As your Beacon writer I really have to watch my diction in this edition because we have a real life Rootin’ Tootin’ news journalist was our featured speaker in this mornings Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary meeting. I’ll need a prayer or two, so in comes Stephanie Baker with our Invocation who gave it all she’s got. Stephanie asking for Rotarians to be a model for leadership and community service and peace as a denominator to unify all of us. Will “Idaho Potato” Duerksen led us with America’s Pledge of Allegiance. Songstress Carol Smith belted out the song “My Country Tis’ of Thee” to get us in the right mood to focus our Rotary energies.
Live Pistol Pete Leveroni was in the house to introduce our featured speaker from KGET. Morning news anchor and Investigative reporter Alex Fisher is a local product who hails from Liberty High School and Pepperdine University. A son of educators, Alex appreciates the importance of a good lesson, and a good lesson is exactly what all who attended the meeting got, as Alex shared excerpts from his 18-month research of COVID deaths in Kern County. Certainly, a topic that is valuable by its very nature, it has been equally debatable, or even contestable by many accounts.
Alex compiled his research into a made-for-television report that was featured on KGET that evening. We received just a sample of his much more detailed findings. March 17th 2020 was Kern County’s first recorded COVID diagnosis and since that time the spread of the disease has changed the way we conduct our lives in almost every conceivable way. Alex tells us through the months of his research he has measured numerous fluctuations in the numbers of those Kern County residences that have been afflicted in the worst possible way, and that is with the death of a beloved family member. To the date of our BBRC meeting Alex tells us that 1429 Kern County residents have been listed among those who died from COVID.
Even controversy looms as to the accuracy of the death toll due to how records are documented on Kern County Coroner’s death certificates. Firstly, COVID will not be listed as a primary cause of death. Instead, COVID would be listed as a contributing factor falling only second to a primary cause of death, such as pneumonia as the primary cause. Secondly, Alex said even after those who experience serious complications from the disease that result in damage to heart, lungs and other vital organs, these patients are sent home in hopes of recovery, only to find in some cases that the damaged vital organs compromise the body’s ability to recover fully leading to unanticipated death. Alex said there are over 600 of these types of post-hospitalization COVID deaths in the last 12 months.
As one can see, the death count due to COVID is not an easy calculation to make as far as cause and effect. One thing Alex made crystal clear is that his research reveals that based upon Kern County ZIP Codes, there are more COVID deaths declared in the ZIP code areas where residents fail to become vaccinated.
Alex s
hared with Breakfast Rotarians a video which tells the heartbreaking account of one Kern family that in a matter of 16 days after the 2020 Christmas season lost 4 members due to COVID. These family members included the family patriarch and three of his sons. Listening to Alex’s video, a couple of comments stick in my head from one member of the family who spoke of his loss. Stressing that COVID is real, very real and that as a community member it is an act of respect, safety and compassion to receive the COVID vaccination to prevent other families of having to undergo what his family has.
hared with Breakfast Rotarians a video which tells the heartbreaking account of one Kern family that in a matter of 16 days after the 2020 Christmas season lost 4 members due to COVID. These family members included the family patriarch and three of his sons. Listening to Alex’s video, a couple of comments stick in my head from one member of the family who spoke of his loss. Stressing that COVID is real, very real and that as a community member it is an act of respect, safety and compassion to receive the COVID vaccination to prevent other families of having to undergo what his family has.The elusiveness of understanding the disease and how to prevent passing it to others has been most puzzling to Alex, and well I suppose that applies to every other person regardless of your level of medical expertise. Perhaps that is why Alex chose this relevant topic. But choose to examine the numbers, or deny, to wear masks, or not, and in what setting, or to become vaccinated, or not, our choices is something I expect will be the subject of much study in medical research for decades to come. With no roadmap, or GPS, to guide us as to what is around the next corner, Alex told us as the Delta Variant threatens progresses we have made toward having a somewhat normal lifestyle, COVID may be throwing a wrench in our plans. COVID works that way, and I suppose we will have to get used to the uncertainly and popular opinions. Where you stand on the issues is up to you…kinda.
By and large your chances are actually pretty good! Alex tells us 99% of people statistics show have fully recovered. This is good news for the masses, yet those 65 years of age and older that have not been vaccinated are gambling a numbers game. COVID deaths are highest with the older demographic. Kern County records show 70,000 of those 65 years and older have been vaccinated. 30% in Kern of that category have not been.
