COVID-19 UPDATES
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.
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health -- Seattle & King County is reporting these numbers as of this afternoon:
- 177 new positive cases of COVID-19 (78,863 total).
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,299 total)
- 7 new hospitalizations (4,909 to date)
- On Sunday, February 7th, Public Health reported 537 new positive cases of COVID-19 (78,686 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,299 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 12 (4,902 total).
- On Saturday, February 6th, Public Health reported 59 new positive cases of COVID-19 (78,149 total) and 7 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,299 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 25 (4,890 total).
- The Public Health numbers for Friday are not available.
Overall, the numbers are continuing to come down -- let’s keep it up.
February 8, 2021 data note from the state DOH: Due to processing issues, the number of deaths was not updated today, February 8, 2021. DOH expects to be able to make a full report of deaths tomorrow (February 9, 2021).
Statewide, according to the DOH, as of today, the total number of confirmed positive cases is 307,189. The total number of probable cases is 16,025, for a total of 323,214 cases. The total number of deaths statewide is 4,451, and total hospitalizations are 18,480.
The graphs we usually include here are not available today. Apologies for the inconvenience.
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Governor signs bipartisan bill to support business and workers impacted by COVID-19
Gov. Jay Inslee today signed legislation providing relief for businesses and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill - Senate Bill (SB) 5061 - will increase minimum unemployment benefits for workers and provide significant tax relief for businesses over the next five years to support recovery from the economic impacts of COVID shutdowns. The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers. You may also be interested in this Seattle Times article on it: Inslee signs unemployment insurance tax cut, boost in jobless benefits amid COVID-19.
View Dr. Duchin’s February 5 press conference
 Last Friday, February 5th, Public Health’s Dr. Jeff Duchin provided updates on trends in COVID-19 cases and shared information on COVID vaccination efforts. You can view the full press conference on this page.
For more on COVID-19 vaccine planning in King County: www.kingcounty.gov/covid/vaccine
Council meets tomorrow at 1 p.m.; will consider my motion on inequitable vaccine access
 As I’ve mentioned in past e-newsletters, I was appalled to find out that three prominent hospitals in our region were offering preferential treatment to donors, board members, volunteers, families, friends and connected community members when it came to administering vaccines. Not only was I furious, I heard from many of you, also expressing outrage. The number of preferential vaccinations apparently was minimal, but…
We must call on Governor Inslee and the State Legislature to take steps to prohibit medical systems from distributing vaccines inequitably and giving preferential access to donors or board members or anyone who is not officially eligible.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 9, at 1 p.m., the County Council will take up consideration of my motion relating to such inequitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations and calling on the state Legislature to take action prohibiting such actions. My colleagues Councilmembers Dembowski, Dunn, Upthegrove and Zahilay are co-sponsoring the motion with me.
Councilmembers will also receive a briefing from Public Health on COVID-19 and vaccination efforts. The public is welcome to view the meeting and provide public comment. Instructions, as well as access to meeting agenda and materials, are available here.
You may also be interested in this opinion piece in The Seattle Times today: Vaccine may be in short supply, but lip service to equity isn’t, and in this Seattle Times article: Washington’s immigrant and refugee elders face challenges in COVID-19 vaccine access.
New Public Health report shows increases in some non-COVID-19-related deaths
A new report by Public Health shows increases in cardiovascular and diabetes-related deaths, unintentional injury deaths, and homicides in King County. The report finds that death rates increased in 2020 for common causes of death in King County, and not only of those due to COVID-19. Death rates were higher for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, unintentional injury, drowning, and homicide.
Key findings include increased mortality rates among adults ages 18-44 (which saw increases of 23-31%) and among communities of color (which all saw increases ranging from 14% to 38%). Read the full story from Public Health here.
The school reopening question
 There has been a good deal of discussion over the past few weeks about reopening schools - - at least for certain age groups, certain groups of students, and under certain circumstances. Many educators, parents and others – while concerned about the safety of students, school staff and families – are also concerned about how the loss of in-person learning and social interaction has impacted students.
Currently, schools in our state are operating under this guidance, updated on January 25th, 2021. Depending on the current state of the virus in each county or region, the guidance prioritizes younger students, students with disabilities and un-housed students for in-person learning, broadening the groups as the virus recedes and more counties and regions are opened up.
Additional information on schools and COVID-19 is available here from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Every week, each public school district, state-tribal education compact school, and charter school is required to submit data on their current reopening status to OSPI. The data are posted to the OSPI website here, and updated each Wednesday.
You may be interested in the following news coverage and articles:
- A handful of Washington schools are rapid testing staff and students for COVID-19. Is it working? – The Seattle Times
- The union leader who says she can get teachers back in schools – The Seattle Times
- Schools plan for potential of remote learning into the fall – The Seattle Times
- Chicago teachers tentatively agree to return to classrooms – The Seattle Times
- Summer school is a hot idea right now. Could it work? – The New York Times
- Kids don’t need COVID-19 vaccines to return to school – Stat News
- State unveils COVID-19 vaccination ‘Get Ready’ plan for school employees – OSPI press release, January 29, 2021
- Updated message from Public Health regarding return to in-person learning – Public Health Insider Blog, January 20, 2021
New York Times series on the pandemic’s effect on working mothers
I highly recommend this very informative piece in The New York Times: The Primal Scream: A series that examines the pandemic’s effect on working mothers in America. It is a combination of articles, audio and visual art looking at the impact of COVID-19 on working mothers. One interesting factoid from the piece: “69%: the number of mothers who said they’ve experienced adverse health effects due to worry and stress during the pandemic, compared to 51% of fathers.”
City and County working to find additional shelter beds in case of severe cold weather
With meteorologists forecasting colder weather and possibly snow, the City and County are working – within the constraints of the pandemic – to find emergency shelter space. The City of Seattle will be opening a site at Fischer Pavilion tomorrow with space for 80 people. The Salvation Army (TSA) will staff.
King County is working with the TSA on options for expanding severe weather shelter at the 4th and Jefferson Building (25+ beds) and/or SODO (30+ beds). People experiencing homelessness who need help should contact Coordinated Entry for All at 206-328-5796 or cea@kingcounty.gov. See these FAQs on Coordinated Entry for All.
Mid-winter break suggestions from the Pacific Science Center
Mid-winter break is right around the corner and the Pacific Science Center is offering free virtual programs perfect for grades Pre-K - 8. Through February 15 – 17th, the Science Center is offering interactive STEM programming all about Mars, geology and engineering ahead of the Perseverance rover landing on Mars later this month. More information is available here.
The National Nordic Museum will reopen on February 18
 The National Nordic Museum announced it will be open to visitors again as of February 18th. This year’s exhibitions include the traveling show from the Ateneum Art Museum/Finnish National Gallery, as well as one co-curated by the National Nordic Museum and the Washington State Ski & Snowboard Museum. Both concentrate on the Nordic countries’ connection to nature. View a fun, short “Welcome Back” video from the museum here.
Information about current health and safety protocols at the National Nordic Museum can be found at https://www.nordicmuseum.org/welcomeback.
Additional County Council activities this week
The Council’s Regional Policy Committee is meeting (virtually, of course) this Wednesday, February 10 at 3 p.m. One item to be discussed is the renewal of the Best Starts for Kids (BSK) levy. Full information about viewing the meeting, providing comment and the meeting agenda and materials are available here.
To view all upcoming Council committee meetings and for information on each committee, see this page.
City of Seattle seeks input on parking changes in Uptown
The City of Seattle is soliciting input on proposed changes to parking in the Uptown neighborhood. View the project website to see the full draft proposal, access the comment form, and view FAQs about the proposal. Comments must be submitted by the end of March.
DID YOU KNOW?
… that, according to Wikipedia, it was illegal to sell a T-bone steak in Great Britain between 1997 and 1999?
Additional helpful and informative links
- UW researchers surveying mask wearing in King County – The UW Daily (Student publication)
- Seattle mobile teams to start vaccinating people in permanent supportive housing; hold pop-up clinic – Seattle PI
- It’s not just the pandemic. The moon may be messing with your sleep, too, UW researchers find. – The Seattle Times
- ‘What other variants might be out there?’ An expert on viral evolution on what’s happening with coronavirus mutations – Stat News
- Gov. Inslee touts vaccine progress and defends criticism from Democratic lawmakers on his reopening plan - The Seattle Times
- "How do I make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, and what is considered multigenerational housing?" – The Seattle Times
- First look at Washington state data on COVID-19 vaccination by race, ethnicity shows wide gaps – The Seattle Times
- Coronavirus cases drop at US homes for elderly and infirm – The Seattle Times
- Employers can require the coronavirus vaccine. Here’s what some Seattle businesses are doing. – The Seattle Times
- King County Health Officer: Drop in COVID cases the ‘eye of the hurricane’ - MyNorthwest
- To counter health impacts of racism, UW School of Nursing establishing Center for Antiracism in Nursing – UW News
- The N.F.L. had over 700 coronavirus positives. The Seahawks had none. – The New York Times
- Lessons from the Seattle Seahawks’ COVID-free season – state Department of Health - (DOH)
- NFL offers all 30 stadiums for use as coronavirus vaccine sites - NPR
- WA scrambles to avoid mass evictions as moratorium nears end - Crosscut
- If you’re under 65, don’t hesitate to vaccinate against COVID-19 - Crosscut
- Opinion: The bystander effect, Covid-19 vaccine edition – Stat News
- A buddy system can help doctors and nurses weather the Covid-19 maelstrom – Stat News
- Opinion: Truth and transparency after Covid-19: Mending the relationship between hospitals and the communities they serve – Stat News
- Opinion: Community health centers can help stamp out Covid-19 – Stat News
- Opinion: Mobilize family caregivers to speed the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines – Stat News
- 'Historic level' of court backlogs leaves criminals on the King County streets – KOMO News
- The persistent disparities in accessing WA health care - Crosscut
- UN: ‘Concerning news’ vaccines may not work against variants – The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo courtesy of Bill Reid/ The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times tells the story of a mysterious writer named “M,” who is leaving type-written “Notes of Kindness” around Seattle. The article tells the story of West Seattle resident Bill Reid, who said finding the note numbered “19 of 400” turned around his day. 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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