Thursday, June 18, 2020

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It’s still here Stillwater mayor will joyce reacts to the town’s surging covid-19 cases

COVID-19 MESSAGE FROM MAYOR WILL JOYCE “WEAR A MASK, AVOID CROWDED AREAS, WASH YOUR HANDS, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE . THE CDC, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THEY’VE BEEN CLEAR FOR MONTHS NOW ABOUT WHAT THOSE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES ARE. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THOSE GUIDELINES. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN. WE HAVE TO ASSUME EACH OF US HAS THE VIRUS AND THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY PASS IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION WE CAN TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING.”

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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COV ER STORY

C OV I D - 1 9

‘This disease is still spreading in Stillwater’: Mayor Joyce discusses recent spike of coronavirus cases S u dee p Tum m a , Sp o rts Editor, @As ktu m ma

In what feels like the snap of a finger, Stillwater’s coronavirus case total has spiked to unimaginable levels.

After holding steady with 22 total cases from the beginning of this pandemic until June 7, the total now stands at a whopping 130.

Which is crazy considering school hasn’t even resumed.

But the scariest part?

This may only be the beginning.

“We’re focusing, right now, on ramping up our communication around the concern and around the social distancing protocols,” Mayor William Joyce told the Stillwater News Press.

“And just making sure that people understand that this disease is still spreading in Stillwater.”

Most of the city has been living in a lax state of mind with the low case count, which makes the recent spike a big shock to most, but Joyce said he isn’t too surprised by the rise.

With testing ramped up, some students returning to Stillwater for jobs and all businesses now open, a spike was anticipated.

What does surprise Joyce — and others — is the speed in which these cases have compiled.

“We are very concerned at the rapid increase of positive COVID-19 cases, especially in the young THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

adult population,” said Necia Kimber, Stillwater Medical Center Director of Infection Prevention and Control. “Since Oklahoma has moved forward to Phase II on May 15 and Phase III on June 1, the amount of family and social gatherings/activities has significantly increased.”

And that’s the thing.

While a majority of the cases came from young Kelsey Schlotthauer/ O’Colly Stillwater mayor Will Joyce is working hard to protect the town from COVID-19 adults in the 20-27 age it begs the question: how all possible. We got to fignot going to be at zero. range, Joyce said it’s difmany more people in Stillure out a way to deal with Trying to figure out what ficult to pinpoint exactly water are in the same boat? this on an ongoing basis. that baseline of acceptable where the resurgence beIt’s not practical or even We’re ready to do that if cases is a difficult thing gan. possible to test the entire we see concern around hosright now because we reBut that uncertainty population every day, so pitalizations and healthcare ally don’t know what that brings the social distancpreventative measures need stress related to the cases should look like in a lot of ing guidelines back to the to be taken. we’re seeing in Stillwater.” ways.” forefront of the discussion, “Our stance on takIt’s a possibility, but That’s the difficult thing. which Joyce had already ing proper precautions Joyce hopes the spread of Joyce said he’s been readbeen preaching for these to prevent the spread has the virus will cut down ing up on a lot of public past several months — not changed,” Kimber with social distancing health information, which even when there were zero said. “Wearing a mask guidelines. tells him staying below 5% active cases. and social distancing is the And that’s the backbone is the good metric.

“It’s just as crucial as it’s best way to contain this of the whole thing.

StillBut even that’s hard to always been,” Joyce said. virus if you must be out water needs to get to a safe measure in specific coun“I think we’re certainly in the community.

Masks plateau so Oklahoma State ties/cities. seeing a situation where are about protecting othUniversity can return in There’s no number set people aren’t focusing on ers, and they work best if the fall. Which would then in stone, but to find that, that quite as much. Even both parties have them on. rejuvenate stores, restauJoyce preached the imporwhen we were at zero acRemember that the virus is rants, hotels, etc.

In turn, tance of communication, tive cases, that number is still contagious even if the restimulating the economy. distributing information always a little bit misleadinfected person does not It’s like a domino effect. and finding the equilibing because so many, even have symptoms.”

But with the events of the rium. of these new cases, are These guidelines might past week, questions began And that strikes the quesasymptomatic.” be getting tiresome, but to swirl around if OSU tion: how does Stillwater People typically aren’t perhaps this is the better opening is feasible. strike find the balance tested unless they’re in option.

Does anyone really “That’s a really tough between safety restimulatcontact with somebody want to take a step back? question,” Joyce said. “We ing the economy? that has it. Or in the case “I asked our city attorney all have to be realistic “The major concern for of the OSU football players to be ready with a potential about the fact that if OSU us in this pandemic, from returning to campus, they return to Phase II declarais on campus in the fall, the beginning, has been had to be tested because of tion if/when we feel like we’re going to have a baseprotection of the healthcare procedure. that’s a necessary thing to line level of positive infrastructure,” Joyce said.

The team found three do,” Joyce said. “I want to cases in the community.

“Because if you get an asymptomatic cases, but avoid those steps back, if at It’s going to be there. It’s overload in terms of people OCOLLY.COM

in the hospital and people in intensive care, that puts a huge strain on our healthcare resources.”

And that affects more than just COVID-19 patients.

Whether that’s heart attacks, strokes or cancer, there are a lot of major health issues that hospitals deal with. Which brings up another problem.

