Services on Washington Island are starting to come back to normal this week after the town suffered a spike in COVID-19 cases late last month. The town office opened up last Wednesday to appointments only and will continue to operate that way this week. Despite the Washington Island School District deciding on Friday to stay in virtual learning another week, the Mosling Recreation Center reopened on Monday by appointment for members only. The Washington Island Community Van and the landfill continues to operate with COVID-19 protocols in place. Town supervisor Hans Lux said last week how happy they are that the numbers are starting to trend in the opposite direction.
Door County Public Health Manager Sue Power said during a recent Facebook Live session with Door County Medical Center that she hopes they will be able to conduct a larger COVID-19 vaccine clinic in the future. The hospital has been able to vaccinate some Island residents that have fallen into the Phase 1A group. Powers added that the group could include Washington Island Ferry employees since they provide emergency support in some cases.
WASHINGTON ISLAND SERVICES UPDATE WEEK OF JANUARY 18TH – JANUARY 22nd FROM TOWN SUPERVISOR HANS LUX
We hope this will be our last posted update. With your help, the Island has seen a decrease of people who were feeling ill requesting to be tested for COVID-19 and a noticeable decrease in positive results. We thank all of you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as our island went through this COVID-19 spike. Your efforts have paid off, and we now are in a stage where we still need to take precautions to keep our community well as we get through this pandemic. All our employees have returned to service, but we still need to keep them safe along with the entire community. Vaccines are still months away for most of us, so again we ask you to continue with the COVID-19 protection protocols. Some services are returning while others are maintaining their safe
COVID protocols.
FROM OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
As a reminder, if you have a PENDING test result or a known POSITIVE test result, please STAY HOME. You are advised not to go to the grocery store or travel in any public transit. Even a negative test does not mean you do not have it, so if you are not feeling well even with a negative or no test you still need to STAY HOME. Yes, you can go for a drive to see the scenery by yourself. Yes, you can walk out in your yard and get some fresh air. You should NOT be going around other folks who are not in your immediate household. Remember how your exposure can spread to your Island friends and family.
FOR YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY – HELP FROM WICHP
If you are not feeling well or have COVID-19 symptoms, please do not expose your community family. If you have the virus or are in quarantine and need assistance with errands, WICHP has offered assistance. Please call #920-847-2108 to utilize these services and remain in quarantine to reduce the spread to the rest of your island family.
Services Updates for the week of January 18th – January 22nd
ISLAND EXCHANGE/LANDFILL
The Island Exchange is open 8 am to 12 noon Monday and Wednesday, and 8 am to 3 pm Saturday. Please continue the rules of being patient, masking, and waiting at the stop sign until an opening develops at one of the two stations (paper/cardboard & garbage). Please keep person to person contact to a minimum and always maintain a minimum six-foot distance on-premise. Garbage bags are available for sale at the landfill.
TOWN OFFICES
The Town Offices will continue operations as appointments only. Please call #847-2522 to schedule. All transactions will take place at the side window and masking will be required. Any messages left will be answered by staff.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Officers will continue to be on duty. Incidents will be handled whenever possible by phone if the officer’s presence is not required on scene. If you have an emergency, call 911. To leave a message for an officer to return, call #847-2355. If you wish to reach the on-duty officer, contact Door County Dispatch at #920-746-2400, Option #0
REC CENTER
The Mosling Rec Center plans to open on Monday, January 18th. Members must have an appointment. Please call #847-2226 to reserve your time. Members must wear a mask and must use sanitizer when entering the building. If you are not feeling well, have been in contact with a person who has COVID-19, or are waiting on a COVID-19 test please stay home. We would like to keep the doors open safely. Thank you for understanding.
WASHINGTON ISLAND SCHOOL
Washington Island School continues another week of virtual learning. Please follow any updates on the school website at www.island.k12.wi.us
WASHINGTON ISLAND COMMUNITY VAN
The Washington Island Community Van is operational scheduling rides again, provided COVID-19 protocols are followed. This includes the passenger and driver will always be masked, restrictions apply as to where trips can be taken to, and cleaning of the van prior to and after transport. For more information, contact Ti Heal at #847-2014.
THIS IS A STRONG COMMUNITY
We, as an Island community, have just gone through an exceedingly difficult time for us all. It has taken patience, understanding, and sacrifice to get to where we are today. As I have stated earlier, we grieve for those whose lives have been taken from us and for all who have suffered from this pandemic. Let us continue to be strong as a community and long for the time when we can all celebrate together as the family we are. It may take a bit longer, but just imagine what that will be like again. Thank you to all of you.
Hans W. Lux, Jr.
Hans Lux, Supervisor
Town of Washington
