COVID Fight
Dear Editor: They Say “Better Late, than Never…”
On April 15, 2020, I sat in my living room with a needle and thread. A Youtube tutorial showed me how to sew a facemask. Sitka hadn’t yet had a COVID positive case, but soon would. My mask didn’t fit, and was poorly constructed, I left the store wondering if I had just hyperventilated in aisle six. I mention that because I felt like a weirdo walking through the store, just as you may now feel that way masking in public; especially after the CDC amended their recommendations in May for fully vaccinated folks. The greater question is “so are we going to do that again?” My answer to that is yes, we are, temporarily. We need to because we can mentally go through our list, 1) who is currently awaiting test results, 2) who is isolating in their home because they have COVID, and with spread trends, 3) how many more will find themselves in a COVID mess soon, in fact 4) will I be next? At this point, you know someone, so do I.
As your city government representative, I can tell you – I have struggled with formulating a plan. I read those CDC guidelines, and looked back to find that on Jan. 14, SEARHC started registering groups for the vaccine. That didn’t mean it was readily available then, but everyone who wanted the vaccine would be contacted as part of their rollout plan over the next few months. That eventually included teens, the most recent group approved for use. Simple, right? Everyone had access and a choice to make, and they made it. Not that simple. We know there are two categories who are not approved or recommended to get the vaccine. Not to mention this thing called ‘‘breakthrough cases,’’ which is trending high in Sitka. Plus the start of cruise ship season; and the fact that Sitka acts as a regional hub for most Southeast Alaska patients in need of hospital services; now we have sick Sitkans, the start of school, personal liberty, and the list goes on … yes, I have wrestled with formulating a plan.
You have been reaching out in droves with a plethora of ideas on how to handle this crisis. So what am I doing? I’m doing what I said I would do. I’m taking that info and reaching out to experts in the area of medicine and public health. If you look at your current Assembly makeup, that expertise is missing from the table. In order to ensure I’m heading in the right direction, I’m sending out emails, pulling people aside, and trying to formulate a plan that makes sense for our community. Thank you for engaging on this issue! I get it, it’s important! Let’s talk about balance. With your shared information, my role is to find balance, and yes, it can feel like performing on an Olympic balance beam at times (point those toes).
At a special meeting this evening, I will advocate for a temporary indoor mask mandate. Until now, the biggest barrier was CDC’s guidance. But now, largely due to the spreadability of the Delta variant, rising numbers nationwide have led to an updated recommendation that came out two days ago stating that fully vaccinated folks should mask in public places with high spread. With that new alignment, this is the direction Sitka should go.
For those who have not yet engaged in the process, your Assembly members are just an email or phone call away. You can also show up on Thursday evening, or if you’re worried about COVID, you can receive a phone call to offer phone testimony – contact your municipal clerk to schedule that. Thank you for using your voice; I have benefited from it.
And lastly, I mean this genuinely, to my Monday night quarterbacks who are criticizing the timeline or plan: I hear your words and frustration. And to that, I implore you to pick up a packet for Assembly. There are two positions to be decided in this upcoming election. I would love it if you brought your diverse perspectives and ideas to the table. Help lead.
Assemblywoman Crystal Duncan
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Dear Editor: When most people think of disaster relief, they think of volunteers becoming firefighters, distributing emergency food supplies, and building houses. However, even though I did none of these things this year during my stay in Sitka, I believe I have helped the community in a similar manner by serving as an AmeriCorps member serving at the Sitka School District.
Novel problems require novel solutions, and the COVID-19 pandemic was no different. The world has not seen a pandemic of this level since the 1918 flu pandemic. Luckily, since then, we have developed technologies that allow us to address this issue with methods that were not available in the past. Though it is key for the children’s future, education was not spared from being disrupted by the pandemic.
A century ago during the flu pandemic, many schools were closed and students had to learn from the radio. These days, we have Zoom calls, which are more advanced than radio, but they are not a perfect solution to replicating the classroom experience from home. In order to close the gap between virtual and in-person schooling for families that opted to keep their children at home, Blatchley Middle School opted to utilize AmeriCorps as online learning facilitators.
As facilitators, I and the other AmeriCorps at the school assisted teachers who were simultaneously teaching in-person and virtual classes. We made sure that virtual students had their concerns addressed and that they received sufficient attention from teachers. Furthermore, our help ensured that teachers could focus on their in-person students without being distracted and shift their attention only when necessary. Through this, we facilitators ensured that all students could have the best learning experience possible regardless of their circumstances.
Additionally, due to the circumstances of this year, many students found themselves falling behind academically. Through my tutoring, I helped get them back on the right track so that they are prepared for the years ahead. Though my work may not seem similar to traditional disaster relief, I hope that it has benefited the community in a similar way.
However, this could not have been done without the support and generosity of this community. Many times this year I have depended on the kindness of strangers. I am so grateful how this community has welcomed me with open arms, and I want to pass on this mindset to whatever community I may find myself in the future.
Jackie Mei,
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Alpine Adventure Run
Dear Editor: Thank you to the many helping hands that helped put forth the 28th running of the Alpine Adventure Run.
A special thank you to the following: U.S. Forest Service, Sitka Mountain Rescue, Sitka Fire Department, Sitka Police Department, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Raven Radio, Russell’s, Sitka Bottling Company, Northern Sales of Alaska Inc., Rising Tide, Sea Mart, AC Lakeside, St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Dean and Dorothy Orbison, Garland Kennedy, Kelly Goeden, Jen McNichol, Ray Reichel, Gary Perensovich, Kayla Perensovich Angie DelMoral, Tonya Venneberg, Ryan and Carmel Haug, Josh Horan, Ruth Culp, JoAnn Huff, Terry Lovett, Murray Lawson, Jasmine Wolfe, JJ Carlson and Carolyn MacIntyre.
The 29th running of the Alpine Adventure Run will be held on July 16, 2022. The opening date of registration will be announced in late January. The public is invited to view the pictures from this year’s run, on Alpine Adventure Run Facebook Page. Alpine Adventure Run photographer Ruth Culp did an amazing job!
To all you 2021 Alpine Adventure Runners – You ROCK IT!
Christine Horan, Race Director
Alpine Adventure Run
