Commissioners hear vaccines lagging

RITZVILLE – County Commissioners heard from Adams County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny at their Jan. 13 meeting, who said the U.S. had seen the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the last seven days. Brzezny said the population’s behavior is “not changing notably,” and vaccinations were “lagging.”

“The population is under certain restrictions, but not following the rules and requests because of many reasons, including this been going on almost a year,” Brzezny said, adding the south end of the county continues to have the highest number of cases.

Regarding hospitalizations for COVID-19, Brzezny said Washington state “is doing better than our neighbors and most of the country.”

“But there is plenty of disease to go around,” Brzezny said, estimating about 17% of Adams County has been affected.

“In Othello, every third person has had COVID, globally some of the highest rates in the world,” Brzezny said, adding those who have had it are “protected from getting it again for 30 to 60 days.”

Brzezny said he was concerned that of all the people in Washington state, only 2.8% have received the vaccine, with about half those eligible refusing.

He said Israel has vaccinated about 22% of its population.

“China is about where the U.S. is, but it doesn’t need to vaccinate, because they don’t have it,” Brzezny said.

“Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are about as effective as the tetanus vaccination, but the AstraZeneca vaccination is only about 60% effective,” Brzezny said.

He said while the healthcare performance mask used in hospitals is about 90% effective, masks commonly worn by the public are about 20% effective in controlling ingress (air intake) and about 60% effective in controlling egress (air going out).

Brzezny also voiced concern about a variant, “superior” virus that is 56% more transmissible, with a higher viral load in the nose.

“We have not experienced this variant yet, that’s why we are worried we are going places we haven’t gone before. The virus is airborne, so depending on air flow, you can get it from 12 feet away,” Brzezny said, adding staying six feet away is better than three feet, and 10 feet is better than six feet.

“But humanity will not separate itself by 10 feet,” Brzezny said. “The vaccine is really our biggest, if not the only, chance to counter the continued surge and mutations. It is more important than quarantining and isolating.”

Brzezny said both East Adams Rural Hospital and Othello Community Hospital, as well as Columbia Basin Health Association in Othello, are currently providing the vaccine in Adams County.

Following the presentation, Adams County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Flyckt reminded commissioners the health department is set up differently in Adams County than most counties.

“Keep in mind you are, as a matter of law, the Board of Health and he (Dr. Brzezny) answers to you,” Flyckt told commissioners. “Not very many counties are set up this way.”

In other business at the Jan. 13 meeting, commissioners heard a request to purchase JAVS (Jefferson Audio Video Systems) recording software for county courtrooms and the commissioners’ office. District Court Judge Carolyn Benzel said the current system is failing, and JAVS specializes in courtroom settings. The cost is estimated to be around $250,000.