The BulleTin • Sunday, January 31, 2021 A7
Mutations
Continued from A1
“We are in a race against
time because of these muta-
tions. And in that race, we are
falling behind,” said Mara As-
pinall, a biomedical diagnos-
tics professor at Arizona State
University.
The problem echoes the
country’s catastrophic stumbles
early in the pandemic, when a
lack of testing allowed the vi-
rus to spread widely. Currently,
only a tiny fraction of all pos-
itive coronavirus tests in the
United States are forwarded for
further sequencing.
Genetic sequencing is im-
portant because the coronavi-
rus, like all viruses, mutates as
it moves through people. Many
changes are inconsequential
and do not alter the transmissi-
bility or severity of illness. But
without knowing what strains
are moving through the popu-
lation, the mutations that mat-
ter may pop up undetected.
For months, scientists have
been sounding alarms and
trying to ramp up genetic se-
quencing of test samples, but
the effort has been plagued
by lack of funding, political
will and federal coordination,
health experts and state offi-
cials said.
More equipment, staffing
and funding is needed to in-
crease sequencing, experts said,
and the federal government
has yet to create the infrastruc-
ture and procedures needed to
receive, process and share that
data on a national scale. U.S.
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention Director Ro-
chelle Walensky said Friday the
government is increasing the
level of sequencing nationwide.
“We have scaled up surveil-
lance dramatically just in the
last 10 days, in fact. But our
plans for scaling up surveil-
lance are even more than what
we’ve done so far,” Walensky
said.
Ultimately, the country
needs real-time data — similar
to the dashboards now used
to track daily cases, hospital-
izations and deaths — to track
variants and their prevalence
across the country. While se-
quencing alone won’t stop the
spread of more dangerous vari-
ants, it gives the country warn-
ing and a chance to act as they
become more prevalent.
“None of that exists right
now. We’re incredibly behind
compared to other countries,”
said Janet Hamilton, executive
director of the Council of State
and Territorial Epidemiolo-
gists. “We have no idea what is
out there in our country. We
don’t even know what we don’t
know.”
Ramping up
The U.S. effort is so under-
developed that it’s impossible
to say exactly how many virus
cases are sequenced daily.
On Jan. 5, a CDC official
told The Washington Post that
the country was averaging
roughly 3,000 sequenced coro-
navirus genomes a week. This
week, CDC officials said the
U.S. is now averaging roughly
7,000 a week.
In addition to the sequenc-
ing being done by academic
and commercial labs, the CDC
is having states send in coro-
navirus samples so that the
agency itself can eventually
sequence up to 750 per week.
CDC has also contracted uni-
versities to scale up their se-
quencing to “thousands per
week,” Walensky said.
CDC has warned the variant
— found in the United King-
dom, which British scientists
said could be up to 70% more
transmissible — could become
dominant in the U.S. by March.
Walensky said the CDC can
only tell if that projection is ac-
curate by reaching higher rates
of sequencing.
T The U.S. ranks 38th out
of 130 countries reporting
whole-genome sequencing
data as of late January.
Unheeded warnings
Even before the emergence
of mutations such as the vari-
ants first discovered in South
Africa and the United King-
dom, U.S. experts had been
warning for months about the
need for a national standard
for genetic surveillance.
In May, the CDC launched
a surveillance program for the
coronavirus called SPHERES
(SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing for
Public Health Emergency Re-
sponse, Epidemiology, and
Surveillance). But, in practice,
the program relied on a patch-
work of random academic labs
contributing genetic sequenc-
ing on a volunteer basis.
A July report by the Na-
tional Academies of Science
said that “poor funding, coor-
dination, and capacity” had led
to a “patchy, typically passive,
and reactive” U.S. sequencing
effort.
“There weren’t funds to do
it,” Hamilton said.
Last month’s stimulus bill in-
cluded funding that could help
ramp up genetic sequencing,
health officials said. Biden ad-
ministration officials said the
president’s $1.9 trillion pro-
posed spending plan also in-
cludes much needed funding
for genetic sequencing.
Many public health labs have
recently begun sequencing or
have partnered with academic
institutions to do so, said Scott
Becker, chief executive of the
Association of Public Health
Laboratories.
“Everyone is getting in-
volved, but we need a stan-
dardized approach for how to
do it, how to report it. We can’t
have scientists coming at it
from every which way,” Becker
said. In a call with CDC offi-
cials Thursday, his group and
others urged the federal gov-
ernment to standardize such
processes, he said.
