COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 149 new positive cases of COVID-19 (24,649 total)
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (782 total)
- 5 new hospitalizations (2,472 to date)
To view a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by race and ethnicity (updated on Mondays), click this link. Click here to view the “Key Indicators” data dashboard.
Yesterday, Wednesday, October 14th, Public Health reported 170 new positive cases of COVID-19 (24,500 total) and 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (782 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 9 (2,467 total). On Tuesday, October 13th, Public Health reported 125 new positive cases of COVID-19 (24,330 total) and 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (779 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 17 (2,458 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today, the total number of positive cases is 96,185. Total number of deaths statewide is 2,232, and total hospitalizations are 7,956.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
COVID cases rising in King County
Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise again in King County, after two months of decline. Public Health is urging all of us to renew our commitment to fight the spread of the virus in our community. It’s more important than ever to mask up, stay distant and limit your contacts with people outside your household. We’ve driven the case count down before, and we can do it again. See these articles for more information:
- ‘Concerning trend’ as Puget Sound counties see increasing COVID-19 infections – Q13
- King County coronavirus cases rising – Kiro7
- 'We may be in for a very dark time': Coronavirus transmission, cases increasing in King County – Seattle PI- COVID-19 cases are rising in king county – what does that mean for schools? – Public Health Insider Blog
- COVID-19 transmission increasing in western Washington, rates flat but higher in eastern Washington – DOH Press Release
Gov. Inslee launches state community recovery effort
On Tuesday Gov. Jay Inslee introduced a new state effort to help communities recover from the social and economic damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Washington Recovery Group will help state agencies coordinate with local governments, higher education and the private sector.
State agency experts will work with local stakeholders and tribal partners to implement recovery solutions and pathways. Areas of focus include social services, employment, education, child care, support for small businesses, health care, social justice, housing and infrastructure. Click here for more information.
Free flu and school vaccinations this Saturday in Kent and Seattle – and a pet care clinic in Seattle, as well
Kent event:
Public Health is hosting a free drive through vaccination clinic this Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the ShoWare Center in Kent (625 W James St, Kent) in collaboration with the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) and the Kent School District. Please remember to wear a mask. The clinic will provide back-to-school vaccines for school-aged children and flu vaccinations for everyone age 4 and older.
All vaccines required for K-12 school entry (Hep B, Varicella, Polio, MMR, Tdap, DTaP, plus flu vaccine to kids ages 4-18) will be provided at no cost and will be available to all kids regardless of insurance or immigration status. Open to all King County students, ages 4-18. Bring your child's vaccination records, if available.
SVNA will be providing adult flu vaccines (at no cost to uninsured and underinsured community members). Registration is required for adult flu vaccinations: schedule.seattlevna.com
Information about this and other immunization and vaccination opportunities is available here.
Seattle event - One Health clinic:
The One Health Clinic provides primary medical care for people who are low-income and/or experiencing homelessness and veterinary care for their pets/support animals. The One Health Clinic, in collaboration with UW's Doorway Project, will be in the University Heights Center parking lot (5031 University Way NE, Seattle) this Saturday, October 17th from 1 to 3 pm, and will be providing:
- Vet care (general health, vaccines, small care issues like dermal or ear infection, etc)
- Human flu/Hep A vaccines, and
- Animal supplies distribution (food, leash, halters)
The One Health Clinic serves patients and their animals twice a month. Click here for more information.
How to hunker down and still enjoy fall and winter
As mentioned above, positive COVID cases are rising in King County and the Puget Sound area. The following are a few tips and ideas for staying safe, social and active during the colder weather and upcoming holidays:
- Wear masks and increase indoor ventilation: According to Dr. Jeff Duchin, the King County Health Officer, “Closed windows and doors decrease fresh airflow which can increase risk, especially when you have more people inside. Dryer, less humid air from heating may also increase the risk.”
- Adjust your fall holiday celebrations this year: With proper planning and preparation, families and friends can enjoy holiday activities in some different ways. Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating may be difficult to do while keeping adequate social distance, but there are other safer options, discussed in this recent Public Health Insider post. The CDC has recommendations for Halloween along with guidance for safe activities during Día de los Muertos and Thanksgiving on their Holiday Celebrations web page.
- Try some new outdoor activities: To see what outdoor activities are currently allowed in King County parks, trails and other properties and facilities, see this page from the County Parks Department.
- Know your risks: See this interview with Dr. Stephen Hawes, epidemiologist at the UW’s School of Public Health, about common activities during the fall and winter and their general risk factor for COVID-19 transmission. These activities include everything from apple picking and restaurant dining to ice skating, holiday travel, and Thanksgiving with grandparents.
Election update
 King County’s ballot drop boxes opened today, and most voters will receive their ballots in the next couple of days. If you have not received your ballot by Monday, October 19, please call the County Elections staff at (206) 296-VOTE (8683) or visit the Elections webpage on how to get a replacement ballot.
You can also track your ballot here. Key upcoming dates:
- October 26th: Online and by mail registrations must be received.
- November 3: Election Day
Full information on registration, voting, returning your ballot and other election assistance is available at the King County Elections Department webpage, by email at elections@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-296-VOTE (8683).
Latinx Heritage Month
On Tuesday the Council declared September 15th – October 15th Latinx Heritage Month, in recognition of the role and contributions of the Latinx community to King County and our state. Read the full proclamation here.
Public Council meeting Zoom-bombed
You may not be aware of the fact that a public Council meeting was “Zoom-bombed” last week, and the racist, anti-Semitic and vulgar attacks were directed at the only Black member of the Council, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay. My Council colleagues and I released this statement.
