Vaccination
As the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season gets under way, statewide infectious disease experts urge everyone in Oregon to Risk Less. Do More. in alignment with a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) national vaccination campaign. Melissa Sutton, M.D., Oregon Health Authority (OHA) medical director for respiratory viral pathogens says immunizations act as our best defense against severe disease which can affect anyone. Dr. willie Foster with Peace Harbor Medical Center says people with certain conditions are at a greater risk if left unvaccinated.
“lung Conditions, asthma, COPD, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, obesity is considered a risk factor if you look at who is considered high risk.”
Foster also included Heart conditions. The Oregon Health Authority is also recommending COVID shot for the public. Another climbing statistic is the presence of Measles. 31 cases were reported this past year. The CDC reports that thousands of unvaccinated individuals die each year from flu, RSV and COVID. The OHA has set up a website to help individuals find vaccine clinic at vaccinefinder.org.
Information Requests
A new, online public records request system is available for people seeking records from Lane County. The new system allows anyone to request public records and provides a simple way to receive updates and messages regarding their request. To start a new request, people are asked to describe what they’re looking for in as much detail as possible and provide their contact information. The request can then be easily assigned to the county employees who can help determine if Lane County has the requested records and where they are kept. Updates and clarifying questions can be sent to the requestor and, ultimately, any responsive records can be made available for download. Previously, Lane County’s system was almost entirely manual and required people to download and fill out a PDF form. Requestors also received fewer updates during the process and were not able to track their request online. The new system will also provide better data about the number and type of requests made, how long it took to fulfill those requests, and where there are opportunities to continue making the process more efficient. Lane County expects to further improve the system by allowing online payment in the future for records that take a significant amount of time to review and assemble.
Library Events
Over four dates this fall the Siuslaw Public Library will be holding special cultural events surrounding the Indigenous community. The events are from the Singing Creek Educational Center. The programs are designed for children 6-10 years old but are open to all. The first is a video entitled Let’s go Eeeling. With a story book that explains the art of catching eels. Participants will also make a basket to take home. That event is coming up on October 4th in the Bromley room of the Library. There are three more events on October 18th, November 1st and November 8th. contact Siuslaw Public Library for more information.