Vaccination is the Key
Since the beginning of the pandemic the area around Florence has 322 cases of the coronavirus. 20% of those cases have been in the last two weeks according to numbers compiled by Lane County Public Health. The largest condensed number of any two week period since March of 2020. The numbers are surprising since Florence has faired well in vaccinations, but according to Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health in order to be more protected more individuals will have to get vaccinated. A sentiment that was repeated by a recent conversation with Congressman Peter DeFazio.
“People need to get vaccinated. They need to get vaccinated because they are going to breed an epsilon or an echo or something else, a new variant that may even be more of a breakthrough.”
DeFazio says there is also concern regarding the states rules against mandatory vaccinations for those in the health care profession.
“Oregon is the only state in the union which prevents the state agency from mandating vaccines for workers.”
He says the law has been in place in oregon since 1989.
Art For the Heart Update
Last Friday the Art for the Heart walk on Bay Street was held and according to one of the organizers, Heather Quaas-ansa with the Peace Harbor foundation says it was well attended.
“The event went fantastic. Honestly, it did exactly what I was hoping in terms of engaging the community getting people to walk and exercise.”
She says the online auction was also successful with over $5,000 dollars raised so far. And there is still time for people to bid on items.
“The Auction runs through Sunday august 1st in ends at 11:59 pm.”
Auction Items can be seen at by following the links at peacehealth.org/foundation/peace-harbor. or visit https://phhfheart21.ggo.bid/
Group Pulls Out of Development Deal
The Sycan B. Corp who had previously entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Florence Urban Renewal agency for the property located across from the Florence Events Center has given notice that it will not be pursuing development of the land. On January 13 of this year FURA authorized the use of $44,000 to do several surveys including an ALTA survey, a geotechnical survey and a hotel market feasibility analysis. Since the Sycan B. Corp is not pursuing development the surveys and analysis will remain property of FURA which they will use for future development of the property. The FURA board has decided to continue to receive unsolicited proposals for development at least until August 31st.
Governor Mandates Masks for Schools
Governor Brown has directed the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education to create rules that would require k-12 students statewide to wear masks. Brown says it is critical for schools returning to full-time in-person learning this fall. The rules would follow the CDC guidelines and be for the indoors according to a release from Oregon.gov. Students are more vulnerable in part because of the age restrictions of vaccines. Governor Brown is concerned with the increasing numbers of COVID-19 with a 53% increase of cases from last week. Positive test percentages rose to 5% and there were 1,026 cases reported yesterday. 93 in Lane County.