OBITUARY
OBITUARY
Kathleen Emma St. Clair
June 3, 1934 - January 19, 2021
Kathleen Emma St. Clair passed away on January
19th 2021 in Bend Oregon. She was 86 years old.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother,
great grandmother and great-great grandmother.
She was also a life-long friend to many.
Kathleen was born in Milwaukie Oregon on
June 3, 1934. It was in Milwaukie where she
met Norman F. St. Clair, the true love of her life.
Kathleen and Norman were married December
19, 1952 where they began their family and lived
until 1977 when they purchased Wickiup Junction
Store in La Pine Oregon. Kathleen was a proud
partner and business owner alongside Norman for
32 years.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband
Norman and her oldest child Kathie Shephard.
She is survived by her other three children Vicki
Russell (Tom); Jeffrey J. St.Clair; and Patty Lemapu
(Kimo) as well as 7 grandchildren; 14 great
grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Kathleen was the rock of the family, she loved
each and everyone of us and we all felt her love
deeply. The most important things in her life were
her faith in our Lord and her family.
She is and always will be deeply loved and missed.
OBITUARY
Weston (Wes) Colbo
July 14, 1934 - January 12, 2021
Margaret Mary Hollinger
September 24, 1927 - January 5, 2021
Margaret Mary Hollinger passed away peacefully on
January 5, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. She was truly a
special woman to so many in her community and a
mother. Her love and kindness was always a beacon
of inspirati on for her family.
Margaret Mary Weinheimer was born in
Fredricksburg, Texas on September 24, 1927. She
had a happy childhood surrounded by many cousins
and her three siblings, Louis, Dorthea, and John
(“Zeo”). She had fond memories of climbing trees in
her family’s peach orchard and working behind the
candy counter at Dooley’s Five & Dime. She moved
to California as a young adult and there she met her
husband, Bill Hollinger, whom she married in 1956.
Bill and Margaret sett led in San Diego with their four
children: Kuipo, Bill Jr., Shawn, and Kevin. In 1976
the family moved to Bend, Oregon where Margaret
lived unti l 2016. In Bend, Margaret developed a
love for the outdoors, and enjoyed skiing, hiking,
and camping. She was part of the St. Francis hiking
group for many years, enjoying the close friendships
and the beauty of Central Oregon. Margaret was an
accomplished soprano and sang in the choir at St.
Francis of Assisi church in Bend for many years.
Margaret is survived by her son Shawn Hollinger
and his partner Mary Rayoum, and her son Kevin
Hollinger, his wife Meg and their three children:
Haven, Ruby, & Zeo Hollinger. A celebrati on of life
will be held at a later date when it is safe to do so.
OBITUARY
Weston (Wes) Colbo was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Wes had a big voice, a big heart and gave big love. He left this world on Jan. 12, 2021 due
to complications from COVID-19. Wes was 86 years old, residing in Tigard, Oregon at the
time of his passing.
Wes made this world a better place. Upon entering a room his presence was felt, his
humor was witty, and he had an innate ability to bring people together. Born on July
14th, 1934 in Tacoma, Washington, he was the oldest son of Carsten and Rachel Colbo.
He attended St. Leo’s (1949) and graduated from Bellarmine Prep High School in 1953.
Wes cherished his friendships and stayed connected throughout the years with many
former classmates. After high school, he went on to serve in the Army from 1954-1956.
Wes met the love of his life, Dee (Dolores) Helf, in the summer of 1950. They were
destined for each other, later becoming high school sweethearts. They were opposites,
but a perfect match. In October of 1956, they married at St. Patrick’s Church in Tacoma,
Washington. They were devoted, lifelong partners and faith remained at the center of
their 64-year marriage. Their true and everlasting love story included the blessing of four
children, Diane, Mike, Jeanne and Julie.
Wes and Dee eventually moved to Seattle, Washington. It was there in 1961 that Wes
found his true calling in retail. He started at House of Values and then found career-long
success at Payless Drug Stores. He managed several stores in the Seattle area. In 1975,
Wes received a promotion and relocated his family to Bend, Oregon. He was manager
of the Bend Payless Store until his retirement in 1995. Wes loved people; especially the
Bend community. He had a big personality, appreciated a strong work ethic and held
customer service as a top priority. He was a mentor to many and took pride in seeing
others succeed. All four of his children worked as his employee, an experience that
brought laughter and tears, valuable life lessons and memories to cherish forever.
Wes was also known to many as “Coach.” Growing up, he participated in several team
sports, a passion that later turned to coaching. Wes coached Seattle CYO baseball and
basketball teams for St. Mark’s in the 1960-70’s, as well as youth football. As a coach,
he was exceptionally proud of being invited to take an All-Star Babe Ruth Team from the
Seattle-Bellevue area to Japan in 1974.
