COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers:
- 138 new positive cases of COVID-19 (includes 113 confirmed cases and 25 probable cases. Total cases to date is 109,995).
- 5 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,595 total)
- 20 new hospitalizations (6,193 to date)
To view a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by race and ethnicity (usually 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 403,194; the total number of probable cases is 34,483 for a total of 437,677 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 5,801
- The total number of hospitalizations is 24,315
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “Facial recognition, completely unmonitored, can be used for very bad things. It can be used for stalking, for example.” - Eric Schmidt, Google 2001-2020 (Google CEO from 2001 – 2011, other positions at Google and Alphabet, 2011 – 2020)
Gov. Inslee announces more than $2 million worth of incentives to get vaccinated
 The Governor today announced a suite of new incentives to help encourage unvaccinated Washingtonians to get the COVID shot.
The incentives announced today include lottery cash drawings, with prizes totaling $2 million; higher education tuition and expense assistance; Sports tickets and gear; airline tickets and more. See this article in The Seattle Times for additional information.
Get vaccinated this weekend: Events in Seattle and Bellevue tomorrow
 Questions? Call the King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. or see this page for more information on getting vaccinated in King County.
Seattle pop-up vaccination events next week: June 7, 10 and 12th
 Public Health - - Seattle & King County (Public Health) is partnering with community organizations to host pop-up vaccination events across King County and Seattle. If you have not yet been vaccinated, check out these three opportunities next week in Seattle:
- June 7th, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Avenue, Seattle
- June 10th, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Mercy Magnuson Place, 7101 62nd Ave. N.E., Seattle
- June 12th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Grover Cleveland STEM High School, 5511 15th Ave S., Seattle
You can access more information about these and other scheduled pop-up vaccination events by visiting this Public Health webpage.
The pandemic is global
 Now that more people are flying and activities and businesses are gearing up to fully reopen here in Washington state, it’s important to remember that this is a global pandemic. Getting vaccines to the rest of the world is critically important to keeping us safe here at home. You may find the following articles of interest:
- US will boost global vaccine-sharing, Biden announces – AP News (The Associated Press)
- “A perilous point”: Global agencies call for $50 billion investment to combat COVID-19 – Stat News
- Sinovac vaccine restores a Brazilian city to near normal – AP News
- Who benefits? US debates fairest way to share spare vaccine – AP/ The Seattle Times
- As vaccine delays grind on across Africa, the coronavirus surges – The New York Times
WAshington coronaVirus Exposure Survey (WAVES), University of Washington Medicine
 The UW Medicine Department is conducting the WAshington coronaVirus Exposure Survey (WAVES) to learn more about the spread of COVID-19 in Washington. About 8,000 people have been randomly selected to take part. If you get a postcard or a letter in the mail, please respond! Learn more: https://thewavesurvey.org/Home
Supporting survivors of domestic violence during COVID-19
 There has been a substantial rise in the incidence of domestic violence (DV) in King County over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. DV-related homicides in King County nearly doubled in 2020, as compared to 2018 and 2019. Read the full story here in the Public Health Insider blog.
In the County’s recently passed COVID 7 emergency budget, we included $1.5 million to support individuals experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence and gender-based violence who may be experiencing increased violence, isolation, and lethality risk due to COVID-19.
Council passes ban on County government use of facial recognition technology
 I’m pleased to let you know that the Council passed my legislation to ban County government’s use of facial recognition software. It was approved Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 9-0. King County, home to 2.3 million people in and around Seattle, is now the first county and one of the largest jurisdictions in the United States to pass such a ban.
The use of facial recognition technology by government agencies poses distinct threats to our residents, including potential misidentification, bias, and the erosion of our civil liberties. The use or misuse of these technologies has potentially devastating consequences which the new ordinance will help to prevent. I am very appreciative that my colleagues unanimously supported my legislation banning its use in King County government agencies, and appreciate the overwhelming community support we’ve had.
You may find the following articles on this topic of interest with asterisks included for those in which I’m quoted or speaking:
- Seattle’s King County becomes first U.S. county to ban government use of facial recognition software – GeekWire*
- Washington State County Becomes First in U.S. to Ban Facial Recognition Software Over Racism Concerns – Newsweek*
- King County Council bans use of facial recognition technology by Sheriff’s Office, other agencies – The Seattle Times*
- County That’s Home to Microsoft and Amazon Votes to Ban Government Use of Facial Recognition – The Daily Beast*
- Audio: Cities Are Weighing The Dangers And Benefits Of Facial Recognition – NPR*
- Biden allies press Facebook to review its role in post-election violence - Politico
- King County bans facial recognition software in government agencies – KUOW*
- King County Council votes to ban use of facial recognition technology – KING 5 News*
- King County Council unanimously votes to ban the use of facial recognition technology – The Stranger
Tomorrow: Fighting gun violence - - events in Kent and Skyway
 We included information on tomorrow’s events in Monday e-newsletter, but have some more details to share. King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Board of Health have launched a pilot program called the King County Regional Peacekeepers Collective (RPKC). The RPKC is hosting two community events this Friday, June 4th to increase awareness and provide community-based solutions to stop gun violence. At both events RPKC Partners & Zero Youth Detention staff will provide 100 residents with a lock box and information to safely store firearms.
