COVID-19 UPDATES
The R0 or “R naught” number, also known as the “reproductive number,” is updated every Wednesday on this page. This number indicates how many new people each COVID-19 patient likely will infect. The goal is to get and keep the number well below 1.0, an indication that case numbers are trending downward.
As of today, Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting that the “R-Naught” number for King County is 0.6, which is great news!
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 145 new positive cases of COVID-19 (21,158 total)
- 1 new COVID-19-related death (748 total)
- New hospitalizations is 8 (2,317 to date)
Of the 15,628 cases in which race and ethnicity information is available, 5,979 of those are white and 9,649 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, Tuesday, September 15th, Public Health reported 82 new positive cases of COVID-19 (21,013 total) and 4 new COVID-19-related deaths (747 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 4 (2,309 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of this afternoon, the total number of positive cases was 80,812. Total number of deaths statewide was 2,026, and total hospitalizations were 7,162.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Some good news on the pandemic in our state!
There is evidence showing that COVID-19 activity is declining in Washington state thanks to the use of face coverings and physical distancing. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recently released the latest statewide situation report,which reflects an overall decline in COVID-19 activity as of late August.
The report points to encouraging signs that keeping our distance, limiting gathering size, and wearing face coverings are working to slow the spread of the disease. The reproductive number R0 or “R naught” under one in western Washington and above one in eastern Washington as of August 28th. Again, the goal is a number well below one, which would mean transmission of the virus is declining. In King County, the latest estimate is that the R0 number is at 0.6, which is great news!
New DOH data on contact tracing results
 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) today published new data related to COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing efforts in Washington state. These data will now be available for the public to view via PDF and will be updated weekly.
The most recent week available from August 30-September 5, 2020 shows that DOH was able to reach and speak with:
- 49% of patients within 1 day of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result and
- 70% of a patient’s contacts within 2 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result
Statewide, the shared goal is to reach 90% of cases and 80% of contacts, within 1 and 2 days respectively, of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. DOH expects to see improvement over time as they refine processes for use in successfully contacting people.
Tomorrow: County Board of Health meeting at 1 p.m.
The King County Board of Health will hold a virtual meeting tomorrow, September 17th at 1 p.m. and the public is welcome. Topics on the agenda include briefings on COVID-19 impacts on mental health, suicide, domestic violence and community wellbeing, as well as updates on influenza and the coronavirus. For instructions on joining the meeting by phone or online, and to view the full agenda, click here. I am pleased to serve as a member of the Board of Health.
Wildfire smoke resources, and keeping your pets safe from the smoke
 We’ve been including links to wildfire updates and resources in our last few e-newsletters, and have some more to share with you today.
First, a couple of important articles with information about keeping your pets safe during this time. Bottom line: Keep them inside as much as possible except for brief bathroom breaks (see information below about keeping indoor air clean) and do not allow any intense physical activity outdoors. See the articles below for more information on symptoms to watch for as well as information on vulnerabilities of different animals.
- Wildfire smoke and animals – American Veterinary Medical Association
- Animal owners should be aware of wildfire smoke hazards – WSU Insider (from 2017)
More resources on coping with wildfire smoke:
- Public Health’s wildfire smoke webpage
- How to keep indoor air clean on smoky days - Public Health Insider Blog
- Washington Smoke Blog
- What Are the Best Face Masks for Smoke? – New York Magazine
- How to make a mask that is as good as a surgical mask or an N-95 mask – Consumer Lab
- How to stay safe in a smoky pandemic: Your questions answered, and science explained – Oregon Public Broadcasting
- Video: How to make your own home air purifier - UW News
Smoke relief shelter will remain open through Saturday, September 19th at 2 p.m.
 Due to ongoing smoky conditions in our region, King County and the City of Seattle are extending the operation of the temporary wildfire smoke shelter in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood for persons experiencing homelessness through 2 p.m. this Saturday.
The smoke shelter was established by the County and the City of Seattle to offer a safe, clean place for people experiencing homelessness to stay inside and breathe clean air.
Public Health – Seattle & King County has advised that agencies should open facilities only if they possess high-quality air filtration systems and can comply with public health guidance for face coverings, social distancing and capacity restrictions to address the continuing risk of COVID infection. The SoDo site is very large, with space to ensure social distancing. Because it was created to serve as a COVID isolation and recovery center, the Sodo site has an excellent air filtration system, special germ resistant surfaces, and no-touch hand washing stations throughout the building.
Opening date of Elliott Modular Shelter moved up due to smoke; Move-in to start tomorrow
 At the shelter in May, with Flo and Dan from Catholic Community Services
The Seattle Fire Marshal has cleared the County to start moving occupants into the Elliott modular site as early as tomorrow due to poor air quality. Neighbors may observe occupants moving onto the site this week in an effort to get people inside and safe. As a reminder, the occupants are coming from the preexisting Catholic Community Services St. Martin’s shelter and the modular site will be operated by Catholic Community Services staff. In total, the site will serve up to 45 individuals.
