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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This has been another eventful week. Three guilty verdicts were handed down in the trial of Derek Chauvin, discussed more below.
In addition, as you know, today is Earth Day, and although symbolic, it’s an important reminder of the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to rethink and restructure our economy, transportation, buildings and society as a whole. As the activists say, “There is no Planet B.”
Fortunately, in my opinion and as reported in The New York Times, President Biden today has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. If you want to educate yourself on climate change, Real Climate.org (run by scientists) offers a listing of reliable sources of information on global warming and climate change policy - - for all levels, from complete novices to scientists.
I’m including more below on our environmental challenges and opportunities, as well as some important information about the benefits of exposure to nature on human health, and on my efforts to ban facial recognition technology at the County.
As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.
All the best and I hope you are staying safe.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers as of today:
- 448 new positive cases of COVID-19 (95,062 total). Very troubling!
- 1 new COVID-19-related death (1,500 total)
- 20 new hospitalizations (5,621 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.
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of yesterday, April 21:
-Total number of confirmed positive cases is 363,840; the total number of probable cases is 27,999, for a total of 391,839 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 5,428
- The total number of hospitalizations is 21,743
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a degree of humility. When yesterday's "triumph of modern chemistry" turns out instead to be today's deadly threat to the global environment, it is legitimate to ask what else we don't know.” – Denis Hayes, Earth Day Convener
Tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.: Update on COVID-19 trends and vaccine distribution
Public Health – Seattle & King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin will brief the public and take questions from reporters tomorrow, Friday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m. He will provide updates on trends in COVID-19 cases and share the latest information on COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
The briefing will be livestreamed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County Facebook page.
VIDEO: Gov. Inslee’s press conference from this afternoon
Governor Jay Inslee gave an update on the state's response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including that we’ve unfortunately now entered the fourth surge. The governor was joined by Dr. Dave Carlson, Chief Physician Officer, MultiCare, Pierce County; Dr. Dan Getz, Chief Medical Officer, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital, Spokane; and Lacy Fehrenbach, Deputy Director, Department of Health. The press conference can be viewed here on TVW.
You be interested in this article from The Seattle Times: Inslee: Washington has entered its fourth wave of COVID-19.
South King County residents: Vaccine appointments available now
 Public Health has announced that COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available at King County’s Auburn Outlet Mall and Kent ShoWare clinics for south King County residents. A number of appointments are open today, April 22, through Monday, April 26th. Public Health anticipates additional appointment availability next week as well.
Both sites are offering either Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for south King County residents, ages 16 and older. In addition to appointments on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Public Health has added an additional vaccination clinic on Sunday, April 25th.
Eligible residents can register for an appointment at Public Health’s vaccine website, CovidVaccine.KingCounty.gov. For assistance by phone (interpretation available), call 206-477-3977 any day, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Currently, registration is only open to vaccine-eligible residents of south King County. You must have an appointment. For those who live outside of south King County, see below.
Finding COVID-19 vaccine appointments
- Click here for Washington State's Vaccine Locator. Just enter your zip code. For assistance by phone (including language assistance), call the WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press #).
- WA COVID Vaccine Finder - covidwa.com - is a volunteer-driven effort to help Washingtonians find appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Sign up for the City of Seattle’s vaccination appointment notification list to be notified when appointments become available at any of four city-affiliated vaccination clinics.
- City of Seattle’s COVID-19 vaccination page. For assistance by phone (including language assistance), call (206) 684-2489 Monday - Saturday, between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- King County’s (Public Health – Seattle & King County) COVID-19 vaccination page, especially useful if you live in south or east King County. King County’s COVID-19 Call Center, 206-477-3977, is available 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Public Health’s in-home vaccination launches across the county
Public Health is implementing a new vaccination program for individuals in King County who are unable to leave their homes. Through partnerships with local fire departments, pharmacies, and medical providers, Public Health’s mobile teams are ready to deliver vaccinations to these residents where they need it most. For more information, see this article.
DOH: COVID-19 immunity increasing, but not enough to slow transmission
Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19, which found that risky behaviors are keeping transmission rates high. Read more here.
Coping with COVID: Mindfulness and Self-Care
 As the state Department of Health (DOH) reminds us, “We are still in a pandemic, and it is a challenging time for all of us.” Read some recommendations here for taking of yourself during these stressful times.
State of the Planet
 Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
In Monday’s e-newsletter we included links to resources and information on the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), County plans for clean water and healthy habitat, the County’s Land Conservation Initiative and other resources on environmental stewardship.
