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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2021)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | AUGUST 5, 2021 | 3A PeaceHealth requires COVID-19 vaccination Unvaccinated caregivers with qualifying medical exemptions subject to heightened masking, distancing, and regular testing protocols VANCOUVER, Wash. – PeaceHealth announced that starting Aug. 31, 2021, all caregivers will be re- quired to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or sub- mit a qualifying medical exemption. Unvaccinated individu- als will be subject to reg- ular COVID-19 testing, as well as additional masking, potential reassignment to non-patient care settings, and other safety protocols. The policy will apply to all caregivers, including pro- viders, students, contrac- tors, vendors, and volun- teers. “Though nearly 80 per- cent of PeaceHealth care- givers have already been vaccinated, the rise in hospitalizations in our communities is a stark re- minder that we are facing a public health emergen- cy and we must do more,” said Dr. Doug Koekkoek, PeaceHealth’s Chief Phy- sician Executive. “We be- lieve all healthcare work- ers who are medically able should get a COVID-19 vaccine to keep them- selves, our patients, and our communities safe. Do- ing so is part of our mis- sion to promote personal and community health and our vision to make sure that every person re- ceives safe, compassionate care.” While the organization has had high rates of vol- untary caregiver vacci- nation, after thoughtful deliberation and a for- mal ethical discernment, PeaceHealth joins many health systems across the country, and professional organizations including the Catholic Health As- sociation, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Associ- ation, the American Nurs- es Association, and others in ensuring public health by requiring vaccination. Dr. Bob Pelz, Peace- High temperatures create potential for cyanotoxins in water PORTLAND, Ore.—With the ex- treme heat continuing in the North- west and more people seeking relief in the many waterbodies around the state, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading out- doors to be on the look-out for cyano- bacteria blooms that can produce tox- ins when recreating in Oregon lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacte- ria found in all freshwater worldwide. Under the right conditions—when sunlight, heat, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry are ideal—cyanobacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body. Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make peo- ple and animals sick. People should avoid swimming, high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, and other water activities where incidental ingestion may occur in areas where it is believed a cyanobacteria bloom is present. Ingestion is the major route of exposure. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, if those with skin sensitivities you may get a puffy red rash. DRINKING WATER Drinking water directly from areas affected by a bloom is especially dan- gerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the lo- cal health department with questions about water available at nearby camp- grounds or day use areas. Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotox- ins. If not using a well or public wa- ter system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area, people are advised to use an alternative water source. CHILDREN AND PETS Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get ex- tremely ill and even die within min- utes to hours of exposure to cyanotox- ins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place. Be aware that dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function result- ing from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as expo- sure to cyanotoxins. SYMPTOMS Exposure to cyanotoxins can be se- rious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symp- toms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention. Dogs can experience weakness, dif- ficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhib- its symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possi- ble. FISHING Fish caught from areas where cy- anobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks. Fat, skin and organs should be re- moved before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water. For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673- 0482. Health’s system medical director of Infection Pre- vention, noted that “New variants of COVID-19 pose a critical threat to those unable to be vacci- nated, including children and the medically vulner- able. It is our moral obli- gation to first do no harm and act for the common good. COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be the best way to protect ourselves and reduce the likelihood of harming others.” This new policy is a re- flection of the organiza- tion’s shared commitment to ensure every patient receives safe care at Peace- Health, the organization stated, and is part of a multi-measured approach to protect caregivers and patients, along with the supply of personal protec- tive equipment, routine testing, masking, social distancing, diligent hy- giene, contact tracing and proper quarantining. Genealogical Society reopens library The Cottage Grove Ge- nealogical Society Library, located in the Community Center, will be reopening Wednesday through Friday starting Aug. 4, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. “We are excited to re- open and show the public our new space,” said Debbie Monsive, assistant librarian for the Cottage Grove Ge- nealogical Society. The library can be found in the Community Center at 700 Gibbs Avenue. Volunteer opportunities are available and the soci- ety encourages those inter- ested to call 541-942-9570 for more information. London Road becomes ‘Safety Corridor’ The “Safety Corridor” designation on London Road became effective on July 4. Both “Safety Corridor” and “Fees Double” signage have been installed. Public education postcards have been mailed to the entire Cottage Grove ZIP code inviting people to complete an on-line survey to help develop a DUII prevention tool kit. For more informa- tion, contact Lane Coun- ty Senior Transportation Planner Becky Taylor by emailing becky.taylor@lan- ecountyor.gov or by calling 541-682-6932. Visit the project website at www.lanecountyor.gov/ LRSC. Exploring dental crowns Many people visit their dentists and learn they have a tooth that requires a crown. In many instances, dental crowns are necessary for proper tooth care. Crowns were once widely referred to as “caps.” A crown is a permanent cover for a tooth that would otherwise require a very large fi lling after dental decay has been removed. Crowns also may be used to repair cracked or broken teeth so that extraction is not necessary. Some- times crowns are used for cosmetic modifi ca- tions or to hold a dental bridge in place. The crown itself can be made from different materials, like stainless steel, gold or metallic alloy, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and resin. A dentist will determine which material will work best depending on the application and tooth location. in a laboratory and the fi t/color will need to be exact for comfort — and also to ensure that bacteria and food debris do not get caught between the crown and tooth. The fi nal component is a tempo- rary cap that will keep the pre- pared tooth clean. This is molded in the offi ce and will be worn only until the custom-made crown is ready. When the permanent crown is de- livered, the patient will return to the offi ce to have it checked for fi t and then cemented into place. Full and partial crowns A partial crown may be used if only a portion of the tooth needs to be covered. Dentists will Understanding your appointment(s) often rely on full crowns to get maximum cov- Crowns are typically installed in two appoint- erage and strength. ments. The fi rst appointment requires prep work so the tooth can hold the crown. This Cost factor is typically a painless procedure, and one in Crowns can be expensive. According to the which the dentist will anesthetize the tooth and resource CostHelper, crowns can range from gum tissue and then fi le down the tooth along $500 to $3,000 depending on the material used the chewing surface and sides to make room and the patient’s insurance coverage. Dental for the crown covering. If the tooth was de- insurance may cover a predetermined percent- cayed or insubstantial, the dentist may have to age of the cost when the crown is medically “build up” the tooth instead of fi ling it down. necessary, but insurance may not cover any- Again, these determinations are made by the thing if the procedure is only cosmetic. dentist who has the expertise to gauge how It’s always a good idea for patients to express much workable tooth is left. their concerns and ask questions about crowns Once the tooth has been prepared, an impres- prior to starting the procedure. Understanding sion will be made of the bite area. That’s be- the potential out-of-pocket costs is essential as cause the permanent crown will be fabricated well. Dental crowns can last several years and rep- resent the best way to salvage a tooth that is cracked or damaged. This message is brought to you by this local sponsor:
