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In this segment of Building Bridges, host Candice Michel and Brookings Mayor Jake Pieper discuss the current state of COVID-19 in South Curry County and local government’s response to the rising cases.
Host: Candice Michel; Guest: Brookings Mayor Jake Pieper
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual participants. Curry Coast Community Radio takes no position on issues discussed in this program.
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Mayor Pieper,
Thanks for your efforts in participating in these weekly Building Bridges podcasts, and in holding the frequent Facebook chats. Both of these are so helpful in keeping your constituency informed and thinking about ways to build a vibrant community!
In this Building Bridges episode (“A Gift that Keeps Giving”) you mentioned that you’ve gotten several requests to write a letter to Governor Brown, asking her to relax the strict rules our businesses are under, now that Curry County is listed in the extreme category of pandemic control. I totally agree with you in opting to not write the requested letter. However, I do strongly request that you and/or the City Council write a different letter, to a different person, in order to work toward re-opening restaurants and other businesses in Brookings.
I’m asking you to write to Sherrie Ward, the Curry County Public Health Administrator, and ask her for 1) a return to daily county COVID-19 information, 2) public transparency about the results of contact tracing in Curry County, and 3) solid, science-backed information for the public about what each of us can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We need you to pressure Sherrie Ward to make a concerted effort to teach the public how to take action and stop the spread (wear masks in public? avoid public areas, i.e., use the Pickup service for groceries? avoid gatherings with folks – even extended family members – outside your own household?). You could also pressure her to make these things happen by using CARES Act funding to hire a highly skilled Public Information Officer to carry out some or all of these actions in a way that would catch the public’s attention.
A letter from you, as our Mayor, preferably with the backing of our City Council, would carry much more weight than a letter from one of us ordinary citizens. Please use your position and influence to pressure our County’s Public Health Administrator. We can indeed stop the rampant spread of this deadly virus if we all work together. And, as our Mayor, you’re in a perfect position to influence both citizens and county officers.
Thank you for caring, and for taking action!