COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers (which are about the same as yesterday’s which is good!):
- 58 new positive cases of COVID-19 (includes 58 confirmed cases and 0 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 111,164).
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,615 total)
- 3 new hospitalizations (6,275 to date)
Vaccination rates in King County: As of today, 77.6% of all eligible King County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 69.9% 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 today:
-Total number of confirmed positive cases is 408,999; the total number of probable cases is 35,723 for a total of 444,722 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 5,782 (data adjustment since last e-news)
- The total number of hospitalizations is 24,847
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy, what a source of power. I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out, before we tackle that.” - Thomas Edison, 1931
Next vaccination lottery drawing will be held tomorrow
 For full details on the vaccination lottery drawings and the other incentive prizes, see this page from the state Lottery Commission. To access your family’s vaccination records, see this page from the state Department of Health. You may also be interested in this Seattle Times article: Washington vaccine lottery winner says he got lucky — first, by not getting COVID-19 and then by winning $250,000. According to the article, lottery officials are still waiting to hear back from other winners who have apparently not listened to their voicemail messages!
You may also be interested in disturbing information in this article, also from The Seattle Times: State warns residents of Washington’s vaccine lottery scams.
Get your vaccine! Upcoming opportunities, including at Capitol Hill Pride
 The next pop-up vaccine clinic in Seattle will happen next Monday, June 21st, from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave. To view the full schedule of pop-up clinics – including Seattle sites – see this page and keep checking for updates.
In addition, Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) will be holding a COVID-19 vaccination event at the end of the month at Capitol Hill Pride. All vaccines will be offered including second doses. More details to come.
You don’t need to wait for a pop-up clinic to get vaccinated. See these pages for more information:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/distribution.aspx
https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19/vaccinations
The COVID vaccines are safe, effective and free
 Despite misinformation that is spreading about the safety of the vaccines, the COVID vaccines are highly effective, safe and are always free, whether or not you have insurance. There have been some cases of heart inflammation in young people following vaccination, but according to The New York Times, “Not all are likely to be verified or related to vaccines, and experts believe the benefits of immunization far outweigh the risk of these complications.” See the resources below for more information.
- CDC COVID-19 study shows mRNA vaccines reduce risk of infection by 91 percent for fully vaccinated people – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines - CDC
- STUDY: Decreases in COVID-19 Cases, Emergency Department Visits, Hospital Admissions, and Deaths Among Older Adults Following the Introduction of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, September 6, 2020–May 1, 2021 - CDC
- Science Brief: COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination – CDC
- In Our View: COVID inoculations work; unvaccinated at risk – The Columbian
King County also has an FAQ page that you might find helpful about the vaccine: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/FAQ.aspx
COVID has had enormous impact on Latinx communities
As we’ve discussed many times, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted BIPOC communities, and studies are showing it has had tremendous negative effects on Latinx individuals and families. See the articles below for more information.
- How the Virus Unraveled Hispanic American Families – The New York Times
- Opinion: Communities forgotten — Latinos during the pandemic – The South Seattle Emerald
- There are too few Latino nurses. COVID showed how important they are. – Yahoo News
The pandemic is global
 Photo by K Hsu on Unsplash
I’ve mentioned this before, but need to reiterate this point as our nation starts reopening and people resume traveling. The pandemic is global and viruses do not respect national borders. Getting vaccines to poorer nations is critical in keeping the virus at bay here at home.
Already, England and Russia are backing off of – or delaying – reopening plans, due to increased spread of the virus (largely caused by the Delta variant). See the articles below for details.
- "We need more": UN joins criticism of G7 vaccine pledge - Reuters
- Guterres: Vaccines should be considered 'global public goods' – UN News
- Coronavirus G7: Could a billion more vaccines for poorer countries make a difference? - BBC
- Moscow orders new restrictions as COVID-19 infections soar – AP News
- England’s plan to reopen on June 21 is postponed by four weeks – The New York Times
Watch Gov. Inslee’s press conference from June 9th
Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the media last week, giving an update on the state's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to announce the new state Employment Security Department (ESD) commissioner. You can view the press conference on TVW here.
Update from the City of Seattle on Northgate pedestrian and bicycle bridge
SDOT, the City of Seattle’s transportation department, is updating the public on the progress of the bridge spans over I-5 at Northgate. The pedestrian and bicycle bridge was lifted by cranes and set in place over the northbound lanes of I-5 early yesterday, June 13. Read full details and see the photos here.
Juneteenth is Saturday; Check out these celebrations
Juneteenth 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.
Celebrate Juneteenth with King County this Thursday
Please join us for a Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 17th at 10 a.m. This important event, put on by King County’s Executive and Legislative Branch Equity and Social Justice Offices, will feature Dr. Marcia Tate Arunga as the keynote speaker and will be streamed live on King County TV here.
This is Juneteenth week at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)
The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) is hosting several free virtual events this week, 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.
Stories of Juneteenth: A Conversation with Ms. Opal Lee – Thursday at 8 a.m.
In 2016, at the age of 89, former teacher and lifelong activist Opal Lee walked 1,400 miles from her home in Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., in an effort to get Juneteenth recognized as a national holiday. Join Ms. Opal this Thursday at 8 a.m. PT, along with Harvard University professors Evelynn Hammonds and Annette Gordon-Reed; Gordon-Reed is also the author of the new book, On Juneteenth. Watch on Harvard’s School of Public Health Facebook page or on the YouTube channel.
This week at the Council
Note: All meetings are still being held remotely.
Discussion of County’s First Omnibus Supplemental to the 2021- 2022 Biennial Budget: Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
Members of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee – which I chair – will take action on this first omnibus budget with amendments tomorrow morning, June 15th at 9:30 a.m.
