A6 The BulleTin • Friday, July 23, 2021
Variant
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I have a much
older sister who has become
very religious. Most of her life
decisions are based on her
faith, so conversations tend
to develop into faith-oriented
topics and justifications. I
don’t initiate these conversa-
tions, and I make a genuine
effort to understand her per-
spective. When I am not able
to, I have mastered the “smile
and nod.”
My problem is, anytime
I bring a friend or date to a
family function, she drags
them off to the side and be-
gins to question and discuss
the importance of faith. Since
religion is a widely varied and
highly sensitive topic, this can
sometimes be uncomfortable.
I recently asked her to stop
doing it, and I haven’t heard
from her since. How can I ex-
plain healthy boundaries to
her so we can have a respect-
ful relationship?
— Younger Brother in Georgia
Dear Younger Brother: If
part of your sister’s religion
is advancing it or converting
others to her faith, you won’t
be able to convince her to
stop. I agree that what she’s
doing can come across as ob-
noxious. Because you can’t
control what she says or does,
you may have to stop bring-
ing friends or dates to family
functions where you know
she’ll be present. Otherwise,
warn them in advance so
they can either avoid being
cornered or get away from
her.
Dear Abby: My boyfriend
was my first crush in grade
eight. We are in our late 40s
now. He was in a relationship
for 17 years with a woman
who has three daughters.
One hasn’t talked to either
parent in years. The other
two drink, use drugs and
have kids of their own. They
often ask to “borrow” money,
but never pay it back. One of
them asked me for enough to
put down a deposit for rent
on a house. I have two of my
own children and my exes
don’t support them, so I’m
wondering how responsible I
am for his ex-girlfriend’s kids.
— Not Gonna Happen
Dear Not Gonna: You have
no legal, moral or ethical ob-
ligation to the children your
boyfriend raised with his for-
mer girlfriend. Stick to your
guns, dear lady, because you
are off the hook if you have
the backbone to stay that way.
Dear Abby: I am a 50-year-
old male. When I interact
with a woman whose name I
don’t know, I address her as
“Dear.” Surprisingly, many
of them respond in a nega-
tive way, regardless of age.
Is it wrong to call some-
one “Dear”? And if so, what
should I call them if I don’t
know their name?
— Unsure in Iowa
Dear Unsure: The women
may respond the way they do
because they consider being
called “Dear” by a stranger
to be overly familiar or even
condescending. (Other titles
to avoid would be “Honey”
and “Young Lady,” if the
woman appears to be past
the age of 30.) Be safe — and
respectful — by addressing
them as Miss or Ma’am.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Georgia Nicols
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
MOON ALERT: CAUTION: Avoid shopping or making important deci-
sions from noon until 8:30 p.m. EDT today (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PDT). After that,
the Moon moves from Capricorn into Aquarius.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021: You are a
strong individual with your own take on things. You have a great imagination
and love to seek out stimulation and adventure. This is a powerful year for
you. It’s a year where you can attain accolades, praise or promotions. You also
might attain personal or financial gain. Expect achievements and rewards.
It’s time to alphabetize your blessings!
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Today you might have an intense encounter with an authority figure
— a parent, boss, teacher or member of the police. If so, this encounter will
be intense. You might feel overwhelmed by your feelings. Meanwhile, most
of this day is a Moon Alert. Tread carefully! Tonight: Talk to a friend.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Today it’s easy to be obsessed with an idea, which is why it is wise to
avoid discussions about politics, racial issues and religion. Your emotions will
be too strong! Feelings will run high and arguments will ensue. Meanwhile,
check the Moon Alert. Tonight: People notice you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Because most of this day is a Moon Alert, avoid important decisions
about shared responsibilities, shared money, taxes, debt, loans and mort-
gages. This is not the day to discuss these matters. Forewarned is forearmed.
