THE BULLETIN • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 A7 COVID-19 | Prevention 1-dose shot cleared, giving U.S. 3rd vaccine Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine offers strong protection against what matters most: serious illness, hospitalizations and death. Bulletin wire reports The U.S. is getting a third vaccine to prevent COVID-19, as the Food and Drug Administration on Satur- day cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with one dose instead of two. Health experts are anxiously await- ing a one-and-done option to help speed vaccinations, as they race against a virus that already has killed more than 510,000 people in the U.S. and is mutating in increasingly worri- some ways. The FDA said J&J’s vaccine offers strong protection against what mat- ters most: serious illness, hospitaliza- tions and death. One dose was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19 illness, in a massive study that spanned three continents — pro- tection that remained strong even in countries such as South Africa, where the variants of most concern are spreading. “The more vaccines that have high efficacy that we can get into play, the better,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said ahead of the FDA’s ruling. Johnson & Johnson via AP Shipments of a few million doses to be divided among states could be- gin as early as Monday. By the end of March, J&J has said it expects to de- liver 20 million doses to the U.S., and 100 million by summer. J&J also is seeking authorization for emergency use of its vaccine in Europe and from the World Health Organization. Worldwide, the com- pany aims to produce about 1 billion doses globally by the end of the year. On Thursday, the island nation of Bahrain became the first to clear its use. Could be a ‘game changer’ In especially hard-hit California, health experts eagerly await the arrival of the one-dose vaccine, saying it will expand supplies and boost access for the most hard-to-reach people. “It’s like having a gun with 10 bul- lets in it — and now I have 10 more. That’s a better gun,” Frank Laiacona, director of pharmacy for the rural Northern Inyo Health Care Dis- trict — home to Mount Whitney and Death Valley, where residents may drive up to 200 miles to get a shot — told the Mercury News in San Jose, California, before the FDA approval. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine behaves much more like a regular vac- cine than existing vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, which both require two doses three to four weeks apart. It can be stored in a traditional refrigera- tor for at least three months, making it simpler to use for areas in the state that do not have the ability to keep the mRNA vaccines at super cold tem- peratures. And because it is a single shot, it does not require a follow-up visit. While studies show the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were roughly 95% effective in protecting mild, moderate and severe cases of COVID-19 after a second dose, Johnson & Johnson’s trials showed somewhat lower effi- cacy of 85% against severe forms of COVID-19 and 72% against moder- ate and severe illness. But comparing the three vaccines is challenging be- cause of differences in the designs and dosing regimens of the clinical trials — and the new vaccine has important advantages, say experts. “This will be a game changer,” said Santa Clara County, California, super- visor Otto Lee at Friday’s opening of a new COVID-19 vaccination location that serves a predominantly Latino community hard hit by the virus. A more traditional vaccine The most immediate advantage, said experts, is expanded supplies. Pfizer and Moderna alone can’t make enough vaccines to quickly protect everyone. The recent emergence of variants has heightened the urgency of vaccinating as many people as pos- sible. If the virus can’t multiply, it can’t mutate. The J&J vaccine also uses a more traditional approach than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines — enlisting a harmless virus called an adenovirus, rather than messenger RNA, to carry a genetic code. So it does not require extremely cold freezers. “It’s the jackpot. It is wonderful. It will allow us to go to farms without refrigeration constraints,” said physi- cian Dr. Walter Newman, who vac- cinates agricultural workers in rural California. e e The Associated Press and Mercury News contributed to this report. OBITUARY U.S. CAPITOL Authorities pinpoint suspect in officer’s riot death BY MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press WASHINGTON — Federal investigators probing the death of a U.S. Capitol Police officer killed in the Jan. 6 riot have zeroed in on a suspect seen on video appearing to spray a chemical substance on the of- ficer before he later collapsed and died, two people familiar with the matter told The Asso- ciated Press. The FBI has obtained video that shows the person spraying Brian Sicknick and other law enforcement officers during the Jan. 6 riot, the people said. But they cautioned that federal agents haven’t yet identified the suspect by name and the act hasn’t been directly tied to Sicknick’s death. The idea that Sicknick died after being sprayed by a chem- ical irritant has emerged in re- cent weeks as a new theory in the case. Find it all online bendbulletin.com OBITUARY Investigators initially be- lieved that Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extin- guisher, based on statements collected early in the inves- tigation, according to