SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022
Brookings, Oregon
Commissioners wade into library debate By BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
A resolution on the Curry County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda on Wednesday, July 20, had members of the public showing extreme support and extreme opposition. The resolution was brought up by Commissioner Court Boice requesting that the five Curry County public libraries take precautionary measures to guard youth from premature exposure to sexual material. Members of public addressed the commissioners prior to their discussion of the resolution. Some expressed concern that local libraries were giving children access to inappropriate material, labeling it “cartoon pornography,” “perverted garbage,” and an “illustrated sex book.” Other community members
told county commissioners they should be careful about censorship - and that they were trying to make decisions about something that is not within their control. “I am strongly opposed to our county government becoming involved with determining the content for our children,” said Gold Beach resident Michelle Arnold. “It’s easy and dangerous to confuse government’s responsibilities to children - and those responsibilities of the parents. They are very separate roles.” Commissioner Boice later said he received letters from community members telling him to “stay in your lane.” “Are we just glorified ribbon cutters?” he asked. Boice said he thought the resolution was a “reasonable Please see DEBATE Page A4
Salmon Run Women's League Golf Fundraiser By BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
The Salmon Run Women’s Golf League raised $2,500 for Oasis Advocacy and Women’s Shelter through proceeds from their annual fundraising golf tournament on July 21 and 22 at the Salmon Run Golf Course in Brookings. Women’s league organizers said they chose Oasis to receive the funds because they are women who support women. “The Salmon Run ladies club worked really hard to raise money for them and the businesses in Brookings have given so much,” said Salmon Run Women’s League tournament chair Sue Ryan. Photo by Breeana Laughlin - The Pilot
Members of the Salmon Run Women’s League and club manager present a check to the staff of Oasis Advocacy and Shelter during their annual fundraising golf tournament on July 22.
COVID steadies, remains high By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot
COVID-19 may be a distant memory to many, but in Oregon it remains a danger. According to the Oregon Health Authority, 21 counties in the state are in the high-transmission level as the Omicron subvariant BA5 becomes the dominant variant in the state. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state epidemiologist, hosted a press briefing Wednesday. He said case counts have leveled to around 1,400 confirmed cases a day, while test positivity rates have climbed to 13.9%. "We know our reported cases are not capturing the full picture because many people are taking at-home tests and not reporting the results and many others are not testing," Sidelinger said. "Data in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest region indicates there are high levels of transmissions. On July 19, the CDC indicated 21 counties in Oregon are at the CDC high transmission level, indicating high levels of COVID-19 and increased stress on hospitals." Sidelinger said the Omicron subvariants BA4 and BA5 account for almost all the transmission in the state, with BA5 becoming the dominant strain While testing is not accurately tracking COVID due to a lack of reporting, Sidelinger said OHA is continuing to work
with OHSU to do wastewater sampling across the state to get a better picture of COVID in Oregon. "OHA monitors the spread of the virus from samplings collected through the sewage systems," Sidelinger said. "Wastewater monitoring shows high levels of COVID-19 in our communities statewide." Another area of concern is increased hospitalizations, Sidelinger said, although cases are nowhere near during the peak of Delta or Omicron. "The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has risen," Sidelinger said. "Hospitals are stressed across the state due to patients with COVID-19 and other diseases. Since our June 17 update, hospitalizations for COVID 19 have gradually risen for 309 patients reported June 17 to 419 reported today." During the peak of Delta and Omicron, more than 1,200 patients a day were in the hospital due to COVID. "While we're projecting there is enough hospital beds available across the state, collective efforts taken by all of us will continue to blunt the spread of COVID-19, and they are important," Sidelinger said. Those steps included getting vaccinated, wearing masks in crowded facilities indoors and staying home when sick. On the vaccine front, a new vaccine will soon be available
Commissioners work to update dangerous dogs ordinance By BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
in Oregon, Sidelinger said. The CDC recently approved the Novavax vaccine for use in the United States. The two-dose vaccine is different than any other currently available for COVID. It is not the MRNA vaccine like Pfizer and Moderna and not the vectra vaccine like Johnson and Johnson. Instead, Novavax uses the traditional system where a portion of the actual virus is used to help the body build up immunity. The technology is used in most vaccines worldwide. Early testing before Omicron showed in was 90% effective in stopping transmission and 100% effective in preventing severe illness. Sidelinger said it will be arriving in the state soon. He also said while vaccines have not stopped all prevention of COVID, they remain the best tool in preventing hospitalizations and deaths.
"I want to thank the nearly 7 in 10 Oregonians who have completed the vaccination series," Sidelinger said. "For those who have not gotten up to date on their vaccines, it is still the best tool." With summer quickly coming to a close, Sidelinger said masking decisions in schools will likely remain a local decision. He said the OHA recommends a layered strategy with things like increased ventilation also recommended. "Masking still remains a critically important point," Sidelinger said. "OHA recommends universal masking at a time when the community reaches a high level of spread. For now, we're leaving the requirements of masks to local authorities. I don't anticipate in the fall, a requirement of masks at the state level."
Curry County Commissioners are working with local public health and law enforcement officers to update their dangerous animal regulations. “This is timely and it’s important and we feel like the county has an important role,” said Commissioner Court Boice at the board meeting July 20. The commissioners heard from Dr. Ann Kellogg of Coast Community Health and with Curry County code enforcement Director Melvin Trover. Kellogg has experience with victims of dog bites who have been hospitalized, while Trover has dealt with dangerous dogs and their owners. “We need to shore up these regulations, not only for the citizens of Curry County but also to protect against the risk of litigation,” Kellogg suggested. Kellogg said she has dealt with victims who know the dogs have bitten other people, but it may or may not have been documented. “During the last couple months, we have had a rash of animal bites where these dogs are offending more than once sometimes causing pretty significant injuries,” Kellogg said. The doctor reported that a Please see ORDINANCE Page A3
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