Thanks to our friends at Chelan County PUD and Chelan-Douglas Health District for this safety checklist. For the holiday, it is safest to gather with just your own household. If you are gathering with others, please take the safety steps listed on this checklist. >> Click here to download this checklist <<
Tag: COVID-19
19 Nov
New COVID-19 Restrictions for Washington State
Edited November 23, 2020 COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising very quickly across the state. Okanogan county is also experiencing hotspots in our community. Because of these concerning trends, Governor Inslee announced new restrictions for the state effective November 17 through December 14. Public Health agencies are supporting the Governor’s announcement and asking that restaurants […]
13 Nov
Masks are Effective in Slowing the Spread of COVID-19. Here’s why:
Photo credit: M. Staymates/N. Hanacek/NIST Photo caption: This high-speed visualization illustrates airflow when coughing, IT DOES NOT show the movement of virus particles. As you can see, the uncovered cough expels a jet of air, whereas the covered cough stays closer to the face. Masks are Effective. Here’s Why: Facial coverings can help slow the […]
03 Nov
MEME Busting: Correcting Misinformation about Masks and COVID-19
A data table from a CDC study has been taken out of context and misrepresented, and is being used to falsely suggest that people who wore masks became ill with COVID-19 more frequently than those who did not wear masks. First and foremost, the CDC has clearly stated that “wearing a mask is intended to […]
12 Oct
08 Oct
Flu Vaccine: Think of It as Essential
This year, it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccine can keep you from getting and spreading the flu to others during the COVID-19 pandemic and help keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy […]
07 Oct
Governor Inslee announces updates to Safe Start reopening plan
On October 6, Gov. Jay Inslee announced several updates to Washington’s Safe Start reopening plan. “We’re doing this now because we have had ongoing conversations with businesses about how to do these activities safely,” Inslee said at a press conference. “Instead of tightening restrictions, we can roll some more back to allow safer operation of […]
01 Oct
Flu Season: The Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever This Year
Health experts at the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health agree that the flu vaccine is more important than ever this year and that it should even be considered essential. This year, it is especially important to get a flu vaccine for 2 reasons: If we prevent illness and hospitalizations caused by the […]
25 Sep
When will schools reopen?
An interview with Dr. John McCarthy, MD: Okanogan County Health Officer Dr. McCarthy reminds us to make choices that support the community, rather than the individual, to move our schools and economy forward. OCPH Question: What is the role of the Health Officer in Okanogan County? Dr. McCarthy Answer: The role of the health officer […]
08 Sep
Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19
Large wildfires are causing poor air quality across much of Okanogan County (see News Release). Breathing wildfire smoke can damage our lungs, which means people are more likely to get respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Poor air quality can also make it harder to recover from COVID-19. How can we avoid wildfire smoke exposure and also […]