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Go Green! This Is The Theme For Tonight’s Downtown Camas First Friday

Camas, WA — Go Green is the theme for Camas First Friday! Art shows, after-hours shopping, activities, prizes, and more will all be a part of the First Friday event in Downtown Camas tonight beginning at 5 pm. 

Virtual activities started on Monday, March 1st and in-person First Friday activities kick in this evening. Downtown businesses will be open and have special offerings, as well.

The “Find the Leprechaun” in-person passport has been happening all week and continues during First Friday. When you find the leprechaun in the shops, you get entered to win a great “green” prize from that location.

Plus, participants may post completed in-person passports by on the Downtown Camas First Friday page post by Saturday, March 6 at noon and be entered to win a fabulous “green” prize basket from downtown. The more locations you visit, the more chances you have to win.

Passport lists will be available here and in stores on First Friday. Go Green with us!

Camas
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

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Washougal Volunteers Honored For Work In Local Children’s Book Program

Washougal, WA – Putting books into the hands of young children to enhance their school readiness skills is a focus of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Camas-Washougal.  Since 2017, their Reach for the Stars through Books program has provided backpacks filled with books and learning materials as an incentive to children and families to attend the ESD 112 1,2,3 Grow & Learn pre-kindy program at Hathaway Elementary in Washougal.

GFWC Camas-Washougal Club leaders and Washougal volunteers Susan Bennett and Pat Suggs were honored in late 2020 for their work to spearhead this impactful project. They received recognition and an award from the Learn Here Program which showcases remarkable educational leaders and volunteers in SW Washington.

“We were humbled by this recognition,” said Bennett. “We are proud of our work through the Reaching for The Stars through Books program.  It has truly sparked the imagination of children and has started their journey of loving books that we hope will last a lifetime.”

Thanks to increased funding through area grants, their free book distribution has grown to all pre-schoolers in Washougal and will be growing to include all Camas pre-schoolers in 2021.  

“We know books and reading help build a strong foundation in the early learning process,” said Suggs. “We are excited to see the work of the GFWC to support childhood literacy growing.”  

“We applaud Susan, Pat and the GFCW Camas-Washougal for their important work to challenge our youngest learners to rise,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent.

Bennett and Suggs were celebrated in December 2020 at a 20-minute virtual presentation celebrating 31 staff and volunteers.  

“We are so appreciative by those who work so diligently in preparing our students,” said Chad Sessions of Real Living, The Real Estate Group. “Through their hard work and creativity, they are helping prepare our next generation of citizens, workers and leaders, which in turn, helps us grow our economy and community.”

Washougal
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com
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COVID-19: Clark County Not Advancing To Next Vaccination Tier

According to Clark County Public Health, Governor Inslee and Washington State Department of Health today announced updates to the Phase 1b vaccination tiers and provided a tentative timeline for advancing to the next tiers.

“We are not yet advancing to the next tier,” the health department said. “Washington state remains in Phase 1b Tier 1.”

Here are the changes and tentative timeline announced today:

Phase 1b Tier 2 – opening March 22

  • All critical workers in certain congregate settings (change: no longer tiered by age; list of qualifying congregate settings has been expanded)
  • People age 16 or older who are pregnant (new qualification)
  • People age 16 or older who have a disability that puts them at higher risk (change: moved up from a later tier)

Phase 1b Tier 3

  • Opening April 12: People with 2 or more comorbidities age 50 or older
  • Opening April 26: People with 2 or more comorbidities age 16 or older

Phase 1b Tier 4 – opening April 26 

  • People who live in congregate housing
  • Staff and volunteers who work in congregate settings not covered in 1B tier 2

More information, including details about who is included in the above groups, is available here: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/SummaryInterimVaccineAllocationPriortization.pdf

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DOH Releases Statement On Providing COVID-19 Vaccinations To Educators

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released this statement in response to President Biden’s directive to get all teachers nationwide at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine during the month of March.

This is the DOH Statement:

“As you heard today, President Biden announced a directive to all states to get every pre-K educator, K-12 teacher, and licensed childcare worker at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine in the month of March.

“The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recognizes the importance of vaccinating educators, school staff, and childcare workers. School staff and childcare workers were already in the next group to become eligible for vaccines, and our state was moving to vaccinate them in a matter of weeks. This announcement represents a faster timeline than originally planned, and the department is engaging partners on a robust plan to support this directive.

“DOH is working quickly to get clarity from the Biden Administration to ensure roll-out in our state will result in ample vaccine supply through various providers and equitable access for education and childcare workers. Vaccine supply will likely primarily be delivered through the federal pharmacy program, and the directive indicates all vaccine providers should prioritize these workers.

