Rep. Steele, Chelan-Douglas Health urge virus vigilance

NCW - Representative Mike Steele (12th District), ranking member of the House Education Committee, stated last week in regards to Governor Jay Inslee's mandate that all public and private K-12 schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties close for the next six weeks. “This is the right thing to do.” Steele, (R-Chelan), said, “I support the governor's decision to close the schools. In the beginning, I had reservations. But after meeting with the governor and senior officials from the Department of Health throughout the morning, I believe these steps will help slow the spread of the virus.
“My hope is that school districts not located in Central Puget Sound remain vigilant and continue to work closely with public health officials when making school closure decisions.''
“For the parents, students and the public, I urge caution and calm. It's critical that we all do our best to respond appropriately and effectively to what we know is a serious health threat.”
COVID-19, as the Coronavirus is diagnostically labelled, has been wreaking havoc all over Washington state, or what the national news calls "the epicenter" of the pandemic as manifested in the United States.
On an hourly basis, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee, Chelan and Okanogan County events are being cancelled, some by event organizers, some by governmental authorities and others by common sense.
An open house to celebrate the new West Cashmere Bridge was one such victim with the Chelan County Department of Public Works stating, "We will be following the advice of the Chelan-Douglas Health District and canceling in-person group events that we have planned. That includes the March 24 open house for the West Cashmere Bridge replacement project." Spokesman Jill Fitzsimmons also said, "Our efforts next week will turn to creating a virtual open house."
Fitzsimmons ended the press release by stating she hoped to have the link up by March 24.
According to real estate industry experts Trepp, "As COVID-19 continues to spread, the impact to business, markets, and everyday life is changing on a daily, if not hourly basis, which makes forecasting potential economic impacts a nearly impossible task. While it is growing more likely that the COVID-19 outbreak will cut across all industries, the initial impact of the COVID-19 and recent oil price shock will initially be felt more acutely in a handful of areas. These include travel, oil and gas extraction, entertainment, restaurants, and some sectors of retail."
Cashmere-based Certified Financial Planner Brad Blackburn stated last week, "After 10 years of shaking off every punch, the stock market was finally knocked down – and the longest bull market in history came to an end. It wasn’t the trade wars, or the Fed, or Brexit, or the Fiscal Cliff, or Greece, or any of the things that worried the financial world over the last decade. Instead, it was the Coronavirus."
Jennifer Bushong, spokesman for the Town Toyota Center, announced last week that the ice rink would be closed to public skating. "Due to the recent information provided by Chelan-Douglas Health District regarding the Coronavirus COVID-19, the TTC management made the decision to cancel public ice skating for the foreseeable future."
The area's only professional sports team, the Wenatchee Valley SkyHawks indoor arena football team, postponed its first game, scheduled yesterday, March 17, but pledges to honor all tickets for refunds or future game use.
Leavenworth's Icicle Creek Center for the Arts has also canceled several performances and the Leavenworth Ale Fest was canceled last weekend as well.
The city of Wenatchee has postponed its annual recycling event until the fall. A scheduled meeting of the Grant, Chelan and Douglas counties PUD's was also canceled last week amid fears of transmitting the disease. Many events were not canceled, but "postponed" until a future date, even though it is unknown when this health scare will become contained.
Most governors across the nation (at least 30 as of this writing) are banning any events where groups of 100-250 or more people are expected.
Cashmere's Evergreen Baptist Church Pastor John Smith isn't keen to that idea. "Gov. Inslee has banned large gatherings (250 or more) from meeting within the Seattle area in the hopes of preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. However, I cannot help but wonder how this is going to impact churches? Did any of us ever think that there would be a day when we would witness a governmental entity look to a church and say “you are not allowed to worship together”? We would expect this to happen in China, or the Middle-East, but in 2020 America?
No, I am not wearing a tin-foil hat when I am writing this but if the State can prevent churches from meeting over a perceived viral outbreak, what other “reasons” will they give to shut churches down?
Only time will tell and we should be aware that this sets a very dangerous precedence," stated Smith.
The vast majority of deaths so far in this state have been at a westside nursing home. No local deaths have been reported as of March 13.
Because of hourly updates and news releases from city, school district, county, state and federal governments, be sure to consult the Chelan-Douglas Health District for official up to date medical information regarding this pandemic. Go to: Chelan-Douglas Health District - cdhd.wa.gov or for statewide information go to: doh.wa.gov.