Halloween may be half-a-year away but staff at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club look to prevent any viruses from spreading by asking children to channel their inner-Dracula by coughing and sneezing into their arms.

“We tell kids we know germs are in the environment — we just don’t want them in our body,” said Mary Budke, executive director of the Olympic Peninsula Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.

The club is one of many agencies and businesses in the community and the nation looking to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Efforts range from outright cancellations of events to barring free samples and refilling personal cups to encouraging better hand-washing.

Health officials and first responders continue to provide daily updates from the Emergency Operations Center in the Clallam County Courthouse.

Peter Raiswell, public information officer for the EOC, said Clallam still doesn’t have any cases of the virus, but Dr. Allison Unthank, Clallam County’s public health officer, feels “fairly certain the virus is in the area.”

For those traveling to larger areas like Seattle, Raiswell said they advise people go only if needed and try to stay six feet from others and use proper hand washing hygiene.

Pregnant women, those with coughs and colds, and the elderly are the most susceptible to exposure of the virus, he said.

For Clallam County updates on the coronavirus, visit www.clallam.net/coronavirus.

Health facilities

Olympic Medical Center spokeswoman Bobby Beeman told the Peninsula Daily News Monday that five samples sent by OMC staff tested negative for COVID-19 and seven tests were pending.

At Discovery Memory Care, 408 W. Washington St., CEO Lee Field of Senior Services of America that owns the facility said they are following similar protocols of other agencies and to monitor residents with similar symptoms to the virus.

He said they are recommending limiting visitations too.

Senior Services of America operates eight facilities in Washington, and Field said they’re ready to share supplies between them if needed. Staff are also doing training on quarantine procedures.

Schools, clubs

Sequim schools superintendent Dr. Rob Clark said Monday the district is encouraging staff and families to stay home if sick.

Afterschool activities and large gatherings remain unaffected, he said, but large events’ statuses next week are to be determined based on if the virus spreads more in the area.

For now, the district is prohibiting school travel to King and Snohomish counties. Clark said to a certain extent he’s leaving trips such as a planned choir performance in Anaheim, Calif., to parents if they want their children to go or not.

Custodians at all Sequim schools received approval for overtime to disinfect high-use areas, he said.

Budke said at the Sequim and Port Angeles Boys & Girls Clubs they’re following national agency protocols that include removing an ill child from others with a fever of 100 or more, a cough, complaining of flu-like symptoms and/or extreme fatigue, and calling his/her parents.

She said staff’s biggest challenge remains ensuring children’s hands are clean before eating.

To help with that, they use disposable dishes and milk cartons, and staff increased cleaning regimens, she said.

They also combat the rumor mill about the virus, too.

“We hear them say that kids in Chimacum have it, or if they can’t find someone right away (in the club) then they assume they have it,” Budke said.

“We really focus on healthy eating habits and to get your rest, and it’s always been a rule not to touch your face.”

Mass transportation

On Clallam Transit buses and at their facilities, general manager Kevin Gallacci said his staff has increased cleanings and added more disinfectants.

“We cleaned vehicles daily and now we’re taking extra time to do at least one more extra cleaning on buses,” he said.

Transit is also providing literature for riders and staff and encouraging ill employees to stay home, too.

Depending on the level of absenteeism, Transit leaders have two contingency plans in place to provide services at reduced levels if needed, Gallacci said.

“Right now, we have some employees out with colds, but we’re still able to maintain the same level (of service),” he said.

Clallam Transit has 34 fixed-route operators, and about six or more would need to be ill to impact services, he said. If that happened, notices would go out online.

As for Paratransit services, Gallacci said it’s too early to see any impact.

On the second floor of the Sequim Civic Center, city staff placed a barrier to try and limit the potential for the coronavirus, COVID-19, from spreading. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

YMCAs

With facilities in Clallam and Jefferson counties, leadership with the Olympic Peninsula YMCA does not have plans to close its locations due to the virus.

Erin Hawkins, Olympic Peninsula YMCA’s marketing and communications coordinator, said custodial staff already follow quality cleaning standards year-round in Sequim, Port Angeles and Jefferson County, and that they are following public health official’s direction not to close.

She said staff “are making sure to clean surfaces frequently touched by members more often” and staff and club members can always use cleaning materials to wipe down exercise equipment.

They’ve begun circulating information on hygiene as well through emails and signage. If schools close in Port Angeles and/or Jefferson County, the YMCA’s childcare programs serving 30-50 students would close too.

“We are monitoring the coronavirus outbreak situation and preparing for the possibility that our daily program and work routines could be temporarily impacted if the situation significantly worsens,” Hawkins said.

Libraries

Margaret Jakubcin, library director for the North Olympic Library System, said the county’s four libraries are following the same instructions as other agencies by ramping up cleaning high-touch areas and promoting proper hygiene.

Jakubcin said they hope to reschedule several postponed events, but many decisions are tentative.

As for transferring materials, she said they’ve suggested some ways for staff to do their work while touching materials less often.

“We’re being conscious to do everything we can,” Jakubcin said.

“We’re asking people to self-monitor themselves before coming to the library if they have flu-like symptoms.”

NOLS staff posted on the libraries’ websites that they do not charge overdue fines and those who are sick can keep materials until they are healthy.

Visitor Information Center

The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce closed the Visitor Information Center, 1192 E. Washington St., to visitors on Monday out of safety for its several volunteers who are among vulnerable groups for the coronavirus.

Staff are available by appointment by calling 360-683-6197.

Churches

Area churches continued to meet this past weekend with some leaders encouraging fist bumps instead of handshakes, and proper hand hygiene, too.

Jim Weller, a spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said they’ve been monitoring the virus’ developments and are following the recommendations of no large gatherings to take place. They cancelled the Port Angeles stake conference for members and friends of the church from Clallam and Jefferson counties on March 21-22 in Port Angeles with about 800 people anticipated to come.

“At this time, we are continuing to hold regular church services and other small gatherings, but we are continuously assessing the ongoing situation,” Weller said. “As needed, we will make additional adjustments based on current guidance of our local and state public health agencies.”

Conor Dowley contributed to this report.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

A common theme among stores across the globe like this Sequim pharmacy is empty shelves for disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers and face masks due to the rise of concern over the coronavirus, COVID-19. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash