Pacific City
SUN
Tillamook County Transportation District activates COVID emergency protocols...... 4
Hart’s Camp earns national acclaim
Signs point the way to safety, courtesy...................................................7
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Pacific Coast Bible Church to celebrate quarter century mark one year late ...........10
Vol. 15, No. 375 • August 13, 2021 • FREE!
Adventist Health adds online scheduling, updates appointment scheduling systems
A Summer of
Growth
Students embraced arts, science during school’s summer session
Governor Kate Brown announces statewide indoor mask requirements Governor Kate Brown recently announced two new health and safety measures to address the spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations: a vaccination requirement for state employees and statewide indoor mask requirements. In what was touted as an effort to stop the Delta variant of the virus, masks will be required in all indoor public settings, effective Friday, Aug.13. New modeling from the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) projects that, without new health and safety interventions in place, COVID-19 hospitalizations will far exceed Oregon’s health system capacity in the next several weeks. According to modeling from OHSU, without these additional mitigation measures, Oregon could be as many as 500 staffed hospital beds short of what will be needed to treat patients hospitalized for any reason by September. “Oregon is facing a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations –– consisting overwhelmingly of unvaccinated individuals –– that is quickly exceeding the darkest days of our winter surge,” said Governor Brown. “When our hospitals are full, there will be no room for additional patients needing care – –whether for COVID-19, a heart attack or stroke, a car collision, or a variety of other emergency situations. If our hospitals run out of staffed beds, all Oregonians will be at risk. “There are two keys to saving lives. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
And, by wearing masks, all of us –– vaccinated and unvaccinated –– can help ensure that a hospital bed staffed by health professionals is available for our loved ones in their time of need. If we all do our part, we can beat COVID-19 once and for all, keep our economy open and thriving, and return our kids to the classroom with minimal disruptions in a few weeks.” Governor Brown also announced that all State of Oregon executive branch employees will be required to be fully vaccinated on or before Oct. 18, or six weeks after a COVID-19 vaccine receives full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, whichever is later. The requirement will apply to all executive branch employees, including employees working for all Oregon state agencies, and in consultation with Oregon’s statewide elected officials, employees of the Oregon State Treasury and the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, as well as employees of the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries and the Oregon Department of Justice. Employees will be required to show proof of vaccination by the deadline. Individuals unable to be vaccinated due to disability or sincerely held religious belief may be able to qualify for an exception, as required by state and federal law. State of Oregon employees will not have the option of weekly testing instead of showing proof of vaccination. “Vaccines are safe and effective, and they are the surest way to prevent Oregonians from ending
we are open!
up in intensive care units,” said Governor Brown. “I am taking action to help ensure State of Oregon workplaces are safe for employees and customers alike, and I am strongly encouraging all public and private employers to follow suit by requiring vaccination for their employees. The only way we can stop the spread of COVID-19 for good is through vaccination.” The vaccination requirement does not apply to employees of Oregon’s legislative and judicial branches of government, though the Governor is encouraging the leadership of both branches to consider a similar requirement. Governor Brown announced new statewide indoor mask requirements on Aug. 11. “The latest science is clear: although unvaccinated individuals are more likely to contract the disease, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can spread the Delta variant,” she said. “Masks are a simple and effective way to make sure you are not unknowingly infecting your friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues. After a year and a half of this pandemic, I know Oregonians are tired of health and safety restrictions. This new mask requirement will not last forever, but it is a measure that can save lives right now. It will help to protect all of us, including people who are immunocompromised, and our children under 12 who are not yet eligible to get vaccinated. Masks are a simple and effective tool that will keep our schools, businesses, and communities open.”
Citing high demand for scheduling appointments as well as meeting expectations for convenience and care, Adventist Health Tillamook has announced several updates that increase options for scheduling appointments and decrease the time to see a provider. Primary care appointments can now be scheduled online for coastal clinics in Tillamook, Pacific City, Lincoln City and Manzanita as well as inland clinics in Sheridan, Vernonia, Hoodland and Estacada. When patients visit the Adventist Health Tillamook website, AdventistHealthTillamook. org, scheduling a primary care appointment online simply requires clicking “Book online” immediately below the photo of the primary care provider of their choice. Online appointment scheduling is also available via the recently updated MyAdventistHealth app, a healthcare portal for managing care and messaging providers. “Online scheduling allows fast access to getting routine care patients need,” says Eric Swanson, president of Adventist Tillamook. “The spring and summer brought very high demand for care at our clinics and providing online scheduling has the potential to meet this demand while at the same time lowering wait times for patients who prefer to schedule their appointment by phone.” Additionally, calling for an appointment has been upgraded with a new queueing system with callback ability. This feature allows for a patient to leave their number so an Adventist Health associate can return their call in the same order in which it was received. Also, several providers are joining Adventist Health Tillamook & Rural Oregon Clinics from August-October. Amy Echelberger, MD, will be joining the Medical Office – Manzanita facility, and Nina Mattarella, MD, Angelo Williams, DO, and Niels Mitchell, PA-C, will be joining the Adventist Health Tillamook Medical Office – Plaza. Officials say the additions will greatly reduce the time to see a provider for care. For a complete list of Adventist Health Tillamook primary care providers, and to schedule an appointment, visit AdventistHealthTillamook.org/ onlinescheduling or call 503-8424444. Adventist Health Tillamook is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities in California, Hawaii and Oregon. Their workforce of 32,900 includes more than 23,600 employees; nearly 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 4,350 volunteers. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 19 hospitals, more than 260 clinics (hospitalbased, rural health and physician clinics), 15 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. Visit AdventistHealthTillamook.org for more information.
VISIT US AT ANY OF OUR THREE COASTAL BREWPUBS
Join us for lunch and dinner at one of our three coastal brewpubs – Pacific City, Tillamook, or Cannon Beach. All three locations are OPEN with indoor and outdoor dining. Fly over and enjoy our newest seasonal Peach Trip, Ale with Peaches or Kreamsicle, an Orange Zest India Pale Ale. Visit PelicanBrewing.com to stay up to date on all our current offerings, hours, and dining options. Cheers!