“DOH remains committed to continued vaccination for older adults and others who are currently prioritized for vaccinations under the current plan. DOH also remains committed to vaccinating all Washingtonians as quickly and equitably as possible.

“DOH acknowledges these announcements may cause a mix of excitement, concern, and confusion for different communities. The department will share more information in the days ahead as DOH learns more from our federal partners.“

COVID-19
www.champpizza.com

 

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Clark County COVID-19 Activity Rate Declines For Sixth Consecutive Week


Vancouver, WA —  Clark County Public Health reports that the county’s activity rate is 105.4 cases per 100,000, which is down from 137 cases per 100,000 a week ago.

This list illustrates the steady decline since middle January. Recent COVID-19 activity levels (rate is calculated weekly):

  • Jan. 25: 401.2 cases per 100,000
  • Feb. 1: 310.5 cases per 100,000
  • Feb. 8: 262.2 cases per 100,000
  • Feb. 15: 209.8 cases per 100,000
  • Feb. 22: 137.0 cases per 100,000
  • March 1: 105.4 cases per 100,000

The latest daily COVID-19 data is as follows:

  • 31 new cases 
  • 18,408 cases to date
  • No new deaths
  • 223 total deaths to date (201 confirmed, 22 suspect)
  • 237 active cases (in isolation period)
  • 19 COVID-19 patients hospitalized
  • 3 people hospitalized awaiting COVID-19 test results

In addition, the percent of COVID-19 tests coming back positive dropped below 5% during the most recent week for which we have data (Feb. 7-13), representing two weeks of decreasing positivity rates.

The number of tests administered has also slowly decreased, with about 5,300 tests being administered in the most recent week of data. However, test data is preliminary and may change as additional negative results are reported. 

Clark County Public Health updates this data weekly (on Tuesdays) on their COVID-19 data webpage to reflect the most recent numbers available: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-data

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Clark County COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Increases Substantially This Week

Vancouver, WA — Clark County’s COVID-19 vaccine allocation is increasing substantially this week, according to Clark County Public Health.

This is their statement today:

Through 11 weeks, Clark County received an average of 4,175 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the Washington State Department of Health. The vaccine was distributed to health care facilities, pharmacies and community vaccination sites throughout the county.

This week, Clark County health care providers will receive 14,140 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Clark County Public Health will work with several of the local health care facilities receiving vaccine to refer people from the county’s waiting list for vaccination appointments. Health care facilities will also schedule appointments with their patients.

Last week, Public Health released data comparing first-dose COVID-19 vaccine allocations for 15 counties – the five counties with the largest, smallest and median size populations. The data showed that Clark County was receiving less vaccine per capita than other counties. The disparity was impacting the county’s ability to get residents vaccinated and hindering efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccine.

The Washington State Department of Health notified Clark County Public Health that additional Pfizer vaccine was available for this week. Public Health worked with local health care providers to place additional vaccine orders.

In addition to the vaccine allocated to health care providers, Clark County Public Health is sending mobile vaccination teams to several housing authority facilities today and tomorrow. Volunteers will vaccinate seniors living in the facilities.

Later this week, mobile teams will also return to adult family homes to provide second doses to residents and staff who received their first doses from mobile teams in early February.

Public Health continues to work with community partners to plan for additional mobile and fixed-location vaccination sites. Public Health intends to position sites in locations where residents have not been able to easily access vaccine and among communities and populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

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Parenting Disputes During A Pandemic: Helping Your Children Cope With Stress

By Erica Aquadro

If we didn’t know it before, we know it now: kids are resilient. Since COVID-19 reared its ugly head about a year ago, most of us have been challenged in ways we never could have anticipated and that includes our children. As parents, we do our best to shield our kids from the fear and uncertainty that accompanies a global pandemic, but it’s not always possible to keep them in the dark. Our children have had to adapt to remote-learning models, degrees of isolation, and—in some cases—shifting family dynamics. If you have a shared custody arrangement, it’s also possible that your family has experienced some new form of parenting dispute in the past year. Parenting disputes can be especially trying during this time because we’re encountering situations that have never arisen before and our family’s health and wellness are at stake. 

While we can’t completely insulate our kids from the reality of the (sometimes dire) situation, we can do our best to stay positive and set a good example for them. So much of their ability to thrive in this ‘new normal’ depends on our ability to support them and give them grace. It’s their first pandemic, after all. We should go easy on them. 

