Mason County News

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the April 7, 2020 Mason County Commission meeting. There are three ways to watch live at 9 AM: hcc.net/news, MasonWebTV.com or Mason County’s website (co.mason.wa.us.) You can also watch on demand on hcc.net/news, MasonWebTV.com or Mason County’s website: co.mason.wa.us. Rebroadcasts on Hood Canal Communications’ local channel are Thursday at 6 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 9 AM.

Here is the meetings agenda:

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A man in his 70s is the 16th Mason County resident to test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Mason County Public Health was notified Monday, April 6, 2020 of the additional positive test and reports that patient is currently hospitalized outside of the County. Public Health officials are conducting contact interviews at this time.

A news release says that 501 COVID-19 tests have been performed and of the 16 confirmed positive cases, none are hospitalized in Mason County. Positive test results will likely continue coming in daily and are located throughout Mason County.

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Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal today announced the extension of school closures for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The order keeps both public and private schools closed in accordance with the governor’s original order on March 13.

The governor’s proclamation prohibits in-person instruction through June 19, with exceptions for students with disabilities and English language learners for whom distance learning would present challenges. Facilities remain accessible for limited use, including providing child care and packing take-home meals for students’ families to pick up. All activities must follow Department of Health social distancing guidelines.

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Mason County has one more positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19), increasing the number to 15. Mason County Public Health was notified Sunday, April 5, 2020 of the additional County resident who tested positive. Mason County Public Health is conducting contact interviews at this time. The patient, a male in his 50s, is currently isolating at home. The total number of tests performed in Mason County is 476.

I don’t believe we are doing the public any justice by withholding a general area in a county which covid-19 positive cases have been identified. I believe other communities have benefited by dodging or frequenting a little less areas where cases have been Identified. It may have some affect on business or at least maybe people will practice a little better covid-19 hygiene practices knowing that the virus has hit closer to home in their community thus maybe saving hospitalizations or lives. Identify the area in the county not the the names of the infected.

Anonymous, Belfair

Watch the 10:30 AM St. David of Wales Episcopal Church in Shelton, WA Service for April 5, 2020.

St. David’s is partnering with MasonWebTV Powered by HCC to bring their services to the community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Governor’s “Stay Home; Stay Healthy.” order.

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Another positive COVID-19 case in Mason County brings the total to 14 out of the 442 people tested.

Mason County Public Health was notified Saturday, April 4, 2020 of one (1) additional Mason County resident that tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 14 positive cases of COVID-19 in the County. Mason County Public Health is conducting contact interviews at this time. The patient is currently isolating at home. Case information is as follows:

Port commissions in Mason County have announced changes to way they are meeting to adhere to the Governor’s “Stay Home. Stay Healthy.” order which prevents public gatherings.

The Port of Allyn Commission’s regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6th will NOT be held at the Port offices as previously scheduled. The 6 PM meeting will now be online via Zoom Conferencing. The public is invited to join the meeting, and will be given an opportunity for public comment at the usual time on the meeting agenda. The meeting ID is: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3730840011.

The Port of Shelton Commission’s meeting at 2 PM Tuesday, April 7th will be held via conference call. The meeting’s agenda says to call (701) 802-5340 and use Access Code 560884 when prompted followed by the “#” key and then mute your phone.

The Port of Dewatto Commission will also be using Zoom for their meeting on Wednesday, April 8th. Interested residents will need to call the port to get the call in number and PIN 10 minutes prior to the 6 PM meeting. The Commissioners will be there to make motions and actions. Comments will be allowed at the end of the meeting.

With the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, most state construction work has been suspended. However, work to complete fish passage culvert work continues in order to make progress on the federal court injunction deadlines and to comply with time-sensitive fish windows for in-water work. One of those projects is in Mason County and another is in Pierce County. Here is scheduled work for April 5, 2020 to April 11, 2020.

US 101 – Coffee Creek – Remove Fish Barrier
Highway: US 101 Region: Olympic County: Mason Location: Milepost(s) 346.8
Description:  Crews are building a new alignment for Coffee Creek as part of a WSDOT fish barrier removal project. 
Work Schedule: See below:

Washington state is currently experiencing significant community-based transmission of COVID-19. Recent information suggests that a significant portion of persons with COVID-19 may not have any symptoms, and even those who do have symptoms can transmit the infection before showing signs of illness.

The Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that people wear cloth face coverings when they are in public settings where they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from others. This might include trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, health clinic or similar places.