Submitted by San Juan County

During the COVID-19 crisis the San Juan County COVID Response Team have made a real effort to keep the public informed through our website (www.sjccovid.com), via local media, through Facebook (www.facebook.com/SJCPUBLICHEALTH), Twitter (@SanJuanCountyWA), through several video updates, and in both Spanish and English, in a unified effort to speak with one voice to as many islanders as possible.

Now, we are pleased to present a series of video updates, “COVID-19 Community Conversations.” These short videos of 10 minutes or shorter will highlight specific efforts from organizations and people in our community that provide key services and provide crucial leadership around the county.

This week, we are releasing three initial videos from community leaders, each serving the islands in different but essential ways. In the weeks to come we will release more, so check back to our YouTube channel “San Juan County COVID-19 Response” at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3s2IXYXpQqrCP2C2a07YFg.

Christa Campbell, Director of Lopez Chamber of Commerce: “Lopez is proving to be remarkably resilient, and that’s about all I need to say about the virus.” Fortunately, she went on to elaborate. “Lopezeats.com on Facebook connects our restaurants and purveyors of food with the public while Lopezshops.com is connecting non-food centered businesses through websites.” She also recommended Lopezisland.recovers.org as “a hub to help coordinate those who need services with organizations that can provide them.” Campbell closed by saying, “I would ask everyone on Lopez to just hang in there and support each other.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMME5aBY7gg)

Scott Williams, Chief of Orcas Fire and Rescue: Chief Williams’ dedication to his community is always evident, saying “We couldn’t ask for a better community to serve… I see great efforts being taken around social distancing, and I am also aware of the efforts of people taking precautions, and still providing food, shelter, and other daily needs to those in need.” Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for first responders, and Williams explains what fire and EMS service is like during this crisis. “We are working with the local clinics to coordinate healthcare between our organizations.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APuWcDh4IQA)

Rick Hughes, Chair of San Juan County Council: Acknowledging the difficulties that social distancing poses, Councilman Hughes invites county residents to “Care for your neighbors and try to take care of those in need.” After outlining some of the challenges that the county is addressing, he discusses efforts county residents and companies are making to fight COVID-19, “The ingenuity in this county is amazing!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb1yQig0GMc)