Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Since the beginning of this pandemic, we’ve all had previously unimaginable discussions with friends and family. The acts of merely stopping by a friend’s house or meeting for dinner have become logistical exercises. We’re getting used to “having the talk” ahead of time to agree on how we’ll be safe during the visit. The state Department of Health (DOH) has some good advice on how best to have these conversations.
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 172 new positive cases of COVID-19 (19,049 total) and 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (715 total) as of this afternoon. Disappointing numbers as yesterday’s were lower (see below). The number of new hospitalizations is 6 (2,204 to date). Of the 14,074 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 5,420 of those are white and 8,654 are Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
Yesterday, Public Health reported 53 new positive cases of COVID-19 (18,877 total) and 1 new COVID-19-related death (712 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 16 (2,198 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of Monday, August 24th, the total number of positive cases was 71,705. Total number of deaths statewide was 1,876, and total hospitalizations were 6,595.
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
VIDEO: Dr. Jeff Duchin updates media on COVID-19 spread in King County
 Watch the recording of the August 21, 2020 media briefing with Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health. Dr. Duchin spoke with reporters and answered questions about the latest status of COVID-19 spread in King County. The briefing addressed the latest trends in cases, the role social gatherings are having locally, and what we can all do now to reduce transmission during the sweet-spot before our weather turns colder.
King County COVID-19 seroprevalence study:
- Volunteers needed, especially Black and Latinx county residents
- Blood drawing this Saturday, August 29th in SeaTac
 Public Health has launched a countywide study, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to determine the number of King County residents with COVID-19 antibodies in their blood. Antibodies show if you've had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. This study will also help public health officials understand other important information about the spread of the virus.
The study is open to all residents, but the organizers are particularly looking for people who are Black or Latinx to participate because these communities are often underrepresented in scientific studies. Public Health is urging potential volunteers to act quickly.
Participants must first complete a survey, either online or by phone. Then, this Saturday, August 29th, stop by Tyee High School in SeaTac (4424 S. 188th St.) any time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to give a quick blood sample. It's just a tiny finger prick, and you can stay in your car. Households will receive a $20 grocery gift card and participants will receive the results of their tests in 2-3 weeks. You can learn more about the seroprevalence study and download flyers about the study in multiple languages from this site.
“Back to learning”
 Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash
An ad popped up on my screen the other day, advertising what would usually be called a “Back to School” sale, now called a “Back to Learning” sale. Teachers, administrators, students, parents and public health officials are all working to figure out how best to teach and support children under these new circumstances. As a former public school teacher myself, I understand the complexity of the challenges facing our schools and communities at this time.
The pandemic will most likely have long-term impacts on our children and our school systems. As we face the new “Back to Learning” season, several recent articles have looked at the challenges of teaching and learning in our current reality. Of course, our colleges and universities are also wrestling with what to do. See below for a sampling:
- When school buildings reopen, start with elementaries, Bellevue-based institute says – The Seattle Times
- Seattle Schools and its teachers union still negotiating how to restart school next week - KUOW
- Seattle Public Schools superintendent pledges improved remote learning for students – KOMO News
- For families across Washington, school online means tough choices in the coronavirus-battered economy - The Seattle Times
- Colleges weigh transparency versus privacy when it comes to COVID-19 data – The Wall Street Journal
Virtual event TOMORROW: Thursday, August 27th: Are we going to be OK?: School Edition
 Join KUOW’s Jeannie Yandel and Zaki Hamid and their guests tomorrow from 2 – 3 p.m. for a virtual event live on Facebook and on KUOW’s Youtube channel.
As the school year heads back in session, various school districts have decided they will not reopen in-person classes this fall, and have opted for a full remote learning model. How are students and teachers coping and adapting to different learning and teaching methods? How will school districts prioritize the safety of students in online classrooms? What does equitable learning look like in this model?
The discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities of virtual learning and how students, educators, and families are working together during this difficult time.
To join, tune into the conversation live on KUOW's YouTube channel or on Facebook TOMORROW at 2 p.m. Register here. Once you register, KUOW will email you before the event starts with links to the stream. Click here for more information on the event.
JUSTICE UPDATES: RACIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, CRIMINAL
Food insecurity in King County
While closing schools and businesses this past spring helped slow the spread of COVID-19, these strategies appear to have also negatively impacted people’s abilities to provide food for themselves and their families.
