COVID-19 MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, June 16, 2021 A7 Grant County reports seventh COVID-19-related death “mess around with.” “I’m very grateful that our num- bers have been low,” she said. “The end of March, April and early May were hell.” She said there were many deaths, and the surge impacted both senior and health care facilities in the area. Lindsay said many people were air-fl ighted out of the county for treatment during that time. Prairie City resident Frances Preston said that she was fully vac- cinated in February. “I didn’t have to worry about any of that hell,” she said. Preston, in a “personal testi- mony” to the court, said she wanted people who are apprehensive about getting vaccinated, because of the “horror stories” swirling around that it cause damage to the body, that she feels “perfectly normal.” “I’m not possessed by anything,” she said. “I don’t feel like there’s something within me that is destroy- ing me.” Preston said some people still believe the vaccine is “illegitimate” and could severely damage their health. Lindsay said the county had not had any bad outcomes from vaccinations other than fl u-like symptoms that lasted no longer than a week. As of June 10, Oregon Health Authority reports that COVID-19 has claimed the lives of roughly 2,700 Oregonians since the begin- ning of the pandemic. Nationwide, the CDC reports that 600,000 Amer- icans have died. At 40% vaccination rate, county administering nine shots per day on average By Steven Mitchell Blue Mountain Eagle A seventh Grant County resident died after contracting COVID-19. A 68-year-old man with no known underlying medical conditions who resided in Grant County tested pos- itive for COVID-19 on May 9, according to Kimberly Lindsay, the county’s public health administrator. Lindsay said after various medi- cal interventions the person died May 27 at an out-of-state hospital, but the health department did not receive the report until June 8. Lindsay said the family believed that the cause of death was COVID-19. Despite the news of the death and fi ve people testing positive on June 9, she felt “very good” about the coun- ty’s overall COVID-19 numbers. She said the county is seeing an average of only a few cases a week. Grant County’s vaccination rate of 40% for people 16 and older is the highest in Eastern Oregon, accord- ing to the Oregon Health Authority. As of June 9, Harney and Mal- heur counties were both at 38% for those 16 and older while Lake and Gillam Counties vaccinated 37% and 34%. Grant County’s seven-day vacci- nation average as of June 9 was nine doses per day, according to OHA’s website. Eagle fi le photo Grant County Health Department staff member reviews a COVID-19 rapid test in November. Grant County Public Health Administrator Kimberly Lindsay Lindsay said, when the statewide vaccination rate hits 70%, Gov. Kate Brown will remove the COVID-19 restrictions. She told the court that counties that reach 65% before then could see mask guidance and other restric- tions go away, but she said Grant County would not get to that per- centage based on current trends. “No judgment on that,” she said. “That is just a fact.” She said the county would need to wait for the state to hit the 70% rate. As of June 10 Oregon Health Authority reported the state was at 67%. Lindsay said she does not know if the virus variant B.1.526 that health offi cials identifi ed last month is still at play in the county. However, Lindsay said the variant greatly fac- tored into the “havoc” of the coun- ty’s second surge of infections in April and early May. She said the fi rst occurred in the fall. At one point during the second surge, the county’s infection rate was among the highest nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, it appears that the county dodged a signifi cant worst- case scenario with the virus variant. An analysis published with the CDC found that the virus variant B.1.526, which emerged rapidly in New York City, did not lead to infec- tions and re-infections at a higher rate than other virus forms. Additionally, two independent laboratory studies out of New York demonstrated that antibodies stim- ulated by the Pfi zer-BioNTech and Eagle fi le photo County off ering $50 gift certifi cates for COVID-19 vaccinations Owens introduces bill to ban vaccine passports Face coverings would not be required for those who refuse to disclose vaccination status By Steven Mitchell Blue Mountain Eagle Grant County’s state repre- sentative introduced legislation that would ban vaccine pass- ports in Oregon. Mark Owens, R-Crane, introduced House Bill 3407 last week to “protect the privacy and rights of Oregonians,” accord- ing to a press release. The legislation would pre- vent any public body — state, local or special government — from issuing a requirement for proof of vaccination from COVID-19. Owens said in the release that the bill is not an argument over COVID-19 or the vaccine. Instead, he said the bill is about people’s rights. “I believe the choice to get a vaccine is a personal, pri- vate medical decision that should be made Mark Owens, between an R-Crane individual and their medical provider,” he said. “And that Oregonians should be free to make that choice for themselves.” The bill forbids a person or public body from requir- ing someone to disclose if they have been immunized before accessing credit, insurance, education, facilities, medical services, housing or accommo- dations, travel, entry into the state, employment or to pur- chase goods or services. The press release said these entities would not be able to require someone to wear a face covering should someone refuse to disclose their vaccine status. The bill applies only to the COVID-19 vaccinations and Moderna vaccines work against the “New York” virus variant. Lindsay estimated that less than 1% of the people in Grant County who contracted COVID-19 had died. She