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Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 2

Feeding the flock:

‘Mama Sharon’ takes pride in her work

AMY MOSS STRONG The World

BANDON — Don’t call her the lunch lady.

For Bandon School District Food Services Supervisor Sharon Haga, it’s more than just lunches.

Haga has been nourishing Bandon students for 32 years with food, a little bit of sass and a lot of love. They don’t call her “Mama Sharon” for nothing. And years later, students still remember her madefrom-scratch pizza, macaroni and cheese, enchiladas, cookies and cream puffs, along with her smiling face and can-do attitude.

Mama Sharon takes no guff, but will drop a tray of homemade maple bars in a nanosecond to help a child in need.

This spring was especially difficult making arrangements to feed students who were sheltering at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But everresourceful, Haga, working long hours, has located supplies and re-purposed the cafeteria to pack both breakfasts and lunches each day to be picked up as “grab and go” by families or delivered to homes by the school’s transportation department.

Bus drivers with school aides each deliver meals and homework along the district’s

five bus routes.

Haga and her staff of six have been packing between 450-500 meals each day to help feed the district’s 655 students, including breakfasts and lunches. Then they bake and prep food for the following day, then clean and sanitize every area they’ve worked in.

The day doesn’t end there for Haga.

Due to the pandemic and temporary closure of many businesses, it’s been hard to find ingredients and necessary supplies to prepare the usual menu. Lunch bags, for example, have been hard to get from the district’s regular supplier, so she’s gone to Coos Bay to purchase them. One delivery came with 32 of the 56 items she ordered.

Due to shortages of certain foods, Haga has had to order three weeks in advance.

She’s also spent hours sourcing additional cleaning and packing supplies for the district.

“A lot of school districts are having a hard time finding certain items,” Haga said. “But I’m still keeping a traditional lunch with no waivers.”

Waivers are when certain items can’t be found to make the meal reimburseable by the state. All of Bandon’s to-go meals are offered with a protein, fruits and vegetables and milk.

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Amy Moss Strong, The World

Bandon School District Food Services Supervisor Sharon Haga, left, and food services assistant Debbie Crabtree fill lunch bags for distribution to students, a daily task during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Amy Moss Strong, The World

Bandon School District Food Services Supervisor Sharon Haga in the cafeteria.

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those extra groceries herself.

“We have families with huge food insecurities, so my ‘food angel’ (shhh, it’s her husband, Jeff) helps me send home eggs, bread, peanut butter and fruit,” she said. “I’m hearing about people moving in with other people. I’m getting phone calls at 9:30 p.m. asking for a meal because they went shopping and their food is already almost gone.

“That’s what we’re here for. It doesn’t matter if you’re on reduced or free meals because the family dynamics have changed so much with the loss of jobs. People are just trying to figure out how to feed their family.”

Haga has not only prepared hundreds of thousands, probably millions of breakfasts and lunches and catered many other meals, she also coached track for 19 years, cheerleading for 13, dance team for four and assisted with eighth-grade basketball for three years, on top of raising two sons and helping manage the family’s cranberry farm. She’s also helped set up and stock the cafeteria to be certified as a Red Cross evacuation shelter.

“I think my favorite thing about my job is every day I come to work and no two days are the same, ever,” she said. “And if you give me a challenge — a fire, bomb threat, power outage or whatever — I spring into action and can always think ahead.”

This summer, she and her staff will once again be serving summer meals at the Bandon City Park playground parking lot from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday for children 0-18 from July 1 to Aug. 14.

“We are blessed to have her on board,” said Bandon Schools Superintendent Doug Ardiana. “She deeply cares and is committed to our students and community.

I can’t say enough about how fortunate we are to have Sharon.”

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 3

By 11:30 a.m., meals are ready to be delivered or picked up. The “grab and go” meals are set up outside the cafeteria for this cheerful time of day, when food service staff can see some of the faces they miss now that the district has implemented online learning until the end of the school year.

“Some of our parents do it just to get out of the house,” Haga laughed. “They tell me, ‘Sharon, you’re a godsend.’ Some take the kids to the beach to eat their lunches.

One lady comes through and picks up for four families with three-to-four kids each.”

Haga said people are appreciative of their efforts.

“I almost leave in tears a lot because of the messages on my answering machine or parents I deal with for special food needs,” she said. “People are always so kind.

