COVID-19

County officials memorialize the 61 Thurston County residents lost to coronavirus

Expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine begins next Mon., Jan. 25

Posted

This afternoon, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners joined many other jurisdictions across the country in taking some time to memorialize those people.

“I applaud our health providers, first responders, essential workers who have worked so hard to bring us through the past year. There’s still much to do as we look ahead to the future. It is going to take dedication from all of us to end the pandemic and transition back to our normal, daily lives,” said Commissioner Tye Menser, who noted the county would be lowering its flags for the day.

Commissioner Gary Edwards spoke briefly, saying he shared Menser’s sentiment.

Newly elected Commissioner of Thurston County’s district 1, Carolina Mejia, said officials were tasked with ruling by example, noting the commissioners were wearing masks and maintaining a social distance during the memorial.

“Hope that soon again, our kids will be able to go to school, that they will be able to meet our friends at restaurants, that we’ll be able to see loved ones again,” said Mejia.

To date, Thurston County has recorded 5,850 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  Sixty-one of these people have died. More than 400,000 people in the U.S. have died as a result of the virus.

Vaccines more widely available

Following a statewide vaccination plan, the county has started providing vaccine doses to first responders, health care workers and adults living in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities.

Starting Mon., Jan. 25, it expanded who can get a vaccine to include:

  • All people 65 years and older
  • People 50 years and older who live in multigenerational households 
  • Cannot live independently and receives support from a relative or home caregiver, or being cared for by someone who works outside the home
  • Lives with and cares for a young child, along the lines of a grandparent with a grandchild
  • This group does not include an older adult who is able to live independently and is taking care of their kin/children.

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