Mayor Neil Bradshaw

Sun Valley Begins Antibody Testing

April 8, 2020

You have a chance to help others.  We have just announced the start of a clinical study to test for COVID-19 antibodies in our community. Please CLICK HERE for the press release. The clinical study is part of a collaboration with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to help further the fight against COVID-19. We are asking for volunteers to help with the research. Initially we are looking for 400 volunteers, although that could be increased in the future.
 
Teamwork – that is what makes things happen. There are too many people to mention that have helped initiate this exciting academic study – and we are just getting started! Through community relationships, experts in the field and highly respected academic institutions, we have managed to put together a team of leading epidemiologists. However, it all starts at home. Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin and Blaine County Emergency Medical Director Terry O’Conner are spearheading this initiative. Further afield, we are delighted to be partnering with two outstanding academic institutions – I am thankful for the local connections that made this possible.

-Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw

Antibody Study and Testing Begins in Blaine County

KETCHUM, Idaho – The Ketchum Fire Department and Blaine County Ambulance District have partnered with the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to conduct a study that includes antibody testing for residents of Blaine County.

The study will start with a random sample of 400 Blaine County residents to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals to determine how many asymptomatic, or silent, cases there are in the community.

Officials emphasize this is a study; not a medical diagnosis, vaccine or guarantee of immunity to COVID-19.

Initially, the study will analyze the total number of COVID-19 cases in the sample group compared to the number of cases tested. This information will help further the fight against COVID-19 to help scientists slow or stop the disease. It will also help discover if antibody presence confers immunity.

Blaine County residents wishing to participate in the study, including the testing, may register at  https://redcap.acphs.edu/surveys/?s=3MDMEDTX4L. Residents will be screened and chosen for the study based on demographic criteria established for the study.

Eventually, the study will provide information to the community on when it is safe to resume normal activity.

“We are grateful for the efforts led by Ketchum Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin and Blaine County EMS Director Terry O’Connor to spearhead this study,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “A keen interest from the partnering organizations and the perseverance of our Chief and EMS Director kept the ball rolling and made the testing a reality for our community.”

Further analysis of the study will help to:

  • Determine whether there are indicators for predicting a mild or severe reaction to COVID-19
  • Determine the transmissibility of the virus
  • Predict the duration of a COVID-19 outbreak and whether herd immunity can be reached in a community
  • Develop vaccines for COVID-19
  • Determine if there is a correlation between certain classes of blood pressure medication and severity of illness

“I am proud of the collaboration between Blaine County and our cities,” said Blaine County Commissioner Jacob Greenberg. “Not only will this testing in the County help the study, it is a chance for the volunteers to help friends, relatives, neighbors and ultimately, all of humanity.”

https://www.crushthecurveidaho.com

WHAT IS CrushTheCurveIdaho.com?

Providing COVID-19 testing to workers deemed essential during this global pandemic. 

CrushTheCurveIdaho.com is a coordinated effort by Idaho businesses, innovators, and leaders to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our mission is to procure testing specifically for Idaho companies to make it easier for essential workers to be tested. We have access to a large supply of test kits and are currently working to secure an antibody test that will be available soon. 

WE ARE NOT a replacement for traditional doctors offices and others doing testing for individuals with symptoms or who meet other testing requirements.

GET TESTED.
SAVE LIVES.
GET BACK TO WORK.

 

City of Ketchum

March 16, 2020

 

March 16, 2020
COVID 19 – Slow it Down, Do Your Part
A Message from Mayor Bradshaw

We are experiencing unprecedented times as COVID-19 impacts our community. The City of Ketchum has taken numerous actions to address the pandemic, but we have two requests of our community: Slow it Down and Do Your Part.

Slow It Down
I urge everyone to consider their actions, exposure risk and contagion risk from the perspective of the larger public health impact of a rapid spread of COVID-19, versus a more gradual spread. Medical resources in Blaine County have a better chance of meeting the needs of our valley if the rate of spread is gradual and not rapid. We all can help slow it down. Our efforts in this regard will save lives.

Slowing it down gives more time to treat the cases we have and more time to ramp up our testing capabilities as well as other areas of preparedness.
We can slow it down by:

  • Washing our hands
  • Keeping our distance from others
  • Covering our cough
  • Avoiding group gatherings
We must discourage friends and visitors from coming to town. For a town that is used to welcoming visitors, this is hard to do, but we must reduce the number of people visiting our area. As well as the threat of introducing infected persons into our area, it will put additional strain on our medical resources. The message is clear, this is not a place for a virus vacation.

Do Your Part
We are all in this together; we all benefit from taking individual and collective responsibility.
As such, we are encouraging the following:

  • Non-essential businesses should limit operations.
  • Restaurants to close or restrict to take-out only.
  • Shop thoughtfully. Please leave something on the shelves for others.
  • Keep your distance but be there to support your neighbor.
  • Monitor your health.
  • Be kind to those around you – let us know when you have seen an act of kindness with the hashtag #KetchumKind
City Leads by Example with Proactive Steps
We are limited in what we can legally mandate for private businesses. Our approach is to lead by example. As such, we have taken the following steps for our operations and staff:
  • Cancelled city events and restricted large gatherings in public spaces.
  • Closed all city recreation programs.
  • Closed public access to city facilities – those that need to file a permit, pay a bill or seek assistance will be asked to deposit their paperwork in a container outside City Hall.
  • Customers will be encouraged to call, email or conduct business on-line.
  • All non-public safety staff that regularly interact with the public outside of city facilities (Community Service Officers, Parks and Recreation, Facility Maintenance) will be assigned to office duties.
  • For city staff – all out-of-state business travel is cancelled. Employees traveling out of state on personal travel are highly encouraged to cancel their travel plans.
Remember, we are resilient; while it is hard to see right now, I am confident that we will come out of this pandemic stronger and wiser. We will learn what is essential and what is not, we will learn how to prepare better for the future and we will learn not to take anything for granted. Finally, we will learn to celebrate what every day brings, and not what it takes away.

We will get through this and we will remember to support our local restaurants and businesses when we return to normality – for they are suffering and will need our help to get back on their feet. In support of our local businesses, we will be doing all we can to secure federal and state funding.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these difficult times. We will be placing posters around town to raise awareness and remind everyone of the message to Slow It Down and Do Your Part.

Neil Bradshaw
Ketchum Mayor

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