COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers:
- 152 new positive cases of COVID-19 (includes 138 confirmed cases and 14 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 110,869).
- 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,612 total)
- 6 new hospitalizations (6,262 to date)
Vaccination rates in King County: As of today, 75.6% of all eligible King County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 66% have received both doses. To view updated County vaccination data, see this page: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/data/vaccination.aspx
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 406,802; the total number of probable cases is 35,296 for a total of 442,098 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 5,793 (data adjustment since last e-news)
- The total number of hospitalizations is 24,673
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela
The latest on the new Delta COVID variant
According to news reports, the new so-called “Delta” coronavirus variant includes a combination of features that make it even more dangerous than the other strains that have caused alarm. See the following news stories for more information.
- More transmissible, wilier variant makes Covid-19 vaccinations even more crucial, experts say – Stat News
- The new coronavirus Delta variant: Why some are worried, and some are not - MSN
- Merkel welcomes better COVID-19 situation but Delta variant a worry - Reuters
- Coronavirus tests will never be variant-proof - The Atlantic
Children and COVID
 There have been many questions about how best to safely vaccinate children, the need to wear masks around unvaccinated children, the need for children to mask up, etc... Today, the FDA’s vaccine advisers met to discuss what information the agency needs in order to consider authorizing Covid-19 vaccines in kids 11 and under. To date, more than 3.5 million kids between 12 and 15 have received at least one dose. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is looking at how to run clinical trials and other research safely to see whether, when and how the COVID vaccines may work in children under 12 years of age.
See more below on this development and other questions concerning kids and COVID.
- FDA's vaccine advisers to discuss rules for authorizing Covid-19 shots for kids - CNN
- I'm fully vaccinated – should I keep wearing a mask for my unvaccinated child? — The Conversation
- As more kids go down the ‘deep, dark tunnel’ of long COVID, doctors still can’t predict who is at risk – Stat News
- Create safe environments to keep kids moving, more important now than ever – The Seattle Times
- Psychological effects of the pandemic may be felt in young people for a long time to come – The Hill
Video: Mayo Clinic expert weighs in on traveling after getting vaccinated
 As more people are vaccinated for COVID-19, many are looking forward to being able to travel again. While many restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 has not gone away. So how safe is it to travel? Dr. Stacey Rizza, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, answers questions about traveling at this point in the pandemic. View the video here.
You may also be interested in Rick Steve’s COVID-19 Travel FAQs.
Upcoming pop-up vaccination clinics in Seattle
Below is a list of upcoming pop-up COVID vaccination events in Seattle. To view the full schedule – including Seattle sites – see this page and keep checking for updates.
- June 11th, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Charlie's Produce, 3800 1st Ave. S., Entrance A
- Jun 12th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Grover Cleveland STEM High School, 5511 15th Ave. S.
- Jun 14th, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave.
- Jun 21st, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave.
WA Notify tool succeeding in saving lives
 Researchers from the UW and the state Department of Health (DOH) have found that the WA Notify exposure notification tool saved an estimated 30 to 120 lives and likely prevented about 6,000 COVID-19 cases during the first four months that it was in use. Read the full story here.
The Global Pandemic Crisis: Variants, Surges, and Vaccines
 Next Monday, June 14 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, The Forum at the Harvard School of Public Health will hold a discussion on the global outlook for the pandemic and how vaccines, emerging variants and disparities in wealth and resources are influencing the course of the pandemic. You can watch live on the Forum’s Facebook page here, or on their YouTube page.
Public Health receives national recognition for innovation in pandemic response
 Two Public Health – Seattle & King County teams are receiving national recognition for their innovative contributions to the COVID-19 pandemic response. The National Association of City and County Health Officials granted a Bronze Innovative Practice Award to Public Health’s Safe Start for Taverns and Restaurants team, and another to Public Health’s Assessment, Policy Development and Evaluation unit for its work on the economic, social and overall health impacts data dashboard. Read the full story here.
Music venues prepare to open, tourism coming back
 Photo by Edward Cisneros on Unsplash
Fortunately for musicians, workers, and those of us who love live music, venues are preparing to open again! King County has supported the arts, including live performance venues, throughout the COVID crisis. In 2021 to date, we have provided nearly $36 million in federal ARPA funds to arts and culture organizations, including funding for venues to help them weather the lockdown. And in 2020, we provided millions in federal CARES Act funds as well. The goal in supplying this funding was to get to the present moment; to keep these venues alive so that when the time came, they would be ready and able to open up again. See this Seattle Times article for more information: Seattle music venues get ready to rock again, with a few guidelines.
And, not that far from King County, a segment on KUOW-94.9 FM NPR played this morning about tourism coming back to Coupeville on Whidbey Island but with an inadequate number of employees to keep shops and other venues open sufficiently. A good sign for our rebound from the pandemic.