We’ve gotten flowers and thank-you cards and tomato plants and Bandon Baking Co. cookies.”

Haga is passionate about setting a high standard with her staff with washing, bleaching and sanitizing every working surface, door knob and handle before they leave and when they return.

“I don’t know who’s been here between the time I leave and come back,” she said.

She’s been varying the menu as usual, but has been challenged with what can be packed as to-go meals. Recently, she tried a new lunch item and hopes it was enjoyed: A Chicken Bowl, which consists of mashed potatoes, topped with corn and a hearty chicken gravy.

Unlike many school districts, Haga has always made much of her food from scratch, which has also made her popular for catering school fundraising meals, something she donates her time to do.

Haga also perceptively notes when a family is in need. She connects them with resources and many times has provided

Amy Moss Strong Photos, The World

Wailani Reep, left, and Heather Hartwell package fruits and vegetables for bagged breakfasts and lunches that are handed out or delivered each weekday to students in the Bandon School District.

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Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 4

Zach Silva, The World

Christa Gibson, an employee at McKay’s in Coos Bay, has been an essential worker over the last two months.

Grocery employees feel valued during pandemic ZACH SILVA The World

COOS BAY — The slogan hanging by the McKay’s Market sign has never been more fitting: essential everyday.

While that particular sign has been up for a long time at the local grocery store, it has taken on new meaning during a global pandemic. As everyday life around the country and state were drastically altered, grocery store employees were more important than ever.

“It’s been a little bit hectic for us but we’ve been able to manage. It, in a way, made us come together as a team and just to understand that it’s mostly about giving to our community, being there for our community. Rather than just worrying about just ourselves as a whole,” said Christa Gibson, a manager at McKay’s in Coos Bay.

Like most stores, McKay’s looks a little different than it did three months ago.

There are now marks on the ground showing customers where to stand; plexiglass between checkers and customers; employees ensure carts and other surfaces are sanitized; all employees are wearing gloves and masks; there is a hand sanitizer station at the entrance and exit.

But as much as the store has changed, so to have the attitudes of many shoppers.

“When I first started it was more like disrespectful customers, customers didn’t care, didn’t treat you like a human being.

Now, they treat us like we’re heroes in a way,” said Gibson. “It’s kind of a weird thing to me but it’s been really nice to be respected. Once they realized that they actually have to have us, you know for the world to keep moving along and to keep running, we’re more than just

people that work in a grocery store.”

Store manager Chris Bemetz has seen a similar reaction to those who come in and shop.

“People appreciate us now. Before we were like, oh, whatever. You’re whatever,” he said. “Firefighters and police officers, I’ve always put them up there as first responders they put their lives at risk. And now it’s like, we’re kind of being roped into that, too. It’s like, really? Really? Are you serious? Yeah, it’s nice to be appreciated but it’s really stressful.”

One stressor for Bemetz has been going home to his family each night. Now his routine includes going home, putting his work clothes in the laundry before immediately taking a shower. With all employees facing similar burdens, McKay’s has given workers a $2 per hour raise.

“My employees have all been good.

They’ve jumped in, if there are extra hours they’re doing it and putting in the effort. I commend them. They’ve stepped up and they’ve met the call, they really have,” said Bemetz. “They want to make sure the community is taken care of, they’re safe and they’re getting their products that they need to eat.”

For Gibson, one stressful element of this all is that she has asthma. Because of this, her mom encouraged her to stay home from work but she insisted on putting herself at potential risk by continuing to work.

“Doing something that I love for my community and something that drives me to work hard everyday, it doesn’t matter what obstacles, even disease obstacles, that I have to jump to get there. I have to be there for my workers, for my team, for my boss,” she said.

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 5

‘Proud to be a nurse’ JILLIAN WARD The World

Erin Deere is working as a registered nurse at North Bend Medical Center during the ongoing health crisis.

Jillian Ward, The World

people were educated on how to keep healthy.

Initially, before Deere moved to urgent care, she saw families nervous to come in or go out in public. But “the best thing for that is to educate people … which empowers them and makes them feel better about what’s going on. Education is important when working with the public and as we’ve gone forward, they seem more confident in how to proceed safely.”

From her perspective, she sees the pandemic-related restrictions as having made a difference.

