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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
These are stressful times. The added – and never before experienced – stresses of the pandemic make coping with daily life more difficult. It’s hard, but we all need to make an extra effort to take care of the mental health of our loved ones and ourselves.
Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) provides excellent tips and resources in this article on its Public Health Insider blog.
The rest of this e-newsletter includes 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 141 new positive cases of COVID-19 (18,130 total) and 1 new COVID-19-related death (697 total) as of this afternoon. The number of new hospitalizations is 15 (2,130 to date). Of the 13,420 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 5,199 of those are white and 8,221 are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Discouraging!
Yesterday, Public Health reported 165 new positive cases of COVID-19 (17,989 total) and 5 new COVID-19-related deaths (696 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 6 (2,115 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of Monday, August 17th, the total number of positive cases was 68,264. Total number of deaths statewide was 1,809, and total hospitalizations were 6,358.
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.
The graphs we usually include here are not available today. We apologize for any inconvenience.
COVID UPDATES
Corrected link: Community Recovery-Oriented Needs Assessment (CORONA) survey
Apologies! We inadvertently included a bad link in Monday’s item about the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) Community Recovery-Oriented Needs Assessment (CORONA) survey. The DOH is seeking respondents from across the state, so we urge you to participate if possible and to forward to others. The survey asks questions related to behavioral, economic, social and emotional impacts and needs. Health departments across the state will use the results of the survey to help our communities recover.
To take the survey, go to www.WACORONASURVEY.com and choose the language from the dropdown list. You can take the online survey in six languages: English, Somali, Spanish, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. To take the survey by phone, call 855-530-5787. Interpretative services are available—say your language when the call is answered.
Why am I coughing? What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms
 The state Department of Health (DOH) has put together some helpful information on what to do if you suspect you have COVID-19, including tips for isolating and waiting for test results.
Free masks available
 There are upcoming opportunities for Seattle and King County residents to get masks and face coverings free of charge. Here in my District 4 office, we have provided about 23,000 masks to community organizations for distribution. We still have some masks left. If you live in District 4 and cannot purchase a mask or pick any up at the free face coverings distributions (see below), please contact my office at 206-477-1004. In addition, please see the upcoming mask giveaway opportunities below.
- King County and City of Seattle distributing free face coverings in Rainier Beach TOMORROW
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: Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
When: Thursday, Aug. 20 from 1-5 p.m.
Note: Enter at the parking lot entrance on Rainier Ave S, and residents can drive through to the Treasure Truck toward the back of the parking lot, or walk up to the tent near the community center entrance to receive masks. Residents can tell the staff person the number of individuals in their household, and receive 2 cloth reusable masks per household member, up to 6 household members. The maximum number of masks a resident can receive is 12.
- Evento de distribución de mascaras/cubre-bocas: Tuesday, August 25th, 1 – 5 p.m.
Mask/face covering distribution event in Issaquah, hosted by Public Health - Seattle & King County
At the Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave NW, Issaquah, WA 98027
Debe ser residente del condado de King para ser elegible para recibir mascaras/cubre bocas en este evento. Este es un evento en el que usted podrá recibir las mascarillas sin bajarse de su automóvil. Los residentes interesados del Condado de King pueden entrar en la entrada, conducir hasta el Amazon Treasure Truck, decirle al personal la cantidad de individuos en su familia y recibir 2 máscaras/cubre bocas reutilizables de tela por miembro de la familia, hasta 6 miembros de la familia.
King County grants to arts, culture and science organizations and live music venues
With $2 million of funding backed by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, King County awarded a total of 62 grants to music venues and arts, culture and science organizations throughout the County. The grant program was included in the Second Emergency COVID Omnibus budget. Many organizations and businesses in District 4 received grants, including the Woodland Park Zoo, the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Showbox, Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle Children’s Theatre, The Triple Door, The Vera Project, Jewel Box Theatre, Jazz Alley, Tractor Tavern, Fremont Abbey Arts Center and The Crocodile. For the full list of grantees, click here.
