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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2021)
10A | SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 | SOLUTIONS COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL from A9 “An example of a close contact within a very short period of time is if you kiss someone. That’s technically something you really shouldn’t be doing,” Ormer- sher said. “We could get into a long list of do’s and don’ts. Kissing people equals high risk of COVID spread, but talking to someone in close contact without masks is moderate risk. Talking together, both with masks, is lower risk. Kissing someone with a French kiss is going to be a high risk of spread. You’re very up close and personal at that point.” PeaceHealth is also working on other ways to decrease hospitalization due to COVID-19. In Eugene, the health care network is offering monoclonal antibody IV therapy. The goal of the treatment is to prevent hospitalizations, reduce viral loads and lessen symptom severity. This treatment is a form of immuno- therapy traditionally used for patients with cancer and other diseases and has shown to be effective for patients who have mild to moderate symptoms from COVID-19 and are at high risk of com- plications. The treatment also is active against the Delta variant. “Monoclonal antibodies are immune, lab-produced molecules designed to mimic the body’s natural response to infection,” Ormersher said. “With COVID-19, these antibodies are made to recognize and bind to a part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus — the so-called spike protein — that enables it to infect human cells.” She added, “The antibody will help prevent the virus from getting into our- selves, and then also notifies our body that this virus is there, and it needs to be attacked and destroyed.” Tests so far have shown the therapy to be effective at reducing hospitalizations by about 70 percent. “This is really trying to help prevent you from even getting into the hospital,” Ormersher said. “That’s really the role of this monoclonal therapy so that you don’t get severe enough that you even have to enter the door.” The treatment is being made available in Florence this week. She said it’s “a pretty big deal” that Florence’s Peace- Health Peace Harbor will be able to ad- minister the therapy, as it will be one of two sites in the region. “That’s breaking news. I heard that just (Tuesday) morning,” Ormersher said. That means residents referred for the treatment can stay local rather than drive to eastern Lane County. It’s just one of the avenues Peace- Health has explored to keep the commu- nity safe. “Right now, we need to be keeping our emergency rooms for emergencies other than COVID. People still get into accidents, people still have appendicitis, people still have heart attacks. We need to make sure we’re taking care of every- one in the ER,” Ormersher said. It will require people to stick with safety mandates a little longer. “In Oregon, we have done a phenome- nal job early on with our social distanc- ing and our masking. Everyone was re- ally part of this and being a part of the solution. As we’ve gotten further along into this pandemic, people have become a little bit more weary … and so people have become more lax in their response to COVID,” Ormersher said. “Giv- NOW OPEN! Th is September 15th, come celebrate with us these 200 years of independence. Visit us at 820 E Main ST Cottage Grove OR. We have articles from Mexico and Guatemala. 820 E. Main St. Cottage Grove, Oregon Store 541.649.1625 | Cell 541.514.0022 OPEN TUE-SAT 11:00 TO 6:00 en this, we are seeing a lot more hospi- “There is a lot of hope and a lot of talizations, because a lot more people are community support that we’re seeing getting sick. This isn’t just in the large within the healthcare system — where communities. This isn’t just in Eugene/ everyone’s leaning on each other and Springfield. … This is a problem that is getting the support needed to make sure occurring throughout Oregon, in gener- that we can take care of patients the best al.” we can, and provide the best services to Help on the way, however, this time in our community as a whole,” Ormersher the form of National Guard service mem- said. bers who are providing support to staff at As the school year begins, Ormersher RiverBend in Springfield; PeaceHealth said there is no news yet about vaccina- Sacred Heart Medical Center, Universi- tions for youth under 12 years old, but ty District in Eugene; and Cottage Grove those vaccinations may be approved by Community Medical Center. The Guard the end of the year. will be deployed through the month of She encouraged families to be ready September. for school. The timing is right on target, too. “We’re going back to the normal things “I can definitely see that people are we teach our kids when they talk about tired,” Ormersher said of health care flu seasons — making sure you have staff. “We are stretched thin. We have good hand hygiene, making sure that you nursing shortages, we have pharmacy mask. If your child is sick, please do not shortages. Doctors are working areas that send them to school. … It is important they don’t normally manage routinely … to follow the school guidance and rec- so they’re not all in their comfort zone. ommendations because they were put Our people are feeling tired, they’re feel- in place for a reason. Not just to make ing stressed. people mad, but as a societal benefit as “And they really would like the mes- a whole. I guess the theme of this is pa- sage out there about masking and vacci- tience is a virtue that we need to continue nations. We really need to do everything to preach.” we can to help prevent patients from get- For more information, visit peace- ting sick, because coming in the hospital health.org. is just very difficult. It’s not just COVID that we have to take care of.” Plus, local partner- ships are forming between Write a Letter to the Editor today. PeaceHealth and other ditor cgsEntinEl com health care organizations such as the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Nova Urgent Care. ARE YOU AND YOUR PETS PREPARED? VOICE YOUR OPINION! E DENTAL Insurance If you’ve put off dental care, it’s easy to get back on track. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company now for inexpensive dental insurance. Get help paying for the dental care you need. Getting back to the dentist couldn’t be easier! 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Rider kinds: B438, B439 (GA: B439B). 6208-0721 Open: Mon-Fri 10-5 Saturday 10-4 327 South River Road Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 (541)942-3024 What would you do if you lost everything in an instant? Home Inventory Week is designated to protecting your family by protecting your assets. To recognize the week, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation encourages Oregonians to do two simple tasks: 1. Build a home inventory 2. Review your insurance coverage Watch this video to see how easy a home inventory is to build. This simple task will save time, money, and stress following a disaster. Once your inventory is complete, contact your in- surance company or agent to review your policies. Task 1: Build your home inventory Follow these easy steps to get started: Step 1: Take photos of each room in your home.Pay close attention to what’s on walls, in closets, and don’t forget storage spaces. Step 2: Write a brief description of each item.Note the make, model, price, and other details that might help when fi ling a claim. Tip: Try to group similar items together when taking pictures. Not sure where to start? Call our consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free), or email dfr.insurancehelp@oregon.gov. Save time with the myHome Scr.App.book app! Share your story Mobile apps can make creating your home inventory easier. Download myHome Scr.App.book to start building your person- al property list. Has building a home inventory saved you or someone you know during a disaster? Share your story with us on Twitter or Facebook. Task 2: Review your coverage Don’t forget to tag #homeinventory and #insuranceready! Discuss your policies with your insurance company or agent. Make sure you have the right coverage and know what to expect when you fi le a claim. Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster. • Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions. • Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home. • Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster. For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center. South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506 Twitter: @southlanefi re Facebook: southlanecountyfi reandrescue
