The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald & News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind. Overnight, cloudy with a low around 29.
Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 40.
Saturday A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.
SundayA chance of rain. Snow level 5700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Today’s Headlines
Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) officials reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. The local case count is 1,160.
The positive electronic laboratory records were in the system on Saturday; these cases all count toward last week. Last week’s count is 288. “This volume of new cases exceeds our capacity to continue to follow up on all cases within 24 hours,” said KCPH Director Jennifer Little. Little said webpages have been created for those who have tested positive and their close contacts.
COVID-19 has claimed 12 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,045 the Oregon Health Authority reported yesterday. Oregon Health Authority reported 1,331 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID- bringing the state total to 85,788.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (5), Benton (19), Clackamas (134), Columbia (7), Coos (9), Crook (6), Curry (8), Deschutes (66), Douglas (11), Grant (1), Harney (3), Hood River (3), Jackson (21), Jefferson (44), Josephine (21), Klamath (33), Lane (78), Lincoln (17), Linn (50), Malheur (11), Marion (165), Multnomah (330), Polk (24), Umatilla (15), Union (7), Wasco (16), Washington (225), Yamhill (35).
It’s getting more confusing by the minute, but the OSAA moved the winter sports season to May and the football season- however short it might be for high school teams- will start now in February and run through March.
The Oregon School Activities Association Executive Board met yesterday and chose to adjust the sports calendars for the 2020-21 season. The main changes in the calendar are the extension of Season 1 which allows schools to practice on their own if local health guidelines allow. It now extends until February 21. The fall sports will now take place in season 2 with practices for all sports except football starting on February 22. Football practices are set to begin on February 8 if the sport is removed from the governor’s list of prohibited sports. Cross Country and soccer seasons should begin on time because they are allowed under the current health guidelines.
Volleyball, as an indoor sport, is only allowed in counties with Lower, Moderate, or High-Risk designations under the Governor’s County Risk Level Guidance.
Applications are open for another round of state business relief funding, with Klamath County in charge of more than $1 million to award to businesses impacted by the two-week freeze to slow COVID.
The application opened on Friday for $1.098 million relief money in Klamath County, according to a SCOEDD news release. Businesses that were impacted by the freeze and haven’t already received funding from previous Business Oregon grant cycles are eligible.
Business are also eligible if they have been impacted by state executive orders in March and have had a loss of sales of at least 25%. Applications are open until Dec. 23 and can be found at scoedd.org.
Klamath Open Door medical staff came to Klamath Family Head Start for the 15th year to provide Physicals, Vitals, and Hematocrits for enrolled Head Start Children.
The services were provided for those who needed these medical services completed to satisfy Head Start Performance Standards and to help families establish a Medical Home.
December may be the season of giving – but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations; add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. The American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood or platelets this holiday season.
The Red Cross has scheduled multiple opportunities to donate in December in Klamath County, as well as Curry, Jackson and Josephine counties.
In Chiloquin a donation event is scheduled for Dec. 29 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Chiloquin Fire & Rescue, 201 S. First Ave.
In Klamath Falls donation events are planned for Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Sky Lakes Medical Center;
Dec. 17 from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Shilo Inn, 2500 Almond St.;
Dec. 28 from 12-5:30 p.m. at Refuge City Church, 2610 Shasta Way;
Dec. 30 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Running Y Ranch.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 1 million blood transfusions will be given in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.
Klamath County and the city of Klamath Falls will have work crews at the following locations this week; please use caution when in these areas and watch for flaggers. Consider alternate routes when able for the safety of workers.
Road closure on E. Langell Valley Road at Miller Creek Bridge – located approximately 12.6 miles east of Bonanza. The closure will be in effect from Dec. 7-18 for emergency repairs to replace bridge structural members. Motorists should use alternative routes including Gift Road and Cheese Factory Road/Gale Road. Asphalt crews will perform pothole repair and general maintenance city-wide, Dec. 7-11. Sign maintenance and sweeping will be performed throughout the City of Klamath Falls as needed. Detours and signage will be in place where needed. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution through construction zones or consider alternate routes.
Around the state of Oregon
Early Sunday night, On Medford Police Officers were dispatched to the listed motel for an assault report. Upon their arrival officers located a deceased 28 year old male in the motel room, on East Barnett road. Injuries to the deceased male were consistent with an assault. The listed suspect Jackson Frischman was on scene and identified as a suspect. He was taken into custody without incident and later lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Murder in the 2nd Degree.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Medford Police Department Criminal Investigations Division (541-774-2230)
A Josephine County individual has died from complications relating to a COVID-19 infection.
A 78-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 Nov. 27 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass and died Dec. 6 at Asante Ashland Community Hospital. She had underlying conditions.
This is the seventh death of a Josephine County COVID-19 patient.