On Tuesday I read an inspirational message at the County Council meeting in honor of Earth Day. I’d like to highlight this section, as I think it’s very important: “Even during the pandemic, many of us have welcomed a certain slowness back into many of our practices. I wonder what might be possible if we keep some of that slower pace—and use it to consume less and waste less. And to get out in the forest more and along our waters. Be one with nature, our earth and water. I hope that this signals to each of us an opportunity—to recommit to the earth and its preservation. It’s not too late.”
The following are a few recent news articles that focus on the challenges - and opportunities - we face as we work to preserve our beautiful home for our grandchildren.
- Opinion: "To honor Chief Seattle, care for the Earth and all its creatures – The Seattle Times
- It’s Earth Day: Here are the Pacific Northwest’s biggest environment stories of the year – The Seattle Times
- Microbes are siphoning massive amounts of carbon from Earth’s tectonic plates – Science Magazine
- Changes to giant ocean eddies could have ‘devastating effects’ globally – The Guardian
- Happy Earth Day! - Could teleworking help save the planet? – State Department of Health blog
- Climate journalism enters the solutions era - Columbia Journalism Review
- How solar energy policies could help more low-income residents - WBUR
- Opinion: Climate change and human immunity: invest now or pay more later – Stat News
- The U.S. has a new climate goal. How does it stack up globally? – The New York Times
- Climate news is relentlessly, objectively grim. Should we ever allow ourselves to feel optimism? - The Washington Post
Benefits of nature
 Photo by Ivana Cajina, Unsplash
On this Earth Day I am mindful of how nature has helped many of us make it this far during the pandemic. I know how important my (almost) daily walk has become to me. There is ample evidence of the beneficial effects of nature on human mental and physical health. Some interesting articles on this subject follow.
- ‘Forest Bathing’ is great for your health. Here’s how to do it – Time Magazine
- The healing power of nature – Psychology Today
- Ecopsychology: How immersion in nature benefits your health – Yale Environment 360
- How nature is good for our health and happiness – BBC
- Why traveling to a ‘blue space’ is the stress reliever you need right now - The Washington Post
Executive Constantine kicks off 3 Million Trees campaign
 The initiative will increase tree canopy, protect forestland, and help prepare forests for climate impacts. Read more details here.
Spring talks: Health equity, nature, structural racism, and COVID-19
On Wednesday, April 28th, The University of Washington’s Nature and Health group is hosting two compelling presentations about the intersection of health equity and nature in the context of structural racism, #BlackLivesMatter and COVID-19. The presentations feature Dr. Jennifer D. Roberts and Dr. Gail C. Christopher. The first presentation begins at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, the second at noon. For more information and to register see this page.
Thoughts on the Chauvin verdict
In some ways I’m saddened by the relief many of us felt when the three verdicts were read. What other verdicts could there have been that would have made any logical sense? And yet, the impact of policing on communities of color (especially Black and Brown) is such that many of us were holding our breath, hoping the jurors would believe their own eyes and the testimony of the witnesses.
I thought Minnesota Attorney General put it perfectly when he said of the verdicts, “I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies restoration,” he said. “But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice.”
More statements on the Chauvin verdicts from local leaders:
- Carolyn Riley-Payne, President of the Seattle King County NAACP
- King County Executive Dow Constantine
- Gov. Jay Inslee
- Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan
Video: Let’s Talk About Race: Stop Hate Against Asians
 A couple of weeks ago the County Council’s Equity and Social Justice Office held a virtual discussion for County staff in collaboration with the Legislative Branch’s API (Asian-Pacific Islander) Affinity Group, and that was sponsored by Council Chair Claudia Balducci. Over 1,000 people joined the Zoom meeting!
The event, “Let’s Talk About Race: Stop Hate Against Asians,” was a frank and poignant discussion about what several of our API Council staff have been experiencing, and how their allies can help. The participants have given permission to post the video, available here on Vimeo. I was fortunate to have been able to attend the Zoom event and was exceptionally moved by it.
Council takes action on facial recognition software
Yesterday at the Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting we began deliberation and discussion on my ordinance (2021-0091. Co-sponsored by Councilmembers Dembowski and Upthegrove) to ban the use of facial recognition technology in King County, but only for County departments and offices, not for the private sector. My proposal aims to protect our civil rights and privacy as well as advance equity and social justice by prohibiting the use of such software, including by the King County Sheriff. If passed, King County would join a growing number of cities that have banned the use of facial recognition software by government, including Portland, Boston and San Francisco and even Jackson, Mississippi. If the ordinance is approved by the Council, we’ll be the first county in the U.S. to require such a ban.
Facial recognition is rife with racist and gender biases. Multiple studies demonstrate that it is up to 100 times more likely to misidentify Black or Asian faces, compared with white faces. Black women, in particular, are misidentified at significantly higher rates at nearly 38 percent compared to white men at .8 percent. This technology is even less reliable when identifying transgender individuals and entirely inaccurate when used on non-binary people.
