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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
First, I’d like to thank our fantastic and dedicated Metro Transit operators and other employees out there who continue to keep our region moving under these difficult circumstances. For many in our community, the services Metro provides are essential and necessary to be able to stay mobile and get to where they need to go. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them for all they do and for being dedicated to their riders and to their jobs. And to riders, during this emergency, please remember to take Metro only when your trip is deemed essential. And, if you do, please be sure to thank your driver.
Also, as weather warms up, getting outdoors for exercise and fresh air is great for our health. To slow the spread of COVID-19 and avoid a rebound of illness, Public Health urges everyone to continue following social distancing guidance, even when outdoors.
Stay six feet apart from others at all times. Go solo or with people in your own household, not in groups. If you’re outdoors and it’s too crowded to maintain six-foot distancing, just head to another area.
Learn more about how to safely enjoy the outdoors on the Public Health Insider blog
The rest of this e-newsletter is meant to provide you with an update on some of the other issues on which I’ve been working as well as on helpful information related to the COVID-19 crisis. As always, I would like to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or comments.
All the best,
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 4/8/20.
- 3886 confirmed positive cases (up 198* from yesterday)
- 258 confirmed deaths (up 14 from yesterday)
* The “new confirmed positive cases” figure we publish each day represents all new confirmed cases reported to us through 11:59 the night prior. Some of these test results were processed on days prior but were delayed in being reported to us.
Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19 is available on the data dashboard (www.kingcounty.gov/covid/data).
Also, and again, here is an excellent website that offers real-time COVID-19 data in clear formats, broken down by country and state: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
15 largest Seattle parks closed this weekend to slow spread of COVID-19
Despite a state order and repeated warnings from local, state and federal officials, people have continued to gather in Seattle parks, increasing the risk for continued spread of COVID-19. In response, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Thursday announced the weekend closure of the city’s 15 largest parks. Alki, Arboretum, Cal Anderson, Carkeek, Discovery, Gas Works, Green Lake, Golden Gardens, Kubota Garden, Lincoln, Magnuson, Seward, Volunteer, West Seattle Stadium, and Woodland parks will all be closed. Seattle Police and Seattle Parks and Recreation crews and ambassadors will be onsite to remind individuals to comply.
The change is effective Friday, April 10 at 11 p.m. and parks will reopen on Monday, April 12 at 4:30 a.m.
Under the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, residents are encouraged stay home. If necessary, residents can visit 479 local neighborhood parks so long as they:
- Practice social distancing: respect the minimum 6 feet of separation recommended by the CDC. While on trails, warn other users of their presence and as they pass, and step aside to let others pass.
- Do not access off limits equipment or areas: last month, Seattle and King County closed all play areas and other high touch areas, such as picnic shelters, tables, and outdoor exercise equipment.
- Do not congregate in parks: this means no pick-up games, no picnics, BBQs, parties, or bonfires.
- Maintain six feet of separation for activities: hiking, biking, walking are all great ways to enjoy parks right now, just remember to give a wide berth to your fellow residents.
- Stay home if they are feeling sick.
- Practice good hygiene: follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
King County emergency child care
If you are an essential worker who lives or works in King County and you are interested in accessing the free emergency child care slots, please call the Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center at 1-800-446-1114 and complete an intake with Family Center staff. After intake, a resources specialist will work to match you with an eligible child care provider that meets your family needs. We understand how urgent your need for child care is and we are working quickly to help find you the most suitable solution. We hope to have child care available by mid-April.
Please Note: Verification of employment and/or home address will be required to complete intake. To expedite the intake process, please send the required verification documents to subsidy@childcare.org.
Over 20,000 test kits being distributed locally
Testing is an essential component to contain the spread of COIVD-19. As we all have seen in the news, limitations in testing supplies have hampered the response to the COVID-19 outbreak both locally and across the United States.
But thanks to donations of test kits from UW Medicine, Seattle Flu Study (SFS), the Washington State Department of Health, and Public Health – Seattle & King County, this shortage will now be diminished.
Learn more about testing on the Public Health Insider blog, including an infographic that explains the current testing process.
County to offer hotel rooms to health care workers impacted by COVID-19
In partnership with the state’s health care unions, King County has reserved a block of rooms at Hotel 116 in Bellevue for health care workers who need a place to stay if they are concerned about COVID-19 exposure.
King County is partnering with Washington State Nurses Association, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, and UFCW 21 to inform their members about this resource. You can read more about this by clicking the following link: https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2020/April/10-hotels-health-care-workers.aspx
Rental assistance
United Way recently announced an expanded program of rental assistance beginning on Friday April 10, 2020. One month of rental assistance is being offered to people in King County struggling to pay rent due to the coronavirus.
Listed below are the requirements to qualify and a link to the application. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible
If you’re a King County resident who has been impacted financially by COVID-19 and are behind on your rent, you may qualify for assistance.
You may apply for this assistance if you:
- Live in King County, WA
- Are behind in rent
- Are economically impacted by COVID-19
- Have a current monthly household income that is below these amounts (50% of Area Median Income):
- 1 Person: up to $3,483
- 2 Persons: up to $3,983
- 3 Persons: up to $4,479
- 4 Persons: up to $4,975
- 5 Persons: up to $5,375
- 6 Persons: up to $5,775
If you meet these requirements, please fill out the online application at www.uwkc.org/renthelp or call 2-1-1.
Group offering support and ideas for families with kids
The Washington Healthy Youth (WHY) Coalition supports families by providing up-to-date resources, including articles about talking to youth about the COVID-19 pandemic, links to virtual parenting sessions and seminars, and ideas for keeping youth busy and engaged while staying at home.
Visit www.starttalkingnow.org to find these resources. They also are posted regularly on the Start Talking Now Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/StartTalkingNowWA/).
Remember to complete your census
All people—regardless of age, race, or gender—deserve to be counted in this year’s census. The stakes have never been higher.
While the COVID-19 crisis has complicated much of life, each household in King County should still complete a census form now and include everyone living in your home. This includes all ages, races, and all citizens and non-citizens, regardless of immigration status. Simply put, your participation matters:
Census data is used to allocate billions of dollars in federal and non-profit funding to counties and other local governments. Accurate numbers are also paramount to equity, opportunity, and addressing the many issues faced by our region and the nation.
The Census is safe, easy and confidential, and provides federal funding to our community. Please do your part. Find out more information here.
Additional helpful and informative links
Nice reminder
Here’s a nice cartoon from David Horsey that appeared in The Seattle Times reminding us all to stay the course and be prepared for the tough trek ahead. Click the link to read the full article: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/stay-strong-for-our-tough-trek/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios
Today's moment of levity
For those of you who have been following my newsletters, you’ll recall that a while ago I sent out an episode of “Some Good News,” an uplifting news show from the actor John Krasinski. Well, he’s back with episode two! This one includes some guests from Broadway, and the music definitely warmed my heart. If you’d like to tune in for some more good news, click the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oilZ1hNZPRM
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, sometimes more than one. 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.
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