said the number could poten- tially be lower due to positive cases that go unreported. County Com- missioner Sam Palmer added that he knew of “several” cases that went unreported. Lindsay noted, while treatment is “helpful” when someone contracts the virus, the person who died last month went through treatments that, in the end, did not save his life. She said, when one does recover, they typically have immunity for roughly 90 days. Lindsay told the court that COVID-19 is not something to would not change any current laws regarding other immu- nizations for other diseases for schools and children’s facilities. Gov. Kate Brown announced last month that fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask indoors in public set- tings where vaccination status is checked. Still, the state mandates busi- nesses, employers and churches to continue requiring masks unless they review people’s vaccination cards. The state epidemiologist, Dean Sidlelinger, recently said that requiring someone to dis- close their vaccination status does not violate patient privacy laws when given the option. Masks are still required in health care settings, jails, K-12 schools, planes, buses and airports. The bill was requested in partnership with the Eastern Oregon Counties Association. Other prizes also available By Steven Mitchell Blue Mountain Eagle With COVID-19 vaccination rates lagging behind the statewide average, Grant County leaders are off ering $50 gift certifi cates and other prizes to people who roll up their sleeves to get the shot. Kimberly Lindsay, Grant Coun- ty’s public health administrator, said every county in the state received vac- cine incentive dollars based on popula- tion to educate residents and promote the vaccine. County Court Judge Scott Myers said the county received roughly $80,000 in incentive dollars. Each new person who is vaccinated will receive $50 in Greenbacks. With help from Court Appointed Spe- cial Advocates, the county purchased $8,000 in Grant County Chamber of Commerce Greenbacks — redeemable vouchers at participating local busi- nesses that are members of the chamber — that went to attendees at the mobile vaccination unit that came through the county May 24-28, according to Lindsay Rausch, CASA’s COVID-19 response program manager. County Judge Scott Myers said Wednesday the county is also looking to reward people already vaccinated. “We’re going to try and go back ret- roactively to those who already received their shot,” he said, “whether they do it in chamber bucks, or however to do it so that the money can only be spent at local small businesses.” Lindsay said every county in the state is looking at ways to spend the money, and most counties are going beyond edu- cation to encourage people to roll up their sleeves and get the shot. She said the county could opt to put up billboards and posters, but most are implementing gift cards, drawings and scholarships. Rausch said a resident won a YETI cooler fi lled with picnic and outdoor supplies at last month’s vaccine event. She said the county would raffl e another YETI Hopper Flip at a future vaccine event. Sponsor: Shawna Clark, DNP, FNP S246267-1 541-575-1263 Accepting new Patients! Go to: www.canyoncreekclinic.com S247922-1 235 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, Oregon 97845 S235004-1 STRUCTION, LL N O C C AW Featuring: TOM CHRISTENSEN CHRISTENSEN TOM CONSTRUCTION Debbie Ausmus 245 South Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845 OPEN WED. & THUR. 9 am - 5 pm (541) 410-0557 • (541) 575-0192 CCB# 106077 • • • • • 541-575-1113 24 hrs/7 days wk REMODELS • NEW CONSTRUCTION • POLE BUILDINGS CONCRETE EXCAVATION • SHEET ROCK • SIDING ROOFING • FENCES • DECKS • TELESCOPING FORKLIFT SERVICES debbie.ausmus@ countryfinancial.com S246270-1 S246271-1 Roofing • General Construction Remodeling Fences Decks Storage Sheds 541-910-6609 Andy Wolfer and Much More! S246272-1 CCB#186113 Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator 137 E. Main St., John Day • 541-575-1637 877-557-1912 Weddings & Special Occasions Rentals FREE Tuxedo’s • Vests • Shoes • Accessories S247943-1 S246280-1 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! Mon-Fri 9am-6pm • Sat 9am-5pm 234 NW Front St., Prairie City • 541-820-3675 BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND A Smarter Way to Power Your Home. CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE R GU 2 15 % & 10 % RD TH GU TE 1 ’S T N E EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! NATIO A OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE * FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET! 1 Promo Code: 285 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! 1 Subject to credit approval. Call for details. CALL US TODAY FOR ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A FREE ESTIMATE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!* + 5 % OFF OFF SENIORS & MILITARY! S249010-1 Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. S249009-1 One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms No more tanks to refi ll. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances! Reclaim Your Freedom And Independence NOW! YEAR-ROUND! LIFETIME WARRANTY 1-855-536-8838 For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Off er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac- tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suff olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114 S249011-1 *Off er value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately. Limited Time Off er - Call for Details WE INSTALL TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS ONLY! ** Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST (844) 989-2328 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Call Inogen Today To Request Your FREE Info Kit 1-855-839-0752 S249012-1 © 2020 Inogen, Inc. All rights reserved. MKT-P0108