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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090922 KPTZ Listener Questions for Monday September 12_ 2022 BOCC Update________________________________ ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. ________________________________ County Commissioners, Dr Allison Berry, and Willie Bence, Please see the KPTZ listener questions listed below for Monday, September 12, 2022 BOCC Update. These questions represent all the questions sent in to KPTZ since after the deadline on Friday, August 19th to the deadline on Friday, September 9th. Thank you, Lynn Sorensen KPTZ Virus Watch Team Questions for Dr Allison Berry: 1. I’m 49, double vaccinated and one booster Dec 2021. My husband and I have been happily socializing on the beach, trails and in backyards in very small groups. Our only indoor exposure risk is KN95 masked grocery shopping and occasional errands. After feeling chilled and a bit achy, I tested positive yesterday with what is so far a mild case. I believe that you had previously reported that the only outside exposure cases the JC health department had traced were super close, heavy breathing during exercise contact — crew and football. I’m quite confident that my likely exposure was either the outside rally in support of trans rights on Mon 8/15 or the Thurs 8/18 “Under the Tent” event to raise awareness about our housing crises (which is also a public health crisis). At both events I was at the edge of crowds unmasked and keeping a distance, or KN95 masked if close in. Knowing how careful I am, my epidemiologist friend was shocked that I turned up positive (on the at home Cue test) and recommended that I test again, which I will this morning. I’m wondering if you and your staff are hearing other outside exposure stories. I also just want folks to know how SUPER contagious this variant must be, especially with 7,000 folks coming to PT for the THING festival at Fort Worden this weekend. In hindsight, if I’d REALLY not been willing to be exposed, I should have worn a mask at outside events, even though I was on the perimeter and speaking to folks at a distance. Instead, I know I’m in good company as my body fights what was likely a small dose of the virus and as I develop hybrid immunity. I reported my positive at-home test case through your on-line system and read the super handy flowchart regarding my isolation period. Thanks for the amazing work you are doing to educate us and keep our community healthy. 2. I’m almost 73, I’ve had 2 Pfizer vaccines and 1 J & J booster. I had reactions to both the Pfizer and the J & J and consequently, have not had my 2nd booster. My doctor called my reaction an ‘unanticipated immune response’. Will I be able to have the Novavax vaccine when it is available? Will we be able to mix a non-mRNA vaccine with an mRNA vaccine? 3. Since I harvest a lot of produce to donate to the Food Bank, do I need to wear a mask to prevent spread of both Covid and MPV to the fruit & veggies that I handle? 4. It is very likely that I will be having coronary bypass surgery at the hospital in Silverdale in September. I expect the stay will be several days including initial time in the ICU. How can I decrease my chances of being infected with Covid while in the hospital? 5. One of my former coworkers was a Federal contractor who was terminated in January for being unvaccinated. OSHA determined that unvaccinated coworkers presented an extreme workplace hazard and an Executive Order forced my organization to fire her. We're interested in rehiring her to benefit once again from her experience. If we could find a loophole to fund her position some other way, would her presence as an unvaccinated person in the office still present the kind of extreme danger to our workplace that it did when she was fired? Or has the danger passed? 6. After I get the new Covid vaccination (as soon as available) should I continue masking in indoor crowded spaces? 7. I want to visit my two sons in Portland who are in their mid 40s. They've had the 3rd shot (1st booster) in December. Are they considered fully vaccinated? 8. I am an older person who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment. I have been vaccinated and boosted. What is your opinion of the following: If a family member visits who is vaccinated but not boosted would I be safe enough if we all wore a mask the entire time? I know we would need to be separated for eating purposes. The family member would take a COV1D test before arrival. Is it safe to be on friends' porch/patio if everyone is masked up and everyone has the proper vaccination status? Is it safe to go into grocery stores at early hours, masked up of course? What is your opinion on going to the Pour House outside if, of course, I am masked? As alway, thanks for your guidance and recommendations. The community needs and appreciates you. 9. Many of my friends are back into travel, eating in restaurants, and most people I see aren't wearing masks. Am I missing something? I have the policy if there are more than a few people in a room, with doors shut and vax status unknown, I wear a mask. But most people at my church, in grocery stores, etc are not masking. And patients in my outpatient massage clinic argue sometimes about masking. I just tell them "it's the law." Is there still a mandate for us in clinics to be masking? Is it ok to go without a mask again in grocery stores, churches, etc? In a way, I feel envious...it's as if friends are "back to life as normal," and most aren't getting sick that I know of. Is it time for me to let down my guard a little more, and enjoy life without a mask again? (I am 70 yo, vaxedx2 and boostedx2, and ready to get the third booster.) 10. With Governor Inslee dropping the emergency powers, it was the right thing to do to have capacity limits and such, right?