At the meeting, we heard from many supporters who shared their concerns about this burgeoning technology. One person, a representative of a tech organization, opposed the legislation. One reason he gave was concern that without this technology we would be unable to assist in tracking down missing children. I take this concern seriously. That’s why my legislation specifically includes language to ensure that nothing shall prohibit compliance with the National Child Search Assistance Act. The hard truth is tech companies around the world stand to profit greatly from the development of this product. That’s why I believe they oppose this ordinance. But I believe that justice, liberty and freedom are more important than a global corporation’s bottom line.
County Executive Dow Constantine voiced his support for the ban during his weekly segment on KUOW.
The ordinance will likely be up for a vote at the next meeting of the Committee of the Whole on May 5 at 9:30 a.m. Stay tuned.
Monday: Council discussion on Just Cause tenant protections legislation
Next Monday at 1 p.m. Councilmembers will discuss a range of issues at the meeting of the Community, Housing and Human Services Committee, including child care and tenant protections legislation introduced by Councilmember Zahilay and me. The meeting materials, and instructions for viewing the meeting and providing public comment can be found here.
The full schedule and information on all of next week’s Council and Committee meetings will be posted in Monday’s e-newsletter.
Lack of diversity on juries
- Opinion: Juries have a diversity problem. What’s being done to address it in Washington state? – The News Tribune
- Study by UW on racial diversity of jury pools in King County: The Under-Representation of Blacks in the King County Jury Pool, by Katherine Beckett, University of Washington, May 2016
Don’t miss the once-a-year summit for Best Starts for Kids: April 27-30
 Public Health is urging all those interested to register and participate in the upcoming Best Starts for Kids annual summit, which offers an opportunity to share your experiences and reflect on the challenges we’ve faced and overcome this past year. For more information and register, see the details here on the Best Starts blog.
Real property used for business may qualify for 2021 property tax deferral: Deadline is April 30
Due to the ongoing economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Legislature passed emergency legislation allowing qualified real property used primarily for business to defer their 2021 property taxes beyond the due dates set by state law with no late charges. To obtain a deferral under this program, taxpayers must first apply via the web form or by submitting a form from the state Department of Revenue. For more information and eligibility requirements see this page.
Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund opens for new applications: May 15 deadline
Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday announced that applications will be accepted for the next round of assistance under the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund as of yesterday.
The additional $65 million allocated by the Legislature this year will provide additional relief to support new applicants. Similar to the first round, the fund will rely on the continued partnership between the state and community organizations, including Scholarship Junkies and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, with the Department of Social and Health Services providing oversight.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, prioritizing those according to need. Eligible community members can apply by visiting immigrantreliefwa.org; calling the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network at 844-724-3737, staffed every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; or connecting with a DSHS community-based partner for assistance.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that at the first-ever Earth Day in 1970, more than 20 million people poured out on the streets, and the first Earth Day remains the largest single day protest in human history? The first Earth Day in 1970 was initially conceptualized as an “environmental teach-in”? After U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson hired Seattle’s own Denis Hayes as national coordinator, the event expanded to include the entire country and was renamed “Earth Day.”
Additional helpful and informative links
- Live: Coronavirus daily news updates, April 22: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world – The Seattle Times
- CureVac’s shot could arrive just in time – Bloomberg News
- COVID-19 damages brain without infecting it, study suggests – Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota
- We know a lot about COVID-19. Experts have many more questions – Stat News
- Your post-vaccine activities safety guide, including gyms, shopping, taking an Uber, and more – The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Is it still necessary to wear masks outdoors? CDC 'looking at' revising mask guidance - NBC News
- States have a new COVID problem: Too much vaccine – Politico
- What do women want? For men to get COVID vaccines. – The New York Times
- As COVID relief money floods in, pandemic-battered cities see a chance to transform - The Washington Post
- U.S. warns against travel to 80% of world due to coronavirus – The Seattle Times
- The years we’ve lost to COVID – The New York Times
- How lessons from past emergencies could improve the pandemic response – UW News
- COVID once spared the young. Now more are being hospitalized. – Bloomberg News / The Seattle Times
- Zoom bombings that target marginalized people spark demands for legal protections in Washington state – The Seattle Times
- As the tourism industry returns, 3 million workers wait for a callback – The Washington Post / The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo by the Associated Press (AP)
The Seattle Times tells the story of Dylan Pfeifer, a third-grader from Arizona who decided to start holding food drives during the pandemic. He has received more than 500 cans and boxes and about $500 in monetary donations.
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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