“People are trying to be responsible and do the right thing,” she said. “For the most part, I believe people are trying to do the right thing, but you have to move forward.”

She cautioned the public as restrictions are starting to be lifted that they remain diligent.

“I worry we might get too relaxed as time goes on,” she said, reminding people to continue to be careful and wash their hands while being careful around infants and the elderly.

Meanwhile, for her as an essential worker, “At the end of the day, you feel good and know that what you do makes a difference in people’s lives.”

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COOS BAY — When nations across the globe were warned that the novel coronavirus was coming, one registered nurse at North Bend Medical Center felt the same fear as everyone else.

“I was scared — not going to lie,” said Erin Deere. “Healthcare workers are at a higher risk and have families to go home to. But when you go into this field, people understand the risk we take. … And at first it was scary, but I’m very proud to be a nurse.”

As the COVID-19 nightmare gripped the country, healthcare workers rose to the frontlines. Deere explained that people go into the medical field to help people and as time went on, she became more confident.

“You learn about (this situation), prepare for it, so we knew what we had to do,” she said, looking back on when she and her colleagues at North Bend Medical Center were still bracing for the disease. “We had to take the knowledge and apply it to keep staff safe and healthy while protecting public health as well.”

Deere, a nursing graduate from Southwestern Oregon Community College, she started out in the medical field at an animal hospital before going on to work in pediatrics. Now, she works in urgent care where she sees a spectrum of different age groups. The switch from pediatrics to urgent care was, in part, due to the pandemic.

To cope with the stress of the job, especially during a health crisis, Deere pointed to one of the basic lessons in nursing school: taking care of yourself first.

“They teach in nursing school to take care of yourself so you have the energy to take care of other people,” she said. “It’s important to balance your work and personal life, make sure you get lots of water and sleep.”

As she maintained her routine as best she could, North Bend Medical Center was working to find a way to keep its staff and the public safe before an outbreak came to the area. Deere said the center was making sure staff had the right personal protection equipment and that

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Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 6

The members of Charleston Fire & Rescue want to say a big

THANK YOU

to the essential workers

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We also want to say a special thank you to those staying home and staying safe during this difficult time.

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Caregiver wears many hats during pandemic Amanda Linares The World

COOS BAY — As a caregiver, a hair stylist, a family member and a friend — Maple Nottle has worn many hats for the past several weeks as she carries out her duties as an essential worker at Ocean Ridge Assisted Living.

Nottle, a caregiver for about 15 years, has been at Ocean Ridge for nearly three years. She said she’s happy to be able to provide extra services to the residents she cares for on a daily basis.

With the facility implementing a number of visitation restrictions and other limiting practices to stop and slow down the spread of COVID-19, Nottle has stepped up her duties to care for the residents during the pandemic.

“I like helping people. I like talking to people and lifting their spirits,” said Nottle. “It’s tough times, but we can get through this together.”

Since the COVID-19 virus broke out locally, Nottle, along with many of her other coworkers, have increased their workload and hours to help keep the facility’s residents safe and healthy.

The team, she said, has also expanded their entertainment activities and services to keep people engaged and entertained.

Nottle, who has recently developed a great reputation for her hair styling skills at Ocean Ridge, said she will often wash and curl the hair of the women she cares for as a way to keep their minds off the ongoing pandemic.

An act of kindness, Nottle said it’s been great to be able to give the residents a little extra love and care as some of them don’t understand the COVID-19 limits and why they can’t see their families.

“It’s a small thing, but small things can lead to big things,” she said. “I think it keeps them going, it keeps them smiling and it keeps them positive.”

Taking pride in her work, Nottle said she and others have increased their cleanliness practices and sanitation methods to ensure the facility is clean and sanitized.

Nottle also said she’s increased the amount of times she checks in on residents

Contributed Photo

Maple Nottle, a caregiver at Ocean Ridge Assisted Living, has kept residents happy and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. in their rooms, most of which are selfisolating, to make sure they’re doing okay.

“We are family,” she said. “We keep a lot of positivity here and we do a lot of activities. We talk to them, we listen to them and we constantly let them know how loved they are.”

As a caregiver and an essential worker, Nottle said while the job can be hard it can also be very rewarding. The long hours and the constant PPE wearing is worth it, she said, once she sees residents smiling and enjoying themselves.

