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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As a friendly reminder, on Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a stay-at-home order in Washington state, requiring all nonessential businesses to close and for people to stay home except for critical outings for food, doctor appointments, required work, etc. But understanding exactly what’s essential and what’s nonessential can be confusing for many people. You can download a full list of what businesses and workers are essential here. Yesterday, he released new rulings on in-person governmental meetings and waived some provisions of the Open Public Meeting’s Act. You can read more by clicking the following link: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/inslee-suspends-some-parts-of-open-government-laws-amid-coronavirus-crisis/
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to visit my Facebook and Twitter pages. I will do my best to post the latest information related to the COVID-19 pandemic as it becomes available.
New Public Health COVID-19 data dashboard
Starting today, Public Health—Seattle & King County will be announcing daily updates to COVID-19 cases and deaths in a new format. A data dashboard goes online today that includes more extensive information about the status of COVID-19 cases in King County. Many residents have been wondering how many people have tested positive in their city or zip code. Some have been asking about the age ranges of those who test positive or who have died. All of this information is available via the new dashboard, at www.kingcounty.gov/covid/data
Latest numbers from Public Health
Public Health—Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/24/20.
1,359 confirmed positive cases (up 82 from yesterday)
100 confirmed deaths (up 6 from yesterday)
Help for domestic violence victims and survivors
An opinion piece appeared in the New York Times on Monday detailing how self-isolation during this pandemic can be especially difficult for those experiencing domestic violence at home. You can read the full article by clicking here.
During this challenging time, the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KSARC) wants the community it serves to know it’s continuing full operations during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This includes a 24-Hour Resource Line for help and information, as well as therapy, family education, legal advocacy and other supports for survivors and their families.
If you are in danger or need help, you can talk with someone immediately, please call KSARC’s 24-Hour Resource Line at 888.99.VOICE (888.998.6423). You can also visit the KSARC website by clicking the following link: https://www.kcsarc.org/
Do you have Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to donate?
As you know, our region, like many others, is experiencing an alarming shortage of masks, gowns and other PPE’s needed by our frontline health workers. The WA State Dept. of Enterprise Services is triaging large donations and requests for supplies for the below items. You can visit the DES site here to make bulk donations, or request supplies:
- Disposable gowns
- Coveralls
- N95 masks
- Surgical Procedure Masks
- Face shields
- Gloves
- Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
- PAPR hoods
- PAPR filters
- Comfort Strips (Max Ari 2000-201)
- Li-Ion Battery
- Small (Max Ari 200-36T)
- Impermeable Barriers
- Sanitizing/Disinfectant Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer Bottles
- Hand Sanitizer Refills
- Cleaning Solution Spray
- Digital thermometers (forehead)
- Disposable Thermometers
- Disposable Stethoscopes
If you have small supplies of PPE’s, you can donate, DES suggests contacting local emergency management services. Contact info for the King County region is located here. In addition, other small donations can be contributed via crowdsourcing websites like this one.
Unemployment pay no longer contingent on job search
The job search requirement to receive unemployment insurance benefits was made optional on Tuesday, another in a series of measures to increase access to unemployment benefits for workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another critical step taken recently to increase access to unemployment benefits was an order by Gov. Inslee to waive the program’s waiting week, allowing payments to start from the first week someone is eligible for the benefit.
More information is available on the Employment Security Department’s website.
KC Parks closing more facilities in response to COVID-19
To support the new statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, King County Parks is closing parks, effective Wednesday, March 25, when gated parking lots and trailheads will be closed, and restrooms will be locked.
While visitors will still be able to walk into parks and back-country trails and walk and bike on the regional trail network.
All state-managed parks also closed starting today
Parks and Recreation Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the temporary closure of all state-managed parks, wildlife areas and water access areas for at least two weeks starting Wednesday, March 25.
Staying alive! With a twist?
You have to love this hilarious video that puts a new twist on the Bee Gee’s hit song Stayin’ Alive. This time with new lyrics – Stayin’ Inside! Remember stay home to save lives and click the following link to enjoy this great parody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmUXntGlqFI&feature=youtu.be
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my update. You can expect ones to continue being sent out on a daily basis. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here.
Finally, to prevent these updates from going straight to spam or junk folders, I encourage you to whitelist these emails by adding the email address to your contacts or address book. And be sure to check your spam folder if you think you may have missed an update.
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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