COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers as of today:
- 285 new positive cases of COVID-19 (101,881 total).
- 5 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,552 total)
- 17 new hospitalizations (6,004 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:
-Total number of confirmed positive cases is 385,762; the total number of probable cases is 32,258 for a total of 418,020 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 5,614
- The total number of hospitalizations is 23,019
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “I have dreams, and I have nightmares. I overcame the nightmares because of my dreams.” - Jonas Salk
Reopening at the end of June?
As I mentioned above, Gov. Inslee just announced this afternoon that, provided the state reaches a 70% vaccination rate, he will lift most COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Washington on or before June 30. Additionally, as of next Tuesday, he will place all counties in Phase 3 of Healthy Washington, putting the state at 50% capacity for most activities until June 30.
This means that you, your friends and your families can start getting back to a more normal life. But it doesn’t mean the pandemic is over.
Currently, 43% of eligible Washington residents are fully vaccinated, and COVID cases and hospitalization rates have overall declined in the last two weeks, but still with some ups and downs. It is important that those who have not yet been vaccinated – and can safely get the vaccine – get their shots. If the state fails to make that goal, the reopening could be delayed.
Additionally, if statewide ICU capacity reaches 90% at any time, Inslee said he would roll back activities again. Inslee will not be ending the state of emergency on June 30.
The state will be pursuing incentives for people to get vaccinated as well. As of today, spectator events, including indoor and outdoor sports, will no longer have limits on the number of fully vaccinated attendees, and small cruise ships will be allowed to sail if the crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated. The same goes for conferences, live performances, weddings and funeral receptions. The state is also working with businesses to add incentives for customers who are vaccinated.
Everyone 12 years and older can now receive Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine
 As most of you have likely heard by now, the CDC has just opened up eligibility for the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine for everyone 12 years of age and older. Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin of Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) held a press conference yesterday to discuss the new CDC guidance, which can be viewed here. You may also find the following articles and information of interest:
- EXPLAINER: How COVID-19 vaccines will work for kids in US – AP News
- Everyone 12 and older now eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens – CDC webpage
- When can 12- to 15-year-olds get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Washington state? Here’s what we know – The Seattle Times
- Why Washington state won’t consider requiring COVID vaccines for schoolchildren — yet – The Seattle Times
New “variant of concern” seems to be driving rapid coronavirus spread in India
While cases in the U.S. have been declining, the virus is raging out of control in India, as you may have heard. Public Health officials are concerned that one variant in India is highly contagious and is fueling this very rapid spread. See more information below.
- Scientists race to study variants in India as cases explode – AP News
- Podcast: A veteran health reporter on the brutality of India’s COVID-19 crisis – Stat News
- Red Cross warns that coronavirus cases are exploding in Asia – AP News
- The W.H.O. warns that a variant in India could be highly contagious – The New York Times
- Scores more bodies of suspected COVID victims found in Indian rivers – The Guardian
King County’s diverse South Asian community unites to fight COVID-19
 Public Health reports that all the diverse groups that make up the mosaic of South Asians in King County came together on a recent weekend for a community vaccination event in Renton. Their goal was to make sure the most vulnerable members of their community had a chance to protect themselves from COVID-19. Read the full story here.
King County and Snoqualmie Valley Hospital announce vaccination partnership
 King County and Snoqualmie Valley Hospital will work together to further expand COVID-19 vaccine distribution and access for King County residents in Snoqualmie Valley. Read the full story here.
Who is getting vaccinated in King County?
Public Health’s data dashboard includes a summary of COVID vaccination among King County residents and allows you to search by zip codes, demographics or maps. You may also be interested in this article: Are your neighbors getting vaccinated against COVID-19? Take an area-by-area look in King County – The Seattle Times
Trailhead Direct service starts June 5
 Lace up your hiking boots! Rides will be available to the Issaquah Alps and Mt. Si. A reminder: Masks are required on Metro buses. For more on Metro’s COVID safety measures see this page. And, here are the latest COVID guidelines from the County Parks department. For more on Trailhead Direct, click here.
Seventh COVID budget heads to full Council next Tuesday at 1 p.m.
I am very pleased that the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee – which I chair - voted yesterday to advance the 7th COVID budget as amended and send it to the full Council for action next Tuesday at our 1 p.m. meeting.
At more than $600 million, this is the largest supplemental budget in the history of King County. These funds will be crucial in providing much-needed support around public health, housing stability, food insecurity, and economic recovery, with an emphasis on BIPOC and historically marginalized communities.
The agenda and meeting details for next Tuesday’s full Council meeting (still virtual!) – including instructions for viewing the meeting and providing public comments can be found here and will also be available soon on this page.
I applaud Executive Constantine for crafting such a comprehensive and thoughtful budget as well as my colleagues on the Council with whom I am working to make sure the final budget approved is responsive to the needs throughout King County.