The public is welcome to view the (virtual) meeting and submit public comments. For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Just Cause tenant protection legislation: Tomorrow at 1 p.m.
The full Council will take up the Just Cause tenant protection legislation sponsored by Councilmembers Zahilay, Upthegrove and me at its meeting tomorrow, June 15 at 1 p.m. The legislation will be up for a briefing and discussion with action postponed till next Tuesday’s Council meeting. Councilmember Zahilay will also introduce a Proclamation of June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth in King County.
The public is welcome to view the (virtual) meeting and submit public comments. For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Discussion on ranked choice voting and possible fall ballot measure
At the next Council Committee of the Whole meeting, this Wednesday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m., Councilmembers will discuss using ranked-choice voting for the election of county officers, including the King County executive, and which could be placed on the November general election ballot if an ordinance is introduced and passed.
Councilmembers will also receive briefings on the County’s COVID-19 response and on Harborview.
The public is welcome to view the (virtual) meeting and submit public comments. For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page. The agenda and materials will also be available here, although they have not yet been posted.
Board of Health briefing on bicycle helmet enforcement
The Board of Health will meet this Thursday, June 17 at 1 p.m. Included will be a panel discussion on the County’s bicycle helmet law and disparate impacts of enforcement.
The public is welcome to view the (virtual) meeting and submit public comments. For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Join me next week, June 23, for a County update and Q & A session
Please join me next week at a meeting hosted by the Queen Anne Community Council, a meeting on the “Initiative on Community Engagement.” The meeting will take place remotely at 7 p.m. June 23. I’ll provide an update on County legislation, followed by an open question and answer session. Questions can be submitted in advance to organizer Paula Mueller, paulamueller@comcast.net.
To register for the meeting, sign up at https://signup.com/go/XTJJLSY. Zoom information will be sent to all people who register prior to the event.
The latest from Metro
 Metro is reminding passengers to keep masking up and to visit Metro’s website for the latest transit news and information.
While some federal and state mask guidelines have been revised for some circumstances, transit employees and customers are still required to wear masks on buses, transit vehicles and at bus stops.
Visit the Metro Matters blog for Metro news and service updates. Another reminder: Trailhead Direct service has returned for the summer of 2021, featuring the Issaquah Alps and Mt Si routes, with a new Squak Mountain State Park trailhead stop on the Issaquah Alps route.
County Council District 6 seeks representative on Parks Levy Oversight Board
King County has a variety boards and commissions, which give residents the opportunity to get involved in the work of the county by providing oversight and recommendations for county policies and programs. Right now the King County Parks Levy Oversight Board has an opening for a District 6 resident (Bellevue area).
The board reviews parks levy expenditures and makes recommendations for implementation of the levy. This is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for parks, trails, and open space and who is interested in making our Parks Levy a success.
If you are interested in applying or have any questions, please reach out to Council Chair Balducci’s Community Liaison, Madeline Cavazos, at madeline.cavazos@kingcounty.gov.
Free virtual summer workshops at Gates Foundation Discovery center
 Image by Maya Milton, via Gates Foundation
Young people interested in learning more about local and global issues and developing leadership skills are encouraged to join the Gates Foundation Discovery Center for a series of FREE, virtual youth workshops all through July. Each workshop will bring middle and high school students unique opportunities to meet youth activists, community leaders, Foundation staff, and other experts in the field of social change from around the world. It will be wrapped up with a fun, show-stopping youth presentation, too. Space is limited and may fill up quickly. Sign up here.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that on this day in 1940, Native Americans from throughout the Northwest gathered at Kettle Falls for a three-day “Ceremony of Tears” to mourn the loss of their ancestral fishing grounds, soon to be flooded by the Grand Coulee Damon the Columbia River in Central Washington.
According to HistoryLink, Kettle Falls was second only to Celilo Falls (which was inundated by The Dalles Dam in 1957) as a fishing and gathering place for Native Americans along the Columbia.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Novavax Covid-19 vaccine highly effective in late-stage trial, long-awaited results show – Stat News
- US extends expiration dates for J&J COVID vaccine by 6 weeks – AP News
- Vermont is the first state to partially vaccinate at least 80 percent of its eligible population – The New York Times
- The C.D.C. is investigating nearly 800 cases of rare heart problems following immunization. - The New York Times
- Heart inflammation in young men higher than expected after Pfizer, Moderna vaccines -U.S. CDC – Reuters
- California’s stricter COVID rules did not hurt the economy: report (same for Washington state) – The Mercury News
- Opinion: Washington’s COVID-19 recovery hinges on addressing chronic homelessness – The Seattle Times
- How COVID-19 is hitting Washington’s teens, and when vaccines may arrive for younger kids – The Seattle Times
- Anti-Vaccine Activists Use A Federal Database To Spread Fear About COVID Vaccines - NPR
- COVID: Unvaccinated most at risk from Delta variant - BBC
- Study: No previously infected Cleveland Clinic employees who remained unvaccinated were reinfected – ABC News Cleveland affiliate
- City, county get busy spending federal ARPA relief dollars - The South Seattle Emerald
- Washington among top states for food insecurity for military families – KUOW
- What the Rich Don’t Want to Admit About the Poor – The New York Times
- Send in the Bugs. The Michelangelos Need Cleaning. – The New York Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo from the Associated Press (AP)
The New York Times is telling the story of a 53-year-old Chicago man who found an innovative way to cope with the stresses of the pandemic - - regardless of Chicago weather. Dan O’Conor has jumped into Lake Michigan every day for close to a year. According to the Times story, “During the winter, there were days he could not really jump at all: When Lake Michigan was covered with snow and ice, he had to break through with a shovel to find a place to carefully drop into the lake, then climb out again. A woman interrupted him at the water’s edge once, concerned about his mental health.” 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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