A new Public Health report shows a spike that started this spring in King County households’ not having enough food to eat. While the situation does not appear to be improving yet, there are new policies and initiatives being established that focus on increasing access to food. For more information and updated data on the economic, social and overall health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in King County, view this data dashboard. You can find a map of free food resources in King County here.
Second annual northend LGBTQ+ housing fair: On zoom, August 29th 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
 LGBTQ Allyship is hosting a virtual housing fair this Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The goals are to increase access to LGBTQ+ friendly housing in the northend; advocate for LGBTQ+ impactful housing policies and increase knowledge of renters’ rights in the LGBTQ+ community. Representatives of several northend non-profits will be available to those who register in advance to answer questions.
I will be on a panel to discuss housing in King County beginning at 1 p.m., along with my colleague Councilmember Dembowski and Shoreline City Councilmember Chris Roberts.
Register here. The discussion will also stream live on LGBTQ Allyship’s Facebook page.
OTHER UPDATES
Museums start to reopen across the state, including in Seattle
The arts and culture sector in our state is a crucial economic engine. Washington has 17,642 arts and culture-related businesses, accounting for 167,004 jobs and adding $44.3 billion to Washington state’s economy. The museum sector alone comprises more than 500 institutions, large and small, in every corner of the state. And museums are more important than ever during this time of at-home and on-line learning. In addition to providing valuable in-person learning, many museums work to provide curriculum-compatible online resources for teachers and parents.
Museums are beginning to reopen, per the latest guidance from Gov. Inslee. See the articles below.
- Seattle Art Museum, National Nordic Museum prepare for September reopening; Frye Art Museum aims for October – The Seattle Times
- Seattle’s MoPOP lays off 32 part-time workers as museums prepare to reopen with limited capacity - The Seattle Times
- How to visit a museum during a pandemic – The Stranger
County Executive’s fourth COVID emergency omnibus budget heads to Council next week
Executive Constantine recently transmitted his fourth COVID emergency omnibus budget which was taken up by the Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) yesterday. Councilmembers were briefed and public comment was provided. The committee voted 9-0 to move the legislation out of COW with a “DO PASS” recommendation. To view the materials from yesterday’s meeting, click here.
A striking amendment is being worked on now which I will propose to the full Council at our meeting next Tuesday, September 1st. Additional line amendments will likely be offered as well. There will be public comment. It’s very challenging to work up a budget in such a short period of time but we’re working very hard to get the funds out to those in need as soon as we can. Another reason why many of us are awake a lot at night.
A message to subscribers: Provide input on this e-newsletter
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, but also in reducing its publication to three times a week, down from daily for most of the time since the beginning of March. 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. And I appreciate those of you who have already responded!
Click here to fill out the survey. I value your input and will publish the survey results in an upcoming newsletter. Thank you!
Additional helpful and informative links
- With flu season poised to collide with coronavirus, health officials in Washington say vaccination is more important than ever – The Seattle Times
- Four scenarios on how we might develop immunity to COVID-19 – Stat News
- CDC was pressured 'from the top down' to change coronavirus testing guidance, official says - CNN
- I Had COVID-19 But Tested Negative 5 Times. Here's What You Should Know About Testing. - Huff Post
- UW Medicine recommends extra precautions for anyone playing sports – Q13
- Moderna reports its COVID-19 vaccine shows similar immune response in old and young – Reuters
- Recent protests revive push for WA to speed up police reform - Crosscut
- Jacob Blake: Two shot dead in third night of Wisconsin unrest – BBC
- Young man of 17 arrested after 2 killed during unrest in Kenosha (apparently not one of the protesters) – The Seattle Times
- Despite concern from local politicians, King County elections is confident ballots will be counted – South Seattle Emerald
- Terms in Seattle-area rental ads reinforce neighborhood segregation, study says – UW News
- Yes, women could vote after the 19th amendment — but not all women. Or men. - NPR
- Black, very black, and also very beautiful – The Stranger
- Antarctica ice shelves vulnerable to meltwater that could cut ice 'like a knife,' study finds – Reuters
- Erin Brockovich says 'Superman's not coming' to save our water supply - NPR
Today’s moment of inspiration
Wolverines return to Mount Rainier National Park after 100 years
 Photo by Mount Rainier National Park, from The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times reports that 100 years after the last sighting, a female wolverine and her two babies have been spotted in Mt. Rainier National Park. According to the article, only about 300 to 1,000 wolverines remain in the lower 48 states of the U.S.
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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