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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-30-2021 862-TA Notice of Public Hearing (BOCC)A14 The BulleTin • Tuesday, novemBer 30, 2021 Epidemiologists studying the variant have said its struc-ture has about 50 mutations that have not been seen before. Many are in the spike protein that the virus uses to hook it-self more firmly onto healthy cells. That would likely make it more contagious than previ-ous versions of COVID-19.But other variants have failed to spread in Oregon and other regions of the United States because the delta variant had “crowded out” other vari-ants from reaching unvacci-nated people first.Oregon officials said it was too early to gauge whether having nearly 80% of state residents over 18 vaccinated, combined with those who have been exposed to the delta vari-ant, will be enough to block omicron from spreading across the state. An Oregon Health & Science University forecast, due Thursday, may include some projections.After being surprised by the rapid spread of the delta variant, several countries are taking rapid steps to institute travel bans to slow the spread of omicron. The efforts range from Britain barring visitors from some African nations where the omicron variant was first reported to Israel freezing all foreign visits.President Joe Biden said Monday the omicron variant was reason for concern, but not panic.“We’re throwing everything we have at this virus, tracking it from every angle,” Biden said in an address from the White House. He plans on visiting the National Institutes of Health on Tuesday for a further up-date.Sharon Peacock, who has led genetic sequencing of COVID-19 in Britain at the University of Cambridge, told the Associated Press the new variant has mutations “consis-tent with enhanced transmissi-bility,” but said that “the signifi-cance of many of the mutations is still not known.”Scientists said it could take weeks to know the spread of the omicron variant in the United States. Tests by the World Health Organization will also require about two weeks to be able to say with some certainty whether the new variant poses an increased danger to vaccinated people. The main impact will fall again on those who remain unvac-cinated. Omicron’s structure makes it a “supercharged” spreader in unprotected pop-ulations.According to the state’s com-munity transmission report, Deschutes County was the only large county in Oregon with a per capita new-case rate over 200, and that was just barely, at 201 per 100,000. Though high compared to other parts of the state, the county’s mark was a big drop from 288.3 cases per 100,000 in the previous report released Nov. 22.A number of larger counties showed very low numbers that drove the overall state average lower. Multnomah County, which includes Portland, re-ported 68 cases per 100,000. The state’s second most pop-ulous county, Washington, re-ported 77. Lane County, home of the University of Oregon in Eugene, had 80. Benton County, home of Corvallis and the main campus of Oregon State University, had 50.7.The county risk levels were used until June to decide what level of restrictions to activi-ties and gatherings would be placed on counties due to their measurements of infection and likely continued contagion. A large county above 200 cases per 100,000 would have once been placed in the “extreme” risk level, the most restrictive of four tiers.Gov. Kate Brown and OHA phased out the risk-level sys-tem over the spring and ended the ratings completely in late June when the state closed in on a 70% vaccination rate. When the delta variant sent risk levels to new record highs, the state did not reinstate the restrictions, saying it was up to local authorities to make de-cisions. e gwarner@eomediagroup.com Virus Continued from A1 BY JOEL ACHENBACH The Washington PostWhen the variant now known as omicron first appeared on a global database of coro-navirus genomic sequences, scientists were stunned.This was the weirdest creature they’d seen to date. It had an unruly swarm of muta-tions. Many were known to be problematic, impeding the ability of antibodies to neu-tralize the virus. But there had never been a variant with so many of these mutations gathered in a package.Even though scientists recognized some of these mutations, many others were new and utterly enigmatic.