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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My daily enews has been evolving – beginning daily since March 1 as an update on the emerging Coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic, changing a few weeks ago to Monday – Friday, and then picking up the horrendous tragedy of the murder of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis and what I consider the rightful and essential protests and demands for addressing widespread and systemic/institutionalized racism, broad social change and for specific changes to our law enforcement and justice systems. I am now including both of these major issues before us and will alternate daily on what is presented first.
First, here in King County, we’re five days into our “modified Phase 1” plan, and I hope you are all staying safe. The changing guidelines can be confusing, which is why I want to direct you to King County’s Safe Start page, which details exactly what activities are allowed under this modified Phase 1 plan.
It is crucial that we remember to maintain the safety practices that brought us this far. These include continuing to practice physical distancing of 6 feet or more, minimizing contact with others outside the home, frequent hand washing or sanitizer, using cloth face coverings in public, and avoiding group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.
As you’ll see in the article below, some cities and states are already seeing an increase in Covid hospitalizations, with the relaxation of stay-at-home orders.
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 23 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County today (8,559 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (570 total). I’m really pleased with there being no fatalities!
Forty-seven people are currently staying in King County isolation and quarantine facilities.
As of June 8, there were 24,354 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and 3,747 related deaths. Currently, 3,747 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.
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
King County’s COVID-19 dashboard shows 23 new cases and 0 additional deaths today.
(These graphs are based solely on the daily announced totals from Public Health, and do not reflect that daily announced cases are typically diagnosed on several previous days. Corrections or adjustments by Public Health that change daily totals are not reflected.)
   
Several states see increase in Covid hospitalizations
As reported in The Washington Post, hospitalizations have been rising in several states following the Memorial Day weekend. According to the Post, “In Texas, North and South Carolina, California, Oregon, Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah and Arizona, there are an increasing number of patients under supervised care since the holiday weekend because of coronavirus infections.”
This underlines the importance of continued vigilance. Follow the guidelines on the Safe Start webpage, and remember, staying home is still the safest way to go!
Deadline extended: New COVID-19 funding now available for community organizations
On May 5, the King County Council approved a second emergency supplemental budget proposed by Executive Dow Constantine to provide additional resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the budget that was enacted is $1 million for the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) to expand funding for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. We had approved $1 million as well in the first COVID -19 budget in April. As the pandemic has progressed, we understand more about its effects and the disproportionate impact it inflicts on people and communities of color. 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 and the application closes at 5pm on June 23rd. Visit this link for more information on how to apply.
Expanded free testing in south King County
King County is expanding free COVID testing in south King County. Three new free COVID-19 test sites open in south King County this week. In addition, this Saturday and Sunday, June 13th and 14th, free drive-through COVID-19 testing and essential supplies (e.g. diapers, toiletries) will be available in Renton and Federal Way. King County is partnering with local community organizations and Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson’s #IDIDMYPART campaign and Beyoncé’s BeyGood for this launch event. The Stranger has more details here.
Blood donors needed: Bloodworks NW offering pop-up donor center
With hospitals preparing to re-start surgeries and treatments that were suspended in March, donors are urgently needed now and in the coming months. Social distancing requirements eliminated most mobile blood drives, which normally account for 60% of collections.
Information was included on this need in one of my earlier enews editions in March, but there’s a significant need now as well.
To help keep the blood supply stable during this unprecedented time, Bloodworks NW is partnering with STG’s (Seattle Theatre Group) Paramount Theatre to host a Pop-Up Donor Center, beginning June 15 through July 29.
All donations are by appointment only to provide the safest donation environment and adhere to all social distancing guidelines. Additionally, no walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite. The one-hour donation appointment is a safe and essential action to support local hospitals.
Make an appointment at the Pop Up Donor Center at The Paramount Theatre by clicking here. The Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101. Parking for donors is available on Ninth Avenue between Pine Street and Pike Street. For other donation opportunities visit BloodworksNW.org or call 800-398-7888.
Additional helpful and informative links
Questions of law, race and justice
Questions of racial equity, the legal system and the criminal justice system have been front and center in our thoughts over these past weeks.
Two ordinances were just introduced at yesterday’s County Council meeting – both charter amendments that will go to the voters for approval if the Council adopts them within the next few weeks. Both are law enforcement reform proposals, with the goal of increasing accountability. The first would make the Sheriff an appointed rather than elected position. The second proposal would give the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) the power to investigate the Sheriff’s office.
The Seattle Times covered the proposals yesterday.
Coming up, this Friday at 10 a.m. there will be a special virtual meeting of the King County Council’s Law and Justice Committee of which I am a member. At the meeting there will be a general discussion about the current state of law enforcement in King County. The discussion will center on law enforcement reform and oversight in response to the demands for progressive police policy changes in the wake of the death of George Floyd and subsequent nationwide protests.
You can check out the meeting agenda and find out how to provide public testimony remotely by clicking the following link:https://mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov/View.ashx?M=A&ID=793568&GUID=B6B283C1-A702-4EDA-993C-77D1287F68EE
You can stream the meeting live by clicking here.
Additional links on law, race and justice
Today's moment of levity
A Florida high school insisted on holding its commencement ceremony, and found a ‘novel’ way to keep students safe while receiving their diplomas. The ceremony took place on open water, and students rode jet skis (wearing masks and life jackets in addition to caps and gowns) to pick up their diplomas. Read the story and watch the video here.
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.
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