Coronavirus impacts Lummi Island
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As winter’s last nor’easter tore over Lummi Island, few noticed it was Friday the 13th. The world is shutting down and this is how it’s playing out here.
This page will be updated as the Covid-19 pandemic effects Lummi Island.
Update May 18
Fare collection will resume onboard the Whatcom Chief on May 18. In an effort to maintain social distancing and keep both customers and employees safe, Lummi Island Ferry staff will no longer accept cash. In addition, ferry crew will no longer sell multi-ride punch cards onboard the Whatcom Chief. See official policy here.
Fare procedures:
Single ride fare updates: No cash will be accepted.
Payments accepted by credit/debit cards and checks. Please have your fare ready when the purser gets to your window. To limit exposure for both parties, please roll down your window just enough to easily pass your fare to the purser.
Multi-ride punch card updates: Punch card holders may mark a punch off their card when the purser gets to your window to collect the fare. Do not mark off a punch until the purser instructs you to do so. Incorrectly marked off punches will not be refunded.
Update April 1
No April Fools… There will be no printed Tome during the Stay Home order. The e-mail version of the Tome will continue as usual for Paid Subscribers only. According to Editor Paul Davis, “If you paid for the printed version only, you will now get the Tome by e-mail IF I HAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. If you have not paid for a subscription, you will NOT get the Tome in any form. FOR NON-SUBSCRIBERS -if you want to continue getting the Tome, you can use the attached subscription form. To get the April Tome, I must have your check or cash by April 13. As an extra bonus, you can get Brown Betty (email updates) by checking the Brown Betty “Yes” box. If you want to pay for both printed and e-mail Tome, you will get them both if and when we resume printing it. Please print your e-mail addresses clearly in CAPS. For questions email lummitome@gmail.com.”
Update March 28
Message from Fire Chief Duncan McLane
We would like to have the Lummi Island Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) Group Leads check in with their neighbors, by email or phone to maintain social distancing safeguards, to learn if neighbor's needs for groceries, medical supplies and the like are met through the usual channels.
The Fire hall is closed to all non essential personnel and the public. We are asking the Firefighter/EMT's to monitor the oral temperature of themselves and their family and not respond if they re febrile or have signs and symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection. For now all training and truck inspections have been suspended until future notice.
Update March 26
Ferry fares suspended, schedule reduced again
Travel on the ferry for essential trips only. Fare collection is temporarily suspended until further notice. Purser desk will be completely closed, and no single ride or multi ride punch cards will be available for purchase on the ferry. COVID-19 schedule here.
DNR and Baker Preserve closed
Recent overcrowding at popular parks and trailheads combined with concerns over Covid-19 has prompted closure off all lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Lummi Island Heritage Trust has also closed Baker Preserve as it is the access trail to state lands. However, the Otto Preserve and Curry Preserve remain open for now!
Post Office Procedures
From Hope, “The Post Office is open, and please consider using the blue box outside. If you are mailing something that needs help, place your items on the counter and step back to the marked spot on the floor. We can then proceed with your transaction.”
Islanders can also conduct postal business through our mailboxes. If you leave your request in your mailbox, think note saying "I'd like a book of stamps" along with payment, the mail carrier will bring it to the PO and return to you the following day. Please make it stand out from regular outgoing mail, perhaps using a post-it note or highlighter.
Beach Store Cafe take-out this weekend
Take-out orders will be placed on a picnic table under a tent, near the parking lot. A copy of your customer receipt will be taped to your order. Tess asks that everyone pay over the phone with a credit card number, if possible. Hours will be: Friday and Saturday 4pm - 7:30pm; Sunday 4pm - 6:30 pm. All the details at beachstorecafe.com.
Update March 23
Fire Hall closed to public
Chief McLean announced today: “In an effort to continue to provide the highest level of safety and services to Lummi Island and to our Emergency Responders, Whatcom County Fire District 11-Lummi Island Fire Hall will be closed to the public until further notice.
“It is ever so important that in these rapidly changing times, that you do not come to the Fire Station for guidance; but dial 9-1-1 if you are experiencing an emergency and the dispatchers will help guide you to appropriate action.
“Non-emergent business should be handled via phone call to the Station at (360) 758-2411 and arrangements made for such business. (Burning Permits for example).”
Elderberries Drive-Thru Lunch
The Elderberries “Drive Thru” lunch is ON for Wednesday March 25, at the Congregational Church parking lot at noon. Drive thru the parking lot as directed by the signs, stay in your car, drive up to the tent , roll down your window and we’ll hand you (with gloved hands) a hearty homemade sack lunch and a drink! Wave to your Elderberry friends! Eat in your car at some beautiful location on the island, or take it home. All food is prepared under strict health department guidelines. Hope to see you there!
