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Over the past week, we as a community passed several important milestones in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Last weekend a third vaccine was approved for use in the United States
- Sunday marked the one-year anniversary since King County became ground zero in the United States for an emerging pandemic
- On Tuesday, King County Public Health noted that over 500,000 vaccine doses have been administered in King County
- Also on Tuesday, President Biden announced exciting news that enough doses of vaccine would be produced by the end of May to inoculate all adults. The President also stressed prioritizing teachers, school staff, and childcare workers for vaccinations
- Following President Biden’s lead, Governor Inslee issued a statement that teachers, school staff, and childcare workers are, effective immediately, eligible for receiving vaccines in Washington state
 It’s been a long and difficult year, but the past week’s milestones show a path forward as we work to respond and recover from the pandemic.
Despite the hopeful announcements of increased vaccine production and eligibility, we will need to remain patient. We do not expect to see a significant increase in doses for at least the next three weeks as vaccine production continues to ramp up. While vaccines may be produced by the end of May, getting those shots in arms will take hard work and coordination into the early summer.
Check vaccine scheduling availability on the Department of Health's Vaccine Locator >>>
Looking ahead: upcoming vaccine eligibility announcements by Governor Inslee
Also, yesterday, Governor Inslee announced that Washington state will move to its next phase of vaccine eligibility on March 22. Newly eligible individuals will include:
- Critical workers in some congregate settings including agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, corrections, public transit, fire and law enforcement, staff and volunteers in congregate living settings
- People ages 16+ who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at higher risk
Apply to be a East Link Connections Mobility Board leader
 In the coming few years, there are big and exciting improvements for how people get around on the Eastside. By 2024 Sound Transit will be opening 12 new light rail stations connecting Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and downtown Redmond. To take advantage of this new fast, frequent and reliable service, Metro Transit has begun an almost-two-year planning process to determine how buses can best connect to light rail and other community destinations.
As a part of this planning, Metro is seeking community voices to serve on their East Link Mobility Board. If you live, work and/or travel on the Eastside, apply for a compensated King County Metro community leadership position.
Help shape the future of transit on the Eastside >>>
Vote for improving King County’s natural resources today
 Did you know there’s an election happening that will help support orca recovery, restore native plants and protect and improve King County farms?
The King Conservation District is critical to these efforts by providing critical funding and facilitating new partnerships to improve natural resource management. Right now, it’s holding a Board of Supervisors election and you can vote online, or by mail.
Learn more and vote today >>>
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
Council Chair
District 6
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