COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 180 new positive cases of COVID-19 (26,521 total)
- 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (791 total)
- 8 new hospitalizations (2,545 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, Sunday, October 25th, Public Health reported 160 new positive cases of COVID-19 (26,341 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (789 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 10 (2,537 total). On Saturday, October 24th, Public Health reported 212 new positive cases of COVID-19 (26,181 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (789 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 2 (2,527 total). On Friday, October 23rd, Public Health reported 229 new positive cases of COVID-19 (25,969 total) and 2 new COVID-19-related deaths (789 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 7 (2,525 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today, the total number of positive cases is 103,500. Total number of deaths statewide is 2,321, and total hospitalizations are 8,322.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
What exactly is close contact?
 Federal agencies have updated the definition of “close contact,” which will affect how local public health workers assess the risk of someone who has been exposed to another person who tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Public Health Insider blog, “One of the most important steps we can take in slowing the spread of COVID-19 is for anyone who has had close contact with an infected person to get tested and self-quarantine for 14 days… The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new criteria for a close contact includes someone who spent a combined total of 15 minutes near (< six feet) a person who is infected, over the course of 24 hours.” Read the full article here.
DOH announces 100,000th person with COVID-19
Last week the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported the 100,000th Washingtonian diagnosed with COVID-19. DOH offers some good advice for Washington residents at this difficult time, including: “Practice compassion. According to Johns Hopkins University, as of October 22, 91,055 people in China have been diagnosed with COVID-19. More people in Washington state have had COVID-19 than in all of China. If this feels like a hard time, that’s because it is.”
Until midnight tonight: Provide feedback on DOH’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
DOH has been reaching out to Washington residents for input on the interim COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, once a safe and effective vaccine has been approved for use. The survey is open until 11:59 p.m. tonight. Information and the survey are available in multiple languages. For more information:
- Update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning – DOH
- COVID-19 Vaccine - Equity and Engagement - DOH
Flu vaccines available for uninsured adults at no cost
DOH is collaborating with Safeway and Albertsons to offer no-cost flu vaccination for uninsured adults over the age of 18 to help prevent flu illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-three Albertsons and Safeway pharmacies across the state will offer flu vaccines free of charge through June 2021 to uninsured adults. The pharmacies will not charge an administration fee, and no proof of residency or immigration status will be required. Find the list of participating locations on the department’s website.
Metro virtual open houses tomorrow and Thursday on north link connections plans
 Join Metro staff to discuss upcoming changes and improvements in North Seattle, U-District, Shoreline, Bothell, Kenmore, and Lake Forest Park. In all, changes to about 40 bus routes are under consideration to better connect riders across the region and take advantage of Link light rail expansion to new stations opening in fall 2021 at Northgate, Roosevelt, and U-District.
See Metro’s survey on the project for more detail. The survey will remain open until November 1st.
The open houses take place on Zoom, with presentations and time for questions with transit planners.
- Roosevelt Station: Tomorrow October 27th at 6 p.m. Link to join Zoom Webinar: https://zoom.us/j/98139766499?pwd=dWREMVp6OS9EZHlBMytPTSsyVDhFUT09 or join over the phone: 253-215-8572. The passcode is 051194.
- Northgate Station, Thursday, October 29th at noon. Link to join Zoom Webinar: https://zoom.us/j/92724831840?pwd=NThLSlVmZmlFK1MzNzdsU3pyUld3Zz09 or join over the phone: 253-215-8782. The passcode is 263419.
Gone fishin’: Last Metro diesel-only bus retires
 After 21 years of service to the residents of King County, Metro is celebrating the “retirement” of the last diesel-only coaches in its fleet, continuing the agency’s commitment to a zero-emission future.
In 1999, the fleet had 1,100 diesel-only coaches. Today, that number is zero. All Metro coaches are now either fully-hybrid (diesel-electric) or zero-emission coaches (electric trolleys and battery-electric coaches).
To be sure, retirements in general can be both bitter and sweet. Fortunately, there is nothing bitter about this particular ceremony. Today marks the end of diesel-only buses in our nationally recognized transit system. From now on, we will be moving people in this region while advancing necessary and timely climate action policies. I look forward to the day when our system is completely free from fossil fuels and will continue to work ardently at the Council to ensure we are meeting our goals or even exceeding them.
Along with receiving a “gold tire” in recognition of its devoted service to the people of King County, one “1100” model coach will join its predecessors in retirement as part of the historic bus fleet maintained by the Metro Employee Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA), a group dedicated to preserving the region’s transit history. Parts and equipment on the remaining diesel-only coaches will be recycled for use throughout the transit fleet.
New King County population dashboard
This new interactive data tool makes maps and charts available for a number of population indicators including age, race, socioeconomic status, transportation, housing, language and insurance status.
Users can view population data maps and charts for a number of geographic areas in King County including: Census tracts, cities and neighborhoods, zip codes and more.
Full Council meets tomorrow at 1 p.m.
The full Council will meet tomorrow at 1 p.m. and the public is welcome to join and provide comments. We will be taking up a number of items for discussion, including a proclamation declaring September 2020 as Behavioral Health Recovery Month in King County. Behavioral health problems have an enormous impact on individuals and families, and can be exacerbated during a stressful time, such as the one we’re currently living through.
For full information on accessing the meeting, providing public comment, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Budget meetings tomorrow and Wednesday: Please join us
I hope you can join us tomorrow and Wednesday for our deliberations on the Executive’s proposed biennial budget and budget related ordinances. Click the links below for details and meeting materials:
- Tuesday, October 27, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 28, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
More opportunities for public involvement in the County’s biennial budget process are coming up. Public comment time is typically provided near the beginning of the meetings. For details on joining these virtual meetings please visit the Council's Budget and Fiscal Management Committee (BFM) web page. (Information on joining the meeting on November 17th will be provided later.)
- Tuesday,November 10, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Thursday, November 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Full Council: Tuesday, November 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
For full information on providing public comment see this page. We anticipate the budget will be finalized on November 17thbut no later than November 24th.
You can still register to vote in person until November 3rd
Although today was the deadline for registering online, you can register to vote in person (and vote) until 8 p.m. on November 3rd at a County Vote Center or at the County Elections Office in Renton.
For additional information on the upcoming election, your ballot and voting, see this page or the homepage for the County Elections office. You can track your ballot here.
Magnolia Chamber cancels 2020 Village Trick or Treat
 The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce has announced its decision to cancel this year’s Village Trick or Treat. According to the statement released by the Chamber, “The Chamber takes seriously the recommendations from public health experts. They have determined that door-to-door trick or treating and encouraging large gatherings of multiple families in a single location like Magnolia Village are not recommended based on the difficulty in maintaining proper social distancing. The risk of exposure to families and merchants are high; the Chambers wants to avoid super spreader events that could negatively impact keeping Magnolia Village open for business.”
DID YOU KNOW?
… Although Jack O’Lanterns as we know them today originated in Ireland, Maoris began carving gourds to use as lanterns 700 years ago and the Maori word for “gourd” and “lampshade” is actually the same? Jack O’Lanterns were originally carved from turnips, beets or other gourds and other parts of the world have also used gourds and candles for holidays such as “Day of the Dead” and “All Saints Day.”
Additional helpful and informative links
- UW's Center for Population Health aims to prevent the next pandemic - KUOW
- Vaccine hopes rise as Oxford jab prompts immune response among old as well as young adults - Reuters
- Where are coronavirus cases rising the fastest in Washington? – Seattle PI
- Gates-funded UW study shows hydroxychloroquine doesn’t prevent COVID-19 – The Seattle Times
- Colleges turn to wastewater testing in an effort to flush out the coronavirus - NPR
- Transit systems across the globe face a COVID reckoning - Politico
- How police, National Guard and military are preparing for election day tensions - NPR
- Why food allergies are on the rise - BBC
Today’s moment of inspiration
 CNN reports on first-grade teacher Julia Koch in Michigan. Koch was teaching online when she received a call from the grandparent of one of her students, with technical questions.
According to CNN, “When Koch spoke to Cynthia Phillips, who was having trouble charging her granddaughter's school tablet, the teacher noticed something was off in the grandmother's voice.
"It was clear there was something very wrong. Her words were so jumbled, and I couldn't understand what she was trying to say," Koch told CNN. "She didn't sound like herself." What happened next is a wonderful illustration of a community coming together. Read the full story here.
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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