The grant funds will improve compliance with public health safety measures as these organizations reopen to support the county’s economic recovery and enhance residents’ quality of life.
Grants may be used to reimburse a variety of costs between March 1 and December, such as payroll, rent, mortgage payments (excluding property taxes), health insurance for employees, and utility expenses necessary to sustain the business during and after the public health emergency.
Reuters interviews Al Gore Tuesday, August 25th, 9 a.m. Pacific Time
Since leaving office two decades ago, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore has become one of the world’s preeminent voices on climate change, founding the Climate Reality Project—a nonprofit devoted to solving the climate crisis—and winning a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the issue. As the world’s attention remains focused on battling COVID-19, Gore joins Reuters for an exclusive conversation about climate change in a post-pandemic world, the racial reckoning sweeping the globe and the coming presidential election.
The interview will last one hour. For more information, see this page. To register, click here.
JUSTICE UPDATES: RACIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, CRIMINAL
King County Sheriff’s Office complaint data now available to the public
The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has made available a new interactive dashboard on Internal Investigations Unit (IIU) complaints.
Community members can query information on IIU complaints, findings and discipline from 2014 to 2019. All the data come directly from the KCSO complaint database, and includes the type of incident, origin of complaint (internal or community) and other information. The data are also searchable by precinct, so community members can see information in their service area.
New report out on food insecurity in King County this spring and summer
 Public Health – Seattle & King County has just updated its Food Insecurity Data Dashboard and has released a new report: Increases in Food Needs in King County, WA, Spring-Summer 2020 (PDF)
Key points from the report:
- Food insufficiency has almost doubled after implementation of strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Food needs were the second most common reason for King County residents to call seeking assistance with social services in Spring 2020.
- Enrollment in Basic Food assistance program increased by 18% among King County households from January to June 2020, an increase of 17,300 households.
- Policies have enabled new resources or expanded existing resources, but some are set to expire.
Read the article from Public Health here.
The impact of COVID-19 on sexually exploited individuals: New article highlights vulnerabilities
Dr. Debra Boyer, who has worked on the issue of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) for decades, has published a new article in Dignity: A Journal On Sexual Exploitation And Violence. The article is entitled “Prostitution During the Pandemic: Findings Show Need for Nordic Model.”
Although subject to gender-based violence and denied safety net services, commercially sexually exploited women are seldom seen as a “vulnerable” group in the Coronavirus pandemic. Interviews from social service agencies in Seattle, show women are experiencing more physical and sexual violence from sex buyers and women who have exited prostitution are finding their stability and security in jeopardy.
Debra Boyer, PhD, who resides in Seattle, has over 35 years experience as the Principal Investigator of studies on runaway and homeless youth, and commercially sexually exploited youth and adults.
For information on efforts in King County to stop the commercial exploitation of women and children, see the CESC Task Force website.
OTHER UPDATES
Construction underway on Ship Canal Water Quality Project
Seattle Public Utilities and King County Wastewater Treatment Division are building an underground storage tunnel to significantly reduce the amount of polluted stormwater (from rain) and sewage that flows into the Lake Washington Ship Canal, Salmon Bay, and Lake Union from our sewer system. Construction is underway at many sites throughout District 4 - - in Ballard, East Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne and Wallingford. For more information on this project, visit the project website here.
King County Elections certifies Primary election results, prepares for November General Election
 On Tuesday, August 18, King County Elections (KCE) certified the final results for the 2020 Primary election and is already hard at work planning for high voter turnout in the November General. Turnout in King County surpassed projections and surged on Election Day, reaching 56%.
While turnout appeared to be slow for much of the voting period, voters made a last-minute surge with more than 240,000 ballots collected from drop boxes on Election Day alone. Over half of voters deposited their ballots in one of King County’s 69 – soon to be 70 – secure ballot drop boxes located across the county and KCE expects to see even more utilize this return option in the General. Turnout for the 2020 Primary ended up at 56%. In 2016, turnout in the Primary election was 37%.
With clear results in all but one race – a Precinct Committee Officer contest, which is headed for machine recount to be certified on Thursday, August 20 – King County Elections is working tirelessly to plan for what is sure to be a busy and bustling election season leading up to the November 3 General Election. More information on the Primary election is available here.
For information on registering to vote, updating your registration, returning your ballot and other voting questions, visit the King County Elections website.
Former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton has died
I was saddened to learn today that Slade Gorton has died. I worked with him on several occasions, mainly on keeping professional sports in Seattle. Although we disagreed on a number of issues, he was always courteous and embodied the characteristics of civil discourse. My condolences go out to his family. Read the story in today’s Seattle Times: Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, a towering figure in Washington state, dies at 92.
Now accepting applications: Best Starts for Kids (BSK) capacity building small grants; Webinar on August 25th
The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Best Starts for Kids is initiating a Request for Application (RFA) for a Capacity Building Small Grant opportunity for any current Best Starts for Kids provider organizations. Applications are due by 2 p.m. on September 4, 2020.
This small-grant opportunity is meant to support community-based organizations (CBO) that are current awardees of the Best Starts for Kids initiative. The funds will support the infrastructure needed to enhance the CBO’s capacity to provide services and programming. This includes the systems, resources, and processes that sustain the key functions of an organization.
Click here to view the RFA and apply on ZoomGrants. Create a log-in to view the RFP and apply. A webinar for this funding opportunity will be held from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25th via Zoom. All prospective applicants are encouraged to attend.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Smattering of COVID cases pop up on campuses as Washington colleges prepare for fall term – The Seattle Times
- Roche, Regeneron link up to develop COVID-19 antibody cocktail – Reuters
- Coronavirus positive-test rate dips in most of King County, spikes in parts of the Eastside – The Seattle Times
- Reopening primary schools during the pandemic – New England Journal of Medicine
- Tips for creating a good learning environment at home as another online school year looms – The Seattle Times
- American Indians, Alaska Natives hit harder by COVID-19, U.S. CDC says – Reuters
- Save the gaiters! Scientists say fear over their virus protection is unwarranted. – The Seattle Times
- Responding to the homeless community during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from King County, WA – Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
- Can dogs detect the novel coronavirus? The nose knows. - The Seattle Times
- Editorial: Mask up and stay distant to hasten the end of COVID-19 - The Seattle Times
- Residential segregation plays a role in coronavirus disparities, study finds - The Washington Post
- COVID-19 symptoms are most likely to appear in a specific order, research finds – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News
- Drug costs for COVID-19 patients plunge at U.S. hospitals, but may rise - Reuters
- Postal problems could continue despite suspension of policies blamed for mail delays – The Seattle Times
- Seattle City Council votes to require youths have legal advice before being questioned by police - The Seattle Times (The King County Council voted yesterday to approve similar legislation which I cosponsored.)
- King County committee votes to oust director of law enforcement oversight office – The Seattle Times
- Motel eviction exposes gaps in Seattle’s low-income housing options – Crosscut
- Cultural collections library launches new digital exhibit on protest history in Seattle - UW Libraries Blog
- Police killings in WA should require impartial coroners – Crosscut
- Reaping the benefits of volunteering – even virtually - The Whole U, UW News
- California fires: Bay Area hit by blazes forcing thousands to evacuate - BBC
Today’s moment of inspiration
Queen Anne teen sells jars of cheer, donates portion to anti-racism non-profit
Photo courtesy Ester Burkhart / Queen Anne & Magnolia News
The Queen Anne & Magnolia News reported on local teenager Emani Burkhart, who is selling jars with handmade origami stars she folds with colored and textured paper for $10. “While Burkhart wanted to make decorative jars that cheer people up, she didn’t want to be the only one who benefited from her venture. For every glass jar sold, Burkhart is donating 25 percent to Conscious Kids, an organization dedicated to educating people about race and racism by bringing books about those subjects into children’s classrooms,” according to the article.
“Burkhart . . . said she has been learning about racism and Black Lives Matter by following the news and wanted part of her proceeds to help in the fight against racism,” the article continues.
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.
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