County Executive Constantine announces anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming budget
 County Executive Dow Constantine today announced key investments and reinventions in the criminal legal system, as well as funding priorities for anti-racism, pro-equity work. The highlights will be included in the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget that Executive Constantine will transmit to the County Council on September 22nd.
The Executive’s proposed changes and investments include:
- Shifting $4.6 million of marijuana excise tax revenue from law enforcement to community-based programs;
- Investing $6.2 million in “Restorative Community Pathways.” (Rather than filing charges, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will refer up to 800 young people and 1,000 adults by 2022-2023 for community-based services.);
- Investing $750,000 to co-create and implement alternative to policing in urban unincorporated King County;
- Divesting $1.9 million in detention by continuing limits on jail population;
- Investing $600,000 to reduce gun violence;
- Investing $2.7 million in a community justice model to divert eligible first-time offenders in lowest level cases from the judicial system, offering services to break the cycle of chronic offenses;
- And more. For details, read the full announcement here.
Tomorrow: Eviction Protection and Rental Assistance Webinar at 6 p.m.
The County Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program will be hosting a webinar tomorrow, Thursday, September 17th for King County tenants in need of rental assistance. This webinar will provide a program overview of the program and review the expected process for tenants. During the webinar, participants will be able to ask questions of King County staff managing the program. The County is scheduling Spanish and Somali interpreters for this webinar.
Please register in advance here.
County Assessor: Taxpayers should apply for tax relief if property is damaged or destroyed
Due to the wildfires and windstorms, certain King County property owners may be eligible for a reduced property assessment. County Assessor John Wilson reminds residents that properties damaged or destroyed by something beyond the property owner’s control are eligible for a reduction of assessed value, and may result in lower property taxes. Information on filing a claim can be found here or you can download a King County Destroyed Property Form.
Two new ballot drop boxes for November election
King County Elections and King County Library System yesterday announced placement of new drop boxes ahead of November general election
On Monday, September 14, King County Elections installed two new ballot drop boxes at the King County Library System’s (KCLS) Carnation and Black Diamond libraries. These additions bring King County’s ballot drop box total to 72, serving nearly 1.4 million registered voters. These placements are intended to provide additional ballot return options to voters in both areas. Both boxes will officially open on October 15, when King County Elections opens all drop boxes throughout the county. (Will the one in front of the Ballard Library once again have the most ballots dropped off?)
Our region loses a great civic leader
Bill Gates Sr. has died, a loss to Seattle and the region. Many of us have worked with him over the years, on issues ranging from higher education to the arts to tax equity. He was a brilliant and kind man and I personally will miss him. See these two articles for more information:
- Remembering my father – GatesNotes, Bill Gates’ blog
- Bill Gates Sr., civic leader and father of Microsoft co-founder, dies at 94 – The Seattle Times
DID YOU KNOW?
Adding compost helps the soil retain more water!
In the northwest we have the problem of too much water or not enough depending on the time of year. Prevent the need to water more by choosing natural yard care products and compost with lots of organic material that helps the soil absorb and hold water.
It's best to pick a compost that comes from a recycled waste stream, such as composted yard waste or GroCo biosolids. Using these products keeps them from going to a landfill. For more information and helpful hints on saving water, see this County webpage.
Additional helpful and informative links
- HHS testing czar warns COVID-19 progress ‘could be fleeting, or even reversed’ - Politico
- The majority of children who die from COVID-19 are children of color - NPR
- CDC study: COVID-19 complications killed 121 Americans under age 21 through July – Stat News
- Pandemic shows telemedicine can work for patients and doctors – The Seattle Times
- A COVID test that really stinks – Politico
- Opinion: COVID-19 and the California fires have a connection. Here's how to fight both. – NBC
- How social-distancing symbols are changing our cities – BBC
- Dramatic video shows massive chunk of Seattle's Pier 58 collapsing into Elliott Bay – The Seattle Times
- World isn't meeting biodiversity goals, UN report finds – AP News
- AUDIO: The risk of gender-based violence grows after weather disasters – Yale Climate Connections
- Plug-in hybrids are a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' - BBC
- More green deals, more global warming - Politico
Today’s moment of WEIRDNESS
 If we needed more proof that we are living in strange times, the BBC reported on a man who boarded a bus wearing a live snake as a face mask. Apparently the passenger was allowed to board and ride the bus, despite the fact that “Transport bosses in Greater Manchester confirmed a snake was not a valid face covering.”
According to the BBC story, the snake was wrapped around the man’s mouth and neck, and “One passenger said she thought the passenger was wearing a “funky mask” until she spotted it slithering over hand rails. The eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous, said she found the incident "really funny,” adding the animal did not seem to be bothering any of her fellow passengers.
She said: "No-one batted an eyelid."
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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