“Give somebody a kind word or nothing,” said Nottle. “Give something small, if you can, to lift somebody’s spirt each day you see them. Again, it’s the small things that can lead to bigger things.”

JILLIAN WARD The World

COOS BAY — “I think for a while this will be our new normal … it has to be,” said Sherree Wismer, a registered nurse in Bay Area Hospital’s Emergency Department, about how life has changed since COVID-19 came on scene.

When Wismer first heard about the devastation of the pandemic, she was overwhelmed with the idea that Coos County might have to wrestle with the virus.

“We’re a rural hospital,” she said, highlighting the fact that BAH is the biggest hospital for 150 miles.

Not only did that make her nervous, but being pregnant as a frontline worker made things even more difficult. She pointed out that being pregnant meant she was more susceptible to the flu and other viruses as her immune system went to her child as it developed.

“I’ve been really supported by all of my staff,” she said.

Emergency Department nurse Rebecca Hoffman echoed the stress felt as news of COVID-19 spread, stating that “we felt we weren’t prepared for something that big.”

Hoffman and her husband — who works as a paramedic — made a plan on how to prevent carrying anything home with them. To protect their children and home, they made a routine of changing clothes when they got to the house, sanitizing handles, and increased handwashing.

At the hospital, Wismer said that the administration also kept staff informed as details of the new virus change or emerge.

With a COVID-19 newsletter, BAH continuously keeps employees informed on inpatient and outpatient practices, how many COVID-19 tests are being ran and the results, as well as resources for mental and emotional health.

World File Photo

Bay Area Hospital is the largest hospital on the Oregon Coast.

“A lot of people are in a financial crisis at this time, so there were people we could contact for emotional support,” Wismer said.

Some of the restrictions regarding visitors have been hard on patients too, something Hoffman has seen. Though she said many have been understanding of these restrictions, others still struggle.

“A lady with cancer was very emotional because she couldn’t have her husband with her,” Hoffman said. “She was understanding, but it was hard for her.”

To keep themselves and patients safe, she and her colleagues followed recommended protocol such as wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining

social distancing. They also wore personal protective equipment, even though the hospital had short supply at the start of the pandemic. Now, however, Wismer said BAH now has a full PPE supply “which is reassuring.”

In addition, she said, the hospital provided face shields, goggles and gowns while community members donated handmade masks and “we’re grateful for that.”

“A lot of people in the community have brought us food, too,” she said.

Having moved to the area from Phoenix, Ariz. eight years ago, Wismer appreciates being able to see how a small

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community supports itself by helping each other through this difficult time.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see,” she said.

As for the reduced visitors at the hospital, and being surrounded by people in masks, Wismer expects some of these changes to continue.

“We’ve been lucky in Coos County,” she acknowledged, but added, “A lot of us are fearing the summer because we are a tourist area. At this point, I think it’s wise to do what we’re doing now and keep it that way until we have research and data. … There’s a lot of people who just want (COVID-19) to go away, but it’s not. Be vigilant.”

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 7

BAH nurses reflect on early days of pandemic

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 8

McNeely leads Southern Coos preparations AMY MOSS STRONG The World

BANDON — Early in March, as the full extent of the COVID-19 crisis was just becoming clear, Victoria McNeely knew this was a moment that she had been training for her entire career.

As the Risk & Quality Manager at Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center, McNeely’s days are usually composed of reviewing Victoria McNeely charts, developing improvement methodology and offering guidance to nursing staff and doctors on risk mitigation.

“As soon as COVID-19 cases started spiking in hot spots like Seattle and New York, I knew that we needed to be prepared for COVID in our community,” remembers McNeely. “Even as a rural,

geographically isolated community, Bandon has a high population of elderly people and retirees who are particularly susceptible to the coronavirus.”

With the blessing of the hospital’s administration, McNeely immediately organized a multi-disciplinary team of nursing staff, providers and hospital leadership into an incident command response team.

This team is composed of Eugene Suksi, CEO, Incident Commander; Dr. Douglas Crane, MD, Incident Medical Officer; Medical Communications Officer, Victoria Schmelzer, CRNA; Scott McEachern, CIO, Public Information Officer; Debi Ellis, CNO, Operations Section Chief; Dennis Jurgenson, Logistics Section Chief; Jason Cook, Safety Officer; and Victoria McNeely, Liaison Officer.

