Take-off and landing contest to be held at Weiser’s Municipal Airport

This last Saturday, Cathy and I met with our daughters, grandkids, and their dog to hike on the Weiser River Trail. From the parking lot we walked a couple of miles and then turned around. With a 3- and a 6-year-old, that was about far enough.
 The weather was beautiful. The temperature was just right with a slight breeze. It was a great morning for a hike, good conversation, and entertainment provided by the kids.
 By the way, if you don’t have plans for this weekend, or even if you do, there is an event going on out at the airport that might be interesting. About 25 to 30 pilots have signed up for a short take-off and landing contest. I am told that the contest will be comparable to bracket racing with cars.
 The planes will take-off, fly slowly for about 1,000 feet, then land in a 100-foot space marked on the runway. The pilot will estimate the time to complete these maneuvers and will be “racing” with himself.
 Friday will have the pilots timing and testing themselves to have a basis for their time estimate for the contest. The actual contest will take place on Saturday starting at about noon.
 There will be a gate charge during the contest of $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, and children under 12 free.
 This will, hopefully, become an annual event in Weiser and build each year. So, come on out to the airport. If you have never been there, you will be surprised at what a gem of an airport we have right here (or just outside) of Weiser.
 In COVID news this week, Washington County has had another 26 new cases for the past week; 45 over the past two weeks. To give some perspective on how quickly these cases are coming on, from April 1, 2021 through August 6, there were 45 cumulative cases. In other words, it took 128 days to accumulate the prior 45 cases and 14 days for the last 45.
 The Southwest District Health Department is saying that the majority of cases are of the Delta variety.
 The reason this latest surge is taking place so quickly has to do with how easily the Delta variant spreads. The CDC states that with the seasonal flu one person will spread the virus to an average of about 1.3 people. A person with the original coronavirus would spread it to about 2.5 people. This Delta variant is being spread from one person to about five or more. This is why, even though 42 percent of Washington County is vaccinated, the virus is spreading quickly, especially since there are no restrictions on group gatherings – and masks are nearly non-existent.
 No one wants to see us go back to group size restrictions, mask requirements, or sheltering-in-place again. I think it is safe to say, we have all been enjoying the ability to live normal lives.
 However, the medical system is again feeling the strain from the increase in COVID-19 cases. The only way to keep the number of cases under control, other than through restrictions, is to get vaccinated.
 Yes, even vaccinated people have been contracting the virus. However, in our health district, the latest information shows that only six of the last 544 hospitalizations were vaccinated. Only one of the last 161 deaths, was vaccinated. It is safe to say you are much less likely to have serious problems from the virus if you are vaccinated.
 The vaccine, which is made of an inert protein from the virus, not the virus itself, builds up the body’s defenses to recognize that protein. So, when the virus enters the body, the body recognizes the protein and already has a defense rather than having to build the defense from scratch.
 So, for yourself and the sake of others, the way to get past this nasty bug and put it to bed is to get yourself vaccinated if you have not already done so.
 Well, that’s it for this week. I hope you are getting out and enjoying this wonderful cooler weather and please get vaccinated if you have not already done so.