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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
You may wonder why we keep hearing elected officials and other civic leaders repeatedly urging the public to keep up - and stay consistent with - the physical distancing, mask-wearing, and limiting trips outside the home and exposure to non-household members. It’s the numbers - - they simply are not looking good here in King County, and individual behavior is the key to bringing them down. I doubt anyone likes doing all this – I certainly do not - but I do want this pandemic to be over as soon as possible, and certainly avoid more fatalities and serious medical conditions from it.
As I mentioned on Friday, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health), updated the media last week, as the current seven-day average of new cases in King County reached the highest level since the beginning of April. Dr. Duchin emphasized the importance of minimizing the number of close contacts people have outside the house and always wearing masks when in public. He said, “We need to think through how we as individuals, as families, businesses and as community members can interact as safely as possible and respect one another by taking the prevention measures very seriously.”
The rest of this e-newsletter includes additional updates on the COVID-19 crisis and other issues. 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 are staying safe.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting 186 new positive cases of COVID-19 (14,619 total) and 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (643 total) as of this afternoon. The number of new hospitalizations is 5 (1,896 to date). Of the 10,606 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 4,243 of those are white and 6,363 are Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
On Saturday, Public Health reported 208 new positive cases of COVID-19 (14,255 total) and 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (640 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 11 (1,877 total). On Sunday, Public Health reported 364 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths. The number of new hospitalizations was 19.
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health, as of Sunday, July 26th, the total number of positive cases was 53,321. Total number of deaths statewide was 1,1518, and total hospitalizations were 5,397.
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 other dashboards as well as on your zip code for the number of “positive” cases and fatalities where you reside.
Check out real-time COVID-19 data broken down by country and state: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries and 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
   
COVID UPDATES
King County distributing free face coverings in Shoreline TOMORROW, Tuesday, July 28th
King County residents can obtain free face coverings to help combat the spread of COVID-19 at a distribution event in Shoreline tomorrow. The masks are a part of the 25 million face coverings purchased by King County and will be the second public distribution (in addition to supplying free masks already to non-profit, faith-based and other community organizations for them to distribute). My office has 25,000 masks that we’ve been distributing to non-profit community organizations (mainly food banks and senior centers). Let us know if your organization needs masks or if an individual who is homebound needs one.
The drive-through distribution event is open only to King County residents. Each resident can receive two reusable cloth masks, and each vehicle can obtain masks for up to six household members, or 12 masks per vehicle.
Where: Shoreline District Court Facility, 18050 Meridian Ave N Shoreline, WA 98113
When: Tuesday, July 28th from 1-5pm
Note: Must be King County residents, limit of two face coverings per person, for up to six household members. This is a drive through distribution event. Residents should follow the signs to the entrance on Meridian Ave. N.
As detailed in this story by the Seattle PI, mask usage varies in Seattle by neighborhood. I was pleased to see that several neighborhoods in District Four are near the top of the list in complying with the mask order, with Ballard and Magnolia leading the list!
Additional COVID– related assistance available from King County
King County provides support and referrals to County residents as we work our way through this crisis. Please see the links below for more information:
Testing availability: Testing is an essential tool for stopping the spread of the disease and reopening. Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) maintains a valuable resource page that contains information on who should get tested and where. Free testing is available at locations across King County, regardless of immigration status.
Isolation, quarantine and recovery sites remain available: Isolation and quarantine are proven public health practices for reducing the spread of disease. Isolation, quarantine and recovery (IQR) sites located across King County can aid residents who cannot isolate and recover in their own homes.
Anti-stigma toolkit: Discrimination directed at communities of color for wearing face coverings persists across King County. Public Health has prepared an anti-stigma toolkit for individuals, organizations and jurisdictions.
Translated materials: Public Health has translated COVID-19-related materials into 33 languages. (Click on “In-language materials” on the left side of your screen.)
Also, see:
Guidance for businesses (King County)
Community support and well-being (King County)
Resources and recommendations (Washington State Department of Health)
Frequently asked questions about coronavirus – (Public Health – Seattle & King County)
COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness, including in younger people: CDC
A new CDC report emphasizes COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness, including in younger people. The CDC today released the findings of a telephone survey that indicates more than one-third of people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 but did not have to be hospitalized had not returned to their usual state of health within 2-3 weeks of being tested. Among those between the age of 18-34 with no chronic medical conditions, one in five had not returned to their usual state of health. The CDC’s takeaway message? “Recovery from COVID-19 can take a long time, even in young adults.” Read the report here.
JUSTICE UPDATES: RACIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, CRIMINAL JUSTICE
New monthly series on strengthening communities during COVID-19 begins Wednesday at noon
Join the Gates Foundation Discovery Center and Civic Commons for a new monthly virtual lunchtime series, In Community We Flourish, presented in partnership with community organizations creating change everyday. An impressive panel will share stories of impact and resilience during the pandemic.
The session, which will take place this Wednesday, July 29th from noon to 12:30 p.m., will focus on community resilience. Panelists include Evana Enabulele, Core Member of Queer the Land; Mariama Suwaneh, Learning & Development Coordinator at the University of Washington and the founder of the blog “young|audacious|&free;” Bitaniya Giday, The 2020/2021 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate; Ashraf Hasham, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Youth Arts Manager from Seattle Together; Noah Collier, Youth Ambassador Alumni; and Frank Nam, Host of the We Belong Here podcast from Civic Commons. Attendees will receive a Take Action Toolkit following the event.
To RSVP and for more information see the links below or visit the program webpage.
RSVP here via the Gates Foundation site.
RSVP via Facebook Live here.
Graphic: Minimum wage, maximum exposure: How remote work divides America
 Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash
Reuters looked at new studies showing the impact of the pandemic on workers who were already struggling financially before the outbreak. Federal government benefits are due to expire soon, and lower-wage workers returning to work face increased exposure to the public.
Racism in the restaurant industry and in the outdoor industry
 Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash
Two recent articles look at how systemic racism pervades two very different industries. This Seattle Times article looks at a new study that documents racism in Seattle’s restaurant industry. You can view the study here.
This article in Crosscut looks at one woman’s attempt (with the help of several organizations) to combat racism in the outdoor industry. However, it turned out to be complicated.
Farewell, U.S. Rep. John Lewis
Many of us likely remember news clips of the beatings of peaceful demonstrators on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. We’ve lost a great champion for human rights and justice, but he inspired and touched millions of lives and will live on through his words and his works. News organizations have put together some moving tributes to him. See the video below from the BBC and the slideshow from Reuters.
Video: John Lewis: US civil rights icon's body crosses Selma bridge a final time - BBC
Slideshow: Memorials for civil rights icon John Lewis - Reuters
OTHER UPDATES
The future of the Magnolia Bridge: Ballard Interbay Corridor Study (BIRT Study) meetings July 29th and August 6th
The public is invited to attend the July 29th & August 6th meetings for the Ballard Interbay Corridor (BIRT) study regarding the future of the Magnolia Bridge. Pre-registration is required. For more information, click here.
Help guide the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCHRA) by applying to serve on the Continuum of Care Advisory Committee.
 Photo by Ev on Unsplash
The Seattle/King County Continuum of Care (CoC) is soliciting new members to serve as the Continuum of Care Board, or Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will advise the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCHRA) Implementation Board on policy and technical issues and provide recommendations on policy. It will also function as the CoC Board for actions required under the HUD regulations at 24 CFR §578, including approval of certain committee recommendations.
The CoC is a coalition of stakeholders, including people with experiences of homelessness, service providers representing various populations and interventions, representatives of culturally specific constituencies, funders, the faith community, researchers and universities, health care providers and others. For more information on the CoC visit the All Home website.
The deadline to apply to the Advisory Committee is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2020.
Interested applicants can find additional information and application instructions at this link: http://allhomekc.org/committees/coordinating-board/#advisory-committee-membership
Council’s Committee of the Whole to meet tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28th at 1 p.m.
The public is invited to view and provide public comment at our virtual meetings. The Committee of the Whole includes all nine councilmembers and considers issues of interest to the entire council. You can find information on accessing meeting material, viewing the meeting remotely and providing public comment here. Tomorrow’s meeting includes a briefing on the annual Point in Time/One Night Count on the number of individuals living without shelter on the streets during one night in January. We’ll also be taking up the implementation plan of PSTAA – the Puget Sound Taxpayers Accountability Act as well as some other items.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Hot weather tips during a pandemic – Public Health – Seattle & King County Insider blog
- Confusion reigns nationwide amid conflicting coronavirus rules – NPR
- Pandemic purgatory: How the coronavirus fight is going in Washington, six months after the first COVID-19 diagnosis in the U.S. - The Seattle Times
- King County Council approves amendment to keep gun stores away from schools (my legislation) - Auburn Examiner
- Native leaders, organizations decry ‘intimidation’ outside home of Seattle City Council’s Juarez – The Seattle Times
- Must health care workers risk their lives to treat Covid-19 patients? – Stat News
- Across the globe, online survivor groups are a source of hope and support for those diagnosed with Covid-19 – CNN
- Clinical trials need to include more minority participants – Stat News
- Seattle protests: Several arrested, 59 officers hurt during weekend demonstrations – KOMO
- What Seattleites wish they had known before the pandemic – Seattle PI
- Disinformation campaigns are murky blends of truth, lies and sincere beliefs – lessons from the pandemic - The Conversation
- Stay home, stay healthy = clear skies? Not quite – The UW Daily
- Washington DACA recipients still anxious after Supreme Court decision – Crosscut
- Why shame Is a bad public health tool — especially in a pandemic – NPR One
- King County Council restricts coal mines, fossil fuel infrastructure in zoning and development changes - The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
Neighbors organize “Disney” parade for ill five-year old
Five-year-old Everett boy Avery was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago. According to this heartwarming story on King 5, Avery's neighbors all pitched in to send him to Disneyland, but the park closed due to the coronavirus. Those neighbors put on their own magical parade for him.
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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