The initial decision to be made amongst the response team was whether or not to erect the hospital’s disaster tent.

“At that time, we knew that COVID-19 was going to be a major threat because of health care experts saying a vaccine was months — if not years — away from distribution, unclear treatment protocols,

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On Friday, March 20, the hospital’s engineering staff put up its critical event tent near the Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center Emergency Department doors in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the tents have thankfully yet to be used, the coordinated effort of preparing for the pandemic by hospital staff was a valuable exercise. and because the virus adversely affected people with underlying medical conditions.

We needed to be prepared,” said McNeely.

“That’s why we chose to put up the disaster tent and begin preparing rapidly — to make sure that we didn’t lag behind in preparing for this crisis.”

After putting up the disaster tent, preparations quickly went into overdrive.

The incident response team began meeting every morning to go over the details of preparing for the unprecedented pandemic.

Every day, McNeely led the meeting and coordinated SCHHC’s overall plan of response, serving as a liaison between SCHHC, medical staff, public health and regional medical facilities. In short measure, McNeely and the incident command response team built a comprehensive response: • Developed and implemented pathways of care and algorithms for nursing staff to follow • Established screening sites at all points of entry to Southern Coos Hospital and the Multi-Specialty Clinic • Identified Alternative Care Sites, in coordination with local churches and the city of Bandon • Sent out regular medical staff updates and solicited input from local and statewide experts • Monitored and helped procure personal protective equipment (PPE) McNeely also serves a SCHHC’s liaison to the regional incident command team

which is made up of representatives from several local hospitals and medical facilities.

The hospital is also extensively training and drilling staff on infection prevention and key care practices.

“The safety of our staff and community is paramount,” said McNeely. “That is why we have trained our staff extensively.

Even if we never have to use the training, it’s better to be over-prepared than not prepared at all.”

McNeely has worked in a number of critical access hospitals across the Pacific Northwest in risk/quality roles that included emergency preparedness. She has learned her role largely through experience and a keen attention to the details of emergency plans. She has also taken FEMA trainings, among many others.

Victoria lives in the region and is married to Reed McNeely, who is in leadership at McKay’s Market.

“My passion is for improving the health of our small communities and extending healthcare to everyone, whether that’s through population health, offering better systems to access advanced directive information, or through increasing preparedness about critical health issues like COVID,” states McNeely.

More information about Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center’s COVID-19 response and timeline for recovery may be found at southerncoos.org/covid19.

Amanda Linares Photos, The World

Volunteers prepare for a food giveaway at The Bear Cupboard Food Pantry in Coquille. Kathleen Porter, the food pantry’s director, said the food bank feeds about 50 families a week many of which come from all around Coos County. For over 20 years, Porter has volunteered with the organization to provide the essential service for thousands of families in need. With long hours and hard work ahead of them, Porter said she’s proud of her fellow volunteers for stepping up and giving back. On average, about 10 volunteers will show up each week to the food bank to hand out food.

The Bear Cupboard Food Pantry, a local nonprofit organization in Coquille, has continued to provide its services and feed hungry families amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The food bank has shifted its operations to drivethrough services and has limited is all-volunteer staff as a way to limit people’s exposure to the novel coronavirus. Volunteer Dirk Sibold, a volunteer at the Bear Cupboard, helps sort produce in boxes which will be handed out to families in need.

SCHHC, foundation recognize ‘Community Lights’ BANDON — In this time of uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on civic life, there has been tremendous community strength, support, and dedication from our neighbors, friends, first responders, medical professionals, essential workers, students, teachers and local small businesses.

The Southern Coos Health Foundation and Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center would like to take this time to recognize and honor those who have been lighting up our community with acts of kindness, generosity, and positivity. Those “Community Lights” who have made life a little easier, a little better, a little brighter for those around them and who inspire you to make a mask, check on a neighbor, share a smile, or have a little more patience.

Developed by the Southern Coos Health Foundation and sponsored by the Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center, the Southern Coos Community Lights campaign will honor one specially selected community member per week over the course of 18 weeks based on nominations received from the community.