Shutdowns and pandemic changes start today
The ferry starts COVID-19 schedule today. The Islander Store is closed to public and will be accepting phone or email orders only, pre-order will be met at the door. With five confirmed cases, the Lummi Nation is requiring tribal members to remain in their homes except for essential trips through April 5. (Lummi Island is not part of the Lummi Reservation).
Update March 22
Islander Store closes doors, will take phone orders
Beginning Monday, March 23, the Islander’s doors will be closed to customers. Staff will be there to take and fill phone orders only. “We will shop for you and meet you at the door. You may use your account if it is in good standing, cash, or local checks. We may do credit cards if that’s your only option,” says Laura on Nextdoor, “Please be patient as this is as new to us as it is to you.”
The Willows Inn staff relief fund
The Willows has delayed their opening for the foreseeable future due to the severity of the current pandemic. “We are asking for assistance from our neighbors, guests, friends and family alike to help support our team here on Lummi Island. We know these are trying times for our community, but every bit helps, and this relief fund will 100% go directly to our employees to help them weather the storm.” Donate at this GoFundMe page.
Update March 21
Reduced ferry schedule and modified ways to pay fare
Beginning Monday, March 23 the ferry will reduces morning runs from 21 to 15 and reduces the P.M. runs from 18 to 14. This is based on the Dry Dock schedule although vehicle traffic will continue. Government mandates and/or a continuing drop in ridership may cause the ferry to revert to a once/hour weekend/holiday schedule.
In an effort to maintain social distancing the ferry hasmodified fare collection:
Please have your fare ready when the purser gets to your window. To limit exposure for both parties please roll down your window just enough to pass your fare to the purser.
Punch card holders can mark a punch off when the purser gets to your window to collect the fare. IMPORTANT: Do not mark off a punch until the purser instructs you to do so. Incorrectly marked off punches will not be refunded.
To purchase a punch card: please indicate to the purser, as the purser is moving around the boat. The purser will complete this purchase at your car window. Please do not go to the purser station.
Update March 19
Library working on options
Librarians are working hard behind the scenes this week to develop a safe, clean way of getting you your library materials. Holds and due dates are suspended during the closure. In the meantime, feel free to continue placing holds on materials. While you wait for them, please take advantage of all the digital materials available through WCLS.org.
Update March 18
US/Canada Border to close
Truck drivers and returning Canadian snowbirds are expected to get an exemption. More at Seattle Times.
Lummi Nation is on it
The tribe hit the ground running in February with 300 test kits on hand, called for social distancing before the state, have iPads and Wi-Fi hotspots ready for in-home telemedicine. (Lummi Island is not part of the Lummi Reservation). More at Seattle Times.
UPDATE March 16
Beach Store Cafe take out only
Take out menu Friday-Sunday, 4pm - 7:30pm. Tess announced Monday, “We will share the proposed menu soon. Thank you, again, for your support of Jason, myself, and our staff, now and always! Stay tuned...”
UPDATE March 13
Ferry service continues with passenger adjustment
Social distancing can be difficult to achieve aboard the Whatcom Chief. Cabin #1 (on the island side) is now restricted to crew only. Cabin #2 (on the mainland side) is being cleaned regularly, following recommended guidelines with recommended products. Please observe posted restricted areas: do not enter the purser or wheelhouse areas. More at Whatcom County
Beach School is closed
Until at least April 24. Food service to students and families who need this assistance will continue. More at Ferndale School District
Heritage Trust encourages a breath of fresh air
“We’d like to remind our neighbors to take care of yourself and each other. As we learn to practice ‘social distancing’, we are so lucky to have open spaces like the Curry, Otto or Baker Preserves with their enticing, quiet trails. Take this opportunity to visit your favorite preserve for a breath of fresh air and some exercise. Be well!” More at LIHT
Library closed, try ebooks
The Island Library will be closed until at least April 24. Your library card allows you to download books or audio books onto your computer or eReader. Instructions are on wcls.org.
Congregational Church cancellations
Worship service cancelled Sunday, March 15, and all of the church-sponsored activities are cancelled in the coming week. This includes Elderberries, Civic Club, yoga, and Parish Dinner. More at Lummi Island Congregational Church
Willows Inn delays opening
The restaurant has pushed the season opening to April 2. More at The Willows Inn
Beach Store Cafe has options
“Please trust that we are doing our very best to ensure the health and safety of our staff and the public at all times. This is true even without the current health threats, but we are upping our game even more given the current climate. Thank you so much for your continued support during these crazy times, and always.” More at Beach Store Cafe
Canadian border getting iffy
BC residents have a choice whether they want to risk going to the U.S. or another country, but if they do they should expect to be in isolation for 14 days when they return. And there is buzz the border may actually close as the pandemic intensifies.
