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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Earlier today, President Trump signed a major COVID-19 relief package that includes enhanced unemployment benefits and stimulus checks that will be sent to individuals and families making under a certain amount of money. Here is a helpful article from the Seattle Times that includes an FAQ with questions and answers about how the legislation might help you: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/qa-how-can-the-huge-congressional-aid-package-help-you/
Also, here is a great website that offers excellent real-time COVID-19 data in clear formats, broken down by country and state: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
Latest (and very concerning) 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 3/26/20.
- 1828 confirmed positive cases (up 251 from yesterday)
- 125 confirmed deaths (up 16 from yesterday)
Statewide, there now 3,723 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 175 related deaths.
Staying safe in toxic and non-affirming homes during quarantine
Quarantining during this pandemic presents many challenges but can be especially dangerous or difficult for people living unsheltered or in a home that is physically, psychologically or emotionally unsafe. I am thinking especially of our LGBTQ+ friends, family and neighbors who may be quarantining with non-affirming family or other people. Below I’ve compiled a list of LGBTQ+ specific resources. Let’s not forget to check in on each other during this challenging time.
- Free and confidential services for queer youth in need of help: TrevorLifeline (1-866-488-7386), a 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention lifeline; TrevorText (text START to 678678), a service that allows LGBTQ+ youth to text a counselor for support and crisis intervention; and TrevorChat (text START to 678678), which provides live help for LGBTQ+ youth by trained volunteers.
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LGBT National Help Center: Serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning community by providing free & confidential peer-support and local resources
- The Trans Lifeline: a phone hotline for and by trans people
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Seattle’s Gay City: An LGBTQ Center promoting wellness in LGBTQ communities by providing health services, connecting people to resources, and more.
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Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 resources and help specific for the LGBTQ+ community.
Updated financial resource list
If you or your business needs help due to the impacts of COVID-19, the State’s coronavirus web site (coronavirus.wa.gov) is a good place to start. You can also use the links below for resources that may help meet your needs.
- FOR BUSINESSES
- Learn if your business is considered essential and can continue to operate following the Governor’s March 23 Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.
- The Washington Department of Commerce has created a list of crisis planning tools and resources where you can get information about emergency grants, disaster loans, and other small business support.
- The Washington State Department of Revenue has information about tax filing deadlines, extensions, and relief.
- Greater Seattle Partners, City of Seattle, and the Chamber have launched a survey for businesses, freelancers, and gig workers to learn about needs and help target future support.
- FOR INDIVIDUALS
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Cash assistance from the federal government’s stimulus package, of up to $1,200 per person depending on income, will be sent to households in early April.
- If you have lost your job due to COVID-19, you can file for unemployment benefits.
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Child care. If you work an essential job (health care, first responder, etc.), there are options for free child care:
- For Seattle residents, the Mayor has announced a plan to serve more than 700 children of essential workers
- For residents outside Seattle, contact your local school district for options on child care for essential workers
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Mortgage and Rent. If you don’t have enough money to pay your rent or mortgage, contact your lender or landlord immediately. Otherwise, some suggestions are below:
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Student loans. If you need help with your student loans, you may be able to temporarily suspend your payments by applying for a deferment or forbearance from the US Department of Education.
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Utility bills. If you need help paying your utility bills, contact your service provider immediately.
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Health Insurance. The Washington State Insurance Commissioner has information about health insurance, as well as how to get insurance through the Washington State Exchange if you need it.
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Food assistance. If you need help with food, every school district in the state is providing grab and go lunches for children, and there is additional help at many local food banks.
- FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
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Outreach and engagement. King County’s Office of Equity and Social Justice is providing grants to organizations that serve communities at the highest risk of immediate and long-term impacts, with an emphasis on communities located near isolation, quarantine, and recovery sites.
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Arts and Culture. 4Culture’s Cultural Relief Fund will help arts and culture organizations with the closures and cancellations caused by the coronavirus emergency.
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Direct service. The Seattle Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund provides resources to community-based organizations serving people in need during the emergency.
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Seattle’s Historic South Downtown. Historic South Downtown is awarding grant funds to non-profit organizations that serve the residents and businesses of Pioneer Square and the Chinatown-International District.
United Way also has a comprehensive list of COVID-19 resources and opportunities to volunteer. You can check that out by clicking the following link: https://www.uwkc.org/need-help/covid-19-resources/
Seattle Mask Brigade
I want to bring to your attention a group of Seattleites who started collecting masks a week and a half ago and have collected and distributed over 7,000 masks from over 400 people – the Seattle Mask Brigade. They have given to hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, health care workers who are doing home visits, food banks, hot meal programs and more. Now they have expanded and helped start dozens of other mask brigade groups across the country. I encourage you to visit the brigade’s website, especially if you have masks or PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) to donate: https://sites.google.com/view/seattle-mask-donations/
Additional helpful and informative links
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. I will do my best to send updates over the weekend but be sure to visit my Facebook page for the latest info.
Also, let me know if you have ideas or tips for getting though these difficult times. Whether it’s an idea for staying healthy, keeping your sanity when self-quarantining or isolating, or unique ideas for those who work from home - we want to hear from you!
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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