April 7, 2021 Issue, Page 2 of 10

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2 April 7, 2021 News/Obits tion. Meals on Wheels outreach. That them splitting their food with still managed to see each other Round Easter “I have several family mem- bers who live within a half-mile of each other. Porter and I live ministry started a little over a year ago and ballooned quickly during all of this. Within that their dog because they couldn’t get out, so Chris and his team brainstormed this. The pandem- as frequently as possible. Continued from page 1. “This Easter was the first step just two miles from all of them. ministry, they started a pet ic has been awful for so many Town ministry. Her mother, Susan Easttom, was a longtime admin- I was fortunate to grow up near family and in a town as close as ministry to take food twice a month for those who needed it. and it has shown us new ways to serve,” she said. for us to ease back into a nor- Elk City. One of our associate For some of these homebound Easttom’s father John lives in mal routine. There are so many April 10 istrator with the Elk City Public Schools and now serves as the pastors, Wendy, was an associ- people, their dog may be their Elk City. Though the pandemic things that we took for granted Annual Southwest Farm & children’s ministry director at ate pastor in Elk City in the 90s. most important companion has made it difficult for her to St. Luke’s Oklahoma City loca- Her husband Chris runs our in their lives. We didn’t want visit her hometown, the family before that now feel like a gift.” Home Expo and Bull Sale, Convention Center. got there at about 2:10 pm and Marshall said that her parents In her whole life, he has never Rhett to be home. What I would OSBI found his suitcase in the back. It was still zipped up like he was are struggling to get by each day. With a month passed since not wished her happy birthday. I can’t imagine that he would want him to know is how much we miss him. Wherever you are, Berlin community building Continued from page 1. ready to go. His cell phone was they last heard from or saw her miss that willingly,” Marshall we will come get you. We will in the truck. He doesn’t have a brother, the fear and pain are cried. will have their monthly din- On March 3, his parents were credit card, a debit card, a driv- mounting. The land surrounding her par- be there tomorrow. Our hearts expecting to pick him up at his er’s license or a checkbook with “It would mean everything ents’ and brother’s homes have are just breaking every second ner at 6:00 p.m. This month’s home at approximately 2 pm. him. We have all that,” she said. for my parents and for his kids been searched to no avail. Allen that this goes on. But we also Marshall estimates that her The family and law enforce- for him to be home. We are has been known to frequent the don’t know if he left willingly, host is Billy Seymour. The parents live approximately 2-3 ment have both looked through just asking anyone who knows Texas panhandle. if someone has him or has done menu will be ham, beans, miles from her brother. his phone records and found al- anything — no matter how big “My brother has the best jokes “We had talked to him earlier most no answers. or small — to come forward. and laugh. He likes living in the something to him. If you know cornbread and potato salad. in the day. Then we were texting “There is only one number in I worry if he is safe and alive. I country, hunting and fishing where my brother is, please do and calling after 1 pm and didn’t there that we didn’t know and it get through the day as best as I and working around cattle. He something to let us know.” Bring a salad or dessert and hear from him. Normally his came that day not long before he can, trying to be strong for my has 4A Fencing, which my dad If you have information re- pickup would be parked in front went missing. It was like one of family. Rhett would never be is doing the best he can to keep lated to Allen’s disappearance, come join the fun. of his front door or by his shed. those text-to-talk numbers from away from his kids like this. My up with while taking care of his please contact the OSBI at Instead, it was by his barn where an app that just assigns you a daughter turned 19 last month ranch. There are rumors out his deep freeze and gun cabinet number. They talked for about a and she has always been very there that need to be dispelled, 1-800-522-5017 or the Roger April 11 are located. It’s a couple hun- minute and that is all we know,” close to him. She is more like a but at this point, we don’t really Mills County Sheriff’s Office at dred feet away. Mom and Dad Marshall explained. little sister to him than a niece. care what people say. We want (580)497-2417. Annual Southwest Farm & Home Expo and Bull Sale, Convention Center. News From Quartz Mountain -The Lodge is temporarily closed for renovations -Parking Passes are required at Quartz Mountain. Day pass- fice. -Eagle’s Roost ATV Area is open approximately 8 AM to March didn’t “come in like a tion. Oaks are just covered in catkins. es are $10/car/day and fees can 7:30 PM. North Shore is a Fee lion and out like a lamb” nor did The limited rain has Lake Al- The sheer numbers of potential be paid at the kiosks or via your Due to the COVID-19 the opposite “in like a lamb out tus-Lugert is rising very slowly. smart phone. Annual passes Area (both for the beach & the acorns is very promising. Sum- like lion” happen. The tempera- During March, the lake only mer rains will determine if the are available. They cost $60.00 ATV Riding Area) of $10/per- pandemic, many events have tures of course had lots of varia- gained 2 feet of elevation. As of quality of acorn will be as im- / year for Oklahoma residents son/day. A Parking Fee is not tion- nut nothing too hot or too April 1st the lake was at still less and $75.00 / year for residents pressive as the quantity! of other states. Oklahoma resi- required when per person fees been cancelled, post-poned or cold. No major storms either. than 25% full. Let’s hope the cli- Reminders: dents age 62 or older can get March 2021 rain was about half ché of “April showers bring May are collected. modified. Please check with -Camping is by reservation their Parking Pass free at their of the rain we received in March flowers” comes true for 2021 only. Reservations can be made nearest State Park Office. Okla- -Quartz Mountain Golf of 2020. Quartz Mountain State This week the cottonwoods at www.travelok.com homa residents who are hon- Course has closed permanently. the event coordinator to make Park is rather dry and the deep are in full blooms and the oaks -Day Use with picnic tables orably discharged can also get freeze of February really slowed are just starting to bloom. The and grills is on the hill across their Parking Pass free. Again -Quartz Mountain Grocery sure of any changes. the greening up of all vegeta- trees of the Post Oak and Live from the New Horizon Trail. go to the nearest State Park Of- Store has closed permanently. SWOSU Student Emily Bedea Top three COVID Wins Grand Prize at Oklahoma Research Day at the Capitol vaccine myths debunked STILLWATER — Vaccine Myth 2: The vaccines will differentiate viral proteins from hesitancy is one of our last ma- alter our DNA and create long- placenta very easily and will not jor hurdles in the fight against term problems. mix these up. While these pro- COVID-19, and we are racing The Pfizer and Moderna vac- teins share small areas of similar against the emergence of several cines are based on mRNA which genetic code, they don’t match. variants to avert a (more) pro- teaches our cells how to make a And data supports this as well. longed pandemic. protein found on the virus. Be- Within the vaccine trials, more Alarming social media sto- cause mRNA is found in a differ- women became pregnant in the ries portraying COVID vaccines ent part of the cell than DNA, vaccine groups than in the pla- in a negative light have added a these vaccines do not affect cebo group. We have seen no al- dangerous roadblock for many. our DNA. Johnson & Johnson terations in fertility rates in the I hope dispelling these three is a viral vector vaccine, and it U.S. during the pandemic. If this myths will help others feel ready doesn’t reach our DNA, either. claim were true, then you would to safely build protective immu- So what about long-term ef- expect our immune systems to nity through vaccination. fects? The initial vaccine prod- create antibodies from natural Southwestern Oklahoma State University student Emily Bedea of Canute won the overall grand Myth 1: The approval process ucts are degraded very quickly infection that would target the prize at the recent 26th annual Oklahoma Research Day at the Capitol held March 30. Bedea be- was rushed. by our own cells — within a few Before last year, vaccines days to a week. In general, vac- placenta and affect fertility as comes SWOSU’s third grand prize winner since the inception of the Oklahoma Research Day at the Capitol event. Her research topic was infectious disease. typically took six to 12 years to cines rarely create any long-term well. develop and receive approval, so problems. But delayed effects of On the other hand, pregnant Southwestern Oklahoma Her research topic was in- the top three students in each of I see where this is coming from. vaccination have occurred — women infected with COVID-19 State University student Emily fectious disease and Bedea’s two categories— (1) Regional, How did we roll out the current for