COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon, unfortunately a substantial increase in new cases:
- 259 new positive cases of COVID-19 (20,699 total)
- 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (743 total)
- New hospitalizations is 11 (2,294 to date)
Of the 15,257 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 5,817 of those are white and 9,440 are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Full information with detailed demographics of those diagnosed with COVID-19, including by age and gender, as well as on rates of hospitalization, is available on Public Health’s data dashboard.
Yesterday, September 10th, Public Health reported 126 new positive cases of COVID-19 (20,566 total) and 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (743 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 5 (2,288 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of yesterday, September 10th, the total number of positive cases was 79,011. Total number of deaths statewide was 1,991, and total hospitalizations were 7,018.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Staying healthy in the midst of wildfire smoke and a pandemic
 It almost looked possible that we might get through this summer without the wildfire smoke that’s become common in the last few years, thanks largely to climate change. However, as of today, and likely into next week, we are living in a smoke-filled city, region, and state. The small particles and toxins in wildfire smoke can have severe health impacts, even in people who are otherwise healthy. Wildfire smoke is especially dangerous for older people, those with asthma and other medical conditions, children and pregnant women.
Dealing with this added hazard at the same time we’re trying to avoid getting infected by the coronavirus is difficult and can be very much anxiety-producing! Public Health has produced a very informative article on keeping indoor air clean during smoky days. Here are a few highlights – see the article for full details. And best to keep your pets inside, too. Our cat “Precious” is not happy about it, but he’s not as upset as I would have thought. Perhaps he senses it’s not good to be outside, and that we want to keep him safe.
- Tiny particles are the problem
- Make your house ‘tight’
- If you don’t have air conditioning, create a ‘clean room’
- Avoid other sources of air pollution
- Clean the air
- Clean out the room if air quality improves
More information on cleaning indoor air:
- Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s DIY air filter: https://pscleanair.gov/525/DIY-Air-Filter
- The EPA has detailed instructions about making a clean room.
Here are some additional helpful resources:
- Public Health’s Wildfire Smoke and Health page for more information and tips in multiple languages.
- Check Puget Sound Clean Air Agency frequently for the latest air quality reports.
- The Washington Smoke blog, a partnership between state, county, and federal agencies, and Indian Tribes.
- AirNow, a real-time air quality meter by zip code. AirNow is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies. I find this one particularly helpful.
And some additional articles:
- Expert FAQ: Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest during the COVID-19 pandemic (from July 29, 2020, scroll down for a helpful Q&A section and resources) – UW News
- Wildfire smoke & COVID-19 are a bad mix – State Department of Health blog
- How climate change is fueling hurricanes and wildfires – NPR
- Coping with western wildfires: 5 essential reads – The Conversation
During dual crises of COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, city and county partner to open new healthy air center in SoDo for people experiencing homelessness
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and County Executive Dow Constantine announced the opening of a new healthy air center in SoDo for people experiencing homelessness during the wildfire smoke this weekend. The SoDo site opened this afternoon and will remain open until Monday morning. It will provide approximately 80 people with healthy air and shelter. Over the last day, new forecasts show shifting wind patterns that are causing some of the dense smoke produced by the wildfires in Oregon and California to move into Western Washington, creating unhealthy to very unhealthy - or even hazardous - air quality in the Puget Sound Region that is expected to last for the next several days.
Traditionally, the region’s smoke and unhealthy air quality response has relied on people minimizing time outdoors and informing people of available facilities that have air filtration. Public Health – Seattle & King County advises that facilities should meet air filtration guidance and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission including social distancing and other health and hygiene measures.
Deadline extension for those seeking 2020 health coverage ends September 30
As summer comes to a close, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is reminding individuals who lost their health coverage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and were given more time to enroll that they have until September 30, 2020 to contact Washington Healthplanfinder’s Customer Support Center or an Exchange-certified Navigator, Broker, or Enrollment center to secure coverage.
The typical 60-day sign up window for individuals losing coverage was extended earlier this year as part of the Exchange’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts.
