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Page A-16 — Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, April 16, 2020
GUEST
Emergency respon
The global coronavirus crisis that
jarred social norms in communities
across the country brought with it
many looming uncertainties. Questions
like, “When will our kids be able to go back
to school?” or “Will it ever be safe to leave
my home?” show that an uncomfortable
blanket of change has settled over the na-
.tion. Fortunately, Mason County residents
can continue to find solace in’ the endur—
ing, steadfast problem—solvers of our com—
munities -— the emergency responders.
Walking into any fire station in Mason
County, one might be surprised to find that local
firefighters, paramedics and EMTs continue to con—
duct business as usual. Engines and ambulances
are pulled out of bays for daily checks in the mom-
ing. Firefighters gear up in the afternoon to train.
Mealtimes are still interrupted regularly by tones
that announce the need for help within the commu—
nity. Just as the coronavirus has changed the way
we conduct our own daily lives, though, some EMS
best practices have also transformed to protect re-
sponders, their families and those they serve.
Luckily, the emergency medical system is full
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By LAURA
CHESTER
—#
of experts at adaptation. Starting with
the 911 dispatchers, new preventative
measures are in place when a call is first
answered. Dispatchers ask a series of
questions to identify conditions that may
put responders at risk of exposure to CO-
VID-19. If any one of a caller’s answers
indicates a potential exposure risk, either
from the patient or another member of
the household, the dispatcher notifies
responders via radio to “use appropriate
PPE (personal protective equipment).”
The phrase prompts the use of full PPE to
include N-95 masks, gloves, gowns and eye protec-
tion.
This special risk determination does not limit
responders’ use of cautionary practices on nonina
fectious calls, however. Regardless of the nature,
responders still wear masks and practice social
distancing on all calls. If it is necessary to enter a
residence for patient assessment, responders limit
the number of personnel entering the home using
only the minimum needed to provide treatment and
prepare the patient for transport. Optimally, only a
single responder is in contact with the patient from
the scene all the way to the hospital. '
Upon arrival, all patients and responders are
required now to wear a mask. Before leaving the
hospital, the ambulance is thoroughly cleaned us—
ing full decontamination procedures that include
disinfecting all surfaces, mopping floors and steril-
izing equipment. '
Protective measures don’t stop there. Back at
the station, responders are immediately required
to take showers and wash clothing. At the end of
their shift, when responders are headed home to
their families, they are encouraged to wash hands
and shower before contacting family members, and
ders focus on saf
'-tinue to be there for those who seek aid.
ety during crisis
to continue to follow recommendations about social
distancing by staying home when they are off duty.
With the media highlighting the expansive im—
pacts of the coronavirus, it’s easy to forget that
responders are still ready to assist in all emergen-
cies whether it be a diabetic problem, chest pain or
a broken water line. Mason County EMS Council
Chair Carl Ehresman is confident in efforts made
by responders to contain the virus and protect the
public, but he does not regard the introduction of
new protocols as an extreme deviation from the
norm. “We are well—prepared and have always done
well with infectious patients,” said Ehresman. “This
isn’t really much different.”
In response to statewide and national headlines
citing shortages of both personnel and equipment,
Ehresman assures that “local resources have not
been overrun because of the coronavirus,” and
urges people to continue to call 911 for all medical
conditions that may require hospital treatment, “Do
not ignore personal and potentially serious symp-
toms.” ‘
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the question
may arise as to whether the 911 system should
be avoided during an emergency. The answer is
simply, no. Firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and
hospital staff are committed to taking tremen—
dous steps to limit exposure to the virus, and their
standing commitment to serving the public has not
wavered. Residents can be assured that those who
are charged with keeping communities safe are tak-
ing adequate measures to protect themselves, their
families and patients to ensure that they will con-
. Laura Chester is a lieutenant for the North Ma-
son Regional Fire Authority. She can be reached at
360-275-6711. .
MARY’S MEMOIRS
'Mary takes G
Mary takes the Girl
Scouts on a field trip to
Eugene and an 8-mile
hike locally on separate
days. She works in the
store and the post of-
fice quite a bit and not
much talk about the
weather. assume the
weather had been
sunny and dry due to
a detour road being
dusty. We all know
that one.
Thursday
April 16, 1942
Mrs. Peterson and
Mrs. Berray came
out and put the wool
on my loom. They
By CLYDENE
HOSTETLER
——
went over to Skenes
to lunch. They could
not finish because
they could not find all
the parts to the loom.
Checked all money
orders and general de-
livery. Then worked in
store until nearly six.
To the beach and did
a little writing. The
lights went out. Not
very busy in the store
today but we got a lot
of work done.
Friday April 17, 1942
We had a busy day
and there were lots of
people out. There was
a lot to do and I did not
get much work done
i in the post office. We
went home early and
to bed early. Charlie
worked on the place
and it looks real good.
Saturday
April 18, 1942
To the store early
and worked all day.
Then in the evening
went to bed early but
Sam and Ralph Swan-
son made lunch at the
cabin and made so much
irl Scouts to Oregon
noise that I could not go
to sleep until late. So it
did not do much good to
go to bed.
Sunday
April 19, 1942
We met the Girl
Scouts up at the store
at 10 a.m. We left the
lunch at the beach and
drove to the Trails End
road. Then we hiked
to Shanks and visited
their lovely home. Back
to the beach and hiked
8 miles in .all and then
we ate here. It was lots
of fun. Mrs. Culbert-
son and Michaels went
along also 10 girls. To
Cadys in the evening.
Monday
April 20, 1942
A quiet day but I
added up all the money
orders and checked box
rents. We got quite a lot
done on the shelves. In
the evening I took Ruth
and Mary Ruth to the
party at Berrays and we
had a good time. Had a
nice visit with Mr. and
Mrs. Berray and came
home late. Very dusty
V on the detour.
Tuesday
April 2'1, 1942
Sam went to Seattle
and I went to Wykoffs
and had my hair done.
Then to the store where
I worked all day. Sam
came home early so we
ate at the beach. Jack
Morgan came down and
I left him and Ruth do-
ing the dishes. Packed
all my clothes and I am
ready to go to Oregon
tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.
Wednesday
April 22, 1942
Arose at 5.30 a.m.
and the girls came at
6.40 a.m. We drove to
Eugene, Oregon and
saw 40 pheasants on the
way. Saw many azaleas
and lovely flowers. We
saw sun, rain, hail and
army trucks. Ate lunch
in Salem and went thru a
store. We were taken out
to the University Wom-
en’s Hall where we Were
served punch and cookies
and played games. Home
late and to bed. We were
all very tired.
How is everyone do-
ing with the quarantine?
see some good come
from this. All I have
to share with you is I
think I was born to. be
quarantined. Thank you
for reading this week’s
diary.
I Clydene Hostetler
is a longtime Belfair
resident, local histo-
rian, media archivist
and documentary
filmmaker of “Hidden
in Plain Sight.” She
has been research-
ing Mary Theler’s life
for the past years.
She can be emailed at
Clydeneh53@gmail.com