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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2020)
BAKER CITY HERALD — 3A TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2020 School board to meet By Chris Collins ccollins@bakercityherald.com Where Oregon stands, three months into the pandemic Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by Oregon Public Broadcasting, one of more than a dozen news organizations throughout the state, including the Baker City Herald, sharing their coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak to help inform Oregonians about this evolving heath issue. By Erin Ross Oregon Public Broadcasting It’s been three months since Oregon’s social-distanc- ing and stay-home orders came down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Especially with the recent caseload spike and Gov. Kate Brown’s order to pause reopening, sometimes it feels like nothing will be like it was before. People have been wishing family members a happy birthday through a window, eating out on mostly empty restaurant patios, or going to protests in masks. The science around CO- VID-19 is changing so fast that even the valid-but-evolv- ing research fi ndings seem to blend in with the misinforma- tion coming in from all sides. So we wanted to answer some of your questions, update you on the latest science, and an- swer everyone’s top question: When can I get a hug again? Reopening is inherently dangerous. The more people mix at work, church or so- cially, the more transmission there will be, and there’s no way around it. That’s why Or- egon’s reopening plan relies on testing and contact trac- ing, say state health offi cials. And it’s Brown’s reason for hitting pause on any further decisions to reopen. Assume every stranger could get you sick, and as- sume that even if you feel fi ne, you could give the virus to everyone you meet. Don Shrubshell / TNS all monolith, but in real-time, science can be vague and is subject to change. Right now, science is happening at a record-breaking speed, and researchers are study- ing something they’ve never seen before. The rise-and-fall of hydroxychloroquine as a miracle cure is one example. Changing your hypothesis in the face of new informa- tion is an integral part of sci- ence, but it’s not something we’re accustomed to doing when we conduct our daily lives. In science, fi guring out you were wrong is just another type of learning. It doesn’t mean the research wasn’t good, or the scientists messed up: we just learned a lot more about how CO- VID-19 works. As new studies are done and new information comes in, recommendations will change. A lot. And often. Staying on top of them can be hard, but the basics will always be the same: Just try to be safe. Should I wear a mask? At fi rst, the CDC said masks weren’t necessary: there was a global short- age, and asymptomatic Summer is almost here. spread wasn’t confi rmed. What’s the latest on how They thought staying home when you were sick would be I can hike/bike/camp/ etc. responsibly? enough. Now, they say you Meeting up with friends should wear a mask when outside is a lot safer than you’re out, even if you feel meeting up inside, but that fi ne. doesn’t mean you should stop Wearing a mask offers some protection from viruses. social distancing. If you’re But more importantly, it pro- planning a vacation or a tects others from any viruses hike, try to plan one closer to you might not know you’re home: If there’s an outbreak carrying. Wearing one also in your area, you don’t want protects you in a roundabout to bring it to a new one or way: Humans are sheep vice-versa. Remember that (sorry, fellow humans!) so while some counties might we do what everyone else be “open,” towns might have does. Get enough people to older residents, or might not wear masks, and folks will have enough hospital beds to succumb to peer pressure, re- handle a big outbreak. What are scientists turning the favor you’ve done If you’re traveling, try saying now about the them by putting on masks to to bring all of your sup- asymptomatic spread of protect you and everyone else plies with you, so you don’t COVID-19? who’s out and about. need to stop in local grocery Offi cial opinions on the And remember: If you ven- stores and potentially infect asymptomatic spread of ture out beyond the security yourself or others. Be aware COVID-19 have fl ip-fl opped of self-quarantine and you of any outbreaks in the area Is this going to last so many times it could make aren’t washing your hands, or around you, and if there’s forever? your head spin. It was a ru- one in your community, don’t if you’re touching your face, We have no idea, but the mor, then the gospel, then a your mask doesn’t do anyone travel. pandemic is going to last for conspiracy theory, and gospel any good. If you’re outside, you’re a long time. And it’s going to again — until the World expected to keep a 6-foot dis- be uncertain for a long time. Health Organization put out Why is all of this tance from other people, wear In one of the most widely a press release in early June changing so fast? a mask, or both. We like to think of science read and cited articles of saying asymptomatic spread as a defi nitive, once-and-for- See COVID-19/Page 6A the pandemic, Tomas Pueyo was “very rare.” described reopening as the Again, scientists pushed “hammer and dance.” First, back, citing valid studies. we shut everything down to Even Fauci said they were stop the initial spread. That’s wrong. The WHO went into the “hammer.” And now we’re damage-control mode. Its in the “dance.” updated statement says that Health offi cials and coun- asymptomatic spread can oc- ties and the state will watch cur, but it’s still unclear how case numbers, and they’ll roll much it drives infections. back some aspects of reopen- ing if cases increase. And then Should we still think of COVID-19 as mostly a once they decrease, reopen risk for people who are again. older or have underlying Unless other plans are conditions? raised, that dance will Since the early days of the