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Health officials on the Peninsula acknowledge that misinformation about the wearing of masks during the coronavirus pandemic has not been helpful in controlling the spread of the virus. 

To wear a mask or not to wear a mask in order to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus has become something of a political statement for a number of people rather than a public health or safety statement.  Olympic Peninsula Health Officers in both Jefferson and Clallam Counties acknowledge that pockets of resistance that continue to claim the pandemic is a hoax or wearing masks are an infringement on personal rights are a significant distraction.   Clallam Health Officer Dr. Allison Unthank addressed the issue at last week’s COVID-19 briefing:

UNTHANK:  “It’s a challenge to deal with misinformation. In public health we’ve been dealing with misinformation in a variety of forms for quite some time. But certainly with COVID-19 it’s been a big challenge. You know there are political figures that are spreading misinformation and that makes it really hard. I think one of the ways I’m hoping to deal with it is to have the message coming from more and diverse voices. I know some people think this is a Democrat or a Republican issue, and it is not.  It’s an everybody issue.  And so I think the more we hear that we hear it from different people – we can hear it from Democrats and Republicans and Libertarians and everybody saying  'Hey, I don’t want to die of this virus, and I don’t want my grandma to and I want my business open.' And sharing that message and following the guidelines is how we get that to happen. The more we get that from different people and I think that will help. And so that’s part of why I’m putting out that call – spread the word. Especially if you hang out with folks who might be in that group who doesn’t think this is real, engage in those tough conversations.”

Dr. Unthank says her preference is to convince people to do the right thing. If we can’t, she says the only other option available is to use blunt instruments like closing things down again – something they will do it if they have to.  

Now, grab a mask and please watch the video below.

The Sequim City Council voted to amend the city code during a special meeting Saturday night to allow hearing examiners to hear appeals to the issuance of certain building permits. Saturday’s special meeting came after land use hearing examiner Phil Olbrechts concluded he did not have jurisdiction over the process to hear 6 appeals to permit applications to build a medication assisted treatment facility, or MAT clinic, in Sequim.   Olbrechts cancelled a three day hearing that had been set to begin today because of issues with the city’s municipal code. He said it had conflicting language that barred him from going forward. The Council was presented with two choices to modify the city’s code. One was an emergency ordinance that would go into effect immediately, or a standard ordinance which would go into effect 5 days after publication in the newspaper.  City staff recommended the emergency ordinance before a hearing examiner’s decision was made which was expected at any time. City Attorney Kristina Nelson-Gross told councilors once the order comes from the examiner it would be too late for them to change the process.

During debate over the proposed changes, Deputy Mayor Tom Ferrell said it was a curve ball for him when he learned of the jurisdictional issue.

FERRELL:  “I still think right now the examiner is the best way to continue. I think that there’s a lot of bias and anger and such throughout this community and I think this is the most efficient way. I also think it’s important to not forget the applicant. I mean we have a responsibility to basically continue a due process. They have a right to get a decision on this in a reasonable amount of time. So I don’t want to use this curve ball as an opportunity to bring this back to the council. Because my assumption is that the examiner would handle it.”

The council voted to approve the standard ordinance.  

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

(Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 and performed below by Lucy Monroe in 1941)

During last week’s Sequim School Board meeting, directors and staff reviewed plans for reopening instruction next month amid uncertainties and concerns about the status of the virus.  Meeting remotely over the internet, they heard from two teachers who had submitted written comments during the public comment period, urging caution. School Board President Brandino Gibson read this comment from teacher Carol Harms.

GIBSON:  “Over one half of the teachers who responded to the Sequim Education Association survey preferred remote start over an in-school start. We know that under normal circumstances that every teacher would prefer to be in the classroom.  This indicates a serious concern among school staff regarding safety, and should be a series consideration to the school board.”

Sequim Middle School teacher Susan Dwyer, submitted these comments:

DWYER:  “The only way to guarantee student and staff safety is to be completely remote until the 5 criteria set by Superintendent Reykdal are achieved. Even one preventable death is a travesty and any COVID related complications would be asking too much of our community. It will be inconvenient. It will be difficult.  It will be tiresome. But it will be safety. I’ve taught for 34 years, 14 of those with the Sequim School District and I ask you to follow the well thought out criteria set by our state superintendent and keep our students and staff safe.”

Sequim Superintendent Dr. Rob Clark says the issue that scares him is Labor Day weekend.

CLARK:  “If you look around the country, when the spikes have come they’ve all – many of them – I don’t know about all of them. But many of them have happened after two weeks after the holiday. Memorial weekend. Fourth of July. We have Labor Day coming up here in approximately four weeks.”

The Board is scheduled to take a final vote on a reopening plan on August 17th.  Reopening options are posted on the Sequim School District website.

Two more positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Clallam County yesterday, bringing to 104 the number since March in the county. The newest cases are believed to have been contracted from family and friends from both in-county and out-of county sources. 

Even with the new cases, County Health Officer Dr. Allison Unthank says overall case rates seem to be moving toward a plateau. Clallam is about 30 cases per 100,000 people for the past two weeks.  She told the PDN “That’s good news.  We’re not continuing to skyrocket upwards. The next step is to actually turn those cases back downwards.”

I'll give it a 95.  It's got a great beat, and it is very easy to dance to.

In fact, if you are in the gunsights of a P-47, you literally MUST dance to it!

On Friday, May 8th, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of V-E Day!

That was the final Victory over the Nazi rule of Europe.

And yes,...we did it!

VERY talented duo!

They sing.

They dance.

They play the Ukulele and eat fresh pineapple!

Is there just no end to their entertainment value?

See below for a snippet of their hoofing-ability.

And much thanks to Dorothy for providing the guffaws!

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