Cloth masks keep coronavirus from spreading

On Friday, April 3, the CDC issued the recommendation to wear cloth face masks or coverings when in public facilities where it is difficult to maintain social distancing of 6 feet or more from others. This guidance is based on the understanding there are people who may be infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 who may never have any symptoms — or have not yet developed symptoms — but are contagious and may be spreading the virus unknowingly. Wearing a cloth face mask is an additional way to help slow the spread of the virus.

The cloth masks are fairly simple to construct, and you can find instructions on websites for the CDC, City of Homer, and numerous other sites. Key points are:

• A double layer of tightly woven cloth with side pleats or gathers is best, with either elastic loops around the ears or ties for around the head

• Wash your hands before putting on the mask

• Avoid touching the outside of the mask while wearing it, and don’t pull it down and back up to eat and drink

• Take the mask off by only touching the elastic or ties, hang it where it won’t contaminate a surface, and then wash your hands

• Wash your mask daily in hot water and dry in the dryer. It needs to be completely dry before wearing again.

• Do not put a cloth mask on a child younger than 2-years old, someone that has difficulty breathing, or is unable to remove their own mask without help

If you have unused surgical masks or N-95 respirators, please consider donating them for hospital workers and other first responders. We are fortunate in our community to have many folks who have been generously making and donating cloth masks for those on the front lines. For more information on donating and all things COVID-19 related, go to www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/covid19. For CDC guidance on simple mask making, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

Please make and use these masks in addition to maintaining a physical distance of six feet or more from others, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow, and avoiding touching your face with your hands. Together as a community we can continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, working to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy.

Bonita Banks, BSN, RN, Health & Wellness Educator, South Peninsula Hospital

Realtors support is appreciated

Hospice of Homer sincerely thanks the Kachemak Board of Realtors for their generous donation of $1,107. The donation is greatly appreciated at this time when everyone is struggling.

Hospice has reduced our volunteer visitation and group meetings, but we continue to loan medical equipment and shop for our homebound clients.

With the amazing support of our community, we will get through this.

Charlie Franz, Acting Executive Director, Hospice of Homer

Let’s call it the CCP Virus

A March 19 opinion column by Josh Rogin in The Washington Post, “Don’t blame ‘China’ for the coronavirus — blame the Chinese Communist Party (CCP),” points out that “It was the CCP that hid the virus outbreak for weeks, silencing doctors, jailing journalists,” that had caused the global pandemic.

As a result of this pandemic, many of us are working from home or filing for unemployment, our entire lives impacted and disrupted. Being stuck at home and unable to meet with friends and family has created a greater feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Historically, persecution by the CCP has ultimately been contained within China’s borders. With the spreading of this virus, CCP persecution has gone beyond China’s borders and has become a form of global persecution. And while turning a blind eye has allowed governments, big-business and global research institutes to continue to benefit from the CCP, it has given the CCP the means to create such a disaster we are paying the price for.

The CCP cover-up of the virus slowed down countries’ ability to respond to it and enabled the virus to spread. This is analogous to an injured body that allows a virus to fester and, if unchecked, ultimately propagate. So, we should stop calling it the Coronavirus and instead given it a more accurate, fitting name: CCP Virus.

Michael Green

Renton, Washington

Vote Levine for HEA board

The only way we are ever going to have lower electric bills if HEA stops buying natural gas. That is 30% of our electric rates. So, unless HEA drills a really good gas well, we will have to permit and build renewable energy generation.

Kodiak Electrical Association was successful with their water and wind projects. They are 99% renewable and loving it.

Jim Levine knows this. I worked with Jim on the Renewable Committee for many years, advancing projects that are still in development. I’ve been to REAP conferences with him. He is a trained, quality director we are lucky to have.

If you want to lower your rates and your carbon footprint—there is something you can do. Vote for Jim now. We need to keep him on the HEA Board. I’m glad he is willing to do it; he is a great director.

You will get a ballot in the mail—please send it in.

Bill Fry, HEA Director 2000-2019; AEEC President, Vice President HEA, Kachemak City Council member and Vice Mayor;

HEA and APA Scholarship Chairman; B.P.O.E. and American Legion 20-plus years

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

These are challenging times with so many people’s lives and businesses disrupted. We are fortunate that so far, the virus has not spread widely in our community, but many people and small businesses have lost their income and need assistance. Our non-profits and faith-based organizations are facing their own financial challenges while simultaneously reaching out to assist our community in so many critical ways. The stimulus checks will begin arriving soon. I encourage all of us who are financially able to donate their checks to someone they know in need or to one of the many helping organizations in our community. The money will be well spent and the community stronger as a result.

Robert Purcell

Foundation help for seniors appreciated

Thank you, Homer Foundation, for their generous $2,500 contribution to our Adult Day Service program. This grant allowed us to be able to bring a technological advancement to our program. We purchased a 75” Smart Board TV, this will provide many learning experiences. Studies have shown that games, music, films and tv are key components that can improve their quality of life.

As soon as the COVID-19 precautions have been released we will re-open our Adult Day Program. We plan on making our grand re-opening with a great celebration and we will use the Smartboard as a focal point recognizing the Homer Foundation as a partner in the purchase of such a valuable tool to enhance our participant’s lives.

Stay tuned to our Homer Seniors Facebook for an invite to attend our grand re-opening with the Smartboard as a highlight.

Again, we appreciate Homer Foundation’s contribution and commitment to the seniors in our community.

Keren L. Kelley, Executive Director