Criteria for Selection: Local Caregivers

• We honor caregivers in the healthcare community as well as caregivers you might not expect. Did someone bring a meal to a friend? Has a local restaurant owner delivered food to healthcare workers? Has an employee at the hospital made you feel safe by offering you a mask? Did you appreciate the care you received during your telehealth visit?

• Local: We honor people who live or work in Bandon or Port Orford Each person nominated for the Community Lights honor will receive a Community Lights nominee recognition pack and will be recognized on the Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center website and social media pages, and at the Southern Coos Health Foundation Golf for Health tournament at the end of the campaign. Each week, the community member selected to be the Community Light of the Week will receive a recognition pack, a profile on the Southern Coos Health Foundation and Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center social media pages, inclusion in a weekly press release, a $25 gift card for a local restaurant, and special recognition at the Southern Coos Health Foundation Golf for Health tournament.

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Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 9

Bear Cupboard helps the hungry in Coquille

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 10

Jillian Ward, The World

Bay Clinic Officer Manager Heather Huntley, left, speaks with an employee screening visitors as they come in, checking for fever and other COVID-19 symptoms.

Frontline workers at Bay Clinic adjust to new normal JILLIAN WARD The World

COOS BAY — Patients at Bay Clinic are being greeted with bright smiles that can still be seen from behind a mask, one thing that hasn’t changed since the pandemic started.

But behind those warm welcomes, these frontline workers are being impacted like everyone else as the public health crisis continues.

For Heather Huntley, the clinic’s office manager, the first changes she encountered from the virus came while it was still far away.

“I don’t know that any of us knew what it was going to look like today or tomorrow, but (the clinic) put processes in place very early,” she said of these changes. “We shut our front door and separated anyone with illness symptoms in pediatrics and adults and put limitations on guests.”

Bay Clinic limited who was allowed to join patients while they were seen by doctors. These were patients who didn’t have COVID, but other issues that still needed to be treated. Some patients are allowed one guest, depending on the appointment, or if there is a medical necessity to have a caregiver present.

Huntley said those processes have helped to at least make patients more comfortable given that the area hasn’t seen an outbreak of the virus yet, other than at

Shutter Creek Correctional Institution and one community case.

“We haven’t had the big spikes, we aren’t a big metropolitan area,” she said.

“If you look at Eugene or Portland, we don’t function that way — we don’t have mass transit. It reduces our risk greatly.

We spread early information and people have taken that to heart.”

The clinic created two separate entrances as well, one for regular patients and one for pediatrics.

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 11

“We haven’t limited the patients that wanted to be seen,” Huntley said, crediting that to the upbeat morale she’s seen in those who have come in. “…Our patients still have to be seen for issues that have nothing to do with COVID. We’re fortunate to have our group of providers who want to care for patients, who don’t limit on any means anyone who wants to be seen.”

However, the clinic’s pediatrics department followed the American Academy Pediatrics guidelines that limited well child care, which was an attempt to keep healthy children home.

Huntley says those guidelines are loosening now as isolation rules loosen.

The clinic also initiated telehealth, allowing patients to see doctors or nurses from home without having to physically enter the clinic.

More immediately for Huntley, she has worked to stay on top of ever-changing guidelines while also helping make sure the clinic has the supplies it needs to operate.

“The providers are usually the most informed because they’re getting information from the hospital as well,” she said, adding that supplies have been on heavy restrictions from suppliers which has been less of a challenge than initially feared. “We’re not seeing a huge spike (in COVID-19 cases), so we’re doing okay with (supplies). There were heavy restrictions in ordering personal protective equipment and we’ve been fortunate that we’ve had enough.”

She said that the clinic has been able to partner with the local Rotary chapter, which has provided some hand sanitizer.

But of course, the pandemic has affected more than just office operations for her and her colleagues.

At home, she and her husband have worked to accommodate distance learning for their 12-year-old son as schoolhouses closed to enforce social distancing and stop the potential spread of COVID-19.

“That’s the bulk of our workers (at the clinic),” Huntley said. “Kids are at home online learning with a parent while they get dinner ready once they get home.

That’s been very challenging. And my heart goes out to seniors who don’t get to have the graduation experience, or the eighth-grade class who got their East Coast trip canceled. We had one employee with a college senior who missed out on the end-of-the-year celebration.”

