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COVID-19: CDC Releases New Guidelines Regarding Outdoor Face Mask Usage

Washington — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidelines on Tuesday showing which activities that COVID-19 vaccinated citizens may enjoy, including attending small outdoor gatherings without face coverings.

The new recommendations detail many situations in which fully vaccinated citizens may forgo wearing a face mask, but emphasized their continued use in most indoor settings and crowded outdoor areas.

“Today is another day we can take a step back to the normalcy of before,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. “Over the past year, we have spent a lot of time telling Americans what they cannot do, what they should not do. Today, I’m going to tell you some of the things you can do if you are fully vaccinated.”

The new recommendations say fully vaccinated individuals can engage in the following activities without wearing face coverings:

  • Attending small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated family and friends.
  • Attending small outdoor gatherings with a mixture of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
  • Walking, running, hiking or biking outdoors alone or with members of their household.
  • Dining at outdoor restaurants with friends from multiple households.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, said that “the risk of infection outside is really minimum. If you’re vaccinated, and you’re outside, it’s even less.”

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Fully vaccinated people may also attend “a crowded, outdoor event, like a live performance, parade, or sports event,” as long as they remain masked.

Walensky urged fully vaccinated Americans to wear masks indoors, citing there are 50,000 new COVID-19 cases per day, but said it is “safe for those who are fully vaccinated to return to the activities they love doing inside while wearing a mask.”

The CDC website says “Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or two weeks after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

The new guidelines suggest that fully vaccinated individuals continue wearing masks when in public spaces, when gathering indoors with unvaccinated people from more than one household, when visiting unvaccinated high-risk individuals or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required. The updated CDC guidance recommends that fully vaccinated people continue to avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.

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Health Department Answers Questions About Why People Seek COVID-19 Tests

Vancouver, WA — As more people are testing positive for COVID-19 in Clark County — and as the activity rate climbed to 147.6 cases per 100,000 — the Clark County Public Health examined the data to find out why people are seeking testing.

“The vast majority of people who test positive are getting tested because they have symptoms of COVID-19 or because they know someone who tested positive or had symptoms of COVID-19,” the health department said.

Anyone who experiences COVID-19 symptoms should seek testing right away, they advise. If you’re in close contact with someone who tests positive, please stay home for 14 days to ensure you don’t infect others if you also get sick. 

Learn more about what to do if you test positive or are a close contact of someone who tests positive at the health department website: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/novel-coronavirus

Tuesday’s COVID-19 update

  • 61 new confirmed cases (20,459 to date)
  • 10 new antigen probable cases (854 to date)
  • no new deaths
  • 252 total deaths to date (224 confirmed, 28 suspect)
  • 537 active cases (confirmed and probable cases in isolation period)
  • Clark County COVID-19 activity rate is 147.6 cases per 100,000 (up from 139.8 cases per 100,000 last week)
  • 23 COVID-19 patients hospitalized
  • 4 people hospitalized awaiting COVID-19 test results

Confirmed cases are people with a positive molecular (PCR) test for COVID-19. Antigen probable cases are people with a positive antigen test and no molecular test.

COVID-19
www.cloverpodiatry.com

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Camas City Administrator A Finalist For Gresham City Manager Position

Camas, WA — The City of Camas confirmed today that City Administrator Jamal Fox has been pursued by multiple municipalities, and has been named as a finalist for Gresham City Manager.

“Knowing what type of leader Jamal is, we completely understand why,” said Bryan Rachal, City of Camas Communications Director. “Jamal’s skills, talent and leadership have been much appreciated and they have been an important part of the success the City has experienced during the pandemic. While we are saddened to possibly lose Jamal to another city, we’re also excited for the opportunity for him and his family.”

Gresham City Council has selected three finalists, which includes Fox, Patrick Quinton, and Nina Vetter for the position of city manager and is seeking community input and involvement in next steps.

Mayor Travis Stovall will host a virtual community forum on Wednesday, April 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to introduce the finalists.

In total, 37 candidates who applied by March 22 were considered for this phase of the process.

Fox has been employed by the City of Camas since late August, prior to which he worked as deputy Chief of Staff for Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Camas
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Business Spotlight: Nail Evolution Pro Brings New Designs To Downtown Camas

Camas, WA — Nail Evolution Pro, a nail salon owned by Irina Anderson that frequently comes up with new designs, has recently moved the business to 417 NE 2nd Avenue in downtown Camas (in the blue house behind Riverview Bank).

