Community meeting

WAITSBURG—Local citizen, Leroy Cunningham, arranged for a community meeting to discuss the current and potential impact of COVID-19 in our area. The meeting, held March 5 at Ten Ton Coffee, included concerned citizens as well as representives from the City of Waitsburg, Waitsburg School District and the Columbia County Health System.

The event allowed citizens to ask specific questions concerning local government and health services planning and response to the virus. Dr. Kurt Frauenpreis, MD from the Columbia County Health System and the Waitsburg Clinic, reiterated the need to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for containing the spread of the virus. Wash hands often with soap and water, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and stay home if you are sick.

It was strongly advised that people should get current and accurate information on COVID-19 and its impact from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov or Washington State Department of Health, http://www.doh.wa.gov.