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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Earth Day! It’s hard to believe Earth Day is now 50 years old. We have come a long way since the first iteration of this global movement, but our fight is even more urgent now to protect our planet for future generations.
Earth Day may have begun 50 years ago, but it was eight years before that in 1962 that Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring” was published. This book is credited with kick starting the environmental movement and led to significant environmental policies being enacted as well as the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency by President Richard Nixon. And I appreciate the fact that it was a woman, who was both poet and scientist, who in effect helped create this yearly event aimed at protecting Mother Earth.
I hope you all are able to take a moment to be active today, even if it is pretty gloomy outside and we are all doing our best to stay home and stay safe. Below you will see one of my posts is about how you can participate in Earth Day events remotely and stay engaged while isolating and practicing social distancing.
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,
Earth Day action continues online
As I mentioned yesterday, it’s hard to grasp today is Earth Day when social distancing and isolation are essentially keeping us from enjoying the natural world. Fortunately, the people-powered movement of fighting to protect our planet has been able to be flexible and is now taking to the digital stage to keep the spirit of Earth Day alive. Click the following link to enjoy a segment on NPR about how you can get involved and make a difference, even if you are staying safe by staying home: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/22/840542049/earth-day-at-50-climate-activists-go-digital-amid-pandemic-shutdown
National Geographic also has a neat event for kids. Click the following link to create your very own neighborhood safari: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/2020/04/neighborhood-safari/?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=crm-email::src=natgeo::cmp=specialeditionemail4_22_20::add=specialeditionemail4_22_20&rid=A0EA0D2E62DF0D3AD3FA94F842D0386B
Additional Earth Day note and links
I was particularly moved by this interview with the original Earth Day’s national coordinator Denis Hayes, about his reflections on the Earth Day movement, how it continues to evolve, and why it is still important. Denis is a friend and hero of mine and is a resident of Seattle. The interview also features great music inspired by the environmental movement, including songs of Crosby, Stills and Nash and of course Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.”
Latest numbers from Public Health
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting 70 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County (5,449 total) and 7 new COVID-19 related deaths (379 total). Let’s hope we continue this downward trend.
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
Metro urges customers to wear masks
Responding to evolving guidance from public health officials and the feedback of drivers and other frontline employees, King County Metro strongly urges all customers to wear a mask or other face covering while using public transportation. Masks or face coverings help protect the wearer, other passengers, and Metro employees.
There are many kinds of face coverings—including bandanas, disposable masks, scarves, veils, and others—that are useful in preventing the spread of COVID-19. They should be worn both onboard transit and while waiting at stops and terminals. Customers can follow tips from the CDC on how to make their own face coverings.
If you must take transit, please remember:
- Only ride transit for essential trips.
- Do not travel if you are sick. Wear a mask. Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Board and exit by the rear door if you are able to. Riders who require the front door or the ADA seating area are welcome to board at the front.
- Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other passengers and Metro staff. Observe and abide by all signs, decals and guidelines.
- Safety straps are installed to provide separation on buses and other transit vehicles. Informational signs and decals are posted.
Additionally, beginning today, buses will have passenger limits depending on the size of the bus. That means once a bus reaches a certain capacity it will not pick up additional passengers. This is to ensure safe distancing can take place on the coach. Click the following link to learn more: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/metro-places-passenger-limits-on-buses-to-strengthen-social-distancing-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/
Inslee outlines steps to reopen state
Yesterday evening, Governor Jay Inslee addressed the process for relaxing restrictions and getting our economy and our people moving again. The process will be more like the turn of a dial than the flip of a switch.
The governor made clear that we need healthy people if we want a healthy economy. If we lift all the restrictions now or even two weeks from now, all our gains would be for nothing. As Governor Inslee so clearly articulated: lifting restrictions early would be a disaster.
Instead, informed by the best data available, Washington state will ease restrictions step-by-step. Even as some activities are allowed to resume in limited capacities, the state will continue to require things like physical distancing, rigorous cleaning and sanitization, personal protective equipment, teleworking and screening for possible infection. All these steps, though burdensome, will make sure we continue to see case numbers and, most importantly, deaths, decrease.
We know that only science, data, and informed reason will lift us out of this crisis.
If you would like to watch the full address, you can access it here.
Inslee also addressed the media this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. You can stream it by clicking here.
Tips for staying healthy in a multi generational home
Stay Home, Stay Healthy guidelines remain an important part of the community's response to COVID-19. In a home with multiple generations, ensuring everyone's health can require some additional attention. Read more about protecting older adults at home.
Additional helpful and informative links
Today's moments of levity and inspiration
I continue to be inspired by acts of kindness and selflessness from people in our community during this unprecedented pandemic. I was especially moved when I read about a young woman who is doing all she can to feed front-line workers at medical clinics across the area. Using friends and family as volunteers and connecting with local businesses through social media, she has fed more than 5,000 hospital workers in a month. Click the following link to read more about this truly inspirational person: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/this-seattle-woman-is-on-a-mission-to-feed-frontline-workers-as-they-fight-the-coronavirus/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios
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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