“We have seen these mutations in other strains, in twos and threes, and each time they were a little harder to neutralize, but didn’t spread particularly well. Now, all together? It’s a complete black box,” Benja-min Neuman, a virologist at Texas A&M University, said in an email.Of the many questions about omicron, the overriding one is whether it’s as bad as it looks at first glance.In a preliminary technical brief, the World Health Organization said the “over-all global risk” from omicron is “very high,” and recommended that govern-ments worldwide enhance their ability to sequence coronavirus variants, report local cases of omicron to the global health body and accelerate their vaccination drives.The significance of omicron pivots on several unknowns. Is it more transmissible than the delta variant? Can it cause more severe illness? And can it erode or even completely evade immunity, whether in-duced by vaccines or previous infections?Earlier variants, including alpha and delta, had mutated in ways that enhanced their transmissibility. But scientists have long feared the possibility that the coro-navirus, SARS-CoV-2, would evolve to become a more slippery, elusive pathogen — evading, even if only partially, the early lines of defense from the immune system, including neutralizing antibodies.There are other elements of the immune system, such as “killer” T cells, that pro-vide backup protection, and they are likely to provide protection from severe illness even for new variants such as omicron, in-fectious-disease experts think.Scientists don’t want to get ahead of the facts: No one knows yet how this variant behaves in real-world situations. But if it has a high degree of immune evasive-ness, vaccine makers will have to revise their formulas, something already in the works at a preliminary stage. This would be a major setback in the world’s efforts to emerge from a pandemic soon to enter its third full year.The other possibility: Omicron could go the way of alpha, beta, lambda, gamma, mu and other variants that had worrisome mutations and a period of notoriety but were driven virtually to extinction by the more transmissible delta variant.“We’re in a delta pandemic now. Does this outcompete delta? To be determined,” said Robert Garry, a virologist at Tulane University who has scrutinized the muta-tions in omicron. “Delta’s a pretty good vi-rus, right? It’s good in terms of being trans-missible. This one would have to show some extraordinary characteristics to out-compete it.”Omicron may not have been fully tested in direct competition with delta. The delta variant, first identified in India early this year, is at least twice as transmissible as the first version of the coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, nearly two years ago. By summer, delta had routed virtually every other variant on the planet.South Africa, now late in its spring-time, was experiencing a low level of viral transmission before omicron appeared and started a cluster of infections. That cluster could have represented a random superspreader event rather than a clear signal of greater transmissibility of omi-cron.Experience offers some hope that omi-cron could fade as a threat. Other vari-ants — for example, mu — have appeared with mutations that are known to lower the potency of antibodies. But that im-mune-escape advantage was not enough to overcome a relative weakness in other mechanisms that enable infection. So when the mu variant appeared in South-ern California, it generated headlines for a week or two before being crushed by delta.The origin of omicron is unclear. It came out of a remote part of the virus’s family tree. It is not a descendant of delta, although it shares some of delta’s muta-tions. With testing and genomic surveil-lance spotty in some regions, scientists aren’t sure how long this variant has been in circulation. It is possible that omicron has gradually evolved in the human pop-ulation and simply remained below the radar of the scientific and medical estab-lishments.The coronavirus has mutated steadily, at a fairly leisurely pace. Some of the muta-tions that stick around, becoming embed-ded in the genetic code of the virus going forward, have offered an advantage to the “fitness” of the virus, for example by firm-ing up the spike protein on the surface of the virus and improving its ability to bind to receptor cells.It is possible that omicron is not as transmissible as the small data set from South Africa has suggested. The discovery of a cluster of omicron infections in a uni-versity may have led officials to oversam-ple that population in further testing.Likewise, the lack of data to date has pre-vented scientists from reaching conclusions about whether omicron is more capable of causing severe disease. South African offi-cials have said they have not seen evidence of a surge in severe illness. Public health officials continue to push vaccination, including booster shots, as the best way to prepare for a new coronavirus variant.