Tonight: Change your routine
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
A discussion with someone close to you could be intense today. Both
parties might feel obsessed and stuck in their own point of view or their
desires. You might be at a standoff. Check the Moon Alert and postpone im-
portant decisions. Tonight: Check your finances.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Today you’re willing to work hard. You also might be focused on your
health. However, it’s easy to be obsessed with an idea today. Furthermore,
most of this day is a Moon Alert. Bad combo! Hmmm, it’s a poor day to make
decisions, and someone is obsessed. Tonight: Be cooperative.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Difficulties with romance might arise today because people are intense,
even obsessed. Meanwhile, today is a Moon Alert, which means it’s a poor
time to make a decision, and yet, feelings are running high. This also applies
to sports and relations with your kids. Tonight: Do some work.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Avoid intense discussions with family today, because they will be point-
less. Nevertheless, someone might be obsessed about something, which
is hard to ignore. Because today is a Moon Alert, table these discussions for
another day. Tonight: Relax.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Don’t try to convince someone to agree with you no matter how
intensely you believe that you are right. Today everyone is inclined to be ob-
sessed about something. Furthermore, today is a Moon Alert. Just coast. (For
today.) Tonight: Cocoon at home.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You have strong ideas about financial matters today or something you
own. However, this is a poor day to take a stand, because most of this day is a
Moon Alert. Instead, take a breather. Allow this situation some space. Decide
tomorrow. Tonight: Stay calm.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today the Moon is in your sign lined up with Pluto, which will create an
emotional experience for you. You might become obsessed about a particu-
lar idea, especially if you’re dealing with a female. Note the Moon Alert today
and lighten up. Wait until it’s over. Tonight: Protect possessions.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Some deep secrets might be revealed today. This could be connected
to an obsession you have or an intense kind of research. Do not be persuaded
by information that is questionable. Most of today is a Moon Alert. Lighten
up and get some perspective. Tonight: Be reasonable.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
You might have an intense discussion with a friend or a group. You
might be at loggerheads because each of you is obsessed with your point
of view. Obviously, this will go nowhere. Therefore, and especially because
most of today is a Moon Alert, back off. Tonight: Stay calm.
Find it all online bendbulletin.com
Continued from A1
In contrast, Washington
County, near Portland, re-
ported 43 new cases and has
vaccinated 75% of eligible
adults. It’s 2020 population is
just over 620,000.
“The pandemic is fading for
those that are vaccinated —
they can resume activities with
relative peace of mind,” Allen
said.
While significantly more
contagious, the delta variant
has not been shown to be any
more virulent or able to break
through vaccines that have
been widely available since
spring.
While infections and hospi-
talizations are rising, the num-
ber of deaths is expected to be
capped well below levels seen
last winter when the virus was
rampant and no vaccines were
available.
Allen said that despite
Thursday’s press call to pub-
licize the extent of the delta
variant, there were no plans for
Brown or OHA to step in and
exert control over local deci-
sions.
While OHA was ready to
help with additional vaccine
and other supports, it is up to
county health departments to
take a measure of the local im-
pact of the virus and for county
commissioners to decide what
should be done.
Salem would not issue
edicts, but advice.
“Take action now,” Allen
said of counties with lagging
vaccination rates.
Allen pointed to state sta-
tistics showing that 15 out of
36 counties had started vac-
cinating less than half their
adult population. Statewide the
number is about 70%.
Dean Sidelinger, the state
health officer and chief epide-
miologist, said the jump in in-
fections should be a “red alert”
for those who have not been
vaccinated.
“You are at higher risk now
than you were earlier in the
pandemic, and you are putting
the people around you at risk,”
Sidelinger said.
Not moving to increase vac-
cination levels would mean
Brooke Herbert/Oregonian file
A woman holds up her COVID-19 vaccination card.
the shadow of the pandemic
would continue in communi-
ties, schools, workplaces and
gatherings.
“The virus looms large,”
Sidelinger said.
OHA again said it was hop-
ing for increased persuasion
and for local influential indi-
viduals and political leaders
to take action. There were no
plans for new mandates, or to
tell employers they should re-
quire vaccinations.
Citing the “highly politi-
cal” nature of the COVID-19
debate, Allen said efforts to
increase vaccinations had
to come from trusted local
sources, including civic and
faith leaders, as well as political
officeholders.
Asked directly if the state
would step in to curb or cancel
the Pendleton Round-Up in
September if Umatilla County’s
infection rates stayed at current
levels, Allen demurred.
“Two or three months in the
future are an eternity” in the
pandemic, he said.
Brown had said in June that
the Round-Up would go on af-
ter a COVID-19 caused cancel-
lation in 2020.
“Let ‘er buck,” Brown said,
using a popular saying for the
event.
But the statements
were made at a time when
COVID-19 infections were in
steep decline.
Soon after the transfer of
responsibility to counties, the
governor’s office said it would
monitor the response.
“Oregon is moving into the
next chapter of this pandemic,”
Brown spokesman Charles
Boyle said on July 7. “While
our statewide response will
now look different, OHA con-
tinues to have an ongoing lead-
ership role working with local
public health partners in vac-
cination efforts, as well as pan-
demic response and recovery.”
Boyle said Brown was aware
of the already rising impact of
the Delta variant in other parts
of the nation.
“We will continue to mon-
itor the spread of variants
closely,” Boyle said.
