|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
One of the benefits of self-isolation and quarantine is that it can help us slow down and appreciate the small things in life. Not surprisingly, birdwatching is surging in popularity since the onset of the pandemic. It makes sense. This hobby can be done just by looking out a window. I enjoyed this article from The New York Times chronicling how more and more people are beginning to enjoy this peaceful pastime: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/science/bird-watching-coronavirus.html?referringSource=articleShare
Over the weekend, I hope you can take some time to enjoy the natural beauty that we are so fortunate to have in this gorgeous part of the world. And, while you’re at it, maybe you’ll spot a bird you’ve never seen before. Good luck.
Also, here is a new page from the New York Times that will be updated regularly to provide a detailed picture of the past, present and future of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. It includes five ways of thinking about COVID-19 in hundreds of metro areas across the country, using data compiled by The New York Times. Click the following link to check it out: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/23/upshot/five-ways-to-monitor-coronavirus-outbreak-us.html?referringSource=articleShare I find it quite helpful and indeed fascinating.
Lastly, next Tuesday, June 2, the Council’s Committee of the Whole will be meeting virtually at 1:00 p.m. to take up a variety of items including an ordinance I have co-sponsored with Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay related to tenant protection. It would provide COVID-19 as a defense to eviction for residential tenants in unincorporated King County and require landlords to provide a written installment repayment plan for both residential and small commercial tenants. There is still work to be done to increase protections for renters, but, if the Council passes this measure, it will be a significant protection for individuals and families who might otherwise face homelessness. Click the following link to read the meeting agenda and find out how you can provide remote public testimony: https://mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov/View.ashx?M=A&ID=790922&GUID=FFEE149E-8D6B-4BD4-ABC5-6D4EF885177C
You can stream the meeting live by clicking this link: https://livestream.com/accounts/15175343/events/4485487
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 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). However, I have now transitioned to sending updates only during the week unless there are major developments. 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 29 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County today (8,015 total) and 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (554 total). Again, we’re continuing heading overall in a downward trajectory.
As of May 28, there were 21,071 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and 1,111 related deaths. (Note: We do not customarily receive the statewide data daily in time to include in our daily update.)
Also, on Wednesday, the Washington State Department of Health updated the definition of a COVID-19 close contact to align with new CDC guidance. The new guidance states that a close contact is defined as someone who is within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes. Previous guidance stated 10 minutes.
Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19 is 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
Lastly, here is an updated list of places open for COVID-19 testing: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020/May/~/media/depts/health/communicable-diseases/documents/C19/community-health-center-testing-locations.ashx
   
Inslee allows for partial reopenings based on county health metrics, King County to apply to reopen more business activity
Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday announced changes to the phased reopening plan that would allow counties not ready to fully move to the next phase to apply for partial phases, based on key health metrics.
Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order ends on May 31, so he is issuing a new proclamation that shifts the state to Safe Start – Washington’s Phased Reopening, a county-by-county approach that provides more flexibility for counties that don’t meet the criteria to fully move to the next phase. King County, for instance, may not meet existing criteria to move to Phase 2, but under the new guidelines if it meets enough of the target data, we could apply for a partial move to the next phase. So, in a way, it’s like a Phase 1.5 approach. You can read more by clicking the following link: https://medium.com/wagovernor/safe-start-washingtons-phased-reopening-1436dfccc908?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
King County Executive Dow Constantine, speaking at a press conference after Inslee had concluded, said the county would be moving forward with an application to allow limited or modified openings for several business sectors and personal activities, including restaurants, small gatherings, retail stores and more. Read the full release online to learn about all the businesses and activities that would be included in the partial reopening.
Police brutality in the news
 Photo from BuzzFeed News
I do not believe I need to reiterate the details of what I’m sure many of you have seen on national news regarding another violent murder by law enforcement. George Floyd was killed earlier this week in an illegal restraint used by Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis Police Officer who, as of this afternoon, was arrested for murder. Tragically, black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people despite a higher likelihood to be unarmed in comparison to white people. In fact, 99% of all death by police from 2013-2019 have not resulted in officers being charged with a crime. Black Americans are faced with trauma extending back centuries that continues to be ongoing and increasing. Our nation has not fully owned or faced our history and culture of white supremacy that has allowed for the disproportionate treatment of Black Americans. Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and now George Floyd as well as so many other lives have recently been lost. As your representative on the Council, I am committed to continue working with the King County Sheriff’s Office on the adopted training requirements and curriculum for violence, de-escalation and mental health training in addition to equity initiatives across County-funded services—affordable housing, public health, transit and many more. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best released a statement, and King County Sherriff Mitzi Johanknecht also responded to this week’s events. I commend their strong leadership while acknowledging the work that must be done every day to do right by the residents of all of King County and beyond.
Property tax deadline
At the end of March, due to the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, King County Executive Dow Constantine extended the first-half 2020 property tax deadline to June 1. The order applied to individual and residential taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender. With June 1 now quickly approaching, I am providing you with a reminder that you can pay your first-half payment online by clicking the following link: https://payment.kingcounty.gov/Home/Index?app=PropertyTaxes
This is an especially unique reminder because the payment is due at the first of the month rather than at the end. I understand many of us are hurting financially during this time. I will continue to work on ways to support working families be able to withstand this economic downturn without having to miss rent or mortgage payments.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian American Pacific Islander communities do so much to make our county and region a better place to live. Unfortunately, this community still faces barriers compounded by systemic, institutional racism. During this month, it is especially important that we celebrate this community and reaffirm our commitment to working on policies and issues aimed at breaking down barriers and uplifting traditionally left behind people. Click the following link to learn more about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: https://asianpacificheritage.gov/about/
Supplemental COVID-19 Community Response Fund
On May 5, the King County Council approved a second emergency supplemental budget proposed by Executive Dow Constantine (which I sponsored as the Council’s Budget Chair) to provide additional resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the legislation is $1 million for the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) to expand funding for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. OESJ will continue to prioritize funding to partners working with communities at the highest risk of immediate and long-term negative health, social and economic impacts. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to organizations based on the priorities defined in the Overview & Criteria for Community Responses Fund. Please download the Community Response Fund Application form at the Office of Equity and Social Justice website. Applications are due by 5pm, June 9, 2020. Questions and completed applications must be sent to info-covid@kingcounty.gov.
Additional helpful and informative links
Today's moment of levity
I enjoyed this upbeat story published in The Seattle Times about how Magnolia neighbors showed their appreciation for Metro bus drivers with bubbles and joy. Metro was grateful for the support shown to its drivers and service. Our frontline bus operators and Metro staff have acted heroically to ensure essential transit remains operational during this unprecedented time. Thank you, Metro employees!
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my update. You can expect these to continue being sent out daily, 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.
|
