As respiratory virus season gets under way, infectious disease experts are urging Lane County residents to take advantage of newly available, updated vaccines to stave off another COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) wave that besieged hospitals last fall. Paul Cieslak, M.D., of Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Katie[Read More…]
Health & Wellness
Area hospital to close; impacts of other facilities anticipated
PeaceHealth announced on Aug. 22 that it began the process of closing PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District (University District) on Hilyard St and E 13th Ave in Eugene because it is “underutilized” – which will not just affect Eugene residents, but Springfield and South Lane County as well.[Read More…]
Bedrock, Priceboro fires affecting air quality
The faint smell of smoke is reminding Oregonians of wildfire season’s yearly return, with 26 active fires across the state and 49,904 acres having already burned. In and around Lane County, the Bedrock Fire and more recent Salmon Creek and Priceboro fires are most affecting our region. Located in the[Read More…]
Living with MS: ‘Even the broken and damaged can be beautiful’
I have observed that life has felt heavy for many people throughout our community. I am reminded of Sisyphus — the mythological character forced to roll a boulder up a hill day after day after day. We all carry the weight of our boulders as we trudge through rainy[Read More…]
Fight food waste to beat inflation
Lane County’s “Simplify the Holidays” campaign hopes to help residents and businesses reduce food waste during the holiday season. Over the past year, U.S. food prices have risen more than 10%, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index (CPI). This data presents real challenges for people coming together during[Read More…]
Viruses on the rise
With an uptick in holiday gatherings, a wave of illness anticipated by health officials is rolling in with full force. Monkeypox has made its first reappearance in Lane County since September, while RSV and influenza cases are skyrocketing, according to area health officials. “The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is spreading[Read More…]
New Covid-19 booster could be available this week
Federal authorities last week authorized the use of new updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters for people 12 and older, and the updated boosters are expected to be available in Oregon as early as this week. The recommendation comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)[Read More…]
‘Concerning Drop’ in blood donations
Just as most cars need to be refueled constantly, so does the nation’s blood supply. The American Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood and platelet donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage. The decline[Read More…]
Lane County releases pandemic recovery plan
Lane County has released its Annual Recovery Plan, providing residents with transparent information regarding efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and promote economic recovery. Lane County was directly awarded $74.2 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. To date,[Read More…]
It’s tomato time
You know it’s summer when you bite into your first juicy ripe tomato. If you’re growing your own, you know once they start ripening, they don’t stop. Luckily, there are so many ways to use the bounty (besides sharing them with others), that you won’t have to worry about them[Read More…]