While transferring daily
control of the pandemic re-
sponse to counties, Brown has
not lifted the state emergency
order that has been in place
since March 2020 and renewed
several times.
Allen said that getting peo-
ple to realize the gravity of the
pandemic and to make their
own choices to get vaccinated
was going to work best.
“I don’t care what you think,
you have to get vaccinated” was
a message that wouldn’t help
anyone.
Asked if any Republican
leaders in the state had stepped
up to publicly push for vacci-
nation, Allen said he had had
conversations with many lead-
ers of all political views and it
was up to them to decide their
public role.
“Let them speak for them-
selves,” he said, adding, “Who
are the right messengers? What
is the right message?”
Up until June 30, the state
had decided the risk level for
infection in each county and
what restrictions should be in
place. Though Brown officially
disconnected the risk analysis
from state response, the sta-
tistics are still reported each
Monday.
Statewide, the percentage of
positive cases averaged 3.8%
through the two-week period
ending July 17. But in Umatilla
County, the percentage was
12.4% and Morrow County
was 14.4%.
In contrast, Multnomah
County — which includes
Portland — was 2%. Lane
County — including Eugene
— was 2.9%. And Deschutes
County — including Bend —
was 3.4%. But OHA reported
even these small percentages
were increases over the prior
two-week periods going back
to June 20.
Clatsop County, at 4%, was
one of the few counties to re-
port a drop in infections over
the periods.
OHA on Wednesday posted
an update showing the num-
ber of confirmed cases of the
COVID-19 delta variant had
more than doubled, from 43 to
90, between reports on July 10
and July 17.
OHA officials say the prev-
alence of the delta variant is
likely an undercount as se-
quencing data can take weeks
to be reported and not all coro-
navirus cases are tested for the
variant.
COVID-19 has killed over
610,000 Americans and 4.1
million people worldwide.
Many of the variants have had
their origins thousands of
miles away from Oregon, but
in modern times, can reach
anywhere on the globe in a rel-
atively short time.
Sidelinger said the pandemic
has had many turning points
for bad and good.
Thinking that it is defeated
would “come at a high cost.”
“Our fight is not over,” he
said. “COVID-19 is a stubborn
foe.”
e
gwarner@eomediagroup.com
Budget
Continued from A1
About $1 million comes
from interfund transfers,
which means a certain
amount of money will be
transferred from several city
departments to communally
support the cost of new staff
positions.
This proposed budget ad-
justment includes $7.5 million
to pay for a navigation center
for homeless residents, renova-
tion costs for turning the Bend
Value Inn into a homeless shel-
ter, and additional funding to
help cover the costs of pro-
posed affordable housing proj-
ects in Bend.
About $3 million of this is
from American Rescue Plan
funding.
About $1.5 million is pro-
posed to be used to create one
or more managed homeless
camps within the city, accord-
ing to a presentation from the
city Wednesday night.
The goal would be to create
about three camps around the
city and run them for about
a year and a half, said Caro-
lyn Eagan, the city’s economic
development director, during
Wednesday’s City Council
meeting.
Another $4.2 million is
proposed to add staff to help
with processing building per-
mits, community relations
and a cyber security person,
according to a presentation
from the city.
About $1 million of this
money would go toward filling
positions that the city left va-
cant last year as a way to save
money when the pandemic hit
and caused economic uncer-
tainty.
Other recommendations in-
clude $1.2 million to go toward
utility assistance, child care,
nonprofits and a more robust
effort to plan for the future of
downtown.
About $200,000 is also allo-
cated for transportation main-
tenance.
The council will formally
vote on this budget allocation
at its Aug. 18 meeting.
e
Reporter: 541-633-2160,
bvisser@bendbulletin.com
IS COMING SOON!
PLAY FOR YOUR CHANCE
TO WIN $1,000!
LOOK FOR YOUR
BINGO CARD IN
THE BULLETIN ON
SUNDAY,
AUGUST 1!
Play along as BINGO
numbers appear daily
in The Bulletin
Aug. 1 - Sept. 26.
Grand Prize $1,000 M. Jacobs
gift certifi cate. Other prizes include a
one-year subscription to The Bulletin
and $100 Old Mill gift certifi cates.
There is even a second-chance
drawing for $200 cash!
Get your offi cial BINGO card:
• In The Bulletin - Sunday, August 1
• In The Redmond Spokesman - Wednesday, August 4
• Or at the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo - Friday, July 30
BINGO cards also available at M. Jacobs and The Bulletin beginning July 30.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
SUBSCRIBE TODAY &
SAVE
WITH OUR BINGO
SPECIAL OFFER!
No purchase necessary.
See complete details at bendbulletin.com
CALL 541-385-5800