An unlucky surfer had a rare encounter with a shark along the Oregon coast.
The surfer — identified only as an adult male — was riding the waves at Seaside Cove on Sunday when a shark set upon him, biting him in the leg and leaving puncture marks in his surfboard. Luckily, the injuries were non life-threatening and a group of fellow surfers were able to carry him to safety. An off-duty lifeguard was also nearby and applied a field tourniquet to the surfer’s leg to help stop some of the bleeding. The surfer was taken to a local hospital.
Open enrollment for Health Insurance, which began Nov. 1, will end Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Oregonians who do not receive health insurance through work, Medicare, or the Oregon Health Plan will need to sign up for health insurance at HealthCare.gov before Dec. 15 if they want to have coverage in 2021.
Despite the tumultuous nature of this year, Oregonians have enrolled in health insurance at the same levels as this same point last year.
“We’re glad to see Oregonians choosing to stay covered during this pandemic,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “But we know there are thousands more Oregonians out there who could get help paying for health insurance. There is help available for them, but only if they act quickly.”
Consumers can look at plans and find out how much of a subsidy they are eligible for by going to HealthCare.gov.
“You can get help paying for health insurance based on your income,” said Flowers. “Don’t assume you make too much to be eligible.”
Individuals making $51,040 or less per year, and families of four making $104,800 or less, may get help paying for coverage. In 2020, more than seven in 10 Oregonians who chose plans through HealthCare.gov got financial help for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These savings lowered the average premium to just $145 per month.
Assessing alcohol consumption during COVID-19
The year is almost behind us, and it’s been a rough one. As we look for different ways to add cheer to the holiday season, it’s important to remember the risks related to alcohol use and COVID-19:
- Alcohol use can increase the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, which are sometimes associated with COVID-19.
- Poor decision-making from drinking alcohol may lead to abandoning habits that help keep all of us safe, such as physical distancing and wearing a mask or face covering.
Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), one of the most severe complications of COVID-19.
Learn more:
- For information about substance use help and other mental and emotional supports, see Oregon’s Safe + Strong website.
- To learn more about the myths and facts about alcohol use and COVID-19, read the World Health Organization’s fact sheet. It also contains useful tips for people struggling with alcohol use and isolation during COVID-19.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has information and resources related to excessive alcohol use and COVID-19.
STATE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES REACH AGREEMENT TO EXTEND REBUILDING TIMELINES FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has reached an agreement with several insurance companies to extend timelines to at least two years from the date of loss for 2020 Labor Day wildfire victims to rebuild homes and replace damaged personal property.
The following insurance companies have signed on to the rebuild timeline agreement:
| Allied Insurance | Harleysville Insurance | QBE |
| Allstate | Homesite Insurance | Safeco |
| American Family | Liberty Mutual | Scottsdale Indemnity |
| Austin Mutual | National Casualty Company | Sublimity Insurance |
| Crestbrook Insurance | Nationwide Insurance | United Heritage |
| CSAA General Insurance | NGM Insurance | USAA |
| Encompass Insurance | North Light Specialty | Western Protectors Insurance |
| Esurance | Oregon Mutual | |
| Grange Insurance | PEMCO Mutual |
The complete list, including additional subsidiary companies, is listed on the division’s wildfire insurance page that list will be updated as more insurance companies commit to the agreement.
“The ability to rebuild homes after a catastrophic event is often delayed by the need to effectively address safety hazards in the area and the increased demand on construction resources,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “We are glad to see these companies agree to provide time for wildfire victims to effectively work through the recovery process.”
Many insurance policies limit the time a person has to rebuild their home after it is damaged, and require that homes be rebuilt at the address listed on their policy’s declarations page. This agreement also provides people the ability to rebuild their homes at a different location.
The agreement helps accomplish three things:
- It alleviates demand on construction resources in wildfire damaged areas
- It allows victims the ability to recover faster
- It helps control the cost of construction by extending the rebuilding timeframe
This agreement does not extend the amount of additional living expense benefits available under a policy, nor does it alter any other terms of the policy contract.
Visit the division’s wildfire insurance page for more information on this agreement, watch videos of the virtual town halls, and review several insurance claim tips.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority is publishing new crisis care principles to help the state’s health care system manage public health crises — such as the recent surge of COVID-19 cases — that threaten to overwhelm hospitals dealing with scarce resources.
Principles in Promoting Health Equity During Resource Constrained Events is a significant shift from Oregon’s previous crisis care guidance created by health system partners, including OHA representatives, in 2018. In September 2020 OHA determined it would no longer reference the 2018 guidance due to its potential for perpetuating discrimination and health inequities. Since then, OHA has met with community partners and health care experts to co-create a new and inclusive process, with the goal of creating new crisis care guidance centered in health equity.
