Record Setting Day for COVID-19
The Florence community is still adding cases of COVID-19. There were two more cases added to the list yesterday bringing the case total since the start of the pandemic to 360. Lane County added 210. The state reported the highest number of cases in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic with 2,387. Three times this week the state has surpassed previous record days. The growing numbers prompted the governor to issue mandated mask wearing for indoor settings including retail and restaurants, with the Delta variant now being the predominant strain of COVID-19. Dr. Heather McArthur, chief Medical Officer with Peace Harbor told Coast Radio News that testing has shown that 75% of tests that were also sampled for variants were 100% Delta. Current studies, according to McArthur are showing that the Delta Variant is 1,000 times more infectious than the initial strain of the coronavirus.
Vax Clinic in Mapleton
On Thursday August 19th the Mapleton Community will be having a vaccination clinic for individuals 12 and older. The event is put on by LaneCounty and will be from 10am until noon. Appointments are suggested for the clinic, but Walkins are welcome. The clinic will be held at the Mapleton High School and is cosponsored by the Mapleton School District. For more information or to set an appointment you can visit lanecounty.org/vaxclinics.
Anderson Visits Coast
State Senator Dick Anderson says he is working hard for the coast in his first year representing it. Anderson says while it has been difficult he has been able to secure some important posts including seats on Housing and Mental health which he says are critical roles to play.
“And if I can help solve the housing issue, help solve some of the and get resources on the Mental Illness, behavioral science we will be better off as a coastal area.”
Anderson is part of a coastal caucus made up of 5 republicans and 2 democrats that are working for issues that affect the coastal communities.
“The more I can align myself with different groups with commonality concerns you benefit because then you are not just a lone voice or a lone vote.”
Anderson has been making his way along the coast speaking with city officials and local Chambers of Commerce speaking about and listening to concerns. He says his tenure as the Mayor of Lincoln City gives him a great perspective of the needs on the coast and how rural areas are affected by rules written predominantly by the more populace urban areas.
ODE to Hold Town Hall on Masking
On Tuesday the Oregon Department of Education along with the Oregon health Authority are hosting a Facebook Love Townhall forum to discus the K-12 masking requirements that will be enacted for the upcoming school year. Individuals can access the town hall through the Oregon Department of Education Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1498748140459129/
Air Quality
There is still an air quality in alert for the Florence and Mapleton area with conditions expecting to get better through the day today and while temperatures are expected to be more mild today in Mapleton, the excessive heat warning remains in effect until Saturday. With high temperatures in the upper 80’s expected for Mapleton and highs in the upper 90’s in the valley.