I am certain that Alex’s news report will be viewed by many in Kern. The value from such investigative reporting has a number of benefits. Mostly, informative, but also to identify issues and cause for a response. What is your response? You will respond, and you will own your own choices. Together we are experiencing a period in our lifetime that what we do may have serious quality and, of course, quantity of life implications for us in years to come. We want to thank you Alex for visiting with Breakfast Rotary, your devotion to the people of Kern County, and the difficult work of your chosen profession.
**Announcements Announcements**
Dennis Scott and wife Fran who came to visit with us are celebrating their 47th year of marriage bliss. Greg Desme got the memo too, and brought his wife Janis to our Wednesday morning meeting. Greg and Janis are celebrating 37 years together. Congratulations! (Adorable pictures of the two couples are on www.BBRC.org
President Jeff Haynes is doing something else pretty cool, which is to feature past Breakfast Rotary presidents in a…well let’s say a words of wisdom segment. This week’s featured past president is Bob Bryant (1985). Bob spoke of when our club was financially in the “Red”, after just 3 years of existence. Fundraisers made sense, and the birth of a donut sale to add to the coffers was born. Despite the donut sale, other fundraisers worked, and the club fin
ished the year a little “sweeter”. Bob told us we should Do-Nate our time and money to help others. The essence of Service above Self. Thanks, Bob, for the wisdom.
ished the year a little “sweeter”. Bob told us we should Do-Nate our time and money to help others. The essence of Service above Self. Thanks, Bob, for the wisdom. The Prez also has us doing Craft Talks, and in the spirit of this, Crafty Jeff Schwartz gave us an outstanding snippet of the nature of the financial service he provides to his clients day in and out. If your goal is a successful retirement that meets your lifestyle expectations, “and your budget”, meeting for a consultation with Jeff is your next stop.
Particularly interesting to the membership was Jeff’s ability to address and simplify our need to know how our health care needs are to be met for those approaching the age of 65 years. Like shopping for clothes, one size does not fit all. Jeff knows what style fits you best. So, if you want your clothes to look good go shopping or, better yet, if you want to look better in retirement, you may consider getting to know one of our newer members just a whole lot better soon. Thanks Jeff!
Birthday Rotary Boys are Bill Black and Past President Mike O’Doherty. Happy birthday fellas!
Club Service Director Sandra Parnell announced that our next club social event will be at Los Panchos Restaurant 2309 Brundage Lane, cross street of A Street. The event is Thursday August 19th at 5:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm.
Past President Jackie Maxwell, who is vacationing somewhere, wants to let us know that she is seeking donations of various kinds for Wine, Place and Show as we approach our annual fundraising event November 13th.
Beacon Clue is name the past president by name and year he served who was featured in last weeks meeting.
**Happy Spots**
Kay Pitts is $30 happy that member in good standing David Perkins continues to be so diligent in supplying to her the marvelous photos that appear in The Beacon each week. Thanks Dave! (editor Kay here: I was also appreciative of Frank Wooldridge for his timely submittal of the Beacon. Whenever it is late, it is NOT because of Frank and Dave!)
Bill Bla
ck is awfully proud his son completed basic training in the US Army. An Army COVID mask and presidential coin were presented to The Prez by Bill in exchange for a $10 fine.
ck is awfully proud his son completed basic training in the US Army. An Army COVID mask and presidential coin were presented to The Prez by Bill in exchange for a $10 fine.The New England colony states look good on Carol Smith, and I’m sure she makes them look better too. Visiting her daughter in Boston for a Tea 
Party, then traveling to Rhode Island where she scored some trendy socks for The Prez was her bounty. Hope they fit The Prez, because if not, I’ll take ‘em.
Party, then traveling to Rhode Island where she scored some trendy socks for The Prez was her bounty. Hope they fit The Prez, because if not, I’ll take ‘em.Marlene Heise returning home from her former home in Wisconsin did not get President Jeff a gift. That’s OK because our spirited Marlene dropped a $20 into the club’s kitty.
Mike O’Doherty announced his son’s engagement to a physician and an upcoming wedding in San Francisco. I like the sound of a wedding in “The City”. Mike, we are going to make a Giant fan out of you yet. And by they way, that announcement is gonna cost you $30 as 3rd time is a charm!
By the way all, We are DARK next Wednesday!
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer