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County Public Health Report ~ 11/16

Today, date Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared about the recent Jefferson County increase in COVID-19 cases. He answered questions from KPTZ listeners about:

• The country and our county are in exponential growth phase, with state case increase of 124% in the past 2 weeks.
• Locally in Jefferson County, 31 new cases in the last week. Four were from household and close friend spread, others were from out-of-county visitors or from visitors here; extended family infections; cluster in a pod;
• There is a 7-day threshold following exposure, meaning that if the person who was exposed is negative on Day 7, they are likely not to become infected or infectious.
• Tests of the new vaccine are looking to be viable strategies. It is thought that it will require 70% of the population to be vaccinated in order to be effective.
• Baking for others is considered to be minimum risk.

Don’t forget, you can submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing contactus@kptz.org.

Compass for 11/14/20

This week on the Compass, exhausted and heartsick over the pandemic, a faltering economy, and particularly from the bitter divide that has ended with a sitting president for the first time in American history refusing to concede his loss in a closely-monitored election, we look to the peace church known as the Society of Friends, but better known as the Quakers, for some ideas about what we can celebrate as we approach Thanksgiving Day, and about the path to reconciliation in a divided land.

Through Science to Health ~ 11/13/20

On today’s Through Science to Health KPTZ Host Chris Bricker and Lynn Sorensen, RN, continue to stress the importance of maintaining the mitigation measures of masking, hand washing, and social distancing as the US experiences the third wave of the pandemic. The upcoming holiday season when families will want to get together are advised not to by Dr Tom Locke, our public health officer. Jefferson County’s case rate is much lower than other counties across the state and sticking to the mitigation measures will help to maintain that rate.

Pfizer has announced a vaccine that is 90% effective to the coronavirus and could be distributed before the end of 2020. Lynn explained how this vaccine differs from past vaccines with its genetic mechanism to stimulate the immune system.

KPTZ listeners are encouraged to listen weekly to Dr Tom Locke’s pandemic updates to the BOCC on Monday’s at 9:45am.

Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 11/12

Port Townsend City Manager John Mauro is on KPTZ with a web-based format, in a weekly time slot Thursdays, from 12:15 to 12:40pm.

On November 12, John Mauro was joined by Public Works Director Steve King to discuss the City’s water system. Blues Journey host Taylor Clark moderated.

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. 

S’Klallam Shellfish Growing Activities, part 2

(First airdate: November 11, 2020) This week’s Coastal Cafe is the second part of a conversation on shellfish growing activities at the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe with tribal member and grower Kurt Grinnell and UW shellfish researcher Brent Vadapoulos. Brent and Kurt dig deeper into the differences between the Pacific and Olympia oysters and some of the pros and cons related to each species.

Port Townsend Education Foundation Inspiring Students and Supporting Teachers, Part 2

(First airdate: November 10, 2020: From resources and supplies to academic opportunities, P.T.E.F. has awarded nearly $500,000 in grants over the past 12 years. Grant recipients, Jef Waibel and Logan Stegner discuss with Everybody Can host Missy Nielsen the impact these grants have had on their teaching and their students as the district continues to adapt to COVID-19 Pandemic policies. Please, join us!

Our Working Waterfront ~ 11/10

This month on Our Working Waterfront, we join Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Eron Berg, and Port Commissioner Pam Petranik give us an update on happenings around our Port.

Eron talks about the ongoing budget 2021 planning process, our International Airport runway project, the Airport’s mission for emergency management, and the delightful Port Townsend Aero Museum and its program for teens.

Pam explains the ways in which the Port weaves itself into the community and the ways of connecting to current activities, ways of conversing with the commissioners, and ways to explore the Port and its history.

We talk about derelict vessels, lift tires, houseboats, developing transportation links to the airport, COVID-19 recovery, and Pam gives some shouts out to local Icons and businesses around the Port.

County Public Health Report ~ 11/09

Today, date Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared about the recent Jefferson County increase in COVID-19 cases. He answered questions about:

• Case count has increased by 8 in the last 7 days, with the total now at 96. This moves us into the moderate risk positivity rate, at 34 cases per 100,000. Some other counties in Washington are farther along into the third COVID-19 wave, as had been predicted for the fall-winter season.

• Our Public Health Department is working very actively to be ready for vaccine distribution, is likely to prioritize first responders and those at greatest risk.

• As for masks, surgical masks are the most effective, but cloth masks are nearly as effective for source control such as when out shopping.

• The costs of quarantine, although challenging for people and families, is a concern our local public health department is working to address, whenever needed.

Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence expressed preliminary concern about whether there will be adequate PPE available here, should the case count continue to increase.

Bruce Cowan

(Airdate: September 25, 2020) Bruce Cowan gives a political issues update and talks about getting out the vote.

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