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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
With tomorrow’s being Earth Day (the 50th Anniversary), I find myself pondering the juxtaposition of our current situation being isolated and, in many ways, removed from the natural world. I am curious if self-isolation, working from home, and lack of our normal routine are net positives for our environment and climate. But, as this interesting article in Crosscut points out, the human costs of this crisis far outweigh the environmental benefits. So, as Earth Day approaches, I look forward to our all being healthy and able to live our normal lives again so we can go forth in our fight to protect our planet, heal our damaged climate and ensure generations can appreciate the majesty our natural surroundings for generations to come.
I also enjoyed this article from The Seattle Times that takes a fresh look at Earth Day through the eyes of current and former Seattle Times artists. Click the following link to enjoy: https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/art-for-earth-day-seattle-times-artists-past-and-present-share-their-views-of-our-world/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios
Be sure to see the post below on what King County is doing to celebrate and keep people engaged on Earth Day.
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,
Inslee public address starting soon
(For those of you seeing this update today before 5 p.m. or shortly after.)
Gov. Jay Inslee has scheduled a public address at 5 p.m. today (Tuesday) to lay out a Washington state COVID-19 recovery plan. After the address, there will be a media briefing with representatives from the governor's staff and cabinet including:
- Dr. Raquel Bono, director of Washington State COVID-19 health care response team
- Lisa Brown, director of Washington State Department of Commerce
- Dr. Kathy Lofy, state health officer, Washington State Department of Health
- David Postman, governor's chief of staff
- Molly Voris, governor's health policy advisor
Click the following link to stream live: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2020041065
Latest numbers from Public Health
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting 86 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County (5,379 total) and 12 new COVID-19 related deaths (372 total). Statewide there are now 12,282 confirmed cases and 682 related deaths.
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
Earth Day in King County
The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) is honoring Earth Day digitally this year, providing green-themed activities and lifestyle tips that families can do while safe distancing at home.
Visit the Earth Day website that offers tips for living a greener lifestyle, such as how to:
- Make sure you are recycling right – empty, clean and dry
- Identify noxious weeds in your neighborhood
- Support hard-hit local farmers during the pandemic
- Reduce food waste to save money and unused resources
- Support the Wastewater Treatment Division by not flushing trouble
DNRP is posting environmental quizzes and activities every day on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through Earth Day, where families can have fun and test their knowledge about our local environment, recycling, food waste, trees and more.
And, DNRP put together a list of actions that people can take at home to help save the planet.
Assistance for King County pet owners
During this unprecedented time in history, when so many people are struggling to make ends meet, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has joined an amazing regional effort to ensure pet owners are able to keep their animals happy and healthy by addressing food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (And, yes, I know that cats do not approve of the term pet owners.)
Through the generous support of GreaterGood.org, a national nonprofit that protects people, pets and the planet, Seattle Humane worked with a team of shelter partners to create a distribution hub to get GreaterGood’s ongoing donations of pet food and supplies to those struggling financially.
King County has leased a warehouse to store pallets of pet food and supplies, which will be distributed across the state. The groups have created an updated interactive map to help pet owners find distribution sites around the region. Pet owners who are unable to visit a physical location can visit this link to fill out and submit a Pet Food Bank request form.
Click here to learn more about King County’s Pet Assistance Program.
Relief for artists and arts groups
The economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 crisis has wreaked havoc on the arts community throughout our region. Fundraisers and private donations may not be enough to prevent many organizations from staying afloat once this crisis is behind us. An article in The Seattle Times did a good job highlighting the current arts’ situation: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/frantic-fundraising-relief-that-cant-meet-demand-artists-and-arts-groups-scramble-amid-the-coronavirus-crisis/
On Thursday, Executive Constantine will be transmitting legislation to the Council that Councilmember Dembowski and I will be co-sponsoring to provide financial relief to the arts community and small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Once the legislation is transmitted, I will be sure to make it available to you and I encourage you to participate in any remote hearings that will take place as a part of our legislative process. Stay tuned.
Additional helpful and informative links
Today's moments of levity, inspiration and uplifting stories
Like many of you, I find that one of the best ways to pass the time in isolation is watching movies – especially movies that are funny and hopeful. I appreciated this article that was in The Seattle Times listing ten great movies celebrating kindness, generosity, and the rediscovery of our better angels. I hope you can all find ways to recharge and stay positive. If you are missing someone you haven’t been able to see in a while, perhaps have a remote/virtual movie party together? I had one with family and friends from across the country and it was a real blast. Click the following link to check out the movie list: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/need-a-dose-of-kindness-and-generosity-here-are-10-movies-about-the-rediscovery-of-our-better-angels/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios
As for an inspirational and selfless story, here is one about people who are choosing to donate their $1,200 stimulus checks to people and organizations in need. So many people’s lives have been completely ripped apart because of the sudden financial uncertainty caused by COVID-19. I thank those who do have the means but still received a stimulus check that have chosen to donate to help others. Click the following link to read more: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/meet-the-people-who-are-giving-away-their-1200-stimulus-checks-its-not-really-my-money-its-our-money-2020-04-17
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 mark this email address as a “safe sender” 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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