- Skyway Community Lock Box Giveaway, 10 a.m. to noon, Grocery Outlet Parking Lot, 11656 68th Avenue S., Seattle
- Kent Community Lock Box Giveaway, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., City Hall Courtyard walkway, 220 Fourth Ave S., Kent
Both events are open to the media as well as the public, and will include speakers from RPKC and Zero Youth Detention. Two of my colleagues on the Council will also be participating: Councilmember Zahilay at the Skyway event and Councilmember Upthegrove at the Kent event. You may also find this 2019 report to the County Council to be of interest: Report on Gun Violence among Youth and Young Adults.
Happy Pride Month!
 At our Tuesday Council meeting, we officially proclaimed June 2021 LGBTQ Pride Month in King County. As County Executive Constantine said in an email to County employees: “(Pride Month) is a time to recognize the accomplishments and many contributions of LGBTQ+ people to our communities here in King County and around the world. It is also a time to reflect on the adversities that LGBTQ+ people have faced throughout history and their courage in the ongoing struggle against injustice. LGBTQ+ people continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives, and these experiences are amplified for LGBTQ+ people of color who are also deeply impacted by racism and white supremacy.”
ST orders new trains in preparation for opening of new light rail lines
 As you may know, Sound Transit is building new light rail lines, including one between Northgate and downtown Seattle, set to open on October 2nd. Sound Transit is also working on adding lines to Lynnwood, Federal Way and the eastside in the next three years and has announced the purchase of 152 new vehicles as the light rail system grows from 22 to 62 miles. Read the full story here.
ICYMI: Yesterday’s symposium featuring Angela Davis
In case you missed yesterday’s 2021 Annual Supreme Court Symposium, co-sponsored by the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission and the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission, you can view the event here on TVW.
This year’s Symposium featured author, activist and academic Angela Davis on the issue of increased incarceration of women and girls of color in Washington state.
Deadline next Tuesday, June 8th: Share your feedback on three design alternatives for the 33rd Avenue West bridge between Magnolia and Ballard
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) seeks feedback on three options for Magnolia’s aging pedestrian and bicycle bridge to the Ballard Locks. Learn more about the project and view design options on this page and then take the survey.
Please feel free to share this link with other neighbors who might be interested. The survey will remain open until Tuesday, June 8th.
Assistance with child care expenses through end of this month
 The City of Seattle is offering 50% off of child care co-payments to families living within Seattle city limits that have at least one parent working or attending school. The assistance can be used to pay for child care for children 1 month to 12 years of age. See this page for full details.
City charter amendment pro and con expert panel: June 24th
Belltown United is hosting and inviting the public to an online panel discussion on Charter Amendment Measure 29 on Thursday, June 24th at 6 p.m. The group Compassion Seattle (made up of members of the local business and non-profit community) has proposed a ballot initiative to amend the City of Seattle Charter. If ratified by voters, this amendment will mandate specific actions and policies related to encampments in public areas, provision for emergency or permanent housing, funding for human services, criminal justice diversion programs and other items. Moderated by Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat, a balanced panel of subject matter experts will present arguments both supporting AND opposing the initiative. See this page for details. To register, click here.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act on June 2, 1924, granting U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans? According to History Link, however, “The law did little to change the lives of Puget Sound Indians... Citizenship did not relieve Native Americans from racial discrimination and they continued to experience state regulation of their treaty rights to fishing off-reservation.”
Additional helpful and informative links
- 97% of COVID-19 cases in King County are among unvaccinated people – KIRO 7 News
- Who really needs coronavirus herd immunity? People with weakened immune systems – The Seattle Times
- A pandemic upside: The flu virus became less diverse, simplifying the task of making flu shots – Stat News
- Tribes are working together to vaccinate students – Crosscut
- Washington is nearing the 70% mark of adults with one shot – The Herald
- These Kent women wanted COVID vaccines but leaving home was too hard - KUOW
- Second COVID class: What one medical school plans for new students – AMA – American Medical Association news
- Seattle’s homeless people spiral further into crisis as COVID makes treatment nearly impossible to find – The Seattle Times
- Will the Excelsior Pass, New York’s Vaccine Passport, Catch On? – The New York Times
- Institutional Problems, Individual Solutions — The Burden on Black Physicians – New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
- Regional survey reveals work, leisure habits during the pandemic – UW News
- 'The foundation of the wealth': Why Black Wall Street boomed – AP News
- Black-owned businesses honor Black Wall Streets – The Seattle Times
- Avista, PSE opt out of public safety power cutoffs for 2021 fire season – The Seattle Times
- Drought may mean changes to Oregon fish-stocking, hatcheries – AP News
- Study blames climate change for 37% of global heat deaths – AP News
- The Criminalization of Poverty and Homelessness - Psychology Today
- The tourists have returned to Washington state - - but some areas are recovering more quickly than others – The Seattle Times
- Don’t Eat Cicadas if You’re Allergic to Seafood, F.D.A. Warns – The New York Times
- Photos of an unusual rescue: Trapped ducklings get a lift from Seattle firefighters – The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo by Parks Australia. The Spothead Grubfish is found in Indian Ocean waters which will be covered by the new marine parks declared by the Australian federal government.
As oceans continue to be negatively impacted by climate change, acidification and over-fishing - not to mention plastic and other pollutants – the government of Australia has taken a meaningful step in preventing some critically important marine habitat by creating two new marine protected areas that cover an expanse of ocean twice the size of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The two parks will be established around Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean to the northwest of continental Australia. The new parks cover 740,000 square kilometers (286,000 square miles) of ocean.
According to this article in Monga Bay, “Christmas Island was referred to as one of the 10 natural wonders of the world by David Attenborough himself. Its thriving rainforests, deserted beaches and fringing reef provide a haven for unique and rare seabirds, land crabs and marine life.”
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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