18 new COVID cases on San Juan Island

The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management reports 18 confirmed or probable new COVID cases on San Juan Island since Feb. 18 — a reduction of more than half over last week. The County also reports five new cases on Lopez Island and four on Orcas Island. This week’s 27 new cases bring the total case count to 1,202.

In their media release, the County shared their perspective on how COVID precautions may change in the coming months in light of the mask mandate scheduled to expire on March 21:

The Governor will lift his mask mandate on March 21st, including for school students. San Juan County Health Department staff will monitor the situation, but currently feel more than comfortable with the timing of this decision.

Islanders will need to display their usual patience and empathy through the transition. Some will feel most comfortable continuing to wear masks — and that’s a perfectly reasonable decision. Some will be eager to go mask free, and if current trends hold, that will be fine too. Recognizing that nearly everyone’s nerves are frazzled, and meeting that anxiousness with relaxed and patient kindness and basic human decency, will go a long way towards healing the collective mental health of our community.

This all said, COVID will still be out there, is still a serious illness for many, and certainly something to be wary of. There will continue to be hospitalizations and fatalities. With that in mind, it’s important that anyone who is feeling sick stay home, and if you need to go out in public while symptomatic, for goodness’ sake, wear a mask. Get tested if you think you might have COVID and make decisions based on common sense and respect for your community.

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