Anyone requiring help signing up for coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder may contact the Customer Support Center between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 855-627-9604. They may also contact an Exchange-certified Navigator, Broker, or Enrollment center who can answer insurance questions and help with enrollment. Free help from local experts is accessible via the WAPlanfinder Mobile App or by visiting: https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/_content/find-expert-advice.html An FAQ on eligibility is available here.
New background document and FAQ about the Economic, Social, and Overall Health Impacts of COVID-19 data dashboard
Public Health is monitoring changes in key economic, social, and other health indicators resulting from strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19. Past epidemics illustrate that strategies to slow the spread of disease, including social distancing and business and school closures, while successful at limiting the spread of disease, can also have additional effects on individuals and communities.
Read the newly issued background document on these data here, or view the Economic, Social, and Overall Health Impacts of COVID-19 data dashboard here.
Funding Opportunity: Digital equity for adults with barriers to access and services - deadline is September 22nd
The County is seeking applications from organizations that provide digital access, internet connectivity, and/or digital literacy support to adults who are seniors, limited-English speaking, unemployed, or experiencing homelessness, and who face barriers to accessing digital services. The County Council has allocated a total of $695,000 for this program, which aims to ensure equitable digital access for all residents, regardless of age, income, or ability.
Applicants may request awards between $25,000 and $500,000, and awards will be determined based on the criteria defined in the full Request for Applications. Applications must be received by 5 p.m., September 22, 2020. For links to all application materials, please visit the Equity and Social Justice website. All applications and inquiries must be sent directly to: digital.equity.grants@kingcounty.gov.
Tomorrow: Join Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman and King County Elections Director Julie Wise
 Join MOHAI tomorrow evening for Democracy Dialogues: Vote By Mail this Saturday, September 12 from 7–8 p.m. Hear from Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman and King County Elections Director Julie Wise in a timely discussion about the myths, challenges, and successes of voting by mail.
This program is offered free, although there is an optional $10 donation. Real-time, automated captioning provided. Participation is open to the first 500 registrants. Click this link to register and provide your name, email address, and zip code. Detailed information on how to participate will be provided via email following your registration. For additional support, contact programs@mohai.org.
Link Connections: Metro seeks feedback on future bus and Link light rail integration in north King County
 King County Metro today launched a survey and community engagement effort seeking public feedback on proposed changes to Metro services in Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, North Seattle, Shoreline, and the University District. This project is in coordination with Sound Transit, the Seattle Department of Transportation, Community Transit, and many other partners.
Customers who want to review and give feedback on the service concepts can visit Metro’s online survey and share feedback in English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. For more information click here or see this blog post from Metro. The survey will be open through Nov. 1, 2020. To go directly to the survey click here.
Research project on COVID impacts on Queer and Trans Black people, Indigenous people and People of Color in King County
Surge Reproductive Justice is undertaking a research project to ascertain the impacts on (QT)BIPOC health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzed through a reproductive justice lens. The project will focus specifically on documenting that community’s narratives of resistance and resilience in order to inform advocacy and community organizing campaigns.
Every participant in this project will be paid $300 for sharing their story. To participate, sign up here. More information can be found on Facebook, Instagram or by contacting Jackie@surgenw.org.
Status of Elliot Avenue / Interbay modular shelter
Residents are expected to move in to the new modular site at Elliot Avenue in the next couple of weeks. Neighboring residents may see staff on site preparing for the move.
The Elliott shelter was planned as a pilot to test the use of movable modular buildings to create housing and shelter. The campus includes housing, a combination meeting and dining room, and offices for case management consultation. The site plan includes spaces to rest or move around outdoors. Originally planned for 72 people, the need for social distancing during the COVID emergency has reduced the opening size to about 45 beds. Meals, counseling sessions, and other activities will be staggered to ensure safe distancing and disease prevention.
