Commissioners, from left, Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker at their Tuesday meeting, the last with masks.
Since the start of the Covid pandemic two years ago, the Linn County Board of Commissioners has been holding its weekly meetings as usual, in person and in public, unlike some other state and local government bodies.
Commissioners Sherrie Sprenger, Will Tucker and Chairman Roger Nyquist spoke about the pandemic at their session Tuesday morning. They commended all those in private business and public service who had carried on despite the burdens imposed by the outbreak and the risks.
They especially mentioned the county health department, which has been holding vaccination clinics all over the place.
With precautions like spacing and transparent shields in place, county offices stayed open to the public during the time when the state ordered some businesses to close, and while some other public agencies moved operations online.
With masks still in place on Tuesday, the commissioners made their remarks as they anticipated the end of the statewide mandate to wear masks indoors. That mandate is over as of Saturday, March 12.
For a more complete account of the occasion and the commissioners’ remarks, you can go here. It’s a press release written by Alex Paul, a former colleague of mine when we both worked at the Albany Democrat-Herald.
Alex has been with Linn County for a year, providing accounts of county activities as a public information officer. If you’re interested in what Linn County government is up to, get Alex to put you on his email list. (hh)
Fear of Covid 19 was rational.
But as we’ve learned, many people in government allowed that fear to become irrational. The consequence was government overreach and loss of freedom.
Kudos to Linn County for not allowing their fear to become more powerful than their reason.
Yes, and we applaud all their efforts to act in a rational way. Albany Council non-actions are a disgrace. One Council member told me “they” don’t want to put up with public attendance comments–enjoy doing their own thing w/o meaningful oversight.
YAWN! Hasso, you cannot be serious! Slow day, nothing else to Blog-OH about?
I repeat, Nothing Else?
LOL, we’ve all be masking up and showing up. Shame on you!
Otherwise, YAWN on Linn Co! And YAWN on you!
Thanks to leaders of Linn County, with their mask-free bravado, Linn County had some of the worst Covid statistics, some of the lowest vaccination rates in all of Oregon, and far more Covid deaths and hospitalization rates in the state. To hold these three up as some sort of example to follow is shocking. This column should focus on the bicycle crisis facing Albany. Quit lionizing this trio. They were horrible and remain so.
The national statistics have the liberal states such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, etc as leaders. Valid Oregon stats are not available so maybe Bob Woods can pull some up so we can all see if what you are saying is true!