With King County in Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan, and new state requirements about face coverings in effect, the county is distributing 5 million cloth face coverings and 20 million disposable face coverings to residents, workers and businesses.

“We made good progress at flattening the curve, and saved thousands of lives, but with increasing activity comes the need for ever-increasing vigilance to protect each other from COVID-19,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The county is providing these face coverings at no cost so that everyone who needs them can get them.”

The county’s goal is that each resident could receive two cloth face coverings, which can be washed and re-used. The disposable face coverings are intended for use by customers and community members who don’t have their own face coverings at government offices, retailers, faith-based organizations, and other gathering places. The distribution plan is being finalized with the help of various government agencies and community organizations, including cities, chambers of commerce, the King County Department of Local Services, community-based organizations, religious institutions and unions.

Read original media release.

Photo: Staff at one of the county's warehouses prepare shipments of cloth face coverings for redistribution. 

Food banks need your help now more than ever.

“The pandemic and the resulting unemployment and economic downturn are having a severe impact on people’s ability to pay for basic necessities, including food,” said Brendan McCluskey, director of King County Emergency Management.

Financial donations and volunteers are critically needed at food banks.

“Especially with the potential for a second wave (of COVID-19), food bank providers are showing concern,” said Jennifer Rosenberger, Senior Manager with King County Emergency Management.
The King County Donations Connector directs people who want to give money to the Washington Food Fund through Philanthropy Northwest. You can also sponsor a food box.

Read the full media release.

Photo: A National Guard member helps pack food for distribution. About 330 National Guard members were deployed to help at food banks in King County. Of those, 116 ended their assignments by the end of June. That leaves a significant gap, since volunteers have for the most part followed the governor’s stay-home order. 

Already activated in February for COVID-19, King County had a dual activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) from May 30 through June 7 in response to protests over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“Dual activations are very rare anywhere, and they’re tough,” said Brendan McCluskey, Emergency Management Director. “Staff rose to the challenge. We had to keep track of both situations, including resources and costs. We had more people in the EOC and had the need for physical distancing with COVID-19.”

On a few occasions, the King County EOC has activated in response to more than one emergency at the same time, typically for weather-related events. A dual activation occurred during the Howard Hanson Dam emergency of 2009-2010, when the county was battling the compromised dam structure that threatened downstream communities of the Green River Valley, and severe weather events.

During the most recent dual activation, staff at the EOC helped coordinate National Guard staffing throughout the county, beyond Seattle. In addition, the EOC supported county departments and local jurisdictions (fire departments, transit, cities, etc.) with public information, resource management, planning, and operational coordination. The EOC also helped collect information about the extent of financial losses from affected businesses, submitting this information to the Small Business Administration for potential funding.

Photo: A volunteer from Team Rubicon at the Emergency Operations Center earlier this year. 

King County Emergency Management recently partnered with the Somali Health Board, Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson’s #IDIDMYPART campaign and Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation on two community events in June. The events featured free drive-through COVID-19 testing and essential supplies (such as diapers, cleaning supplies and toiletries) in Renton and Federal Way.

While Sophia Lopez, Program Manager for King County Emergency Management, is serving as Logistics Chief in the Emergency Management Center during the COVID-19 response, she is a year-round public educator, always keeping long-range goals in focus.

“The Somali and Ethiopian communities are not ones we had yet engaged with,” said Lopez. “This was an opportunity that could not be missed.”

That includes making sure underserved communities get the information they need to prepare for disasters, including materials in their native language.

Danny Arauz, an Americorps fellow, and Gerald Woodridge, an intern, volunteered to work on the weekend while Lopez was serving as duty officer. Together they gave out more than 1,100 comprehensive disaster preparedness guides (in English) and 400 “Be Prepared” handouts in the Somali language. They also distributed “Prepare with Pedro” handouts in both Spanish and English.

“Through an event for COVID-19 testing, we were able to meet community leaders in underserved communities, opening the door for future educational opportunities,” Lopez said.

Photo: Staff inserted disaster preparedness materials into the blue bags and together with volunteers put one into every car that went through the testing site.

The King County Donations Connector is making a big difference in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic! As of June 19, King County had received:

• More than 47,000 N95 respirators
• More than 2,000 KN95 respirators
• More than 144,000 surgical masks
• About 105,000 gloves
• More than 1,800 gallons of hand sanitizer
• More than 37,000 face shields
• Nearly 2,400 gowns
• 200 thermometers
• More than 5,300 “ear savers”

You can still help or get help in the COVID-19 response through the King County Donations Connector! Check the Donations Connector for an updated list of current needs. If you are with an organization in need, you can also get help! Donations are distributed to first responders, health care providers and others fighting against COVID-19.

Photo: Director General Alex Fan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office brought 10,500 surgical masks from the Taiwanese government to King County Emergency Management recently. The masks will be distributed to long-term care facilities, EMS and others on the front lines working against COVID-19.

Summer is here. For us in the Puget Sound, that also means the threat of wildfire smoke. This year is different as we continue to respond to spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Smoke may create additional risk for people with COVID-19 and worsen symptoms. So while wildfire smoke may seem like a less pressing threat in light of the global pandemic, COVID-19 gives us even more reason to be prepared for wildfire smoke this summer.
What is the health threat from wildfire smoke? Read more in Public Health Insider.
Learn more about COVID-19 and wildfire smoke from the state Department of Health.

Every year in the U.S., about 9,000 people are injured using fireworks at home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Most of these injuries take place around the July Fourth holiday. This year, we have been dealing with the dual pandemics of COVID and racial injustice. Most public fireworks displays have been cancelled. If you decide to use consumer fireworks, please do so with caution and follow local rules and regulations. In addition, remember that social distancing, wearing a face covering and hand-washing are still very important.

• Fireworks are banned in many cities
• Fireworks purchased from approved firework stands are only allowed to be discharged in unincorporated King County on July 4, and they should be sold only by reliable Washington State- and King County Fire Marshal-licensed retailers
• Fireworks not purchased from a state-licensed fireworks retailors are not approved to be discharged in unincorporated King County. They may be considered explosive material.
• Fireworks are not allowed in King County Parks, per King County Code.
• If you choose to discharge fireworks on the 4^th follow these rules and safety tips:
  • You must be at least 16 years old, with photo identification, to purchase fireworks.
  • Always have a responsible adult light all fireworks.
  • Have a garden hose or a fire extinguisher handy.
  • Use fireworks outdoors only—away from buildings, houses with wood exteriors, trees, and dry fields.
  • Avoid aerial fireworks.
  • Light one item at a time, move away quickly, and have everyone keep a safe distance.
  • If a device does not light or fire, an adult should wait at least five minutes before approaching it.
  • Soak used fireworks in water before disposing of them.
  • Keep pets safe. Use eye protection. Clean up all debris. (Regional Animal Services of King County provides information about fireworks safety for pets)
  • If it has a stick or fins and it goes up, or if it explodes, it is illegal in Washington State.

Photo: Last year's fireworks show over the Space Needle