As cases spike dramatically in San Juan County, Washington and the United States, we would like to urge islanders to scale back their holiday plans. Over recent months, we’ve been able to enjoy a slow reopening of our islands. Restaurants, gatherings, shops, gyms, and most recently schools have all made slow progress towards returning to a limited version of normal. Those gains are now at risk, and the prospect of upcoming holiday travel is looming as an even greater threat to the health and livelihood of our community. We urge all islanders to stay local and keep your holiday gatherings small. Now is not the time to host family from across the state or beyond. Now is not the time to gather indoors with those from outside your household. Now is not the time to leave the islands to visit others. And now is certainly not the time to get on an airplane. Now is the time to keep it simple and local, mask up, and protect our community and those most at risk. Stay healthy, stay home.
Orcas Island Schools Superintendent Eric Webb;
San Juan Island Schools Superintendent Fred Woods;
San Juan County Health Director Mark Tompkins;
Shaw Island School Superintendent Jennifer Swanson;
San Juan County Board of Health Chair Dr. Dale Heisinger;
Luxel Corporation President Travis Ayers;
Lopez Community Land Trust Executive Director Sandy Bishop;
Lopez Island Schools Superintendent Brian Auckland;
San Juan County Councilor Jamie Stephens;
Island Petroleum Services owner Adam Eltinge;
Peace Island Medical Center Interim Chief Admin. Officer Jack Estrada;
Kai Sanburn, Lopez Island;
San Juan County Manager Mike Thomas;
Town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson;
SJC Economic Dev. Council Executive Director Victoria Compton;
Christa Campbell, Lopez Island Recovery Network;
Roche Harbor Resort General Manager Brent Snow;
San Juan Island Library Director Laurie Orton;
San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James;
Port of Friday Harbor Director Todd Nicholson;
SJI Visitors Bureau Executive Director Deborah Hopkins;
San Juan County Council Chair Rick Hughes;
San Juan County Emergency Management Brendan Cowan;
Orcas Island Market Manager Jacob Linnes;
Orcas Island Library Director Phil Heikkinen;
San Juan County Council Bill Watson; Lopez Island Hospital District President Iris Graville;
and Orcas and Lopez Public Hosp. Districts Superintendent Anne Presson