Council passes unprecedented funding to create supportive housing
 On Tuesday the Council approved an unprecedented investment to help the people experiencing chronic homelessness who are the hardest to reach. We approved two ordinances, I cosponsored the one establishing the funding source – a one-tenth of a percent sales and use tax - and was the prime sponsor of the other, which established the Health Through Housing program. The legislation provides permanent, supportive housing for those deemed “chronically homeless” - - people who reside in a place not meant for human habitation for at least a year, and with serious physical or behavioral health issues. Supportive housing means residents have direct access to services on-site.
About 4,500 people are considered chronically homeless in King County, according to the Homeless Management Information Service. The legislation will create space for up to 2,000 individuals.
Adopting these measures is an important opportunity to help our most vulnerable neighbors experiencing chronic homelessness. We need a greater inventory of affordable housing that we can target for use by those in our community struggling the most to make ends meet – those with low to no income. This will make a big difference in helping with that task. You may be interested in these articles:
- King County Council approves funding for affordable housing – The Renton Reporter
- King County moves forward with sales tax, scaled-down plan for homeless housing after several cities balk – The Seattle Times
- UW researchers see ‘compelling’ results from bringing homeless into hotels - MyNorthwest
Statement on I-976 state Supreme Court Ruling
You may have heard that the Washington State Supreme Court today struck down Initiative 976, which would have decimated funding for public transit. My colleague, Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and I issued the following statement regarding today’s court ruling overturning Initiative 976:
“Today’s ruling is a breath of fresh air. Our region’s transit system is struggling to maintain adequate and reliable service as a result of the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lack of access to mobility is a major barrier for many in our community to being able to gain employment, attend school and carry out everyday activities that many of us take for granted. Had I-976 been upheld we would not have been able to assure many in our region affordable and reliable transit options.
“Now we can move forward as a region to ensure that we are able to maintain one of the best transit systems in the nation, survive this recession and prepare to continue to improve transit service once this unprecedented storm is behind us.”
Read the statement from County Executive Dow Constantine here.
Make your voice heard on the County budget
 As I reported in last week’s e-newsletter, the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, which I chair, began review of Executive Constantine’s proposed biennial budget two weeks ago. The public has several opportunities to provide comment, including at a Budget Committee meeting next Wednesday evening, October 21st at 6 p.m. The link with meeting details is not yet available, but we will include it in Monday’s enewsletter.
Check the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee webpage or the Budget webpage for updates.
Tomorrow morning will be the final of our Budget review Roundtable Meetings, which will focus on local services, permitting and roads. The Roundtable starts tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. and the public is welcome to view the discussion and provide comment. Click here for full details and meeting materials.
For more information on the Council’s review process for the Executive’s proposed biennial budget, see this page. For details on upcoming opportunities to comment on the proposed biennial budget, see this page.
We anticipate the budget will be finalized on November 17th but no later than November 24th. Reminder: the public is encouraged to provide input on the budget, see this page for details.
“Love Local”
 The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce / Discover Magnolia is reminding residents to support local businesses, especially as we head into the holiday season. The Chamber is asking residents to take a “love local” pledge, meaning a commitment to spend at local businesses, support those businesses on social media and via Yelp reviews, and to share the message. A good reminder as we head into the holidays.
DID YOU KNOW?
… that on this day in 1917 the Dutch exotic dancer known as Mata Hari was executed by the French after having been convicted of spying for the Germans during World War One? According to Wikipedia, her body was not claimed and was thus used for medical study. “Her head was embalmed and kept in the Museum of Anatomy in Paris. In 2000, archivists discovered that it had disappeared, possibly as early as 1954, according to curator Roger Saban, during the museum's relocation. Her head remains missing.”
A news article written at the time of her execution describes her preparation for the moment, after being informed by two nuns that “her hour had come.” She wrote two letters and handed them to her lawyer, “Then she drew on her stockings, black, silken, filmy things, grotesque in the circumstances. She placed her high-heeled slippers on her feet and tied the silken ribbons over her insteps.” She refused to wear a blindfold.
Additional helpful and informative links
- COVID misinformation is killing people – Scientific American
- Seattle researchers aim to stop the spread of COVID-19 infections in Alaskan fishing industry – GeekWire
- Fauci warns of fall coronavirus dangers: 'We are entering into a risk period' – The Hill
- How software infuses racism into U.S. health care – Stat News
- A King County detective mocked a protester's death online — then his boss took him down - KUOW
- Western Washington home bakers aim to end hunger, one loaf at a time – The Seattle Times
- Persistently high U.S. weekly jobless claims point to labor market scarring - Reuters
- Scramble to get people counted as 2020 census winds down – The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo from CNN.com
For voters not fortunate enough to live in a vote-by-mail state, as we do, long wait times appear to be common this election year for early voters. We also saw extremely long wait times during the primary election in many places.
According to a CNN story, a new group called “Feed the Polls” is organizing thousands of meals for voters in food-insecure areas. They aim to distribute 50,000 meals on November 3rd. The effort is a partnership among Zagat, The Infatuation (restaurant guide) and the nonprofit organization The Migrant Kitchen and does not align with a political party.
"Hunger is nonpartisan. We just want to feed people," Chris Stang, co-founder and CEO of Zagat and The Infatuation, said to CNN. "We are certainly not trying to tell anyone how to vote -- we just want them to vote." After coming up with the idea, Stang reached out to Nasser Jaber, founder of the Migrant Kitchen, which has delivered food to front-line workers and food-insecure communities across New York City amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
In September, CNN reported on another effort to keep voters fed, called “Pizza to the Polls.” So far during this election cycle, Pizza to the Polls has sent over 2,000 pizzas to voters casting their ballots in 19 states.
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I am now sending out on Mondays and Thursdays. 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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