continue until we get a vac- pandemic, we’ve learned that cine, and the U.S. is paying everyone is at some risk, and fi ve manufacturers to start even young, active, healthy producing the vaccines now, in the hopes that if one works, people can get seriously ill or even die from the disease. they can start deploying it The main symptoms are still New Name. immediately. The U.S. plans the same: a dry cough, dif- to have 300 million vaccine Same Great Team. fi culty breathing, and fever. doses stockpiled by Jan. 1, Same Exceptional But now, we know it 2021, so if everything goes might cause a number of well, it’s possible we could Service. start vaccinating next spring. other conditions. It’s causing Travis T. Hampton, D.P.M. blood clots in young, healthy But fi rst, we need to prove Foot and Ankle Surgeon people. Scientists think it’s the vaccines work. responsible for a rise in What’s the latest on “multisystem infl ammatory whether you can get syndrome,” a rare disease COVID-19 from surfaces? that occurs in children after The Centers for Disease a viral illness. Doctors are Control and Prevention studying “covid toes.” recently said they have found Other people — people who that this virus is primar- weren’t even sick enough La Grande Enterprise Baker ily spread from person to to get hospitalized — say 1408 N Hall Street 601 Medical Parkway 3175 Pocahontas Rd. person, and is unlikely to they’re still feeling the im- be spread on surfaces. They pacts of COVID-19 months 541-963-0265 cited a handful of studies that later. One thing hasn’t 888-843-9090 suggest COVID-19 may not changed: This virus is nasty www.GVfoot.com survive very long on most and you do not want to get it. household surfaces. But other studies have found the opposite, and some that have found the virus can survive for days. Scientists pushed back against the CDC’s statement, and the next day the CDC updated their page again to clarify that guidance hadn’t changed: person-to-person contact is the primary driver, but you should still assume you can catch COVID-19 from surfaces. Wash your hands, clean doorknobs, countertops and other frequently-touched areas regularly. If taking extra measures like wear- ing gloves and sanitizing packages makes you feel safe, you shouldn’t feel bad about doing that. The Baker School Board’s Thursday night session will begin with a budget hearing at 5:45 p.m. to consider the District’s 2020-21 annual budget. The Board is expected to adopt the budget later in the meeting. The meeting will be con- vened through the Zoom video application. More information about how to participate is available by calling the District Offi ce at 541-524-2260. The Board’s regular session will begin at 6 p.m. Superintendent Mark Witty is expected to update the Board on the Oregon Department of Education’s Plan for reopening schools in the fall, the Baker Early Learning Center project in the former North Baker School Building, state revenue, negotiations and the status of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The meeting will get underway with the recog- nition of Promise Students of the Month: Rebecca “Becky” Snyder of Haines Elementary and Ashlyn Dalton of Baker Middle School. These retiring clas- sifi ed employes also will be honored: Tony Rudolph of the maintenance depart- ment, and Debra White, head cook at Brooklyn Primary School. Parent representatives, Jessica Doughtery, who volunteers in the District, and Emoke Marvin, a parent who also works as Brooklyn Primary School secretary, will speak on the topic of “Distance Learn- ing: What’s Working For Our Families.” L OCAL B RIEFING Elkhorn Lanes bowling alley reopens Elkhorn Lanes, Baker City’s bowling alley, has opened its lanes for the fi rst time since it was closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bowling alley at 3335 10th St. opened on June 6, but manager Shane Blair said the business hasn’t been as busy as it was before COVID-19 hit. “There have been a lot less people,” Blair said. Although he doesn’t think the alley has been turn- ing a profi t so far, he said it’s been good to see people laughing and having fun and that having a little busi- ness was still better than being closed. The recent rainy weather has been benefi cial since people are more likely to choose indoor activities when it’s soggy outside. “We do a little rain dance to get people in,” Blair said. — Sam Anthony, Baker City Herald Baker County Democrats to meet by teleconference on Thursday evening The Baker County Democrats will not be meeting at their usual location until September. Their June meet- ing will be done by teleconference on June 18 at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to join can call Peter Hall at 541-519- 7274 for call-in information. BURGLARY Continued from Page 1A The restaurant, most recently known as The New China Cafe, shut down before Gov. Kate Brown’s March 23 order requiring nonessential businesses, including restaurants and bars, to offer takeout or delivery service only. Baker County was among counties whose busi- nesses were allowed to begin reopening in mid-May with some restrictions. Phase 2, which expanded those reopenings further, began on June 6. The Chinese restaurant and bar have remained closed. Police Chief Ray Duman said the Oregon Liquor Control Commission had scheduled a revocation hear- ing for May in regard to terminating the liquor license at the Rising Sun Palace and Sunset Lounge based on numerous alcohol-related incidents at the business. Instead, Wong surrendered his liquor license on May 22, Marc Calvert of Pendleton, OLCC district inspector, told Duman. The future of the building and businesses is un- known, Duman said. TREAT DAD TO THE BEST Father’s Day Special Open 12 Noon Prime Rib Dinner with triple chocolate truffle mousse. Includes salad bar. Also featuring regular menu items Open for dinner: M-W-Th-F at 4:30 pm Saturday - 3:30 • Closed Tuesday Open by reservation for private parties 541-856-3639 10 miles north of Baker City on Hwy 30, in Haines, Oregon. www.hainessteakhouse.com