While the development of official guidance will take more time to establish, OHA recommends that health systems take immediate next steps to incorporate the newly published principles into crisis care planning and procedures.
“With the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and emerging health system capacity constraints, as well as in response to community partner input thus far, we recognize the pressing need to articulate health equity principles, prevent discrimination, and support our health system partners at this critical time,” said Dana Hargunani, M.D., M.P.H., OHA’s chief medical officer.
Input by advocates from the disability community, communities of color, health system ethicists, and public health community advisors helped inform these principles as an interim step. OHA plans for robust, transparent, and continued community engagement and collaboration to develop Oregon’s future equity-centered crisis care guidance, including consultation with Oregon’s nine Federally Recognized Tribes.
Oregon State Senator Sara Gelser (Corvallis/Albany), who has advocated for communities experiencing disabilities, communities of color and improved health equity within the state’s health care system, said these principles “help center health equity for this specific, critical moment in time with the COVID-19 surge. The principles position Oregon as a national leader in health care justice work, providing a model to other leaders doing this work across the county,” she said. “This is only the start of the discussion.”
Emily Cooper, legal director at Disability Rights Oregon, said that as COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise, health care providers must understand their obligations to treat all patients equitably. “No patient should be denied care due to their disability or assumptions about how long they are expected to live with their existing health conditions,” she said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the state as they work toward developing longer-term guidance.”
OHA Equity and Inclusion Division Director Leann Johnson said it’s imperative—when upholding health equity principles and practice, and preventing bias in the allocation of critical resources—that “we don’t further disadvantage people and communities most impacted by health inequities and the long-standing burden of racism and oppression.”
“The toxic stress of racism can make people more susceptible to chronic disease and underlying conditions, so it is important that those diseases and conditions not factor into the decision-making equation for life saving measures,” Johnson said.
Rebecca Lavelle-Register, a member of the Multnomah County Public Health Advisory Board, said the new principles represent a small but important step toward improving health equity in Oregon.
“2020 will be seen as a mournful year for our nation, with losses felt across the country, but also the year we reaffirmed that the lives of all Oregonians, regardless of race, disability, or status, are worth protecting,” she said. “Health equity needs to be at the forefront of everything we do. We are challenging all health care organizations to do better. It is time to come together and address the inequities faced by our community’s most vulnerable populations.”
Robert Macauley, M.D., pediatric palliative care specialist at Oregon Health & Science University, said crisis care is complex and critically important, especially in the context of the current pandemic. “OHA’s commitment to developing principles to ensure all Oregonians — particularly communities of color, tribal communities and people with disabilities — have the resources they need is an important next step,” he said.
OHA’s four key principles:
- Non-discrimination — Crisis care principles must align with civil rights laws that protect people in Oregon from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, sex and gender identity. Civil rights norms and laws are not suspended or waived, even in times of disaster.
- Health equity — Approaches to resource allocation in the face of worsening constraints should account for the reality that systemic discrimination and racism have deeply and pervasively impacted individual and community health long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Centering health equity goes beyond the traditional crisis care approach of saving the most lives or life-years through allocation of scarce health care resources during a crisis, which ignores historical and current health inequities and leads to further inequitable access to life-saving resources.
- Patient-led decision making — Patients must be able to partner with their care team in making decisions guided by their values. Patient care and treatment preferences, patient decision making support needs, and patient communication needs must be considered during the allocation of scarce resources for all patients.
- Transparent communications — The public and patients should be informed when health system crisis care plans are activated, and should have up-to-date and open information about those plans, including how resources will be allocated differently from conventional care plans.
In OHA’s judgement, when applying the principles of non-discrimination and health equity, the following factors should be excluded from consideration when allocating scarce resources in a public health crisis:
- Underlying conditions or disability: any approach to triaging care should not exclude patients on the basis of a known or suspected co-morbidity or underlying health condition, including but not limited to disability status such as the presence of physical, mental or behavioral health conditions, or intellectual, developmental or other disability.
- Life expectancy, in which people of color, people with disabilities and other communities are disadvantaged due to long-standing toxic stress, trauma, systematic genocide, colonization and other factors.
- Resource utilization and quality of life, which can lead to the systematic deprioritization of resources for individuals with developmental, intellectual, and other disabilities, older adults, and individuals from communities of color.
- Personal ventilators, which some patients with chronic conditions are dependent upon outside a public health crisis.
The principles also state that any approach to triaging care when resources are limited should not be based on “morally or scientifically irrelevant considerations,” such as socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, immigration status, faith orientation, parental status, ability to pay, insurance coverage, disability, or solely on the basis of age.
“Our hope is that Oregon never faces constraints in health care resources that requires crisis standards of care, but if we ever do, we hope these principles will guide decision-making, mitigate the impacts of implicit and explicit bias, and prevent discrimination at this critical time,” Hargunani said.