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.
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