“You have to get your vaccine. You have to get the shot. You have to get the booster,” President Biden said. Omicron mutations stun scientists, but can the new variant outcompete delta? Jerome delay/aPStudents from Norway who were on a field trip to South Africa wait to be tested for COVID-19 be- fore boarding a flight to Amsterdam at Johannesburg’s airport Monday. The World Health Orga-nization urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concern over the new omicron variant. BY DAVID A. LIEB associated PressA federal judge on Monday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states that had brought the first legal chal-lenge against the requirement.The court order said that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had no clear authority from Congress to enact the vaccine mandate for provid-ers participating in the two government health care programs for the elderly, dis-abled and poor.The preliminary injunction by St. Lou-is-based U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp applies to a coalition of suing states that includes Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kan-sas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyo-ming. All those states have either a Repub-lican attorney general or governor. Similar lawsuits also are pending in other states.The federal rule requires COVID-19 vaccinations for more than 17 million workers nationwide in about 76,000 health care facilities and home health care provid-ers that get funding from the government health programs. Workers are to receive their first dose by Dec. 6 and their second shot by Jan. 4.The court order against the health care vaccine mandate comes after Biden’s ad- ministration suffered a similar setback for a broader policy. A federal court pre-viously placed a hold on a separate rule requiring businesses with more than 100 employees to ensure their workers get vac-cinated or else wear masks and get tested weekly for the coronavirus.Biden’s administration contends fed-eral rules supersede state policies prohib-iting vaccine mandates and are essential to slowing the pandemic, which has killed more than 775,000 people in the U.S. About three-fifths of the U.S. population already is fully vaccinated.But the judge in the health care provider case wrote that federal officials likely over-stepped their legal powers. Judge blocks Biden vaccine rule for health workers CThe Bulletin LASSIFIEDS Create or find Classifieds at www.bendbulletin.com General Merchandise 2W0 204 Want to Buy or Rent Wanted S Cash paid for vintage, fake, & fine jew­ elry. Top S paid for Gold & Silver. I buy in bulk. Honest Artist. Elizabeth 541-633-7006 207 Holiday Bazaar & Craft Shows Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Fair. 11/26-12/18. M-F, 10-5. Sat 10-6. Sun 11-4.142 E Main, Sisters. Great selection of handmade, high quality items from local vendors. Tops Bazaar, December 4tn, 9am-3pm, at Culvur City Hall. 210 Pets & Supplies 9-week old AKC Parti Poodle (Standard). Female. Super cute and sweet. Sister lives in Bend for play dates! $1,750. Scott. (706) 537*8887 Standard AKC poodle puppies, party color. Born 9/20, 6 F 3 M $1500/each. 503-314- 6495. German Shepherd, AKC puppies & adults www.windricigek9.com 580-450-0232 German Shepherds www.sherman-ranch.us Quality. 541-281-6829 Rottweiler puppies, 3 girls, 2 boys. Tails docked. 1st vet check, 1st shots, parents AKC registered and on site. Born 8/4/21, ready now. $1500.541-799-4416. after 2pm. ask tor Brad. AKC Registered English Cream Golden Retriever puppies. Male & female. $3000. Ready for new home Nov. 27 541-923- 8395 or jnajeffery® msn.com German Shepherd Puppies. $700 Please call Chase for details. 541-480-8969 234 Guns. Hunting & Fishing Qunshows Central Oregon’s Largest Gun & Knife Show! Dec. 11 & 12 Sat. 9-5 • Sun. 9-3 Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center Admission $8.00! Military/Vets: $6.00 503-363-9564 wesknodelgunshows. 264 Fuel & Wood Lodgepole pine fire­ wood. Seasoned split. Delivered, pickup, & log truck loads. Intermoun­ tain Wood Energy, Red­ mond. 541-207-2693 WARNING The Bulletin recommends you use caution when you provide personal information to companies offering loans or credit, especially those asking for advance loan fees or companies from out of state. If you have concerns or questions, we suggest you consult your attorney or call CONSUMER HOTLINE, 1-877-877-9392. 282 Community Dog Walker Wanted. 3 days a week 20 mins each time. $30 a week 458-839-2592 [löDDpl^JiiSOLfS -fj2±> Employment Opportunities OS U-Cascades is seeking a Financial Aid, Scholarship & Veterans Coordinator, located on our campus in Bend, OR. To review posting and apply, go to https:// j obs.o re gonstate.edu/ postings/109929. OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/ Disabled. Bar manager needed, Prineville Elk’s Lodge is searching for a bar manager/ event coordi­ nator, pay rate is $18 an hour, must have OLCC license and some expe­ rience, send resume to PO Box 538, Prineville, OR 97754. 1001 Legal Notices & Public Notices Notice ot Public Hearing MEETING FORMAT In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20- 16 (later enacted as part of HB 4212) di­ recting government entities to utilize vir­ tual meetings when­ ever possible and to take necessary measures to facili- Legal Notice Notice is hereby giv­ en that in the Estate of Patricia Marie Sumner, deceased, Deschutes County Circuit Court Case No. 21PB04584, the original personal representative, Kyla C. Barkley, was re­ moved by the Court on September 23, 2021, and Travis D. Powell was appoint­ ed successor per­ sonal representative with Letters of Ad­ ministration issued on October 26. 