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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope your week is going smoothly and that you can find ways to find get exercise and connect with those important to you, even if those connections must take place online or on the phone. Hang in there. We will get through this together, even if we are apart.
Today the Seattle Times published an OpEd I co-authored with Claire Bonilla, CEO of SightLife, about the impact the COVID-19 epidemic is having on people who need elective surgeries – in this particular case, people seeking the gift of sight. Corneal transplants for the blind have halted and funding is needed now to ensure that programs that help people access this type of surgery can do so once the crisis is behind us. Click the following link to read the OpEd in its entirety: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/gifts-of-sight-through-corneal-transplants-depend-on-coronavirus-relief-funds/
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. You can now read previous updates I have set out. I have put together an archive page so you can find any information you may have missed. I have been sending updates every day since March 1 (sometimes more than one in a day). Click the following link to visit the archive page: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/kohl-welles/News/eNewsletters/covid-enews.aspx
As always, I would like to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or comments. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.
All the best,
Latest numbers from Public Health
As of this update, Public Health is reporting 112 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County (4,809 total) and 8 new COVID-19 related deaths (320 total).
Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19 are available on Public Health’s data dashboard. And, interestingly, you can click on your zip code to learn of the number of “positive” cases and fatalities where you reside.
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
Further Metro Transit service reductions
Metro will reduce weekend bus service beginning Saturday April 18, and further reduce weekday bus service starting Monday, April 20. The Water Taxi and First Hill Streetcar will continue to operate on previously reduced schedules.
This revised Reduced Schedule provides a core network of public transportation services to maintain access to critical supplies, services, and worksites across the region.
Overall, Metro will operate with approximately 42% fewer buses, 36% fewer transit operators, and 27% fewer service trips than typical weekday service. Weekend trips will be reduced by 15% percent on Saturdays and 4% on Sundays. Click the following link to learn more: https://kingcountymetro.blog/2020/04/16/covid-19-update-further-metro-service-reductions-begin-saturday-april-18-to-support-essential-travel-and-transit-workforce/
Please remember fare enforcement is currently suspended and to only use public transit for essential purposes for your safety and the safety of others and transit operators.
New "Road to Recovery" series on TVW
State leaders have launched a new Q&A series with TVW called “Road to Recovery” to talk about how businesses and workers can navigate their way through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first episode, host Mike McClanahan and Employment Security Dept. Commissioner Suzi LeVine discuss the steps people must take to receive financial help due to the COVID-19 situation.
Tips for workers seeking unemployment
More than 170,000 new jobless claims were filed in the state for the week ending April 4 – seven times the peak during the height of the Great Recession.
Unemployment checks from the state are going to workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in record time with an estimated $150 million in benefits paid since the crisis began.
The state Employment Security Department (ESD) recommends workers take the following four steps to help ensure their unemployment benefits are filed correctly and start quickly:
- Sign up for the agency’s COVID-19 action alerts.
- Download and review the ESD eligibility checker. This will help workers determine if they are currently eligible for benefits.
- Download and read the application checklist to make sure that you have what you need.
- A SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account is needed to file an unemployment claim. ESD recently posted a video that explains the process to be followed in order to apply for benefits. After reviewing the video, please sign up for a SAW account.
Note: Workers who are eligible under the traditional unemployment benefits program can apply before April 18, 2020. Workers who are only eligible for benefits under the expanded federal criteria will need to wait until after April 18. If there is any question, please wait.
“This is an incredibly stressful time for everyone,” ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine said. “Please know we're working around the clock at ESD to get Washingtonians the money that they need and give them a little peace of mind as quickly as we can.”
Air pollution worsens COVID-19 illness
We know air pollution is not good for our lungs. It can cause asthma attacks, reduce our lung function, contribute to heart attacks, and even lead to death. Now a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health has found that air pollution also makes it harder for us to recover from COVID-19. Learn more on the Department of Health blog.
Additional helpful and informative links
Today's moment of levity
Our pets are working their tails off keeping us from losing our minds while self-isolating. This photo and caption sum it up. I think they are looking forward to things go back to normal as much as we are. On the other hand, they are getting more attention than ever so there are still silver linings for our furry friends.
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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