Topic: Health & Wellness

From San Juan County – Hot Topic #4: Creativity and Art in Difficult Times

Written on March 21, 2020 at 5:50 am, by

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders. Note: in an effort to diversity and strengthen San Juan County’s COVID-19 response, we’ve added some people to the team from the broader community. The article below is from Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey, the Executive Artistic Director at the San Juan Community Theater. Thanks  Continue Reading

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center prepares for COVID-19

Written on March 20, 2020 at 6:27 pm, by

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., March 20, 2020–While no positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in San Juan County to date, (Correction: Since receiving this 1 resident of Orcas has tested positive with COVID-19), officials leading response efforts expect to see this change as these numbers increase across western Washington.   Leaders with PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center  Continue Reading

First Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in San Juan County

Written on March 20, 2020 at 5:24 pm, by

First San Juan County Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus An Orcas Island resident has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. “The patient is in stable condition and is being treated at home,” said Dr. Frank James, San Juan County Health Officer. “The patient was seen by their physician after experiencing COVID-like symptoms. The COVID-19  Continue Reading

Siri Thorson, Letter From An Islander In France

Written on March 20, 2020 at 12:40 pm, by

I am a resident of San Juan County. I grew up on one of the small non-ferry islands, and members of my family including my parents still live there. Currently I am in a small town about 40 miles southeast of Paris. I was here visiting my boyfriend who is French when the COVID-19 outbreak  Continue Reading

Eventide Health COVID-19 Testing Update

Written on March 20, 2020 at 12:06 pm, by

We’re getting questions daily about testing. Because of a severe shortage of testing supplies, CDC has some new guidance on ending self isolation after symptoms resolve without a test and whom should be tested. We need to be testing far more patients but simply can’t currently. Dr. House has been doing all testing personally in  Continue Reading

Recording of March 19 COVID-19 Community Video Update Q&A Now Available

Written on March 19, 2020 at 5:04 pm, by

From the county, an informative update of our local coronavirus situation…  In order to help directly answer community concerns, San Juan County released a new COVID-19 video community update to the public on Thursday, March 19. Our latest question and answer session was recorded rather than broadcast live as our previous livestream (on March 9)  Continue Reading

A Message From Dr. Fishaut, Eventide Health Pediatrician

Written on March 19, 2020 at 5:30 am, by

To the families and children for whom I provide care:   While there are still no proven cases of COVID-19 infection on San Juan Island, it is prudent for me to step away from seeing patients at this time. So, in an abundance of caution for myself as a higher risk individual, my family, and  Continue Reading

Food Bank Will Be Open

Written on March 18, 2020 at 10:45 am, by

The Friday Harbor Food Bank will continue to be open every Wednesday and Saturday 1130AM to 2PM to all residents of San Juan Island. We have instituted some new procedures designed to minimize contact between volunteer staff and citizens wishing to access our food supplies.  Citizens are asked to maintain 6 feet of space between  Continue Reading

Café Demeter Now Open For Take-Out and Delivery

Written on March 18, 2020 at 10:19 am, by

Café Demeter will be open Tuesday-Saturday: 7 AM – 3 PM for in-store take-out, for pick-up of telephone orders (360.370.5443) and for home and business deliveries (for a small fee). Please feel free to call ahead with your order and we’ll have it ready for you. We make soup, sandwiches, salads and sweet and savory pastries. We will still have coffee, espresso drinks,  Continue Reading

San Juan Island School District Food Service during Teleschooling

Written on March 18, 2020 at 9:50 am, by

The San Juan Island School District recognizes that the pandemic related school closure for teleschooling will impact some of our families and their access to nutrition.  To help support our families, the School District’s food service will resume Friday March 20, 2020 in the form of grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches.  Beginning Friday, the San Juan  Continue Reading

Eventide Health Introduces A New Telemedicine Option

Written on March 17, 2020 at 5:48 pm, by

Eventide Health, formerly San Juan Healthcare, is pleased to announce our new Telemedicine option available immediately for all established patients. This will allow you to connect to one of our providers from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. We offer this service through VSee which is a HIPPA compliant  Continue Reading

From San Juan County – Hot Topic #3 Volunteering: Islanders Unite

Written on March 17, 2020 at 5:13 pm, by

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders. WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER We are greatly heartened, though not at all surprised, by the outpouring of islanders looking to be of service to their communities. As we all know, the islands are home to an extremely resilient group with a tremendous  Continue Reading

Auditor Services Available Remotely

Written on March 17, 2020 at 11:53 am, by

Staying home?  Need Auditor services (vehicle licensing, marriage licensing, dog licensing, voter registration, lost checks)?  We can help you from home! “Social distancing” wasn’t even a phrase until recently, and now everybody’s doing it.  If you haven’t heard the term yet, it means maintaining safe distances (at least six feet) from other people in order  Continue Reading

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center Suspends Visitor Access

Written on March 17, 2020 at 10:44 am, by

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., March 17, 2020– In order to protect its patients, their loved ones and its caregivers during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center is strategically and rigorously restricting the number of people who enter the doors of its facility. Effective March 17, no visitors will be allowed to enter  Continue Reading

Thursday Community Video Update on COVID-19 Response

Written on March 16, 2020 at 4:59 pm, by

In order to help directly answer community concerns, San Juan County will release its next COVID-19 video community update to the public on Thursday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. Our latest question and answer session will be recorded rather than live as our previous livestream (on March 9th) was so heavily subscribed some had issues accessing the  Continue Reading

From San Juan County – Hot Topic: School Is Closed, Now What?

Written on March 16, 2020 at 2:24 pm, by

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders. How isolated do we have to keep our kids now that schools are closed? For this Hot Topic, we reach out to Dr. Frank James, San Juan County Health Officer (and parent!). A few key points from Dr. James: First off, I  Continue Reading

Islander’s Bank Closes Lobby – Drive-Up Window To Remain Open

Written on March 16, 2020 at 2:16 pm, by

Effective Monday, March 16, Islanders Bank’s lobby will be closed until further notice.  Please conduct your banking transactions through our drive-up window.  Mobile & Online Banking are available to our customers, if you have not yet established these banking methods, please call us or visit our website: www.Islandersbank.com.   Be ready to provide your Security Code  Continue Reading

Island Senior: Coping With Coronavirus

Written on March 16, 2020 at 5:45 am, by

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… Things have moved so swiftly with the coronavirus it seems like we were just watching it on the news unfolding in China then suddenly it was close to home. Now our schools, the library, churches and offices are closed  Continue Reading

Blood Drive Still On – Blood Needed To Replenish Supply

Written on March 16, 2020 at 5:15 am, by

A “Hot Topic” From The County: Testing and Rumor Control

Written on March 15, 2020 at 11:15 am, by

HOT TOPIC #1: March 15th Testing and Rumor Control COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders. TESTING A lot of people have questions about testing.  We want to highlight a few key things: First off, if you’re on Orcas or Lopez, read this excellent article from Anne Presson of the Lopez  Continue Reading

A Message From The Mullis Community Senior Center

Written on March 15, 2020 at 5:30 am, by

The health and safety of our community is a shared responsibility and one that we take seriously. The San Juan County Health Department recommends that people at higher risk of severe illness should stay at home and away from large groups of people. People at higher risk include those: Over 60 years of age With underlying  Continue Reading

Letter to the Community From the San Juan Island School District Board

Written on March 14, 2020 at 3:44 pm, by

Much has been done in the very short time that our school district first learned about the coronavirus pandemic. The Superintendent and staff have been working tirelessly to develop a plan to serve our students in a tele-schooling model for at least the next six weeks. Most districts are expecting an extended loss of learning  Continue Reading