An authentic Russian Manicurist with 13 years of experience, Anderson invites you to try the Original Russian Manicure and see all of her amazing designs.

“Nails are my passion,” says Anderson. “I have 13 years of experience as a nail technician and instructor. I’m always learning and experimenting with new nail designs, techniques, and processes, pushing the boundaries of my knowledge and skills. My top priority is to provide you the clean, beautiful, high-quality nails you deserve with the best nail training or service.”

Anderson is a certified instructor, nail technician, and Masura educator who is originally from Russia.

“I have worked in all types of salons from nail bar boutiques to exclusive VIP salons, and I’ve operated my own salon,” she says. “I’ve been an instructor for over 10 years and operated my own nail school for eight years.”

In 2016, she was chosen to work at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, in Moscow, Russia, where she personally did 21 manicures in less than five hours, and also helped do nail designs for many of the models.

To see a price list, visit the Nail Evolution Pro website: nailevolutionpro.com 

To set an appointment, it’s best to text Anderson at 360-833-3575, or you send an email: admin@nailevolutionpro.com

Social media sites:

insta: @nevo.pro

fb.com/nevo.pro

phone: 360-833-3575 (text)

Evolution

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Tower Mall COVID-19 Vaccine Site Has Capacity For 4,000 1st Dose Appointments

Vancouver, WA — According to Clark County Public Health, the COVID-19 vaccination site at Tower Mall in central Vancouver will have more than 4,000 first-dose appointments available this Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday (1,000 per day).

For now, only those currently eligible to be vaccinated (those in Phase 1a and 1b) can schedule appointments. But when eligibility changes Thursday, anyone 16 and older can schedule an appointment. Minors can be vaccinated at the site if their consent form is signed by a parent or guardian.

Visit the Safeway/Albertsons website to schedule an appointment (https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/VncvrTwrMllWeek3).

Those who do not have Internet access or need help scheduling an appointment can call Public Health at 888.225.4625. Call center representatives can assist with scheduling, and language assistance is available. The Tower Mall site is administering Pfizer vaccine. Second-dose appointments will automatically be scheduled for three weeks later at the same time, day of the week and location. Those vaccine scheduling appointments are asked to ensure the time and day of week they select will work for their first- and second-dose vaccine appointments.

Find more information about COVID-19 vaccines and how to access appointments on our website: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-vaccine

Vaccine
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Inslee Rolls Back 3 Counties Not Meetings Phase 3 Reopening Guidelines

Olympia, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the rollback of three counties that are not meeting the Phase 3 Healthy Washington reopening metrics.

The three counties returning to Phase 2 are:

  • Cowlitz County
  • Pierce County
  • Whitman County

“These metric trends are driven by the virus and we must continue to do everything we can to sharpen our focus and keep COVID-19 activity down. We are so close to the end of the tunnel here — we have made tremendous progress and we must keep our focus,” Inslee said. “It’s like a football game; we have done 95 yards on a 99 yard-drive. We can’t let up now. These are not punitive actions; they are to save lives and protect public health.”

“Vaccine is a crucial tool that will help us end the pandemic, but it isn’t the only tool, and we don’t yet have enough Washingtonians fully vaccinated to rely on this alone to keep our communities safe from the virus,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary for COVID-19 response, Department of Health. “We need to focus on lowering disease transmission in the next several weeks ahead as we continue our vaccination efforts in order to avoid a fourth surge of cases. This means wearing masks, watching our distancing and keeping gatherings small and outdoors.”

Last Friday, the governor announced updates to the Healthy Washington criteria:

  • In order to move down one phase, a county must fail both metrics for case counts and hospitalizations. Under the previous plan, a county only needed to fail one metric to move back a phase.
  • The spectator events guidance is updated to make clear what is allowed for counties in Phase 2 and how these events are related to school graduation ceremonies. That guidance is available here.
  • The Open Air Seating guidance is updated to allow flexibility for eating and drinking establishments. That guidance is available here.
  • The next evaluation of counties will be in three weeks, on May 3.

This Thursday, April 15, all Washingtonians (16+) will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. 

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National VFW Auxiliary President Visits Southwest Washington

Sandi Onstwedder, National President of AFW Auxiliary, was honored at a dinner on Wednesday, April 6, by members of the Camas-Washougal VFW Auxiliary 4278, the Toutle VFW Auxiliary 10882, Vancouver Auxiliary 7824 and members of other Auxiliaries within the state. Her three-day visit to Southwest Washington included meetings with members as well as a tour of the Historical Museum in Vancouver. The members of the auxiliaries are united by a common theme: Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans.  It is a concept that reflects the common goal that brings every member of the VFW Auxiliary together and supports the passion and purpose of members to serve American veterans who gave up so much not only for us, but our nation.

Following a short welcome and presentation of a City Proclamation by Molly Coston, Mayor of Washougal, at the Black Pearl dinner, Onstwedder spoke to the members of the various auxiliaries.  Onstwedder stated that one of her personal goals this year is to listen to members.  “They are the backbone and reason the organization is still in existence today.  Members know what works and what doesn’t at the Auxiliary level.  They want their voices heard and I believe that National Headquarters has made great headway in opening those lines of communication for every member.  I will be the public relations ambassador and help to connect those entities even more.”

VFW
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For her personal special project this year, Onstwedder’s has organized a Stars, Stripe and Support focus on combating food insecurity among veterans, service members and their families.  This project was necessary due to the fact that 25 percent of our nation’s total active duty and reserve personnel are currently seeking aid from food pantries across the nation.

To achieve this goal, Onstwedder implemented the Auxiliary’s Community Outreach Program, encouraging auxiliaries to take active roles in their local communities and to partner with other community service organizations on projects for the betterment of their community.  This brings awareness to communities about the Auxiliary mission and provides much-needed services to communities while creating a stronger bond between auxiliary members and local military families.  Onstwedder stated, “Respecting all veterans while Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans should be our number one priority.”

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COVID-19: Clark County Health Dept. Now Reporting Antigen Probable Causes

Vancouver, WA — Beginning today, Clark County Public Health is reporting antigen probable cases in addition to the confirmed cases that have been included in their regular reporting. 

The health department says “confirmed cases are people with a positive molecular (PCR) test for COVID-19.”

Probable cases are people with a positive antigen test and no molecular test. 

“We’ve been tracking probable cases, and we treat them like confirmed cases, conducting interviews with those who test positive, and instructing them to isolate and their close contacts to quarantine,” said Marissa Armstrong, of Clark County Public Health. “We are adding probable cases to our daily reports to better align with Washington State Department of Health data, which includes probable cases. The active case count includes both confirmed and antigen probable cases.”

Because the state’s reporting system was down Sunday for maintenance, it’s expected that today’s number is an undercount. Any cases that were not imported in the state system yesterday, will be imported today and included in tomorrow’s total.

  • 156 new confirmed cases (avg. 52 per day Fri-Sun)  
  • 19,996 confirmed cases to date
  • 27 new antigen probable cases
  • 746 antigen probable cases to date
  • No new deaths
  • 245 total deaths to date (219 confirmed, 26 suspect)
  • 406 active cases (confirmed and probable cases in isolation period)
  • 21 COVID-19 patients hospitalized
  • 4 people hospitalized awaiting COVID-19 test results

You may learn more on the Clark County COVID-19 data webpage: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-data

COVID-19
www.cloverpodiatry.com

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Washougal’s Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge Finds A Forever Home

More than 100 animal residents of the Washougal-based Odd Man Inn sanctuary will take a 2,700-mile journey to their new home in Tennessee.

Washougal, WA – Today, Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge and Wildlife Rehab announced its immediate relocation to a 93-acre property in Jamestown, TN and the adoption of an additional 160 large pigs formerly of the Pig Preserve. This move establishes Odd Man Inn as one of the largest animal sanctuaries in the country dedicated primarily to larger breeds of farmed pigs. 

Since its founding in 2016, Odd Man Inn has helped nearly 400 vulnerable animals of 15 different species–including pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, donkeys, and turtles–get adopted into forever homes. The sanctuary has specialized in rescuing pigs of all kinds and personalities, from the special-needs three-legged Eppah to the 600lb curly-haired Sid the Swamp Pig. “We love helping the underdogs. Pigs are the bottom of the barnyard hierarchy and very rarely have safe options. It feels great to run an organization that helps them find safe passage into a home that treats them as family,” said Co-Founder Wendy Smith.

In their nearly five years rescuing farm animals from neglect and abuse in Southwest Washington, Odd Man Inn filled a critical local need and became part of the community. They have worked alongside animal control agencies throughout Washington and Oregon, providing shelter and medical care for farm animals that the agencies aren’t as well equipped to handle. Local farms and farmsteads like Blue Door Farm (https://www.bluedoorfarmwa.com/) in Brush Prairie donated excess produce to help feed the refuge’s residents. Cedar Street Bagels in Camas (https://www.cedarstreetbagelco.com/) named one of their bagel sandwiches in honor of Odd Man Inn’s photo-contest winning resident Melvin, a lovable potbelly pig that lost a leg and both his ears in a dog attack.

Odd
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“We’re grateful for all the relationships we’ve created, and the support we have received from local businesses, community members, farmers, animal control agencies, humane societies, fellow sanctuaries, and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. It’s bittersweet; while we are excited about the prospect of saving more animals from harm, we feel sad about leaving such a wonderful community. It will be hard, but we hope to  take all that we’ve learned here and work to duplicate those exact partnerships in Tennessee,” said Wendy.

The transition poses huge logistical challenges. Over 100 current residents of Odd Man Inn – including two 1500lb steers and 38 pigs up to 650lbs – will be carefully transported the 2700 miles to Tennessee. Aging and special needs residents will require extra accommodation to ensure their safety and comfort during this multi-day journey. “We will make as many trips as needed to ensure the animals are comfortable while we transport them to their new sanctuary. Their comfort and security is always our primary concern,” said Josh Smith, Co-Founder and Farm Manager.  While transporting the current residents, Odd Man Inn will also simultaneously care for the 160 new pigs and provide them with needed veterinary assessments, vaccines, and hoof care. 

Odd Man Inn is raising money through a GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/oddmaninn) to help with the safe transportation of its current residents and the restoration of their new Tennessee home. 

ABOUT ODD MAN INN

Odd Man Inn (www.oddmaninn.org) is a farm animal sanctuary and permitted Washington State wildlife rehabilitation facility formerly based in Washougal, WA. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s mission is to help as many animals as possible find safety, rehabilitation, socialization, and a forever home while giving them a voice as ambassadors for their own kind against imprisonment, abuse, and consumption.

Odd
Odd Man Inn’s mission is to help as many animals as possible find safety, rehabilitation, socialization, and a forever home while giving them a voice as ambassadors for their own kind.
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Washougal School District Moves to Four Days Of In-Class Learning

Washougal, WA — Washougal School District (WSD) is expanding its hybrid learning program for students in grades 6-12 to four days of in-person learning, starting Monday, April 19, 2021.  

The change was made possible by the State of Washington Department of Health adoption of the three-foot physical distancing guidance for students in classrooms that was adopted earlier this month by the Center for Disease Control.

“We are working with teachers, staff, administrators, and public health officials to ensure we can provide safe learning environments for larger numbers of students,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent. “Staff will be working over the coming weeks to implement protocols for areas where the six-foot social distancing rule still applies, like during lunch and passing time, and in some classrooms where students are exhaling more frequently such as P.E., choir, and band. All district staff will have had the opportunity to be fully immunized by that time.”  

Middle and high school students will continue to have an asynchronous day on Wednesday, which provides time for teachers to plan lessons and make contact with students who are not able to return to in-person learning at this time. K-5 students will also continue to have an asynchronous Wednesday, along with the current schedule which has a 1 hour late start.  Teachers use this time each day to contact students who are fully remote. 

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“Our goal is to continue to provide service to both in-person hybrid and fully remote students this way through the end of this school year,” said Templeton. “We are also committed to providing the least amount of disruption to our students and families as we make this last transition for the school year. As we plan for next school year, we plan to offer five days of full-time, in-person learning for students in grades K-12, unless they are enrolled in the new online Washougal Learning Academy.  We are delighted that WLA is available to serve families who need flexibility or who are unable to return to in-person learning.”

These opportunities for schools to expand in-person educational offering are the result of the community at large doing their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Clark County’s rate per 100,000 must remain under 200 to use the new 3-foot guidance in grades 6-12, which is critical for supporting four days per week. The rate per 100,000 over 14 days is currently 105.6. “To keep students in school, all of us must wear masks, watch our distance, and wash our hands,” urged Templeton. “Health officials studying the spread of COVID emphasize these simple, but critical steps in our daily lives to be able to take next steps in our reopening.”

Timeline

  • April 12: Students in grades K-5 will begin hybrid four-days per week, with the same late start schedule they have now. 
  • April 19: Students in grades 6-12 will begin hybrid four-days per week with the same schedule they have for hybrid now. 
  • Students with special needs who are attending in-person on a special schedule will be contacted by the student’s case manager if there are schedule changes.

Safety

School staff continue the safety routines and protocols that are keeping students and staff safe.  These include daily health screening, mandatory face coverings, social distancing, hand washing, and additional cleaning, signage and training.

Washougal

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