Wes was a devout Catholic and lived his faith by example. While in Bend, he gave his
time and talents generously as an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Church. He
supported St. Vincent De Paul for several years, sharing his retail and management skills.
He served on the Board of Directors and as President. Wes was always one to befriend
and joke with the parish priests, enjoying their company and often inviting them to
dinner.
As a member of the Bend Golf and Country Club since 1975, Wes and Dee found a
community that brought dear and lifelong friends. Wes loved golf and the social nature
of the game. When he was on the course, his group enjoyed plenty of jokes, good stories,
with a cold beer or vodka tonic waiting on the 19th hole. Many of Wes and Dee’s travels
centered around golf, and were shared with several of their closest friends.
Wes loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fly fishing and gardening in Bend. In earlier years,
he spent time sailing and cross country skiing. Palm Springs was a favorite yearly
destination, as was an annual Labor Day family reunion in Lincoln City. This yearly
tradition continued for 16 years, providing a wealth of memories.
Wes was a man who always had your back. He was our hero. We will miss him and are
better people because of him. Wes was preceded in death by his parents, his loving
brother (Marv), his oldest grandson (Jacob) and nephew (Blake). He is survived by his
devoted wife Dee (Dolores) and their four children; Diane Paul (grandchildren Stephanie
and Bryan); Mike Colbo (wife Connie, grandchildren Errin and Jessica, great grandson
Jackson); Chase (grandson); Jeanne Brunner (husband Joe, grandchildren Kayla and
Cooper); Julie Aguilar (husband Tom, grandson Zachary); Denette Colbo (sister in-law);
Sam and Brett (nephews), Caroline (niece).
Pegg, Paxon and Springer are handling funeral arrangements.
Please visit www.dignitymemorial.com to share your remembrances of Wes. A rosary
and funeral mass will be held on Feb. 5, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverton at
10:30 am. Burial to follow at Willamette National Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, all events
will be limited to family only. Donations in Wes’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s
Association (act.alz.org), or the Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org).
Leroy “Dusty” Rhodes
December 12, 1925 - January 18, 2021
Leroy “Dusty” Rhodes, 95, of Las Cruces NM (Formerly
long ti me Bend Resident) passed away into Jesus’
caring hands while at his son’s residence in Madras
under Hospice care on January 18, 2021.
Mr. Rhodes enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII and
received a Purple Heart during combat operati ons at
Iwo Jima but conti nued to serve in the Navy deployed
on his ship unti l the war’s end. Mr. Rhodes also
served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and
was honorably discharged aft er the war. Aft er the
Korean War, Mr. Rhodes worked the next 20 years for
the Burlington Northern railroad out of Bend before
reti ring and going into the Insurance Business. Mr.
Rhodes was the very fi rst State Farm Insurance agent
in Bend Oregon reti ring in 1988.
During his ti me in Bend, Mr. Rhodes was extensively
involved in local philanthropic, civil, and school
organizati ons. Mr. Rhodes was past President of the
Bend Rotary Club, Past Master of Bend Lodge #139
AF & AM, Past Royal Patron and Grand Royal Patron
of the Royal Order of the Amaranth (a Masonic
philanthropic organizati on supporti ng Diabetes). Mr.
Rhodes was always involved in one form or another
with local sports organizati ons, whether keeping score
for the Bend High and COCC basketball teams, working
and arranging downs marker volunteers for the Bend
Senior High football games, arranging vans and driving
for the local high school baseball and American Legion
baseball teams, Mr Rhodes cherished these ti mes the
most becoming life long friends with the coaches,
families and team players. Mr. Rhodes also volunteered
with the Coast Guard Auxiliary frequently patrolling
Lake Billy Chinook promoti ng boati ng safety.
Aft er reti rement from Insurance, Mr. Rhodes and his
lovely wife Ione took to the world traveling in various
forms, including spending 2 years living on their small
boat circumnavigati ng the East Coast Intra-Coastal
waterway.
Mr. Rhodes was preceded in death by a granddaughter,
Penelope Ione Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes is survived by his
wife Ione M. Rhodes (Married 73 plus years), son and
daughter-in-law Carl & Angela Rhodes of Madras,
Grandsons Sawyer and Finnley Rhodes, Daughter &
son-in-law Diane and Tom Peacor and granddaughter
Kati e Peacor of WA-DC. Services will be held at a later
date in Las Cruces NM. Donati ons can be made to
St. Charles Hospice. Autumn Funeral home was the
att ending funeral home.
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