example, with the oral po- are at an increased risk of hos- Bedea of Canute won the over- faculty mentor is Dr. Vijay So- Community and Tribal Colleges vaccines so quickly without any lio vaccine and the yellow fever pitalization and having preterm all grand prize at the recent malinga, assistant professor (1st, 2nd, 3rd place) and (2) birth complications and even 26th annual Oklahoma Re- in the SWOSU Department of shortcuts? vaccine. That being said, these Research-Intensive Institutions death. The risk of COVID-19 search Day at the Capitol. Biological Sciences. First, the trials were well- delayed reactions have all oc- (1st, 2nd, 3rd place). One overall Bedea becomes SWOSU’s As a component of the event, Grand Prize Winner was also se- funded and run by companies curred within six to eight weeks infection while pregnant is ex- third grand prize winner since students presented their work lected—which was Bedea from that know what they are doing. of receiving a booster dose, and ponentially higher than any vac- the inception of the Oklahoma to an independent panel of SWOSU. Second, trial phases were over- the reactions mimic natural in- cination risk. Research Day at the Capitol judges on March 30live via For winning the grand prize, lapped and not run sequentially. fection. Many reading this have al- event. Zoom. The judges identified Bedea won a $500 award plus Third, the number of partici- Phase 3 trials for the COVID ready received a vaccine or plan $4,000 summer research intern- pants were enrolled all at once vaccine evaluated participants to in the future. Thank you. But ship. instead of in phases. Scientists for the full eight weeks post- “This competition involved we all know someone we love simplified the data collection booster. No delayed events were who is hesitant to get the vac- the top 21 undergraduate stu- dent researchers in the state, to two primary questions: Are noted. In contrast, the risk for cine. Choosing whether or not and we are so excited that Em- these vaccines safe? And do long term and chronic, debili- to get a vaccine is too important (USPS # 173-020) they prevent severe disease, tating disease is significant with ily won the grand prize,” said to be taken lightly. How do we 580-225-3000 Dr. Lori Gwyn, director of the hospitalization and death? The natural COVID-19. approach this? With kindness, SWOSU Office of Sponsored vaccines are incredibly safe and Myth 3: COVID vaccines Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC Programs. empathy and an open mind. 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 highly effective at preventing cause infertility. The entire group of exciting Ask nicely what is holding Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 hospitalization and death, so Perhaps the most damaging undergraduate research projects them back. More than likely, they received emergency usage vaccine myth to date arose when via the virtual poster site can be they either do not believe it to POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 approval. Studies did not stop a doctor out of Germany and a viewed until May 29 at: https:// be effective or do not believe the www.posterpresentations.com/ there, though. former Pfizer employee raised SUBSCRIPTIONS Josh Umholtz Since their approval, we now concern about the similarity be- benefits outweigh the risks. Publisher research/groups/epscor/epscor- Deliverd by mail: virtual-poster-session.html. also know that these vaccines tween part of the viral spike pro- Overcoming vaccine hesitan- $75/yearly Amy Loynd Previous SWOSU grand prize cy will not be won by the presi- are highly effective at prevent- tein and a protein on the placen- $50/six months Business Manager winners are Courtney Garcia in dent, Dr. Anthony Fauci or a ce- ing asymptomatic transmission ta — syncytin-1. The concern No refunds on subscriptions. Neva Pyatt 2011 and Madison Duckwall in as well. Severe adverse events was that vaccination would train lebrity, but by grassroots efforts Advertising Director 2017. continue to be rare. These vac- our immune system to respond in our local communities. [email protected] D’Ann Brasuell Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR, cines continue to be effective to the virus and also unwittingly Dr. Jennifer Rudd is an infec- [email protected] Production Manager Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Na- against most variants. In fact, attack the placenta. There is no tious disease specialist in Oklahoma [email protected] Maressa Margerum [email protected] tional Science Foundation spon- these vaccines are outperform- sound science to back this claim. State University’s College of Veteri- Customer Service Rep sor this event. ing our highest hopes. Our immune responses can nary Medicine.