As we navigate this ever-changing post-COVID world, here are some ways you can help your kids manage stress in the midst of changing family dynamics and novel parenting conflicts. 

Present a United Front:

Ideally both parents will be on the same page about any adjustments to the schedule or parenting plan before it reaches the children. Involving the children in discussions or planning before any changes are concrete or agreed puts them in a very difficult position.  It can be extremely confusing and stressful for children to hear one thing from one parent and something else entirely from the other. Unless and until a plan or change is final or agreed, it’s in your children’s best interests for them to be uninvolved and unaware.    

Consistency and Quality Time:

It may seem far-fetched to maintain a consistent schedule at a time like this, but even the little things can help reinforce their routine and give them some semblance of stability.  This goes hand in hand with spending quality time together. Something as simple as having breakfast together every day or reading a book to your kids before bed can give them a chance to regroup and relax. Even if you can’t do the same thing at the same time together every day, just spending five minutes doing something they want to do can have a huge impact. It can also be especially grounding for us as parents; it puts things into perspective. 

Don’t Burden Them with Adult Information:

In some ways, it can be healthy for kids to see that their parents are human and get sad sometimes because we can show them it’s normal to experience emotions. It also gives us the opportunity to demonstrate appropriate ways to express themselves and, most importantly, pick themselves up and move forward. That said, when you’re in the midst of a parenting dispute (especially during a pandemic), you’re going to be dealing with a lot of emotional and financial stresses. If you find yourself needing support, lean on your family and friends or mental health professionals to help you get through it – not your children. Chances are there will be times when you’re upset with your ex-spouse or co-parent and the last thing you want to do is burden your children with irritations about their other parent. That parent is always going to be your children’s mother or father and you want to support that relationship because that’s what’s best for your children and, by extension, your relationship with your children. 

Seek Extra Support for Your Children:

Even if your child is happy and healthy, parenting disputes (with or without a pandemic) can be very stressful and challenging. Enrolling your child with a child psychologist or counselor is a great way to allow your child to get the support he or she needs. Even if your child only meets with a professional once or twice, it’s important to give your child the opportunity to have a safe place to share his or her feelings. You may also learn some valuable tools and information from your child’s psychologist or counselor that will help you better support your child.  Keep in mind, however, you should involve your co-parent in the decision to seek support for your child and choose the right provider together.  

Take Care of Yourself: 

Remember to give yourself a break from time to time. We, as parents, are only human and sometimes the best thing we can do for our kids is to take care of ourselves. Our kids feed off our energy and, if we run ourselves ragged, we are not setting a good example for how to manage our needs and wellbeing. We have the awesome gift and responsibility of shaping our children’s lives. Let’s take the opportunity to give them the best of ourselves and forgive ourselves when we make a misstep. Tomorrow is a new day. 

Authored by Vancouver family law attorney, Erica Aquadro. Erica is a mom of three and member of both the Oregon & Washington State Bar(s). She focuses her practice exclusively on family law issues such as divorce, parenting and custody issues, child and spousal support.

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Clark County Receiving Less Vaccine Per Capita Than Other Counties

Vancouver, WA — Clark County Public Health has been researching concerns and questions about the amount of COVID-19 vaccinations coming into Clark County and released their findings today. 

The health department looked at the amount of vaccine being allocated by the state to counties, and compared the allocation for 15 counties: The five counties with the highest, lowest and median population sizes. 

“While Clark County has the fifth highest population in the state, we ranked near the bottom (14th out of 15) in the allocation of first doses per 1,000 residents and first-dose allocation as a percentage of the total county population,” the health department said in a statement. “Through 11 weeks, the state has allocated 45,950 first doses of vaccine to Clark County. That’s 94.1 doses per 1,000 people or doses for 9.4% of our population. The next largest county, Spokane County, has received 30,325 more first doses than Clark County, but has only 35,000 more residents. Spokane County has received 145.9 doses per 1,000 people or doses for 14.6% of their population.”

The counties with the lowest and median size populations ranked higher in doses per 1,000 people. But the largest counties – King, Snohomish and Pierce counties – all received considerably more vaccine doses per 1,000 than Clark County (132.4, 121.1 and 111.9 doses per 1,000 respectively).

The only county in their 15-county comparison that has received fewer doses per 1,000 people than Clark County is Ferry County, which has a population of about 7,600 people.

“This allocation data comparison reinforces what we have suspected: Clark County is receiving less vaccine per capita than other counties,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “This disparity is impacting our ability to get Clark County residents vaccinated and is hindering our efforts to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine in our community.”