The location in Interbay is on King County land, owned by the County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks Wastewater Division. The land is available for about two years, and the movable buildings make it possible to relocate the entire project to another site at a later date. This is a temporary use for the property. The long-term use has not been determined. We’d anticipated the opening to have happened a couple of months ago but it has taken that time to get the final fire permit from the City of Seattle.
Reminder: Join me next week - District 4 Virtual Town Hall, September 17th from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
 I’ll be joined by the County’s Budget Director Dwight Dively, Community and Human Services Director Leo Flor and Public Health Director Patty Hayes. We’ll be discussing the County’s upcoming biennial budget process, the County’s COVID-19 response, social and racial justice and more. (County Executive Dow Constantine’s biennial budget proposal will be transmitted to the Council on September 22nd at which time we will begin the budget process, planning for a final Council vote on it on Nov. 17th.)
You’ll be able to watch the event live on my Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/CMKohlWelles. You can submit questions for my guests and me ahead of time by emailing my staff at clara.manahan@kingcounty.gov. Hope many of you can join us!
As if COVID and wildfires weren’t enough…
The state Department of Health (DOH) reports that the first two cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Washington this year have been reported by the Yakima County Health District and Benton-Franklin Health District. The Yakima County resident, a man in his 50’s, was hospitalized due to the infection. The Benton County resident, a man in his 60’s, was not hospitalized.
WNV can be a serious, even fatal, illness. It can affect people, horses, birds, and other animals. WNV is almost always spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on birds that carry the virus. There is no evidence that WNV spreads by direct contact with infected people or animals. The majority of people infected with WNV do not get sick. About one in five will develop a fever or other symptoms that go away without medical treatment. Even fewer, about one in 150 people infected, will have more severe symptoms. For more information, see the release from DOH. And, as my colleague Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer has remarked, “Watch out for the locusts!”
DID YOU KNOW?
King County Superior Court was featured in this article by U.S. News and World Report, which discusses how our courts are adapting their procedures in the age of coronavirus. The article discusses modifications that were made possible through federal CARES Act funding as approved by the County Council. It’s a noteworthy article on the innovation of our Courts in working to ensure access to justice.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Restaurant dining linked to COVID-19 risk in CDC study - CNN
- As COVID-19 vaccine trials move at warp speed, recruiting Black volunteers takes time - NPR
- Exclusive: U.S. hospitals turn down remdesivir supplies, limit use to sickest COVID-19 patients - Reuters
- Seeing the Doctor During COVID-19 - UW Medicine
- More groceries, less gas: The pandemic is shaking up the cost of living – NPR
- WA relying on hotels, state offices to house foster kids more than ever - Crosscut
- Our University’s commitment to anti-racism, by UW President Ana Mari Cauce – UW News
- At center of police defunding debate, King County Equity Now and Decriminalize Seattle reimagine public safety – The Seattle Times
- Opinion: I’ve never seen the American west in such deep distress – The New York Times
- Portland now has the worst air quality of major cities in the world, due to Oregon and Washington wildfires – The Oregonian
- Oregon wildfires: False Oregon fire rumors 'inundate' officers – BBC
- Photos: Massive plume of wildfire smoke arrives in Seattle area – KUOW
- Threat multiplier: How climate change, coronavirus and weather are scorching WA – Seattle Weekly
- Wildfires in the west – The New York Times
- Autumn could deliver the worst of California's 2020 fire season – Yale Climate Connections
- Ten percent of Oregon told to evacuate as U.S. west wildfires kill 24 – Reuters
- Why firefighting alone won't stop western mega-fires – NPR
- Wildfire emergency proclamation by Gov. Inslee
Today’s moment of levity
Remember this image? Back when COVID started, we joked about how this is how you should dress if you want to go out in public. Sadly, with all of the forest fires blanketing our region in smoke you may want to wear this now in order to breathe outside. This might make you chuckle. But, it’s more of a nervous chuckle isn’t it? It’s disturbing to see our world on fire. Be safe this weekend and try if you can to stay indoors. The smoke isn’t likely to begin clearing until next week.
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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