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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Thursday, the state legislature approved drawing $200 million from the state's emergency “rainy day” fund for a COVID-19 response. Of the total, $175 million will go to the public health system and the remainder to a dedicated unemployment fund for businesses and workers affected by the new coronavirus.
Meanwhile in the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency, freeing up $50 billion that could be directed to state and local governments for response to the outbreak. Trump earlier in the week announced that as of Friday, he would halt all flights from 26 European nations to the U.S., allowing U.S. nationals to return only if they underwent screening and a 14-day self-quarantine upon return.
In addition, the City of Seattle on Thursday announced that libraries, community centers and other public facilities would close temporarily. Retail businesses and service operators such as grocery stores, drug stores, movie theaters, restaurants, and other retail establishments may and should stay open, but have been advised to follow guidance for excellent hygiene, social distancing, and cleaning routines. Retail establishments should follow guidance for retail businesses and service operators.
Also, to slow the spread of COVID-19, King County will close many face-to-face customer service operations from Monday, March 16, through at least Friday, March 27. Please see the affected services at kingcounty.gov/ServiceChanges.
I also want to take a moment to restate that COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, nationality, language, nor economic situation, or any jurisdictional borders. Misinformation has created fear and hostility that is impacting many of our communities experiencing inequities, particularly our Chinese and other Asian (and Pacific Islander) communities and unsheltered neighbors. We must remember that we are stronger together.
For more information, here are some helpful links to local and state resources:
Update for families with public school students
In yesterday’s update I mentioned that Governor Inslee announced that all public schools in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties will be closed for six weeks to help stem the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this afternoon Gov. Jay Inslee announced he will close all public and private K-12 schools across all of Washington State. He also expanded the prohibition of gatherings of more than 250 people statewide. In King County our local health officials have previously said smaller gatherings would only be allowed if they met social distancing and sanitary guidelines.
For those of you with students in Seattle Public Schools (SPS) who depend on food services, SPS Nutrition Services staff will be distributing lunches from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every weekday at 26 school sites throughout the city beginning on March 16. I encourage you to click the following link to find a food distribution center nearest to you: https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/coronavirus_update/resources
Latest numbers from Public Health
Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths in King County due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/12/20
- 328 confirmed cases (up 58 from yesterday)
- 32 confirmed deaths (up 5 from yesterday)
Deaths being reported today include:
- A woman in her 90s, a resident of Life Care Center, who died on 3/6
- A woman in her 90s, a resident of Life Care Center, who died on 3/6
- A woman in her 80s, a resident of Life Care Center, who died on 3/4
- A man in his 70s, who died at Overlake Medical Center on 3/9
- A man in his 80s, who died at Swedish Issaquah on 3/11
Of the 32 deaths reported, 25 are associated with Life Care Center of Kirkland.
Regarding testing, the demand continues to outpace ability for the health care system to address the need. Tests for COVID-19 are ordered by health care providers. Someone with symptoms who is concerned can call their primary care provider, who will evaluate their symptoms. If the health care provider determines testing is warranted, they may collect a specimen and send it to a lab.
Public Health is not aware of any capacity limitations for specimen processing at this time. However, there is a shortage of clinical sites where patients can get tested.
While many people want testing, not everyone who is sick needs testing, particularly if you have mild illness. If people aren't severely ill, they should follow the guidance for self-care. They should stay home, stay away from others, and self-isolate. They do not need to be tested if they have mild illness, as the test results will not change how their illness would be treated. Do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my update. I will do my best to send out more updates over the weekend but for the latest information be sure to check out my Facebook page. Feel free to forward these updates to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns and, most importantly, be well.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Kohl-Welles
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