Jillian Ward, The World

Though Bay Clinic is still seeing any patient that wants to be seen, many are utilizing its new telehealth appointments which is anticipated to continue even as pandemic-related restrictions are lifted.

For Huntley, her son was going to travel to New York with the local Bay Area Travel Team and play in the 12-year-old baseball tournament in Cooperstown. The trip was canceled as a result of the pandemic, which she said devastated her son.

“Baseball is his sport and that was hard not having practices,” she said. “But in the bigger picture, we have been fortunate… I think our version of ‘normal,’ as in the normal from six or eight months ago, we won’t see… I think it will be a slow transition to what life was like a year ago, but I think we are fortunate that we live in our little community where everyone has done a really great job.”

Huntley sees the clinic maintaining its new telehealth services as restrictions are lifted and highlighted the hard work of everyone at the health center who continued to do their jobs during the crisis.

“Providers want to make sure patients are taken care of and comfortable,” she said. “When we knew this wave was coming and anticipated it, there was never a discussion to close … just ‘how can we change to help our patients?’ and that speaks volumes to the partnerships here.”

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 12

THANK YOU HEROES

for your dedication to our community!

We pray for all of our Hero’s working on the front line.

Give them courage of heart, And strength of mind and body.

Keep them safe from harm.

May they know our deep gratitude For all they are doing To heal and help those affected In our community.

We are grateful for you all, Cynthia Johnson Principal Broker/Owner (541)297-2823

cynthiaj@johnsongrouprealestate.com

Belinda Mace Principal Broker (541)808-4775

barnmace@msn.com

Zach Milligan Broker 503-200-8374

zwmilligan@gmail.com

Johnson Group Real Estate, LLC 611 8th Street (Hwy 42) Myrtle Point, OR 97458

|

- With thanks, Bay Cities Ambulance

Office 541-559-0111

|

Fax 541-572-0585

(541) 266-4300 3505 Ocean Blvd. SE Coos Bay, OR www.baycitiesambulance.com

While people working inside hospitals are clearly playing a heroic role, the first interaction many people have with the health care system happens in their own homes and offices.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are in the middle of it all, out in the community as a first line of defense against a potentially deadly virus.

CHANGING JOB According to reports in the New York Times, first responders in New York City are playing different roles than their usual routine.

Always a high-stress job with life-ordeath consequences and tremendous time pressure, New York’s EMTs took on the added task of screening who should and shouldn’t go to the hospital in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some callers even fake symptoms, or exaggerate their conditions, in hopes of getting better care, the newspaper reported.

EMTs now have the uncomfortable role of telling some patients they shouldn’t go to the hospital.

RISKY CONDITIONS While hospitals are known for having sterile, somewhat controlled environments for treating medical conditions, EMTs have to work in the real world.

That means they’re dealing with unknown variables.

In addition to working through all kinds of weather and fighting traffic to quickly get to patients, they have to be prepared for the possibility that every person they interact with could potentially be carrying the COVID-19 virus.

They are also dealing with the same supply shortages as hospitals. Personal protective equipment is in high demand all around the globe, and EMTs are forced to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation in many cases.

HAZARD PAY? United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has suggested that coronavirus first-responders deserve hazard pay because of the extraordinary conditions they are working through during the pandemic.

Thank You First Responders, Medical Professionals, Military And Other Essential Staff Who Make Our Community A Better Place.

TOWER FORD

SINCE 1914 Serving Southwestern Oregon for Over a Century 541-267-2118 • Call Toll Free 1-800-535-9471 505 S. BROADWAY • COOS BAY View our inventory at www.towerford.com

According to EMS1.com, which covers the emergency medical industry, the idea gets a mixed reaction among medical employees.

“Many say the pay isn’t necessary, arguing, ‘we knew what we signed up for when we climbed onto the rig,’ while others note the extraordinary circumstances, contending, ‘while the job of paramedics and first responders has its inherent risks, the COVID-19 pandemic is outside the scope of everyday risks,’” an editor’s note reads.

DISPATCHERS While they are not physically on the front lines fighting the coronavirus, the dispatchers who take emergency calls and communicate with first responders are no less impacted during the pandemic.

Calls for emergency services are reaching record levels in many areas. The same calls for regular emergencies

continue to come in from car wrecks, heart attacks and other health problems, and the coronavirus only compounds an already stressful job.