2021. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present their claims, with proper vouchers, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, as stated be­ low to the successor personal representa­ tive c/o Heather M. Walloch, P.O. Box 10567 Eugene, OR 97440, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affect­ ed by the proceed­ ings in this estate may obtain addition­ al information from the records of the court, the successor personal representa­ tive, or the attorney for the successor personal represen­ tative. Date of first publica­ tion: November 16, 2021. Travis D, Powell, Suc­ cessor Personal Representative c/o Heather M. Wal­ loch, Attorney at Law P.O. Box 10567 Eugene, OR 97440 Legal Notice The probate proceed­ ing entitled In the Matter of the Estate of Joseph Freder­ ick DeLuccia is be­ ing administered in Crook County Circuit Court as case num­ ber 21PB08970. The name of the dece­ dent is Frederick Jo­ seph DeLuccia. The name and address of the personal rep­ resentative is Mary Ann DeLuccia, 8385 Copley Rd. Powell Butte. OR 97753, and the address at which claims are to be presented is c/o Michael B. McCord, McCord & Hemphill, LLC, 65 NW Gree­ ley Ave., Bend, OR 97703. All per­ sons having claims against the estate are required to pres­ ent them within four months after the date of the first pub­ lication of the notice to the personal rep­ resentative at the address designated above or they may be barred. The date of the first publica­ tion of the notice is November 16, 2021. Additional informa­ tion may be obtained from the records of the court, the per­ sonal representative or the attorney far the personal repre­ sentative. ——I 1001 |— Legal Notices & Public Notices tate public participa­ tion in these virtual meetings. Since May 4, 2020, Deschutes County public hear­ ings have been con­ ducted primarily in a virtual format Ad­ ditionally, on August 13, 2021, the Public Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority adopted into Administrative Rule requirements that all persons 5 years of age or old­ er must wear face coverings and/or masks in indoor spaces (OAR 333- 019-1025). The Deschutes Coun­ ty Board of Commis­ sioners will conduct the public hearing described below by video and telephone. If participation by video and telephone is not possible, in-person testimony is available. Options for participating in the public hearing are detailed in the Public Hearing Par­ ticipation section, PROJECT DESCRIP- I ION FILE NUMBER: 247-21-000862-TA APPLICANT: Deschutes County Community Devel­ opment Department PROPOSAL: Text Amendments (“Housekeeping Amendments") to clarify existing stan­ dards and proce­ dural requirements, incorporate changes to state and federal law, and to correct errors found in var­ ious sections of the Deschutes County Code HEARING DATE: Wednesday, Decem­ ber 15, 2021 HEARING START: 9:00 am STAFF CONTACT: Kyle Collins, Associ­ ate Planner Kyle.Collins@de- schutes.org, 541- 383-4427 DOCUMENTS: Can be viewed and downloaded from: www.buildingpermits. oregon.gov and http://dial.deschutes, org PUBLIC HEARING PARTICIPATION • If you wish to provide testimony during the public hearing, please contact the staff planner by 5 pm on December 14, 2021. Testimony can be provided as described below. • Members of the pub­ lic may listen, view, and/or participate in this hearing using Zoom, Using Zoom is free of charge. To login to the electron­ ic meeting online us­ ing your computer, copy this link: https:// us02web.zoom.us/ j/87039377975?p- wd=SER5ZDc4dC- tyeHZhbzlsZHpi- UUdrQT09 Using this option may re­ quire you to down­ load the Zoom app to your device. • Members of the pub­ lic can access the meeting via tele­ phone, dial 1-346- 248-7799. When prompted, enter the following: Webinar ID: 870-3937-7975 and Password: 453709. •If participation during the hearing by video and telephone is not possible, the public can provide testimo­ ny in person at 9:00 am in the Barnes and Sawyer Rooms of the Deschutes Services Cen­ ter. 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend. Please be aware County staff will enforce the 6-foot social dis­ tancing standard in the hearing room. Additionally, all par­ ticipants attending in person must wear a face covering at all times. Copies of the staff report, application, all documents and evidence submitted by or on behalf of the applicant and applicable criteria are available for inspection at the Planning Division at no cost and can be purchased far 25 cents a page. The staff report should be made available 7 days prior to the date set for the hearing. Documents are also available online at www.deschutes.org. Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all pro­ grams and activities. This event/location is accessible to peo­ ple with disabilities. If you need accommo­ dations to make par­ ticipation possible, please contact the staff planner identi­ fied above.