Vaccine

Clark County Public Health has been working closely with local health care providers, community partners and neighboring counties to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible and develop plans for community vaccination sites, as vaccine supply allows. 

“We’re working with community partners to identify key populations who are being underserved or disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, are identifying locations throughout the county where we could host accessible community vaccination sites, and are lining up the necessary volunteers and staffing to operate those sites,” the health department said. “Our biggest barrier has been vaccine supply.” 

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler addressed these same concerns today at a Congressional hearing.

“The news that Southwest Washington counties are being shorted COVID vaccines is absolutely unacceptable,” said Herrera Beutler. “I made this known when I had the opportunity to question Washington state’s Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah today at a congressional hearing.”  

As an example, she said Lewis County has a high population of elderly residents, but in terms of vaccine distribution is the worst in the state’s 39 counties. 

“And Clark County is the fifth largest county in the state, but is ranked 14th out of 15 counties in first dose allocations amongst counties with the highest, lowest, and median population sizes,” she said. “The state has to do better.”

In addition to the efforts by Clark County Public Health, local health care providers have the capacity to vaccinate several thousand people per week. 

“Clark County is ready to expand our vaccination efforts, once we receive the vaccine supply needed to serve our community,” said the health department.

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COVID-19: Clark County Activity Rate Falls to 137 Cases Per 100,000

Vancouver, WA — According to Clark County Public Health, COVID-19 activity rates plummeted from 209 cases per 100,000 to 137 cases per 100,000 this past week.

Here’s the latest COVID-19 update:

  • 24 new cases
  • 8,135 cases to date
  • No new deaths
  • 221 total deaths to date (199 confirmed, 22 suspect)
  • 245 active cases (in isolation period)
  • 34 COVID-19 patients hospitalized
  • 1 person hospitalized awaiting COVID-19 test results

Learn more on the Clark County Public Health COVID-19 data webpage: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-data

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Vaccination Update

The Washington State Department of Health received its shipment of Pfizer vaccine for the Clark County Fairgrounds vaccination site. That means the fairgrounds will be open this week to fulfill its second-dose appointments.

Anyone who received their first dose at the fairgrounds site should have received an email from Safeway after receiving their first dose. That follow-up email contains a link to schedule an appointment for the second dose. 

Appointments are best. But anyone who was unable to get a second dose appointment scheduled or didn’t receive the confirmation email, can take their vaccination card and ID to the fairgrounds and receive their second dose without an appointment.

The fairgrounds site is open 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Friday and 9 am to 3 pm Saturday.

First-dose appointments are not available at the fairgrounds this week.

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BIA of Clark County: 35,000+ Families Will Be Priced Out of Homes This Year

Vancouver, WA – The Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIA) estimates that 35,605 Clark County families will be priced-out of purchasing a home in 2021.

This estimate comes from the newest version of a study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The study states that for each $1,000 increase in the cost of median-priced newly built homes in Clark County, 985 prospective buyers will be pushed out of the market, up from 781 prospective buyers in 2020.

“This study illustrates how even a relatively small increase in housing prices can dramatically impact housing affordability and accessibility for our neighbors,” said BIA’s Executive Director Avaly Scarpelli. “Unfortunately, with lumber prices on the rise again and the recent implementation of the Washington State Energy Code, housing affordability will continue to worsen in 2021.”

Between mid-April and mid-September 2020, the cost of framing lumber climbed more than 170%. According to NAHB analysis, this resulted in an increase of more than $16,148 in the price of a new single-family home. Lumber price increases will result in an additional 15,905 buyers being priced-out of homeownership, up from our estimate of 12,612 in 2020.

If the estimates provided by the Building Industry Association of Washington are correct, the price of a newly constructed home will rise as much as $20,000 due to the implementation of a stricter Energy Code, effectively pricing-out another 19,700 families.

When considering the increase in lumber prices and the cost of energy code compliance, a total of 35,605 buyers will be priced-out of purchasing a home in 2021.

This estimate does not take into consideration the other variables that can increase home prices: additional regulatory barriers, labor shortages, and the looming rise of interest rates as soon as 2022. All of these factors work together to prevent families from achieving their dreams of homeownership.

“Our elected leaders need to recognize and take accountability for the consequences of their policy decisions. We cannot complain about a housing affordability crisis and then pass policies negating any efforts made to make housing more attainable. The homebuilding industry agrees with the notion of increasing energy efficiency and working towards more sustainable structures. However, when the families in our county and state cannot afford to have a roof over their heads, it’s time for our elected officials to consider postponing expensive mandates,” added Scarpelli.

Camas
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

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