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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I have been sending this e-newsletter out since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic and would appreciate receiving your feedback on it. We’ve changed it over this time period, especially in increasing its content and length. We’ve put together a very brief survey, the results of which will help us determine whether we should make any changes in the e-newsletter’s format, content, and frequency. I’d appreciate your taking just a couple of minutes to respond to a few short questions.
Click here to take the survey. I value your input and will publish the survey results in an upcoming newsletter. Thank you!
The rest of this e-newsletter includes updates on the COVID-19 crisis and other issues.
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 105 new positive cases of COVID-19 (18,418 total) and 5 new COVID-19-related deaths (708 total) as of this afternoon. The number of new hospitalizations is 15 (2,147 to date). Of the 13,580 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 5,287 of those are white and 8,293 are Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
Yesterday, Public Health reported 183 new positive cases of COVID-19 (18,313 total) and 6 new COVID-19-related deaths (703 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 2 (2,132 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of Wednesday, August 19th, the total number of positive cases was 69,389. Total number of deaths statewide was 1,837, and total hospitalizations were 6,400.
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
   
COVID UPDATES
Gov. Inslee issues guidance for museums, bowling and agritourism, and updated guidance for outdoor recreation
Museums: These guidelines would allow museums in Phase 2 counties to operate as long as they meet certain requirements. Museums in Phase 3 counties would be required to lower occupancy.
Bowling: These guidelines would allow for bowling league play in Phases 2 and 3, as long as facilities meet certain requirements.
Agritourism: This guidance would allow for agritourism such as U-pick farms and tree farms to operate in Phase 2 counties.
Outdoor Recreation: Updates to the outdoor recreation guidance clarify restrictions to non-spectator motor-sports in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan.
Find a full list of current reopening guidances here.
Children may play a larger role in transmission of coronavirus than previously known
 According to this article in The Washington Post, a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics reports that “…some children have high levels of virus in their airways during the first three days of infection despite having mild symptoms or none at all — suggesting their role in community spread may be larger than previously believed.” You can read the full study here.
According to The Washington Post article, this latest study, although small, comes on the heels of two other recent studies with somewhat similar findings. One study reported in JAMA Pediatrics found that “… children younger than 5 with mild or moderate illness have much higher levels of virus in the nose, compared with older children and adults.”
Resources for coping with COVID-19
 Washington’s 211 COVID-19 call center is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.
Washington Listens helps people manage stress and anxiety they may be experiencing because of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or other preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org.
Expanded EBT benefits available for families to feed children who are learning from home: Deadline is September 11th
 In order to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our community, many school districts have opted for remote learning, meaning many students will be learning from home this year rather than at their school. While this important decision reduces the risk of families contracting or spreading COVID-19, it also introduces increased financial burden to families that relied on free or reduced-price meals at school and now must adjust their finances to feed their children at home.
To lessen this burden, Washington state, in partnership with the federal government, has introduced the temporary Pandemic EBT (Emergency School Meals Program), or P-EBT, program to increase the amount of food funding available to families with K-12 children who qualify for free- or reduced-price school meals.
Families with children who are eligible and approved by their school district for free or reduced-price meals and who do not currently get SNAP/Basic Food benefits, can apply for P-EBT before 5 p.m. Friday, September 11th. Families can apply online at https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/or by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Events TOMORROW in south King County: COVID testing and census countdown event
King County in partnership with the Iraqi/Arab Health Board offers COVID-19 Testing in Kent
The Afghan Health Initiative will be hosting a FREE community COVID-19 testing event at the Islamic Center of Kent, 20857 108th Avenue S.E. in Kent. The testing event is being held in collaboration with HealthPoint Community Clinics, UW Harborview Medical Center, the Iraqi/Arab Health Board, and Public Health – Seattle & King County tomorrow, August 22nd, from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Translators will be available for Pashto, Dari, and Arabic. To register and for questions: contact info@afghanhealth.org or 253-397-9932.
Renton Census Countdown Event: Census information and free ice cream treats
Tomorrow, the City of Renton and a number of community partners will host Renton Census Countdown Day, three simultaneous events in communities where census responses are needed. The events are from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Benson Hill Fred Meyer (17801 108th Ave. S.E.), the 200 Mill Building (200 Mill Ave. S.) in downtown Renton and in the Highlands across from Fire Station 12 (Harrington Place S.E. & N.E. 12th Street).
