COVID vaccination rates low in SH

Sarah Brown

Residents in Sweet Home may be feeling the climate’s heat this week, but at least there’s less heat coming from the government after Gov. Kate Brown announced on Friday the end of the state’s safety protocols for COVID.

Oregon’s risk-level framework for counties will be lifted today, or after 70 percent of adults are vaccinated, whichever comes first, Brown said.

“That means no more statewide mask mandates in most settings, no required capacity limits, and no required physical distancing,” Brown said. “It means, effectively, Oregon is 100 percent open for business. This is a pivotal moment for Oregon.”

That’s good news for Bob Duce, who said he’s tired of having to wear a mask.

Though Duce got vaccinated, his wife hasn’t, and that’s her choice, he said. What they don’t need is more government control.

“And that’s what it was all about, anyway, government control, because there’s no rule or law that says you have to do it,” Duce said. “It was the government who said you had to have them.”

Despite Oregon being on the cusp of reaching its 70 percent vaccination goal, Brown still expressed concern regarding the counties that continue to have low vaccination rates.

Recent data (June 28) shows that 54 percent of residents age 16 and older in Linn County are vaccinated. According to a June 28 map provided by Linn County, 33 percent of residents in the 97386 zip code, and 43 percent in the 97355 zip code are vaccinated.

“For our communities that we’re not seeing a huge uptake of vaccinations, I am gravely concerned,” Brown said during a press conference earlier this month. “What we know is that many of these communities tend to be both medically and economically vulnerable, and it will be very, very challenging for the healthcare systems in these local communities.”

Following Brown’s announcement, Linn County Commissioner Roger Nyquist encouraged residents to “go out and enjoy life with all your zest and enthusiasm in the days, weeks and years to come.”

He also expressed pride in the grit and determination shown by Linn County residents to get through the last 16 months.

“While COVID-19 may be around for a while in some form, I believe the mandates and restrictions are done,” he added.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state epidemiologist, said unvaccinated individuals should remain aware they are still at risk for getting the virus and potentially developing complications as a result. He added that it comes down to personal responsibility.

“We need to be kind to each other, think about the actions we’re taking,” Sidelinger said.

That’s what many in Sweet Home, such as Duce, have been saying all along, that it’s a personal responsibility to protect yourself and those around you, but it’s also about freedom of choice.

Danielle Hay-Hanscam agrees.

“Quit forcing people to do the things that they should have freedom of choice to do,” she said.

If someone wants to wear a mask or get the vaccine, then do it, she said. If they don’t want to wear a mask or get the vaccine, then don’t do it.

If someone is vaccinated or wearing a mask, then they are presumed to be protected from the virus, she said. So if someone wants to be protected, they should only have to worry about taking the appropriate steps themselves.

Hay-Hanscam, herself, has chosen not to get the vaccine, but that doesn’t mean she won’t do it later. She’s just kind-of doing the wait-and-see thing, she said.

“Don’t tell me what I have to do. I’m all about personal choice, freedom to choose what you want to do,” she said.

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