“If we were to be in a situation where our health care system wasn’t able to continue to keep up, that creates tremendous economic strain on the community when you don’t have a functioning healthcare system for some length of time,” Joyce said. “If we were to be in that situation, it would create even greater economic hardships for our community than having to have restaurants serve takeout or having to have certain businesses close for some length of time.”

That would be an almost nightmarish situation for Stillwater and its people.

But to avoid that, to stop the spread of the virus, it takes an effort from everyone.

“Residents and students have got to take this seriously if we hope to return to any type of normalcy in the fall,” Kimber said. “We want our stores to be open, our restaurants to be full and the campus/schools to have activities again. In order to accomplish that, we have to be proactive now to stop the spread.”

The O’Colly is now publishing a daily newspaper online. To check out our edition online go to www.ocolly. com If you would like to place a display ad please email ads@ocolly.com To place classified advertising email lori@ocolly.com

Horoscope

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Todays Birthday (06/18/20). Strengthen and build family fortunes this year. Expand your horizons through focused, steady exploration. Work out a solution with your partner, leading to a lucrative boom. Summer changes require financial adaptation and personal insight, before winter presents lovely conditions for romance.

Grow and flower together.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Revise the story. Organize at home, with Mercury retrograde. Review papers, photos and possessions. Repair equipment and backup files. Refine household infrastructure.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Budget carefully. Untangle communications patiently, with Mercury retrograde for three weeks. Resolve misunderstandings as soon as possible. Launch creative projects later. Plan and prepare.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Take charge and win. Monitor cash flow. Allow extra time for shipping, transport, invoices and collections, with Mercury retrograde for three weeks. Review budgets.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Review options and revise plans.

Consider your personal message and story, with Mercury retrograde in your sign.

Reaffirm and adapt commitments. Edit communications carefully.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Community participation satisfies.

Avoid misunderstandings, with Mercury retrograde. Revise and refine the message.

Delays or breakdowns could affect mechanical equipment. Reestablish old bonds.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Professional opportunities develop.

Practice makes perfect with team activities over three weeks, with Mercury retrograde. Nurture old friends and connections. Go for a prize.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Review professional data closely, with Mercury retrograde for three weeks. Misunderstandings could cause delays. Guard against communication breakdowns. Backup hard drives and archives.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Make educational plans and itineraries over the next three weeks for later travels, with Mercury retrograde. Communicate carefully. Keep confidences and secrets. Make your deadlines.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate. Review financial data, with Mercury retrograde for three weeks. Pay bills. Secure what you’ve gained. Review statements and account activity for errors.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Prioritize health. Resolve misunderstandings with a partner, with Mercury retrograde for three weeks. Support each other through breakdowns. Regroup and start over. Develop shared goals.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Relax. Keep equipment repaired.

Delays, misunderstandings or mistakes could frustrate your work and health over three weeks, with Mercury retrograde. Slow down to finish faster.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Settle into home comforts. Romantic overtures could backfire, with Mercury retrograde for three weeks. Clarify misunderstandings right away. Find your sense of humor and reconnect.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

FOR RELEASE JUNE 18, 2020

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6/18/20

Solution to Wednesday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

© 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

ACROSS 1 Actress Gillan of “Guardians of the Galaxy” 6 Has a frog in one’s throat 11 Caps Lock neighbor 14 Texas tourist spot 15 Insistent comeback 16 “It’s __-win situation” 17 Steal from a box office?

19 Dress to the nines, with “up” 20 Put away 21 Like a loud crowd 22 Bellybutton type 24 Sources of wisdom 26 Chincoteague horse 27 Clumsy 30 Steal from a bar?

32 Ostrich cousin 33 Got together 34 Sudoku digit 35 Routine grounder, e.g.

37 Timber-cutting tool 41 Bird whose eye is in the Wise potato chips logo 42 __ race 43 Field mouse 44 Steal from a government database?

48 Goddess trio, with “the” 49 Workplace standards org.

50 Integer 52 Moves with the breeze 54 Grenoble greeting 55 Feed bit 58 Top __ 59 Steal from a beauty salon?

62 Syncopated work 63 Where van Gogh’s second “Sunflowers” series was painted 64 St. Teresa’s town 65 Is for two?

66 Bobby pin target 67 __ Tots

6/18/20

By Adam Vincent

DOWN 1 Curly leafy green 2 Latin “others” 3 Rapids transit 4 Ambulance pro 5 Official with a seal 6 Bounce 7 Set the price high 8 Sound system 9 Cauldron 10 Mediocre 11 Many a clue in the TV series “Blindspot” 12 Sanctify with oil 13 Pro golfer’s disappointments 18 Glass of public radio 23 Sudden, dramatic disruption 24 “I heard you the last time” 25 Tennis garment 27 Higher ed. test 28 “Yes!” 29 “Isle of Dogs” director Anderson 31 __ Balls: former Hostess treats

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

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33 Disney film based on a Chinese legend 36 “Queen Sugar” cable station 37 Unfounded 38 On the __ 39 Tavern tankard 40 Simple signatures 42 New film versions 44 Cosa __

6/18/20

45 “Cross my heart!”

46 Coins returned 47 Brawn 48 One of the haves 51 Boring routine 53 Minor disagreement 55 Leave unsaid 56 Not all thumbs 57 Deposed Russian ruler 60 “Bobby Hockey” 61 Egg cells

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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