Real time Balto sequel

And huskies...

Hospital beyond capacity Yukon delta bethel alaska. 

The Alaska Native Medical Center, which specializes in health care for Alaska Native and American Indian people in the state, said it is now over capacity with coronavirus patients and had to open an alternate care site to handle overflow.

The hospital’s Acting Administrator Dr. Robert Onders said during a virtual town hall on Monday that the critical care unit is so flooded that it cannot hold all the Anchorage hospital’s most seriously ill patients.

“So we’re extremely tenuous right now,” Onders said.

There are now multiple critical patients who require individual nursing and who are lying on their stomachs in a prone position to help

  Source.

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=c6b150240cb00ef9&utm_source=publisher&utm_medium=organic_listings&utm_campaign=affiliate

Right now, six vaccines for COVID-19 are in development as part of Operation Warp Speed, said the program's chief operating officer. Once one or more of those vaccines proves both effective and safe, their fast and efficient distribution will require knowing where every dose is at all times.

When planning for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna said he kept four tenets in mind. The first of those, he said, is visibility and control.

"We need to know where every vial was, whether it was in the factory, or it was on a truck, or it had been distributed down to an administration site; we must have 100 percent accountability of all vaccines every day," said Perna, who spoke yesterday to the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

Also key to effective distribution efforts, he said, is tracking the uptake of vaccine — how many people are actually taking it. The primary reason for that, he said, is that of the six vaccines in development, five require two doses. It'll be important that everybody who takes a first dose gets the correct second dose when they come back for it.

Uptake tracking is also important, he said, because the amount of vaccine being distributed will dramatically increase shortly after the first doses become available.

"Initially, there will be tens of millions of doses available," he said, but beginning in January, the number of doses will quickly ramp up to hundreds of millions. "It'll be essential that we maintain the right flow of vaccine to the American people."

A third tenant of vaccine distribution, he said, is knowing where the vaccine is going.

"We must make sure that we have traceability of the vaccine, and that we know where the vaccine is going at all times," he said. "It'll be a hot commodity, of course, and we need it to get to the places where it will be distributed based on state priorities and requirements in accordance with the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine."

Finally, he said, OWS wants to make sure that the entirety of the American population is covered, including all of the continental U.S. and every island, as well as to those Americans serving overseas at military bases and diplomatic locations.

Perna also said COVID-19 vaccine distribution, both initially and into the foreseeable future, will differ from other types of vaccine distribution efforts in that a COVID-19 vaccine will be "pushed" out to the American population, rather than "pulled." For influenza vaccines, for instance, distribution happens when hospitals and pharmacies order it from manufacturers — that's a "pull" model.

With the COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. government has already paid for the vaccine. It will be sent out where it's needed without individual administration sites needing to ask for it.

"We are going to allocate equitably vaccine doses to all of America simultaneously," Perna said. "As doses become available, we're pushing down and out to the United States of America.

Source. http://www.newsminer.com/extra/alaska_post/in-warp-speed-effort-knowing-where-vaccines-are-is-key-to-distribution-strategy/article_d7c8e608-2fa4-11eb-bcd1-cfeeb0e1e9fb.html

Dr. Louisa Castrodale, an epidemiologist with the state, said Friday that Beechtree Labs did not report 1,636 positive test results out of 13,169 tests conducted, most of which were done in the last two weeks.

Beechtree is a new commercial lab based out of Anchorage.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that the announcement is a sign that climbing daily case counts reported by the state reflect only a part of total cases.

Alaska suspends all jury trials.

Juneau Superior Court Judge Amy Mead relayed particulars of the latest order issued by the chief justice while a guest on Action Line.

She said all criminal jury trials remain suspended until at least March 15 of next year.  In-person civil trials are suspended until September 7 of 2021.  Judge Mead said there's an exception that allows a presiding judge for each judicial district to allow in-person trials and grand juries under exceptional circumstances.

And Judge Mead adds that all in-person grand jury proceedings are suspended until at least February 1 of next year.   Exceptions can be made by the presiding judge of each judicial district as is the case in criminal proceedings.  She said they are exploring a process that will them to conduct grand juries via Zoom.

The order from the chief justice will be reviewed in January, according to Judge Mead.

Ankorage to fund mental health services for those in need.

The city will use money from an alcohol tax to fund the response team that can take the place of police officers when responding to people with mental health issues.

First responders trained in mental health will be dispatched to situations for which police are not trained.

The Mobile Crisis Team will provide a tailored response for each person while limiting situations that could result in violent interactions between police and the public.

Air dispatchers needed.

They carefully monitor weather or other conditions that could affect the flight. Weather,air traffic, delays and irregular operations are just some of the important information dispatcher provide to the flight crew.

Prior to a flight, the dispatcher reviews the weather, planned payload (passengers and cargo), estimated flight time and orders a proposed fuel load. The captain and dispatcher must be in agreement on fuel, route and conditions before the flight is released.

Once the flight takes off, the dispatcher monitors its progress and maintains contact with the flight crew. Should the plane run into mechanical issues or other issues en route, the dispatcher is the pilot's first point of contact.

Aviation’s extraordinary safety record is due to the team of safety professionals, which include pilots, dispatchers, flight maintenance technicians air traffic controllers and many others.

Public Entity Insurance (APEI), following the devastating fire that destroyed the Kilbuck School in Bethel in November 2015. The fire incinerated the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Yup’ik immersion school, which was housed in the building, and severely damaged the adjacent Kuskokwim Learning Academy and dorms, displacing students for more than five years.

Since the fire, students from Ayaprun Elitnaurvik have studied at the Bethel Native Corporation’s Kipusvik building, and the Kuskokwim Learning Academy has been housed at Yuut Elitnaurviat, the regional nonprofit workforce development organization.

Kuskokwim Learning Academy has been housed at Yuut Elitnaurviat, the regional nonprofit workforce development organization.

“The Kilbuck School fire was a tragedy for our district, our employees, and our students,” said Kimberly Hankins, LKSD Superintendent. “In the years since it occurred, our administration has worked hard to ensure that we have the resources to replace the school with a new facility that meets the needs of our community. This agreement will allow us to proceed with finalizing the plans for a new school and help our district heal and move forward

The design of the new school has been ongoing for the past two-plus years and is near completion. As the settlement is finalized, LKSD will be preparing a request for proposals to construct the new school with construction to begin in the summer of 2021.

Source.

https://deltadiscovery.com/lksd-reaches-settlement-for-2015-kilbuck-school-fire/

A 46-year-old prisoner at an Anchorage correctional facility died Wednesday after five days in the hospital.

Purina dog food arrives.

 Yukon River mushers hurting for salmon to feed their sled dogs are receiving thousands of pounds of donated kibble — but some wonder whether it will be enough, with impacts from poor salmon runs rippling through the subsistence economy.

Source Alaska Dispatch news.

Modified hunker down order sent to ankorage.

Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson announced a new emergency order on Wednesday to place Anchorage in a “modified hunker down” mode to curb the massive uptick in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks.

“Today, we find ourselves in a situation that nobody wants to be in. There are no easy answers, but we must act because continuing on this path is the worst of all bad options,” said Quinn-Davidson at a Wednesday press conference announcing the order.

The order, which goes into effect on Dec. 1 at 8:00 a.m., closes bars and restaurants except for takeout, delivery or outdoor service. Bingo halls, theaters and other entertainment centers are closed. Salons and personal care businesses are limited to 25 percent capacity and are not allowed to perform services that involve removing masks. All other retail and public-facing businesses are limited to 25 percent building occupancy.

Indoor gatherings are limited to six people and outdoor gatherings to 10 people, with exceptions for drive-in events, classrooms and political or religious gatherings. Indoor gyms are restricted to 25 percent capacity and organized sports are closed to indoor competitions.

In a statement, Quinn-Davidson said the choice to hunker down again was not an easy decision, but the current trajectory of COVID-19 cases is unsustainable. With record-breaking case counts, contact tracers are no longer able to keep up, hospitalizations have continued to rise and more healthcare workers are sick.

“The patients keep coming and they’re coming faster and they’re coming sicker and they’re staying longer,” said Providence Dr. Megan Clancy. “We’re drowning and we need your help.”

“There are no easy answers, but we must act because continuing on this path is the worst of all bad options,” Quinn-Davidson said on Wednesday. “It would mean jeopardizing our healthcare capacity, and it would cause unnecessary long term illness and deaths in our community.”

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the annual Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. The Awards recognize several areas of contribution to ocean sciences, education, and resource management in Alaska. Nominations are open through Jan. 15 and can be made on the ASLC 

The five awards are:

The Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award is a $1,000 cash award made to an individual or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 or more years. The award is sponsored by the late Governor Walter J. and the late Ermalee Hickel.

The Stewardship and Sustainability Award is given to an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources and is sponsored by Jason Brune.

The Marine Research Award is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution or a career spanning achievement in any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. A $500 cash prize is given and is sponsored by Dr. Clarence Pautzke and Dr. Maureen McCrea.

The Marine Science Outreach Award is given to a person, team, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media, or other communications about Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The $500 cash prize is sponsored by the Alaska Ocean Observing System.

The Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award is given to an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who has displayed dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. The $500 cash prize is sponsored by Dale Hoffman.

New episodes begin Tuesday December 1st.

COVID Vaccination Planning for Staff of Long-Term Care Services Providers

Alaska is preparing for the first COVID-19 vaccine shipments to arrive by the end of 2020. Because long-term care facility staff may be recommended for early vaccination, particularly in facilities serving seniors, it is important that you and your staff are prepared and have a plan in place.

As of November 4, 2020, four vaccines had begun the last of three stages of clinical trials in the U.S. to test safety and effectiveness. After the FDA approves a vaccine, based on based on the results of clinical trials, the CDC will recommend which populations should receive the vaccine first. These recommendations are guided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 

Because long-term care facility staff may be recommended to receive the vaccine first, the State of Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force is asking staff in these facilities to be prepared to receive the vaccine once it arrives in Alaska. 

• There is no State of Alaska requirement for anyone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; staff can decide whether they want to receive it.
• The initial vaccination locations will be select pharmacies and Community Health Centers.
• Once vaccines are available, you will be sent a calendar of dates, times and locations where the vaccination will be available.
• You must pre-register and schedule an appointment; vaccines will not be available on a walk-in basis.
• Depending on the vaccine, two appointments may be required one for the 1st dose and one for the 2nd dose three or four weeks later.

On Wednesday morning, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation–Major Crimes Unit, was informed of an expected death of an inmate at the Anchorage Correctional Center.

They were notified that 48-year-old William Olsen JR had been transported to a local hospital after experiencing a medical emergency at the complex on November 20th. After receiving treatment, it was determined that Olsen would not survive the event.

On the evening of November 25th, Olsen was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

His next of kin were notified of his death, and the State Medical Examiner was also informed. Authorities say that no foul play is suspected

nature...how is the lobster industry doing in Alaska & Maine?

Smaller distributers closed? Price suppressed? Fisherman/lobstermen out of work? Can they still harvest lobster?

BTW..Love those awards & the recognition of those making a difference in our environment.