At today’s meeting, Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke addressed the questions from KPTZ listeners. Topics included the increase in case count and specifics concerning the importance of the mask order in effect, Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence discussed availability and distribution of PPE and masks.
This being the first Compass to fall squarely on Independence Day, the Compass Team decided to focus this week on two local institutions that have proven their worth in creating the kind of independence and resilience that has given Port Townsend a distinct local advantage in dealing with the global COVID-19 Pandemic.
First, Dave Cunningham talks with Jefferson County Emergency Operations Manager Willie Bence about the special challenges the pandemic has presented, and how the EOC responded. And then Chris Bricker talks with former Port Townsend Mayor and long-time Local 20/20 leader Deborah Stinson about the role neighborhood preparedness groups have played in meeting the crisis.
Port Townsend City Manager John Mauro is on KPTZ with a web-based format, in a new weekly time slot Thursdays, from 12:10 to 12:40pm. Discovery Road DJ host Tim Quackenbush hosted John’s virtual online meeting as a live broadcast, with updates on the fast-changing local world in and around Port Townsend.
On July 2, topics were: Establishment of the City Council Public Safety Committee to Address Policing Issues, Fiscal impacts of sales tax loss to City of Port Townsend employees, the upcoming renewal of the paper mill water contract, and Phase 3 re-opening.
Stay tuned for the weekly chance to learn more about developments for the City of Port Townsend. John will take questions and encourage productive dialogue (and exemplary virtual meeting etiquette) to steer through a range of topics.
During the weekly Public Health Briefing from Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke, we learned that Jefferson County last week added 6 COVID-19 cases. The count is now 38. Four of the recent added cases were asymptomatic and were discovered through test screening prior to medical or dental procedures. Also discussed: masking use, enforcement, and the efficacy of face shields. The four key facets for mitigating disease spread continue to include masking, physical distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, and not touching faces.
In addition, Willie Bence, Director of the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management, delivered a briefing on potential arrival of masks with clear plastic over the mouth, for ease of communication with deaf people. He also spoke about face shields, and the availability of PPE.
To submit your questions to Dr. Locke in the following week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, send them to [email protected].
Shortly following the nearly complete meeting broadcast on KPTZ, the County Commissioners voted to submit an application for Safe Start Phase 3 reopening to the WA State Department of Health. The almost two-hour special meeting held today focused on the concerns about gatherings of up to 50 people indoors and out, and the concern of outbreaks around the region. It was agreed that once approval is received from the state, the Board of Health may revisit the elements of Phase 3 — or any phase — and put a hold any activity that they deem concerning.
KPTZ broadcasted via 91.9FM and streamed at KPTZ.org this timely COVID-19 information, which was also videostreamed live and recorded for online viewing any time thereafter at the Jefferson County website.
Lynn Sorensen, RN, joined Chris Bricker and had a lively conversation regarding recent developments of the pandemic. They discussed the rise in young adults testing positive for Covid 19 and possible reasons for it. Politics have played a significant role in the country’s response to the pandemic and the wearing of masks has been front and center to a divisive controversy. June 26th is the first day of the governor’s order mandating the wearing of masks in public. Also the Jefferson County Phase 3 application has yet to be sent to the DOH. Jefferson County and Clallam County are still in Phase 2 and may be there until after the 4th of July weekend.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson Community Foundation President and CEO Siobhan Canty is a regular guest of Chris Bricker on Morning on the Salish, at 10:30am Tuesdays. Each week Siobhan shares updates on JCF’s work to strengthen the landscape of services available to people and the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, which has raised over $542,000 as of June 23. New donations are quickly relayed from the Fund to worthy nonprofits affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more at JCFgives.org
During our weekly interview with Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke, we learned that Jefferson County now has an additional COVID-19 case. The count is now 33. As of yet no real case count increase has occurred following the recent protests. We expect our district to return to school in fall 2020. Also discussed: masking use, enforcement, and availability.
KPTZ broadcast via 91.9FM and streamed at KPTZ.org this timely COVID-19 information, which was also videostreamed live and recorded for online viewing any time thereafter at the Jefferson County website.
Port Townsend City Manager John Mauro is on KPTZ with a new format that debuted on Friday, June 19, from 12:10 – 12:30pm. Discovery Road DJ host Tim Quackenbush hosted John’s virtual online meeting as a live broadcast, with updates on the fast-changing local world in and around Port Townsend. Topics included the Juneteenth mural that came together in less than a week, the use of plastic bags during the COVID-19 exemption, the complexities of allowing ride share services in Port Townsend, and the future use of the Port Townsend City Golf Course.
The experiment was a success! So stay tuned for the full rollout weekly time in July. John will take questions and encourage productive dialogue (and exemplar virtual meeting etiquette) as we steer through a range of topics.
KPTZ live broadcast Wednesday’s special joint meeting of the Jefferson Board of County Commissioners, Port Commissioners, PUD, and the Port Townsend City Council. Elected officials of our four local governmental agencies unanimously agreed to establish a multi-governmental process for establishing a COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The Intergovernmental Collaborative Committee (ICC) was formed, composed of elected officials County Commissioner Kate Dean, City Council Deputy Mayor David Faber, Port Commissioner Pete Hanke and PUD Commissioner Jeff Randall; and executive staff County Administrator Philip Morley, City Manager John Mauro, Port Executive Director Eron Berg and PUD Executive Director Kevin Streett.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson Community Foundation President and CEO Siobhan Canty is a regular guest of Chris Bricker on Morning on the Salish, at 10:30am Tuesdays. Each week Siobhan shares updates on JCF’s work to strengthen the landscape of services available to people and the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, which has raised almost $530,000 from over 560 people as of June 12. New donations are quickly relayed from the Fund to worthy nonprofits affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more at JCFgives.org.
