Your Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends:

I have very important updates regarding new public health guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Please pay close attention to this information and feel free to share it with your family, friends, and neighbors.

I know that these guidelines are major disruptions to life as we know it, but they are also our best chance to slow the outbreak. As of this morning, there have been 26 COVID-19 deaths and 234 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County. It will take a collective effort to combat COVID-19, and I encourage you to follow the guidelines diligently.

I will continue to work closely with public health officials and share updates with you as I receive them. In the meantime, please continue to follow public health guidelines and visit publichealthinsider.com for the latest developments.

Sincerely,

Reagan Dunn Vice Chair Metropolitan King County Council

Dunn Organizes Meeting with D9 Mayors and City Managers on COVID-19 Response

Left to right: Enumclaw City Administrator Chris Searcy, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone, Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Renton Chief Administrative Officer Bob Harrison, King County Emergency Management staff Barnaby Dow, King County Council staff Cody Eccles, King County Council Director of Municipal Relations Tom Goff

I want to assure you that, as your King County Councilmember, I'm working for a coronavirus response that is proactive and cohesive among our local governments. To that end, I hosted a meeting/conference call this week with mayors and city managers representing the majority of cities in District 9 to discuss our strategies to combat COVID-19. It takes a coordinated effort to lessen the reach of the coronavirus in our region, and I want to make sure local decision-makers are communicating well and supporting each other on the road ahead.

Project C.A.R.E.—COVID-19 Action and Response Enlistment

The King County Council hears a report on the COVID-19 response

This week, I introduced legislation that would create a King County program to enlist the help of local volunteers in our COVID-19 response. If approved by the full King County Council, Project C.A.R.E. will empower people with safe and productive avenues to share their expertise to aid in the fight against COVID-19. I will update you on the progress of this legislation next week.

New Guidelines on Public Gatherings

Earlier today, state and local officials took major steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Governor Jay Inslee announced that effective immediately, events that take place in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties with more than 250 people are now prohibited by the state.
• In addition, the Seattle King County Department of Public Health issued a local order prohibiting events of less than 250 people, unless measures are taken by event organizers to minimize risk.

Under the Health Officer’s order in King County:

• Events with more than 250 attendees are prohibited.
• Public events with fewer than 250 attendees are prohibited, unless event organizers can take steps to minimize risk. Event organizers must ensure that:
  • Older and vulnerable individuals have been encouraged not to attend
  • Recommendations for social distancing and limiting close contact are met
  • Employees or volunteers leading an event are screened for symptoms each day
  • Proper hand washing, sanitation, and cleaning is readily available
  • Environmental cleaning guidelines are followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently)

Further guidance will be given shortly for how private events with fewer than 250 attendees can comply with this order, as well as for retail and services.

Public Health has also issued additional guidance for schools to support them as they prepare for the increasing possibility of prolonged mandatory closures.

To read more about these new guidelines on public gatherings, visit the Public Health Insider blog.

New Restrictions on Nursing Homes Across Washington State

Governor Inslee imposed new restrictions on nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Under the new orders, long-term care facilities must restrict visitors to one a day per resident. Only adults, no children, can visit and the visits must take place in the resident's room. The restrictions do not apply in end-of-life situations.

Additionally, all staff, volunteers and visitors to nursing homes and assisted living facilities will have to be screened for coronavirus before entering. They'll also have to show identification and provide their name and contact information on a visitor's log.