JUSTICE UPDATES: RACIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, CRIMINAL
King County will be dedicating an additional $41 million to COVID-19-related rental assistance and eviction prevention:
Public comment period on the program open until August 25th
County seeking community-based non-profits interested in providing services
Individuals and families throughout King County economically impacted by COVID-19 due to illness, lost wages and unemployment will soon be able to apply for assistance through the King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program. The new program will dedicate $41.4 million for emergency housing aid and is expected to assist 7,700 to 10,000 households across the region. As the need is expected to be far greater than the funds available, eligible applicants will be entered in a lottery from which the final recipients of the aid will be selected. Eligible applicants will be able to receive assistance in completion of the application and lottery process by a community-based non-profit (see below).
Funding will be prioritized for the highest-need areas and individuals in King County. To be eligible for assistance, tenants must have an income that is at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income over the past 60 days, and must be partially or fully behind at least one month of rent since March 1, 2020. Tenants will also need to meet one of several secondary criteria, such as having a high rent burden, a history of homelessness or eviction, or a disability.
Public comment period on the program open through August 25th
The region faces a looming eviction crisis of unprecedented scale and, for that reason, the County is seeking feedback to ensure a program that is as effective, equitable, and efficient as possible. King County is seeking comments about the program until 5 p.m. on August 25th, 2020 at KingCounty.gov/COVID/rent. The comment form itself is here.
All comments and feedback will be reviewed and a summary and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document will be provided by email to all individuals participating in public comment.
Non-profits interested in providing community outreach and application assistance
The County is looking for community-based organizations interested in engaging with their communities and guiding potentially eligible residents to the interest forms to enter the rental assistance lottery process. Agencies will also assist households to complete their application once selected through the lottery process.
The County is prioritizing community-based organizations that have a strong connection to groups that have historically had inequitable access to rent assistance and those who have disproportionately been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak: Latinx or Hispanic, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Community-based non-profits interested in assisting in this effort can find more information on this page.
OTHER UPDATES
CHOMP!, King County’s local food celebration, goes virtual August 24th – 28th
 Since 2015, CHOMP! has celebrated local farmers, chefs and restaurants using locally-sourced food, and local organizations specializing in healthy food, sustainability, and social justice. This year, CHOMP! will be a virtual educational event titled CHOMP! Summer Camp.
King County’s CHOMP! Summer Camp is a FREE virtual five-day event running August 24th – 28th right here on chomplocal.org. Each day CHOMP! will premiere video content for viewers to watch and participate in from home, including a look at a few of King County’s farmers, cooking demos, educational activities, performances, and much more. CHOMP!’s webpage will also feature a Resource Library including information on local farms and farmers markets, activities going on in King County, and resources available to King County residents and anyone else who wants to join in.
The fun begins August 24, right here!
See this page for more information on the County’s Local Food Initiative. To find fresh local food near you, see the County’s Local Food Finder app here.
Correction: Incorrectly listed venue in last e-newsletter
We apologize for an error in the last e-newsletter. In the item on grants awarded to arts, culture and science organizations and live music venues, we incorrectly listed The Showbox. As they did not meet the eligibility requirements, The Showbox did not apply for or receive any of those grant funds.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Column: I had COVID-19, and these are the things nobody tells you – The LA Times
- Countries led by women had nearly half the COVID-19 deaths of men-led ones, study says – The Miami Herald
- Daycare, grandparent, pod or nanny? How to manage the risks of pandemic child care - NPR
- Is a 20 second handwash enough to kill Covid-19? – BBC (Yes! If done correctly.)
- Puget Sound senior centers need volunteers to help with high demand for meal, grocery deliveries – KING 5
- WHO chief hopes coronavirus pandemic will last less than two years – Reuters
- Report: Science on school reopenings limited, but trends exist to curb COVID-19 spread in schools - UW School of Public Health News
- What would make it safe to reopen Washington’s schools with COVID-19 still a threat? In short: It’s up to everybody. - The Seattle Times
- Can you believe it? Here are 8 coronavirus myths people still think are true - The Seattle Times
- King County facing budget uncertainty - Queen Anne & Magnolia News
- Ending police violence requires public health-based approach – Public Health Newswire
- As wildfires burn across Washington state, Inslee declares an emergency – The Seattle Times
- Thirty-five music venues receive King County coronavirus relief grants - The Seattle Times
- Working from home raises questions about U.S. inequality: Fed panel – Reuters
- How do you fix healthcare's medical waste problem? - BBC
Today’s moment of inspiration
Elephant baby boom in Kenya
 A mother elephant and her calf at Kenya's Amboseli National Park on August 12. Photo by Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images/NPR.
NPR reports that Kenya’s Amboseli National Park has seen an unusually high number – 170 – of elephant calves born so far this year, including a set of twins (very unusual). There has been higher than normal amounts of rain, which for elephants means more vegetation for grazing and eventually leads to more babies. Anti-poaching efforts also are contributing to the boom, conservationists tell NPR.
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. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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