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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Hello and I hope you’re continuing to minimize risks to yourselves, your families, neighbors, coworkers and friends. The COVID numbers are continuing to rise. The new CDC guidance about risk factors shows that none of us is immune to this virus and all of us can spread it to others – regardless of age group.
The rest of this e-newsletter includes updates on the COVID-19 crisis and other issues, including racial justice. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.
All the best and I hope you have a lovely and safe weekend.
COVID 19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting 146 new positive cases of COVID-19 (11,632 total) and one new COVID-19-related death (603 total) as of this afternoon. Of the 8,803 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 3,574 of those are white and 5,229 are Black, Indigenous and People of Color, not reflective at all of the demographics of King County’s population.
Statewide, as of July 9th, the state’s total confirmed cases are 39,218 with 1,424 deaths, with total hospitalizations of 4,662. (Note: We do not consistently receive the statewide data daily in time to include in our daily update.)
Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19, as well as on rates of hospitalization, is available on Public Health’s data dashboard where you can click on your zip code for the number of “positive” cases and fatalities where you reside.
Real-time COVID-19 data broken down by country and state: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
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
(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.)
   
COVID UPDATES
From Public Health: CDC updated the high-risk list. And it’s not just older adults.
Public Health - - Seattle & King County posted this update on Wednesday:
In spite of Washington State’s ongoing efforts to contain it, COVID-19 is spreading more rapidly by the day, especially among people aged 20-40. And while they are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus, they can still spread it to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers – without even knowing they have it. Many young people are also in the higher-risk categories recently updated by the CDC.
Much about the virus remains a mystery, but we are learning more each week about who is most vulnerable. The CDC has updated its list of people who are at increased risk of severe illness and those who should take extra precautions to avoid getting the virus, regardless of age. Among them are some members of racial and ethnic groups who have experienced longstanding health and social inequities, including Black, Indigenous and Latinx people.
Native Americans and Black people are five times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and Latinos are four times as likely to be hospitalized, according to the CDC. Black, Brown, and Indigenous lives all matter and precautions need to be taken to prevent the virus from all.
The latest scientific studies reviewed by the CDC show that people with the following conditions are also more at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, regardless of their age:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic lung disease
- People who have had organ transplants
- Serious heart conditions
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Obesity is another high risk factor, which the CDC defines as a body mass index is 30 or higher. The CDC previously had cautioned that only those who are seriously obese – those whose body mass index is 40 or higher – were at increased risk. You can calculate your body mass index here.
The latest evidence also suggests that pregnant women and smokers might be at increased risk, as well as people who suffer from:
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- High blood pressure
- Dementia
- Liver disease
- Type 1 diabetes
- A weakened immune system
If you are in a group that the CDC has identified as high-risk or needing extra precautions, avoid contact outside the home as much as possible.
Remember, staying home is still safest. If you must go out, keep six feet away from others, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds. Recreate and do business locally to avoid spreading the virus across county lines. If you feel symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. See below for information on free, at-home testing from the Greater Seattle SCAN study
Sign up for a free, confidential, at-home test for COVID-19: Join the SCAN study
COVID-19 cases are increasing in King County, and data are showing that fewer people are social distancing. If you are feeling any symptoms, or if you have been in a large group recently, experts are recommending you seek testing immediately.
The SCAN study offers research kits that test for current COVID-19 infection from the comfort and safety of your home. Kits are delivered within 24 hours of enrolling on our site, and results are available online within a few days of returning your test.
Tests are available for people of all ages, and are completely free. You do not need health insurance to be tested through SCAN, and your insurance will not be impacted.
The SCAN test is for a current illness: SCAN does not test for antibodies, and cannot tell you if you previously had the virus. Click here for more information and to join the study!
VIDEO: The New Normal: Life after surviving coronavirus
View this video from Crosscut, about a Seattle grandmother who was hospitalized for five days with COVID-19. She’s now back home with her grandkids, finding ways to help others.
RACIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATES
Black mental health matters: Crossposted from Zero Youth Detention
The direct effects of increased exposure to violence, police brutality, and systemic racism placed on the Black community, and a pandemic that has disproportionately affected communities of color here in King County, continues to be a concern for Black children and families.
Depression, stress and anxiety impacts adults and children in the Black community in many ways. Inherited and experienced racial trauma and systemic inequities in health care limits an individual’s quality of life and life expectancy.
It is particularly important for parents and caregivers to be mindful of the emotional and mental well-being of children and young adults during this time. Their feelings are real and justified. They need and deserve support. Read more and access links to mental health resources for People of Color here.
Opportunities to make your voice heard about accountability in the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Upcoming opportunities to provide input to lawmakers: July 13, 14 and 22:
UPDATE: Special Council Committee of the Whole virtual meeting on Monday, July 13 on advancing law enforcement reforms
This special meeting will take the place of the previously announced town hall, but will have the same focus. This special meeting will take the place of the previously announced town hall, but will have the same focus. The Committee will discuss and hear public comment on the Charter Review Commission’s recommendation to make the Sheriff’s position in King County appointed instead of elected. This proposal has its controversies.
Information on joining the meeting, providing comment and accessing the agenda can be found here. You can view the Charter Review Commission’s final report to the County Council here.
Appointed Sheriff Vote – Tuesday, July 14th at 1:00 PM
The Council’s Committee of the Whole will discuss and vote on Ordinance 2020-0205, the Charter Review Commission recommendation mentioned above to make the Sheriff’s position in King County appointed instead of elected. Public testimony welcome. Other items on the agenda may also be of interest. The public is invited to offer comment.
If the vote is affirmative, then it will go to the fully Council for a final vote on Tuesday, July 21st at 1 p.m. and if approved, the Council will place a measure on the ballot for November’s general election for voter approval of the proposal.
Conversation about Independent Investigations - Wednesday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m.
The Council’s Law & Justice Committee will discuss different approaches to independent investigations and how they might be implemented by the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO). Public testimony is welcome, and it is important that the Councilmembers hear from the public about why independent investigations are wanted and needed.
The links above include information on joining these virtual meetings, providing public comment and how to access meeting materials.
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): July 26, 5-8 p.m.
The American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) is turning 30 on Sunday, July 26, 2020. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services.
In honor of this groundbreaking legislation, King County, the City of Seattle and the Northwest ADA Center have put together a three-hour block of television programming that highlights individual stories about disability, ways to support accessibility, and challenges that remain for individuals with a disability in our community. Please join us on the Seattle Channel on Sunday, July 26 from 2 - 5 p.m. and King County TV on Monday, July 27 from 5 - 8 p.m. All programming will be accessible. For more details, view the flyer here.
This special television programming will include:
- Presentations by Seattle’s renowned architect Karen Braitmayer
- An original documentary, Bottom Dollars, by Rooted in Rights
- Benefits of Universal Design
- Breaking Down Barriers with Supported Employment
- Introduction to Accessible Online Meetings, Alt Text, Captions, and Transcripts
The Seattle Channel airs on channels 21 on Comcast and Wave, 8003 on CenturyLink, and in HD on Comcast channel 321, 721 on Wave, and 8503 on CenturyLink. King County TV airs on Comcast channels 22 and 322 in HD, and Wave channel 22.
You may also be interested in this Op-Ed, from today’s New York Times: What happens when you’re disabled but nobody can tell.
Urban Indian organizations are demanding removal of Seattle police officers from outreach team supporting homeless
In a letter sent to Mayor Jenny Durkan, four urban Indian organizations called for the removal of Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers from the City of Seattle’s Navigation Team—a group which connects unsheltered people to housing and critical resources. The Chief Seattle Club, Mother Nation, Seattle Indian Health Board, and United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, who are all partners in the National Coalition to End Urban Indigenous Homelessness, signed the letter.
Police Chief Carmen Best of the Seattle Police Department was cc’d on the letter, as well as was Jason Johnson, acting director of the City of Seattle Human Services Department.
“We’ve continued to express that what’s in place is not working and ineffective for our community,” said Colleen Echohawk, executive director of Chief Seattle Club. “Police officers retrigger trauma, which makes our relatives less accepting to services.”
Along with asking for the removal of police officers from the Navigation Team, the organizations also recommend the reallocation of $2.6 million that is assigned for police staffing on the Navigation Team.
OTHER UPDATES
Child Care Partnership Grants - July 13 first round grant deadline:
The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting applications to support local partnerships to develop action plans that stabilize and expand child care capacity in communities.
The following organizations are eligible to apply on behalf of a collaborative group: Washington nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, and local government entities, including school and educational service districts. Applicants and populations served must be located in the state of Washington.
Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded. This is the first of two application rounds and all projects must be completed by June 30, 2021.
School re-opening tracker from Johns Hopkins University: Track reopening policies, including COVID precautions
A new Johns Hopkins University tracker analyzes school reopening plans across the country. The JHU eSchool+ Initiative’s new education tracker examines state plans in 12 categories from academics to protecting kids from Covid infections.
Closing schools was a lot easier than reopening them — Forty-three states and territories have issued plans for reopening schools, according to the JHU tracker. In some parts of the country, the first day of school is only about a month away.
The tracker is meant to add equity to the conversation by looking at whether states are actively addressing disparities between students, given how many kids were left behind this spring, according to said Annette Anderson, Deputy Director of JHU’s Center for Safe and Healthy Schools. “At the end of the day, it's about trying to make sure that when we reopen, that the reopening benefits all,” she said.
Washington state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has published this guide for school districts as they plan re-openings this fall.
Additional helpful and informative links
- How the coronavirus short-circuits the immune system – The New York Times
- 'Epic failure': U.S. election officials warn of November chaos due to budget crunch – Reuters
- There’s no covering up the message of this masked boy – The Seattle Times
- Commentary: COVID has made working moms’ struggle clear – The Herald (Op-Ed from The Washington Post)
- COVID-19 virus and antibody tests compared and where to get them – Consumerlab.com
- Time to shut down again? As coronavirus cases surge, a growing chorus makes the case – The Washington Post
- She’s an authority on earth’s past. Now, her focus is the planet’s future. – The New York Times
- Scientists focus on how immune system T cells fight coronavirus in absence of antibodies – Reuters
- Wildfires off to slow start in much of the West, but trouble expected starting in mid-July – Yale Climate Connections
- The real reason lockdown is exhausting – The BBC
- ‘This is not a boring history of nagging spinsters’ – The New York Times
- Interactive: how coronavirus cases have risen since states reopened – The New York Times
- Washington's jobless claims fall, but state's unemployed may soon lose $600 benefit (with additional information on tracking coronavirus results) – The Seattle Times
- Victoria Clipper ferry suspends service to and from Seattle until April 2021 – The Seattle Times
- Yes, you can wear a mask while exercising. Here's how 3 options stack up – The Seattle Times
Today’s moments of inspiration
A marine vet stood in 100-degree heat for a 3-hour silent protest, causing soles of his shoes to melt. According to news reports on accuweather.com and KUTV, a CBS affiliate in Utah, a Utah Marine Corps veteran has received both praise and criticism from across the country for photos that have circulated of him protesting in uniform at the Utah State Capitol.
The man has been identified as Todd Winn, and in an exclusive interview with CBS affiliate KUTV, Winn explained why he chose to protest in support of the movement in this way. "You know, until I left home and joined the Marine Corps, I didn't really understand that that was wrong. Until I served with men whose skin was a different color than mine, who were the finest men that I've ever known, help[ed] me to learn that really we're all the same," Winn explained to KUTV.
Also, see this fun video of the song Footloose, featuring dancing from a wide range of old movie clips, perfectly edited for the music. A nice diversion!
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I’m sending out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - - and sometimes more frequently. 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 safe.
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