Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Hello and happy Friday (I’d love to think of some of you feeling happy)! Today, Gov. Jay Inslee shared updated details on what’s open now while reinforcing the need to continue practicing social distancing to avoid an uptick in infections of COVID-19. As of today, in-progress residential construction, state parks, elective surgeries, vehicle and vessel sales, pet walkers, landscaping, drive-in religious services, curbside retail sales and car washes were allowed to operate in addition to essential businesses.
Additionally, five small counties – Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry and Pend Oreille – where there had been no cases of COVID-19 in at least three weeks have been granted approval to move into Phase 2 early. Three more counties have applications for variances under review, Inslee said.
Inslee earlier outlined four phases for reopening Washington’s economy, with more activity allowed in each, but with at least a three-week delay between phases, and possibly more if case numbers start to increase.
You can find more information about Inslee’s Safe Start approach here. Read the Seattle Times coverage here.
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 helpful information related to the COVID-19 crisis. 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.
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
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting 77 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County (6940 total) and 5 new COVID-19-related deaths (485 total). I’m very gratified to learn of the continuing declines in the number of deaths but still experience immense sadness each day over having any number of fatalities. And, again unfortunately, the number of new positive cases is continuing to remain on a plateau.
As of May 6th, there were 16,231 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and 891 related deaths. (Note: We do not receive the statewide data daily in time to include in our daily enews.)
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
(A note re data sources: The graphs included below are based solely on the daily announced totals from Public Health. They do not take into account that announced cases on a given day are typically diagnosed on several previous days. Corrections or adjustments by Public Health that change prior daily totals are not reflected. Moving averages ignore days where data was not available.)
   
More than 300 drive-in WiFi hotspots coming online in Washington
The Washington State Broadband Office estimates over 300 new drive-in Wi-Fi hotspots are coming online statewide through an initiative to bring free public broadband internet access to all residents. To date, 140 of the new drive-in hotspots are operational, in addition to 301 existing Washington State Library hotspots identified across the state. Approximately 600 public hotspots will soon be available to keep Washington communities connected. For complete information and a map of locations, visit www.driveinwifi.wa.gov. The map will be updated as more sites come online.
Infographics available to spread information about COVID-19
The state has produced a kit of infographics on everything from what is COVID-19 to proper social distancing to how you can help your community. They are all available for download in multiple languages here.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) update
The state continues its aggressive procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). For the first time this week, limited distributions beyond tier 1 have been possible primarily to over-supply of some very specific item types within broad categories - KN95 respirator masks, surgical masks, and some types and sizes of gloves and gowns - rather than adequate and sustainable supplies across categories. The state is working to expand access to PPE products and supplies so we can better address tier 2 through 4 needs as well as begin to address longer-term, ongoing needs of others at high risk. Purchases are the primary way the state has secured PPE, accounting for more than 80 percent of items received so far - a percentage that is growing. Most of what has been ordered is still on the way. As of today, the state has distributed more than 18.8 million PPE items, including 6.8 million items distributed in the past couple of days – up from a total of about 6 million items distributed overall three weeks ago. Information about purchasing and distribution of PPE is available on the state’s coronavirus website and as part of the available data on the Governor’s Risk-Assessment Dashboard.
Governor’s proclamation regarding state collective bargaining agreements
This new proclamation waives/suspends statutes related to the funding process for certain collective bargaining agreements to enable OFM to use federal funding to address increased COVID-related costs for certain represented employees. Current law may require that funding not be provided until after the next legislative session, however the increased costs and need for funding exists now. In addition, if current law is not temporarily waived, the federal funding sources might not be available after the next legislative session. This waiver will not obligate the state for future costs and is time limited. Read the full proclamation here.
 Risk-Assessment dashboard update
Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Department of Health released an update yesterday to the Risk-Assessment Dashboard. This tool helps gauge when and how to best lift restrictions around ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy” in Washington. The dashboard features five “dials” measuring different data points in the state. The public can view the data guiding the state’s ongoing discussions on recovery planning by visiting coronavirus.wa.gov. The dials will be updated each week on Wednesdays.
Automated car wash services
New guidelines outline how to safely operate and access automated car wash services. Click here for more information.
Reminder on King County Financial Resources
A few weeks ago, we highlighted that there are many different types of resources for individuals, small businesses, and organizations to apply for financial relief during this period of quarantine. There are many resources available, ranging from housing resources, information on utilities and internet, cash assistance, food assistance, childcare resources, resources for undocumented communities, small business loans and disaster assistance and in-language resources. These resources continue to be updated, and are available here.
Additional helpful and informative links
Today’s moment of levity:
As you know, over the past few weeks I’ve shared several of the “Some Good News” videos from actor John Krasinski. Well, we aren’t the only ones who have been paying attention. The Boston Globe today shared an article about how celebrities are engaging during the pandemic, and the ways in which SGN has struck a chord of humility, humor and entertainment. Now, we are back with another episode of “Some Good News” with a special focus on graduation (which is always close to my heart as a longtime public school teacher and university lecturer). Plus, some incredible commencement speakers! See the full video here: https://www.facebook.com/JohnKrasinski/videos/282986986205587/
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my update. You can expect these 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.
Sincerely,
-Jeanne
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