You may find this article of interest from The Washington State Wire: Treasury Department releases guidelines to state and local governments for how they can use COVID-19 relief funds.
Council to recognize Syttende Mai (May 17th) Norwegian Constitution Day
While the Ballard neighborhood still has to wait for the usual annual Syttende Mai parade and festivities, the Council will be recognizing the holiday and its links to Seattle at the full Council meeting next Tuesday. And the celebration will be online this year - - please join me next Monday at 11:30 a.m., see this page for event details.
County Executive’s State of the County speech
 On Tuesday, Executive Constantine shared his State of the County Address, and announced that King County has purchased our first hotel, The Inn at Queen Anne, to permanently house chronically homeless individuals! Since the beginning of the pandemic, King County had been contracting with this hotel to provide housing for folks experiencing homelessness that enables social distancing and other COVID protocols as well as services. He also spoke about other of the County’s accomplishments during these difficult times and of his priorities looking ahead. And he announced the return of Trailhead Direct, and the re-launch of rental assistance grants.
Read more about Executive Constantine’s announcement and view the video of his address here.
4 Culture Building for Equity grant application process open
Is your organization looking to secure, acquire, or improve a cultural space or historic place? This funding can help you meet your long-term facility needs. The Building for Equity: Capacity Building Grants invest in an organization’s development, allowing them to secure their long-term facility needs. This fund prioritizes organizations located in, and providing services to, historically underserved communities within King County. For full details, see this page.
Filing week for candidates is next week
Are you planning to run for office in 2021? The official filing week for King County is next week, May 17-21, so be sure to submit your forms to throw your hat in the ring. You can file online and find more info here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx4-5SMdaFA
Free virtual event: In Pursuit of Happiness, May 20th
America’s founding document states that the pursuit of happiness is an unalienable right. The Atlantic will host a live event that explores human happiness—and aims to find ways to build a more meaningful life. The event begins at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on May 20th and runs until 5 p.m. Speakers will discuss happiness and relationships; the role of spirituality; how social media and other technology are affecting our happiness; and the ways in which a year of social isolation has reframed our understanding of a lasting sense of joy. For more information, see this page.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that, according to History Link, “On May 16, 1864, a ship carrying 11 young women under the escort of Asa Shinn Mercer arrived in Seattle from New England. This first of two contingents of Mercer Girls had an instant impact on Seattle's mostly male frontier culture, and included the town's first public school teacher. It would later inspire the TV series Here Come the Brides.” Read the full story here.
Additional helpful and informative links
- No ‘party fouls’: The do’s and don’ts of vaccinated get-togethers – The Seattle Times
- CDC’s slow, cautious messaging on Covid-19 seems out of step with the moment, public health experts say – Stat News
- A 'universal vaccine' may soon protect against all coronaviruses, including the common cold - Newsweek
- COVID pandemic was preventable, says WHO-commissioned report – The Guardian
- They haven’t gotten a COVID vaccine yet. But they aren’t ‘hesitant’ either. – The New York Times
- City of Seattle partners with businesses to offer COVID-19 vaccine incentives – KING 5
- Is it COVID or the flu? New combo tests can find out. – The New York Times
- Our critic watched a movie in a theater for the first time in over a year. Here’s how it went – The Seattle Times
- How Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera plan to reopen for live performances this fall – The Seattle Times
- There’s a new definition of ‘normal’ for weather – The New York Times
- U.S. has entered unprecedented climate territory, EPA warns - The Washington Post
- Here's what King County cities get from The American Rescue Plan – Patch.com
- Millions of Americans may get $50 off their internet bill — see if you qualify – The Seattle Times
- Coast Guard could triple base size on Seattle waterfront as U.S. ramps up Arctic presence – The Seattle Times
- National Public Radio @50: The Founding Mothers of NPR – Post Alley
Today’s moment of inspiration
 The Good News Network, Great Big Story and other media have been reporting on a truly unusual long-term relationship: Between a diver and a fish. According to the stories, scuba diver Hiroyuki Arakawa first met an Asian sheepshead wrasse (kobudai in Japanese) “...nearly 30 years ago when he was supervising the construction of an underwater Shinto temple gate 56 feet beneath the surface of the bay.” He named her Yoriko.
The Good News Network reports that, “On one dive when Arakawa was visiting, he noticed Yoriko’s mouth had been badly injured. Even so, she came to greet him.
Realizing she’d be unable to catch her own food, Arakawa spent the next 10 days hand-feeding Yoriko meat from crabs he hammered open for her near the submerged temple gate.”
“I’d say we understand each other,” Arakawa said in an interview for Great Big Story, “not that we talk to each other… I kissed her once. I’m the only person she’ll let do it.”
See the video and interview here, or 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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