The safety of first responders also rests on how well dispatchers communicate.

They have to gauge whether a patient has coronavirus symptoms so EMTs can arrive with the right protective equipment. Not only that, but they have to relay accurate information about addresses and other details that can save lives when time is at a premium.

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 13

EMTs are on constantly out on the front lines

The Devereux Center wants to thank our Hometown Heroes:

♦

Our staff and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to help those in need and our hats are off to them.

♦

♦ Travis Patterson ♦ Sandy Barton ♦ Joel Johnson ♦ Melanie Ross ♦ Laura Fitouri ♦ Joseph Johnson ♦ Cheryl Coffey ♦ Charles Coggin ♦ Jeanne Figueroa ♦ Alice Anne Schaefer ♦ Richie Johnson ♦ Lydia Bellamy ♦ Ralph Priestley ♦ Cynthia Christensen ♦ Rebecca Hansen ♦ Ed Houghton ♦ Sam Houseman ♦ Ron Chavez ♦ Brenda Schaaf ♦ Johnnie McDaniel ♦ Mike Walton ♦ Blake Wright ♦ Harry Peterson ♦ Ron Lister ♦ Colleen Wylie ♦ Morgan Waterson ♦ Kelly Sebring ♦ Kathy Andersen Thank you, - Tara Johnson and the Devereux Center Board of Directors

♦

PO Box 3519, 1200 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-888-3202 • info@thedevereuxcenter.org

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 14

Police officers continue to serve and protect Law enforcement workers have some of the toughest jobs in America any time, but the difficulties and potential dangers of police work have only gotten more complex in the current pandemic.

Law enforcement authorities have taken on a major role in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Police officers have been under pressure to make sure shelter-inplace laws are being followed while still maintaining good relations with the community.

This means most officers are going to be face-to-face with multiple people in one day who may or may not be carriers of the virus.

Despite the importance of a police officer’s job, they largely don’t have many extra precautions they can take to protect themselves from catching a virus. In fact, the only defense they have is washing their hands, avoiding touching their face, and keeping a distance of six feet from other people, just like the rest of the population is advised to do. And due to the nature of their job, sometimes they have to be much closer to people than they would like.

This cannot be said enough: police officers are on the front lines, risking their lives, to protect other United States citizens. They are at risk of getting sick, just like everyone else, but they put others before themselves in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus and keep their communities safe.

The coronavirus is new territory for everyone, but at least doctors and nurses are well-informed on the behavior of the virus. Police officers and other law enforcement workers aren’t typically medical experts. Most of them are having to take this situation one step at a time, and they don’t have the luxury of staying home and avoiding contact with others.

ROLE CHANGING Much like every other profession in America has adapted, law enforcement has changed its operations to better suit these trying times.

Some departments are focusing on breaking up small gatherings that pose health risks. Others are changing the way they respond to typical service calls to minimize the risk of getting or spreading infections.

According to a CNN report, many police departments are closing their front desks to avoid spreading germs in public places. Some, such as the Syracuse Police Department in New York, have said they will not respond in person to non-urgent calls.

Others are encouraging people to report criminal incidents via online portals. The Arlington County Police Department in Virginia, for example, is encouraging citizens to use its online reporting system

for non-violent incidents such as theft, credit card fraud, vandalism or vehicle tampering, according to the CNN report.

STILL SERVING Even in a pandemic, though, police officers are responding in a way that keeps communities safe and orderly.

If a crime requires an immediate response, or citizens are in danger of imminent harm, it’s America’s brave and often under-appreciated police officers

FULL S

Thank You for what YOU do for all of us... We are in this Together. aON DEMAND aON TIME

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Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 15

Hometown Heroes • The World • May 23, 2020 ■ 16

OUR DEALERSHIP IS THANKFUL FOR ALL OF OUR HEROES AND IS OFFERING $500 cash allowance to be applied toward the retail purchase or lease of an eligible vehicle.

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Eligible consumers include: Police Officer, Sheriff/Sheriff’s Deputy, Correctional officer, State Trooper, Federal Law Enforcement Officer, Career Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Paramedic, Health Care Professionals (All Medical Doctors, Nurses, Physicians Assistants, Medical Technicians and Nurse’s Aides.) are eligible for this program.

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