Audit finding: King County favors white-owned businesses in awarding contracts
This week, an audit was released that found King County disproportionately awards contracts to white-owned small businesses, despite the County’s commitment to equity. This discovery is incredibly unfortunate, and serves as a reminder that institutions cannot dismantle structural racism without intentional work towards measurable and strategic goals. We must do more to advance minority-and women-owned businesses and contractors, and I appreciate the King County Auditor’s Office for publishing this report. You can read the full Auditor’s report here and you may be interested in this Seattle Times article: King County awards contracts disproportionately to white-owned small businesses, report finds .
County establishes pilot program to fight gun violence
As I mentioned recently, County Executive Constantine and the King County Board of Health declared June 4th, 2021 as King County Regional Community Safety and Well-being Day in recognition of the rising rates of gun violence in this region. The pilot program is called the King County Regional Peacekeepers Collective (RPKC). Read the full story hereand you may also be interested in this story from KUOW: King County launches new coalition to combat escalating gun violence.
Disability consortium series on Understanding Ableism
 The King County Disability Consortium is inviting the public to the 6th edition in its Understanding Ableism Series entitled, “Everybody can work!” Panelists will discuss society’s misguided beliefs about working with a disAbility and the effects of Ableism in the workplace. For details and to register, see this page. You can view all past editions of the Understanding Ableism Series on the King County Disability Consortium Web Page here.
Apply for Basic Food (aka SNAP) assistance
 United Way of King County is urging individuals and families who need assistance affording groceries to apply for Basic Food assistance. Basic Food provides extra money for groceries to help put healthy food on the table. Also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Basic Food helps Washingtonians by providing monthly benefits to buy food. A family of four can receive over $600/month. For details on the program and to apply see this page: https://www.uwkc.org/need-help/food-help/
Community Investment Committee will guide investments of County funds
The County has selected Community Investment Committee members to guide $10 million investments in urban unincorporated areas. A review group of community members and King County staff selected 21 residents of different backgrounds and geographies for a new committee to create a process that will allow communities to choose how to invest $10 million in their neighborhoods. Read the full story here.
County Parks Department seeks intern for Youth Conservation Corps
 The King County Parks Department seeks an Undergraduate Intern II to support its Youth Conservation Corps program between June 28 – August 27. The Intern II will work closely with the Parks’ Education Coordinator to support leadership of 10 high school students in learning about conservation, environmental justice, and parks and recreation management practices. This position is open to full-time students working toward an undergraduate degree including community college, trade school, etc. See this page for full details.
Juneteenth week at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)
The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) is hosting several free virtual events next week to celebrate Juneteenth. The events will take place at different times between June 13th to 21st, including interactive storytime for families, the history and future of Juneteenth, Lift Every Voice (with BLKFREEDOM.org and Black museums across the nation), a Youth Night, and several more events. Check out this page for the full listing of Juneteenth events and details on how to join.
Juneteenth (celebrated on June 19th) celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Last year the County made Juneteenth an official holiday for all County employees and the State Legislature did the same in the recent legislative session for state employees.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that this week in 1965 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut that a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraceptives violated the "right to marital privacy".
Additional helpful and informative links
- Man accused of stealing vaccine cards from inoculation site – AP/ The Seattle Times
- Live: Coronavirus daily news updates, June 10: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world - The Seattle Times
- COVID numbers are trending downward, but Washington state health officials advise caution, vaccination - The Seattle Times
- AstraZeneca vaccine carries slightly higher risk of bleeding disorders, study shows –The New York Times
- Aspirin does not improve survival chances for hospitalized Covid patients, British study finds – CNBC
- New federal COVID-19 safety rules exempt most employers - The Seattle Times
- Facing COVID vaccine hesitancy at King County’s jails, doctors dispel myths, answer questions – The Seattle Times
- UW physicians try jailhouse calls to demystify COVID vaccine – KUOW
- Fortunes spent on plastic shields with no proof they stop COVID-19 – The Seattle Times
- Poll: Millions in US struggle through life with few to trust – AP / The Seattle Times
- Seattle council votes to ban some school-year and post-pandemic evictions, guarantee lease renewals – The Seattle Times
- Amazon says workers won’t need to spend all week in the office - The Seattle Times
- Sound Transit light rail will improve to 8-minute frequency this weekend – The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 An innovative new company, Appalachian Botanical, is rescuing the damaged land — and people — of Appalachia in Boone County, West Virginia. As the world started to turn to renewable energy sources – as well as natural gas - the strip coal mines that once thrived in Boone County became financially infeasible to operate. The mining companies walked away, leaving behind soil that lacks the nutrients to support most vegetation, as well as acres of pitted hillsides and valleys.
Fortunately, there is one beautiful purple plant that is even tougher than the rocky, denuded terrain. But the second lease on life isn't for the land alone. Jocelyn Sheppard founded Appalachian Botanical because she saw an opportunity to heal the land, employ people who need a second chance, and bring hope back to a suffering part of the nation.
It doesn’t stop there. Sheppard believes that mental health and recovery is as important as financial stability. So Appalachian Botanical is working with Devaraj Behavior Healthcare to provide recovery service therapy to employees struggling with addiction and substance abuse. Read the full story – and see the inspiring video – 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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