one of the people and another law enforcement official briefed on the case. But as they’ve collected more evidence, the theory of the case has evolved and investigators now believe Sicknick may have ingested a chemical substance — possi- bly bear spray — during the riot that may have contrib- uted to his death, the officials said. The people could not pub- licly discuss the details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The circumstances sur- rounding Sicknick’s death re- main unclear, and a final cause of death has not been deter- mined. OBITUARY Ralph Grunst August 9, 1941 - January 8, 2021 Ralph Grunst passed away January 8, 2021 in Bend, Oregon, 79 years young. He died rushing into a burning orphanage to save trapped nuns and orphans (or not, he did like to spin a good yarn). Carol Jean (Wallerich)Moore August 15, 1949 - February 19, 2021 Carol Jean Moore was born August 15 1949 in Sigourney, Iowa to Collen and Bud Wallerich. She graduated from Sigourney High School and completed her nursing studies at St. Luke’s School of Nursing (RN) and later received her BSN at Oakland University. Carol is survived by her husband of 49 years, Doug, daughter Heather and son Chad; along with her brother John and sister Vicky. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard and sister Dianne. Throughout she and her husband’s careers, Carol had the experience to live in several states including assignments in Belgium and Germany. Av er their re} rement, they moved to Bend in 2008. Carol loved the outdoors and took advantage of everything she could: running, skiing, hiking, kayaking, golf and exploring the surrounding mountains, trails and her favorite, the Oregon Coast. Most of all Carol loved her many friends she made through life. Carol lev a las} ng impression on people and deû nitely brightened their lives. Due to Covid, there will be no formal memorial ceremony at this } me. In lieu of û owers, if you wish, contribu} ons may be sent to the St. Charles Founda} on-Bend Cancer Center. Please, indicate your contribu} on should be the at en} on to Bend Cancer Center in Memory of Carol Moore: Website: founda} on.stcharleshealthcare.org Mailing: St. Charles Founda} on, 2500 NE Neû Rd, Bend, OR 97701 The family is grateful for her caring Doctors, Nurses, Hospice Care Givers and St. Charles Hospital. May the roads rise to meet you, May the winds be always at your back, May the sun shine warm on your face, And the rains fall sov upon your û elds, Un} l we meet again. May God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Ralph was born in Bend August 9, 1941 to Clarence and Isabel Grunst, and was raised in Canyonville, Oregon. He joined the Air Force av er high school and served on KC-135 refuelers as a boom operator. Av er leaving the Air Force he began working for Sears as an appliance salesman in Roseburg, Oregon. His giv of making friends and storytelling served him well, and he even earned his family an epic trip to Disneyland for being “Salesman of the Century” (or at least that’s what he told them). Ralph loved life and was always up for an adventure. In 1984 he purchased a used Chevy truck and a sta} on wagon and transferred with Sears to Anchorage, Alaska with his û rst wife Margaret and his two kids Michelle and Mike. Ralph met his second wife Jean in Anchorage, and they married in 1996. He re} red from Sears, and they moved to Tennessee for Jean’s work. Never one to sit around, Ralph took a job with Home Depot, again selling appliances. He also became very involved with the Red Cross as a volunteer and was even sent to assist at Ground Zero in New York City av er 9/11. Av er four years in Nashville Ralph and Jean moved back to Anchorage, and from there to Kirkland, Washington. Upon re} rement - Jean9s û rst, Ralph9s second! - they decided to set le in Bend, where it all began. Ralph never met a stranger and had a smile for everyone. With him you had a lifelong ally who would drop everything and be there to help you no mat er the } me, place, or cost. He was self-reliant and knew that he could û x it, whatever the problem, given enough } me and trips to the hardware store. He shared all he had with anyone in need and was a devoted man who loved his family and friends. Ralph was a û ghter, surviving colon cancer, diabetes, demen} a, and Alzheimer9s before succumbing to a stroke. He lev this life well lived and well loved, and remains in his family’s hearts a beloved father, brother, husband, grandfather, son, and uncle. He is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Michelle, son Mike, grandchildren Caden and Chloe, sister Jean Marie, brother Fred, many extended family members, and his cute lit le dog Ajax. A celebra} on of life will be held later this year when family and friends can safely gather. In Memory of Marjorie Jean deBarathy Lussier December 27, 1944 - February 19, 2021 With personal grace and dignity, Margie Jean Lussier exempliû ed true warmth, uncondi} onal love and caring, especially to her soulmate of 40+ years, Jim Lussier. On a sunny Friday morning, Margie became unencumbered by the perils of Parkinson’s disease and her blissful presence is now free to roam our universe in her own way. Margie leaves behind a large circle of family and friends, many of which she cul} vated at St. Charles Medical Center where she worked for nearly 30 years. She began as an Assistant to Sister Catherine Hellman, President/ CEO, and helped establish the Air Life membership program, among many other tasks. Margie embodied the hospital9s mission