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Lessons from the storm, and public health update

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber - 1/6/2023

Days of freezing weather. An ice storm. Ferry troubles.

That would never happen around here, right? Never on Vashon. Uh-huh. Right.

Well, meet Georgia Galus. At VashonBePrepared we call her the Go-Kit Lady. After the ice storm, we got in touch to ask why she is so passionate about go-kits.

"It was 2016," Galus said. "We had a lovely Christmas Eve over town and headed to Fauntleroy. It was cold and a holiday so we just wanted to get home. But it wasn't to be. When we got to the dock, there was big ferry trouble. There was no ferry coming for hours and it was just freezing."

Galus said that she and her husband, John, spent the night shivering, huddled together for warmth.

"Of course, cuddling is never an entirely bad thing," she said. "But we wanted to get home! So, we swore we would never be caught short again."

Georgia and John assembled go-kits for each of their vehicles (see box). When you assemble your go-kit, be sure to set a schedule for checking expiration dates and recharging batteries.

Here are the items Georgia and John Galus have in their go-bags:

  • Blankets, bottled water, gloves and a change of clothes
  • Food (candy bars, trail mix, etc.)
  • Emergency signal (road flares, battery-flasher, reflector, etc.)
  • Whistle for signaling
  • Jumper cables or portable jump starter
  • Cash, including small bills, and photocopies of personal ID
  • Tools (pliers, adjustable wrench, screwdriver, etc.)
  • Flashlight and headlamp (with batteries for both)
  • Hand sanitizer, toilet tissue and garbage bags
  • Spare glasses and a first aid kit, with instructions
  • Your medicines (and a list of what to take and when)
  • Contact lists, including an out-of-state contact
  • Phone charger, battery-operated or wind-up radio (and fresh batteries)
  • Duct tape, paper and pencil and a local map and compass

Keep in mind that there are as many go-kit lists on the Internet as recipes for chili or bouillabaisse. The main thing is to take action and get a go-kit together. You can add to it over time, make it simple, or get more elaborate. Learn more about go-kits online — start here and here.

Severe Flu Season Continues

The state Department of Health has issued a new appeal for people to get flu shots, and avoid spreading the flu by staying home if they have symptoms.

"Flu is spreading rapidly through our state and getting your flu shot now helps to protect us all," said Dr. Umair Shah, Washington's Secretary of Health. In the news release, Dr. Shah emphasized that the flu can be serious and deadly, a big worry since hospitalizations and deaths are much higher than usual for this time of year. Find out more at KnockOutFlu.org.

COVID Risk Level: Elevated

The key risk metric, hospitalizations, remains steady in the latest data reports from public health agencies in our tri-county area (King, Pierce, Kitsap).

The VashonBePrepared COVID risk tool was moved up to elevated risk shortly after Thanksgiving when the annual period of holiday gatherings and travel began. We are closely monitoring conditions over the next few weeks to see if an additional COVID bump will take place following the Christmas long weekend of travel and parties, as has happened for the past two years.

Although the primary risk metric is the hospitalization rate, the VashonBePrepared risk estimate also considers trends in the rate of new cases and in the test positivity rate. Hospitalization, case, and test positivity rate data come from the state Department of Health's COVID dashboard. Another factor that is considered is COVID wastewater monitoring for the region.

At this Elevated Risk level, it's smart for everyone to wear an N95 mask indoors in public.

People who are unvaccinated, at high risk from COVID, or living with someone at high risk should avoid non-essential indoor public activities.

If you must be indoors in a public place, it's extremely important to wear an N95 mask if you are unvaccinated, and/or at risk from COVID for health reasons, and/or you live or spend time with someone at risk from COVID, and/or are regularly exposed to COVID risk in work or group settings such as retail, school, or commuting.

It is also recommended to:

  • Test at home before gathering with friends and family.
  • Get the bivalent COVID vaccine if you have not already done so.
  • Maintain good ventilation at home and at work.
  • Avoid individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID.
  • If exposed to COVID, wear a mask in public and avoid contact with those at high risk for 10 days.
  • Always home-test if you have symptoms.

If you test positive:

  • Isolate for at least five full days after the onset of COVID symptoms (or positive test, if asymptomatic). Remain isolated until you test negative.
  • Avoid those at risk and wear a mask when indoors around others for 10 full days after the onset of COVID symptoms or a positive test even if testing negative after five days.
  • If immunocompromised, discuss additional prevention actions with your healthcare provider.

New Year's Safety Tip: Airlift Northwest

It's a good time to confirm that your Airlift Northwest membership is up to date, or to consider signing up if you are not already a member.

As we all know, we live on an island and Vashon doesn't have a hospital. If Vashon Island Fire & Rescue first responders decide your emergency can't wait for a ferry, they may call for a medical evacuation flight, and the cost for that helicopter air ambulance trip could be thousands of dollars if your insurance does not provide 100% coverage of emergency airlifts. Compare that to $60 per year for an annual household family membership in Airlift Northwest.

Things to know:

  • Airlift Northwest membership supplements existing health insurance, but only if that existing health insurance includes "emergency air ambulance" or "medical air transport." Call customer service for your health insurance plan to find out.
  • To have medical air transport costs covered, you must be enrolled before needing an emergency air ambulance flight.
  • Airlift Northwest covers medical air transport charges not covered by your medical insurance, but it won't cover out-of-pocket costs of care at a medical care facility.
  • Airlift Northwest covers medical air transport only in Washington and southeast Alaska. People who travel outside that area may want to obtain travel medical insurance that covers medical air transport.
  • People with Medicaid or Apple Health don't need an Airlift Northwest membership, as their Medicaid or Apple Health covers medical air transport.
  • People with Medicare but no Medigap or supplemental health insurance policy can benefit from getting an Airlift Northwest membership if they ever need medical air transport.
  • People with Medicare plus a Medigap or supplemental health insurance policy that includes medical air transport don't need Airlift Northwest membership

Enroll or renew here.