Search the site...

SOL DE MEDIANOCHE
  • MARCH 2023
  • FEBRUARY 2023
  • JANUARY 2023
  • DECEMBER 2022
  • NOVEMBER 2022
  • OCTOBER 2022
  • SEPTEMBER 2022
  • AUGUST 2022
  • JULY 2022
  • JUNE 2022
  • MAY 2022
  • APRIL 2022
  • MARCH 2022
  • FEBRUARY 2022
  • JANUARY 2022
  • DECEMBER 2021
  • NOVEMBER 2021
  • OCTOBER 2021
  • SEPTEMBER 2021
  • AUGUST 2021
  • JULY 2021
  • JUNE 2021
  • MAY 2021
  • APRIL 2021
  • MARCH 2021
  • FEBRUARY 2021
  • JANUARY 2021
  • DECEMBER 2020
  • NOVEMBER 2020
  • Advertise with us!
  • OCTOBER 2020
  • SEPTEMBER 2020
  • AUGUST 2020
  • JULY 2020
  • JUNE 2020
  • MAY 2020
  • MAR - APR 2020
  • JAN - FEB 2020
  • NOVEMBER 2019
  • SEPTEMBER 2019
  • JULY 2019
  • MAY 2019
  • MARCH 2019
  • FEBRUARY 2019
  • NOVEMBER 2018
  • SEPTEMBER 2018
    • Yes on Salmon
    • Become a citizen
  • JUNE 2018
  • APRIL 2018
  • FEBRUARY 2018
  • DECEMBER 2017
  • SEPTEMBER 2017
  • JULY 2017
  • MAY 2017
  • Spring 2017 - No. 5
  • Winter 2016 - No. 4
  • Fall 2016 - No. 3
  • Summer 2016 - No. 2
  • Spring 2016 - No. 1
  • Contact
  • MARCH 2023
  • FEBRUARY 2023
  • JANUARY 2023
  • DECEMBER 2022
  • NOVEMBER 2022
  • OCTOBER 2022
  • SEPTEMBER 2022
  • AUGUST 2022
  • JULY 2022
  • JUNE 2022
  • MAY 2022
  • APRIL 2022
  • MARCH 2022
  • FEBRUARY 2022
  • JANUARY 2022
  • DECEMBER 2021
  • NOVEMBER 2021
  • OCTOBER 2021
  • SEPTEMBER 2021
  • AUGUST 2021
  • JULY 2021
  • JUNE 2021
  • MAY 2021
  • APRIL 2021
  • MARCH 2021
  • FEBRUARY 2021
  • JANUARY 2021
  • DECEMBER 2020
  • NOVEMBER 2020
  • Advertise with us!
  • OCTOBER 2020
  • SEPTEMBER 2020
  • AUGUST 2020
  • JULY 2020
  • JUNE 2020
  • MAY 2020
  • MAR - APR 2020
  • JAN - FEB 2020
  • NOVEMBER 2019
  • SEPTEMBER 2019
  • JULY 2019
  • MAY 2019
  • MARCH 2019
  • FEBRUARY 2019
  • NOVEMBER 2018
  • SEPTEMBER 2018
    • Yes on Salmon
    • Become a citizen
  • JUNE 2018
  • APRIL 2018
  • FEBRUARY 2018
  • DECEMBER 2017
  • SEPTEMBER 2017
  • JULY 2017
  • MAY 2017
  • Spring 2017 - No. 5
  • Winter 2016 - No. 4
  • Fall 2016 - No. 3
  • Summer 2016 - No. 2
  • Spring 2016 - No. 1
  • Contact

New Anti-covid measures​

Alaska toughens restrictions due to worsening of pandemic

BY CARLOS MATÍAS

Picture

More than 22,014 Covid infections and 98 deaths have been registered in Alaska, as of November 15th. The day before, the number of new cases has exceeded the highest number of infections in one day. Of the 745 recorded new cases, 433 are in Anchorage.
The coronavirus is striking more fiercely than it has in several weeks. The Department of Health and Human Services has alerted Governor Mike Dunleavy of the danger of a hospital collapse.

The worst is yet to come
The imminent arrival of winter and the intensification of the cold makes one fear the worst. Dunleavy has asked the population to take the virus “very seriously” and to strictly follow the instructions of health officials. The Governor extended the state’s declaration of emergency disaster, after public health officials expressed concern that the declaration expired on Sunday, 15.
There is little point in Alaska having one of the lowest death rates in the United States so far, if the rate of contagion continues to accelerate as it has in recent weeks. The disease transmission rate is considered high when it exceeds 5%. Currently it has almost reached 9% (8.9%) statewide and is at 14% in Anchorage.

Quinn-Davison Takes Tougher Action
Anchorage’s acting mayor, Austin Quinn-Davidson, has announced tougher measures to prevent contagion. Exemptions from wearing masks are eliminated and the number allowed at gatherings without food and drink is further limited from 30 before to only 15 now, except in places of worship, such as churches. The age at which it is mandatory to wear a mask is lowered. Previously, it was mandatory for children over 12 years of age; now it is mandatory for those over five and it is recommended that they also wear a mask from the age of two.

The mask is also mandatory for people who exercise indoors (previously they were exempt). Those who cannot tolerate a face mask for medical or other reasons will have to wear it anyway unless it is impossible. Face shields cannot replace masks, except for those who cannot work safely with a mask, such as drivers who wear glasses and get them fogged up.
Public health officials fear that with this rush of contagion, Alaska’s hospitals will be stretched to their limits and unable to admit anyone else, resulting in more deaths. They even fear that emergency medical shelters will be understaffed.

At a press conference last Friday, Anchorage public health officials encouraged residents to get tested, with or without symptoms, and even without being exposed to someone with Covid. The virus is everywhere, people need to make sure they are not infected and if they are, then necessary measures to mitigate the infection of more people must be taken. Testing is free and there are several locations where people can get tested without getting out of their car.

​It is necesary to register in advance at www.visithealth.covidsecureapp.com

Picture
PROUDLY POWERED BY SOL DE MEDIANOCHE NEWS, LLC.
Sol de Medianoche is a monthly publication of the Latino community in Anchorage, Alaska