice was taken away. In states like New York and California, similar protests have emerged from groups who have expressed resis- tance against COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health care workers. However, understaffing and the health of patients has grown in concern during to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or six weeks after full FDA ap- proval, whichever is later. “The Delta variant has put enormous pressure on our health systems, and health care workers are being stretched to their abso- lute limits providing life-saving treatment for the patients in their care,” said Brown. “I am devoting all available resources to help, and we must proactively implement solutions right now. We need ev- ery single frontline health care worker healthy and available to treat patients.” In both cases, health care work- ers and educators who are not yet vaccinated are urged to speak with their doctor or primary care the recent resurgence of COVID-19, which has led to a vital moment where medi- cal workers are needed. “This new safety measure is necessary to stop Delta from causing severe illness among our first line of de- fense: our doctors, nurses, medical students and front- line health care workers,” Brown said. The local event ran from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m., with approximately 35 peo- ple who rallied, including children. Messaging on the signs included “My Body, My Choice,” “Medical Free- dom,” “Freedom to Choose” and “Where There’s Risk There Must Be Choice.” One sign, carried by a woman in medical scrubs, said, “2020 Hero, 2021 Fired.” We are open and ready to assist you! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 room full-time, five days a week, and we have to do everything we can to make that happen,” said Brown. “While we are still learn- ing about the Delta variant, we know from previous experience that when schools open with safe- ty measures in place, the risk of transmission is low. That’s why I’ve directed the Oregon Health Au- thority to issue a rule requiring all teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools to be fully vaccinated.” The governor also outlined the steps Oregon is taking to sup- port hospitals during the ongo- ing surge in cases and hospital- izations, including deploying the National Guard and nurse strike teams, establishing temporary decompression units to free up bed space, and removing barriers to discharging patients who no longer require hospital-level care. Oregon has also made requests to FEMA and the Biden-Harris administration for additional federal resources and support. The governor announced she has formed a Hospital Crisis Preven- tion and Response group con- sisting of health care stakehold- ers to problem solve in real time and suggest new measures to aid health care workers and hospitals during the ongoing hospital cri- sis. Learn more at www.governor. oregon.gov. REINA HARWOOD/SIUSLAW NEWS People stood at the corners of Highways 101 and 126 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to show their discontent with vaccination mandates. During the rally, drivers the event, prompting the The event also featured honked from their cars and participants to respond to some chants of “Freedom!” held their thumbs up in taunts from people driving and other phrases. support of the cause. Partic- by. In particular, protesters Earlier this month, Lane ipants whistled and waved said, “Go vax [vaccinate] County Public Health began back. yourself ” in response to offering a $50 Visa gift card Not everyone agreed with some raised middle fingers. incentive to anyone over MEETING from page 1A “By holding the special meeting, it will give com- munity members a chance to be heard sooner,” Sned- don said. The meeting is current- ly planned to be held at the Siuslaw Middle School “commons” area, which is outdoors, and there will be no action items on the Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 provider to get their remaining questions about vaccination an- swered immediately, so they can begin the vaccination process in time to meet the new require- ments. In the case of educators, the governor outlined the impor- tance of masks and staff vaccina- tions to protect students: because children under 12 are still not yet eligible for vaccination, masks are a critical mitigation mea- sure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ensuring all the adults around students are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 adds another layer of protection for students as well. “Our kids need to be in the class- agenda, only time set aside to take public comment. The regular guidelines for public comment will be observed. People will speak only once and their comments will be limited to a maximum of three minutes. Comment can be provided on any topic. For more information, visit www.siuslaw.k12. or.us. EVENT from page 1A outdoors, and would have in- cluded live music and a corn hole tournament. “As you can imagine, we are all disappointed that we need to cancel this event,” said Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer. “It is in the best interest for the health and safety of our community members that we make this Deadline for Press Releases Is Every Monday and Thursday by Noon. Email PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com. 8 t h An n u al the age of 12 who gets the vaccine from a Lane Coun- ty Public Health vaccine clinic. As of Sunday, Aug. 22, roughly 233,865 people have been vaccinated out of Lane County’s population of 381,365, according to the Oregon Health Authority. At 61.7 percent, this means more than half the popula- tion is vaccinated. To learn more about COVID-19 and vaccines, visit healthoregon.org/coro- navirus and covidvaccine. oregon.gov, as well as lane- county.org/coronavirus and lanecounty.org/vaxclinics. The article about FDA ap- proving the Pfizer vaccine can be found at www.fda. gov/news-events/press-an nouncements/fda-approves- first-covid-19-vaccine. decision.” Since the city had already purchased food and supplies for the event, Messmer said staff are creating a plan to “share that with the commu- nity.” “We look forward to a time that we can come together and celebrate all our commu- nity has to offer,” she said. “In order to do so, we need to be healthy. Please help us take care of our friends and neigh- bors by following the public health guidelines so that we can get together soon.” For more information about the City of Florence, visit ci.florence.or.us. For more information about the Florence Events Center, visit eventcenter.org. Buying or Selling? I can help. Florence Area Wendy Krause Broker 541 999-7765 1 2 , 202 2 1 September 1 0 -1 How To Participate The fee to participate is $20. An ad for the Community Wide Garage Sale with a map of all participation sales will be published in the Siuslaw News on September 4th and 8th. Because of print deadlines, the registration deadline is 5pm Tuesday August 31 2021. Bellevue Drive #7 – Build your dream home in Heceta Dunes, a gated community of 7 beautiful 5+ acre lots, just a mile north of Florence. Live just minutes from dunes, lakes, and ocean. Build- ing pad is cleared, utilities available, and the lot has septic approval. Home is 2005 sqft and to- be-built. $665,000. #3240-21416548 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION You will also receive two official Community Wide Garage Sale signs as well as a tip sheet on how to have a great sale. Maps will be available in the Siuslaw News, online and at the Florence Visitors Center. Please post signs only on private property with the owner’s consent. Posting signs on City utility poles, street or signal light poles, and median strips is against the municipal code. Name ____________________________________Phone____________________________ Address___________________________________Email____________________________ Subdivision name (if any) ____________________________________ Dates (CIRCLE): Times: Friday 9/10 Saturday 9/11 Sunday 9/12 ___________ ___________ ___________ 15-word description:( Date, times and address are included. Addition words over 15 are $0.50 each.) Add’l Words ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ Bring form and payment to 148 Maple St in Historic Old Town or mail to Siuslaw News PO Box 10, Florence, OR 97439 Call 541-902-3526 | florencechamber.com Deadline is August 31st at 5pm to be included on the map. 4319 N. RHODODENDRON Brand new Pacific Northwest style 1-level home close to beach and recreational areas. Soaring vaulted ceilings in main living area, covered private back patio (pre- wired for hot tub), granite and SS kitchen, large master suite with walk-in closet. All 1 level with no steps. Finished garage. Low maintenance landscaping. Quality throughout. Make this new home yours today! $514,900 #12161 21450495 “We’re next to the Bridge” 100 Hwy. 101 See all Florence Listings at cbcoast.com COAST REAL ESTATE 541-997-7777