Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you have been enjoying a relatively nice Sunday and finding ways to be creative and comforted. As I mentioned yesterday, our mental health is paramount to coming through this pandemic with our humor, health and our hearts intact.
I found this list of ways to stay mentally strong during this time to be helpful. While I know much of the news is stressful, including much of the content of my eNews editions, I think it is critical to keep perspective and refrain from obsessing if possible. The author suggests many other ways to stay positive than just limiting time spent worrying, and it reminds us all to seek help when we need it. These times of increased isolation can feel lonely, but a supporting community is ready to help those in need.
You can now read previous updates I sent out on 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 here to visit the archive page which is being updated daily Monday-Friday.
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,
Coronavirus and Mental Health
No one is dealing with more stress than our front line of medical workers, and articles from both USA Today and the New York Post provide a clear but disturbing picture of what they are facing each day, though their stamina and dedication is inspiring. I am glad to see our country and Canada are both dedicating resources to fund critical mental health support.
Latest on Confirmed Tests, Deaths, and Recoveries
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting 57 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County (6,564 total) and only 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (458 total). So, while these numbers do reflect a decline in the past few days, once again we are not out of the woods or consistently declining from the plateau we’ve been on.
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. And, see The Washington Post for its excellent summary with detailed graphics and current statistics from the spread of COVID-19 around the world.
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
Creative Way to Vent Your Stay-At-Home Frustrations?
Stress needs an outlet, and many of us are feeling an increase of anxiety and even anger around this global crisis. Well nature has delivered a worthy target for our frustrations right here in Washington state—the Giant Asian Hornet. If you come across any of these “murder hornets,” please do us all a favor and annihilate them! It might even feel good, but only if you don’t get stung! Seriously, though, these hornets could be highly threatening to our beehives throughout the state and possibly to our entire country. Truly, read the article, for these insects are no joke. See the image of the decapitated bees left in their wake. Gruesome!
Creative Way to Vent Your Stay-At-Home Frustrations?
Stress needs an outlet, and many of us are feeling an increase of anxiety and even anger around this global crisis. Well nature has delivered a worthy target for our frustrations right here in Washington state—the Giant Asian Hornet. If you come across any of these “murder hornets,” please do us all a favor and annihilate them! It might even feel good, but only if you don’t get stung! Seriously, though, these hornets could be highly threatening to our beehives throughout the state and possibly to our entire country. Truly, read the article, for these insects are no joke. See the image of the decapitated bees left in their wake. Gruesome!
Additional helpful and informative links
Time for Humor
A lot of people have some extra time on their well-washed hands, some more than others. I found this nugget of creativity, so how could I not share the dulcet tones of a homeschool music teacher singing about the best way to cope with coronavirus pandemic? I love how she finishes the song.
Keep in Touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my daily update. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. You can also visit my Facebook page for the latest info.
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.
Be well, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
-Jeanne
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