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KLCC s Brian Bull talks to Brian Alexander, who lost his wife to COVID-19 a year ago as of March 14th.
Brian Alexander has had a year to reflect on both the pandemic and the death of his wife of 22 years. He himself was the third official case recorded in Lane County, and has only seen that number surpass 10,000 cases – with over 130 deaths – in the time since.
Alexander hopes people continue to take COVID-19 seriously, even as case numbers begin to wane. He has plans for when the pandemic has abated.
Undated photo of MaryKay Alexander.
Credit Provided by Brian Alexander
Credit Karen Richards
The Eugene 4J School District plans to return kindergarten and first grade to classrooms two days per week starting March 15th. If health metrics continue to improve and vaccines remain on schedule, they’ll invite 2nd through 5th grade back into schools on April 5th.
4J spokesperson Kerry Delf said inoculating 4J teachers and staff has been going faster than expected. “If vaccines continue to arrive on schedule as they have been, she said, we actually anticipate being able to move up the start date for the hybrid for middle and high schools a little earlier than originally anticipated, up to the middle of April.”
Credit Eugene 4J School District
The Eugene 4J school district announced they will not resume in-person learning until staff for returning grade levels have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
860 doses were given last week to 4J staff, as well as employees with the Lane Education Service District and the Crow-Applegate School District. This includes kindergarten through first grade educators, custodial, food service and transportation staff and people helping with limited in-person instruction.
4J Director of Human Resources Karen Hardin said it may take over a month until staff are fully immunized.
“It might take five weeks to get through round one of all employees, said Hardin. And that really is an estimate. I would hate it if anyone holds us to that and we’re able to go faster or it takes us longer. That’s truly an estimate”
Lane County Public Schools get their first vaccine dose numbers this week
Kerry Delf said the 4J district will start vaccinating staff this Friday.
Posted: Jan 28, 2021 12:01 AM
Updated: Jan 28, 2021 12:28 AM
Posted By: Connor McCarthy
EUGENE, Ore. Lane County Public Health announced how many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine the county s school districts will be getting this week.
Here is a breakdown of the districts:
Bethel: 330
Springfield: 410
When it comes to the 4J School District, they re helping administer vaccines to smaller school districts like Crow, Applegate, and Lane County Education Service District. Out of the 780 doses, 650 are going to 4J staff, and the rest are going to smaller districts.