Letter: Island Leaders Say Stay Home For Holidays

As cases spike dramatically in San Juan County, Washington, and the United States, we would like to urge islanders to scale back their holiday plans.

Over recent months, we’ve been able to enjoy a slow reopening of our islands. Restaurants, gatherings, shops, gyms, and most recently schools have all made slow progress towards returning to a limited version of normal.

Those gains are now at risk, and the prospect of upcoming holiday travel is looming as an even greater threat to the health and livelihood of our community.

We urge all islanders to stay local and keep your holiday gatherings small.

Now is not the time to host family from across the state or beyond. Now is not the time to gather indoors with those from outside your household. Now is not the time to leave the islands to visit others. And now is certainly not the time to get on an airplane.

Now is the time to keep it simple and local, mask up, and protect our community and those most at risk.

Stay healthy, stay home.

Regards,

Eric Webb Superintendent, Orcas Island Schools

Fred Woods Superintendent, San Juan Island Schools

Mark Tompkins Director, San Juan County Health

Jennifer Swanson Superintendent, Shaw Island School

Dr. Dale Heisinger Chair, San Juan County Board of Health

Travis Ayers President, Luxel Corporation

Sandy Bishop Executive Director, Lopez Comm. Land Trust

Brian Auckland Superintendent, Lopez Island Schools

Jamie Stephens San Juan County Council

Adam Eltinge Owner, Island Petroleum Services

Jack Estrada Interim Chief Admin. Officer, Peace Island Med. Ctr.

Kai Sanburnm Lopez Island

Mike Thomas Manager, San Juan County

Duncan Wilson Administrator, Town of Friday Harbor

Victoria Compton Executive Direct., SJC Economic Dev. Council

Christa Campbell, Lopez Island Recovery Network

Brent Snow General Manager, Roche Harbor Resort

Laurie Orton Director, San Juan Island Library

Dr. Frank James Health Officer, San Juan County

Todd Nicholson Director, Port of Friday Harbor

Deborah Hopkins Executive Director, SJI Visitors’ Bureau

Rick Hughes Chair, San Juan County Council

Brendan Cowan San Juan County Emergency Management

Jacob Linnes Manager, Orcas Island Market

Phil Heikkinen Director, Orcas Island Library

Bill Watson San Juan County Council

Iris Graville President, Lopez Island Hospital District

Anne Presson Superintendent, Orcas and Lopez Public Hosp. Districts

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Categories: Letters, Safety