Oakridge graduation, Sasquatch Duro, other events get huge boost as Lane COVID-19 risk drops to ‘low’

By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — Just as Oakridge and other Highway 58 communities approach a weekend packed with public happenings, Lane County has moved to “low-risk” for the spread of COVID-19.

And it’s permanent.

As of 12:01 a.m. today, June 9, the county met the state’s 65 percent metric for COVID-19 vaccinations. Now, as a result, changes in community restrictions will go into effect sooner than expected.

This means graduating seniors at Oakridge High School won’t be required to wear masks at their graduation ceremony set for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at Ziegler Field.

“Masks will not be required, but we must maintain social distancing between households,” district secretary Jayme Martin said in a news release Wednesday.  “Please enter through the southwest gate. We hope to see you all there!”

The county’s new low-risk rating should also be welcome news for the Lowell School District’s Lundy Spring Musical, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10. The sixth-seventh-and-eighth-grade intermediate band will perform in concert for the public at Rolling Rock Park.

In Oakridge, Deep Woods Distillery’s proprietors can breathe a little more easily Saturday evening when they offer a live outdoor performance by The HipBillys, set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The loosening of restrictions is also great news for the 250 bicyclists scheduled to show up in Oakridge-Westfir this weekend for Saturday’s big Sasquatch Duro mountain-biking event.

Last Saturday, Lane County surpassed 210,303 individuals receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Board of Commissioners Chair Joe Berney said once the county hit the vaccination benchmark, he asked that Gov. Kate Brown not wait until Friday but allow the risk level move to occur immediately.

“The governor responded to that request. She understands the need,” he said. “And effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday morning, Lane County is in low risk.”

At the lowest risk level under the state’s public health framework, businesses can operate at greater capacity and outdoor events, including the Olympic Trials, can go on without interruption.

Berney said, “as a community we have moved mountains to be where we are today. There have been nay-sayers, but we have focused relentlessly on achieving where we are and beyond.”

While crediting residents, health agencies and school districts, Berney insisted “the work isn’t over.” The next hurdle is to exceed 70-percent vaccination rate to reach community immunity.

Lane County Public Health announced the last mass vax clinic at Autzen Stadium will be held held June 18. Smaller vax clinics are ongoing, including pop-up clinics at Lane Transit District bus stops where staff will be administering either Pfizer or the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The first one is  today, June 9 at the Springfield Station.