COVID-19 UPDATES
NOTE: As of August 10th, The WA Department of Health continues to have a large backlog of lab results. Although positive results are up to date, there remains a large number of negative test results that have not yet been reported from July 28-August 10th. We anticipate lower numbers of test results, and an overestimated test positivity as the backlog is addressed.
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers from over the weekend:
- 1,682 new positive cases of COVID-19 (includes 1,506 confirmed cases and 176 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 126,634). See note above!
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,705 to date)
- 111 new hospitalizations (7,027 to date)
To see the progression of the virus in King County since our last newsletter, you can view screenshots of the Daily Dashboard here. Note the correct date appears when you click on the document (one day earlier than is listed). The data are not updated over the weekends.
Vaccination rates in King County: As of today, 82.9% of King County residents 16 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 77.1% have received both doses.
Among all eligible residents (those 12 years and older), as of today, 82.1% of King County residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 76.2% 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 Friday:
-The number of confirmed positive cases is 460,220; the number of probable cases is 47,074, for a total of 507,294 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 6,239
- The total number of hospitalizations is 28,377
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” - Martin Luther King, Jr., Speech to the Second National Convention of the Medical Committee for Human Rights – Chicago, March 25, 1966
With Delta, masking up is critical – and it’s time to improve the quality and the fit
 Due to the highly contagious Delta variant and the rapidly rising case numbers in King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Public Health is also urging all King County residents to take a serious look at the fit and effectiveness of their masks, and provides useful tips and guidelines in this article.
According to Public Health, “The highly contagious Delta variant requires renewed vigilance – and better “mask hygiene.” We must continue to protect our community who are unable to be vaccinated, including kids under 12 and immune-compromised community members. So, it’s a good time to assess your mask quality and supply – to have the best filtering and best fitting mask or respirator you can. To resist the Delta variant, you’ll want both a good fit and a high-quality mask.” Read the full article here.
You may also find these links useful:
- Masking guidance – King County
- Improve how your mask protects you – The CDC
- Where to buy N95s, KN95s, and surgical-style masks you can trust – The New York Times Wirecutter
A wake-up call on the Delta variant
 I highly recommend this August 12th article from The Atlantic: Cases of COVID-19 are rising fast. Vaccine uptake has plateaued. The pandemic will be over one day—but the way there is different now. It is a comprehensive look at how the Delta variant has changed the endgame of the pandemic, and includes this: “...Delta’s extreme transmissibility negates some of the community-level protection that vaccines offer. If no other precautions are taken, Delta can spread through a half-vaccinated country more quickly than the original virus could in a completely unvaccinated country.” Also, see the following from the state Department of Health: Delta variant drives dramatic spike in cases, further exhausting hospital capacity across the state – August 13 DOH news release
The latest updates on COVID
- Live: Coronavirus daily news updates, August 16: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world – The Seattle Times
- U.S. booster shot decision expected within two weeks – AP News
- Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine recommended for certain immunocompromised individuals – August 14 DOH news release
- UW Medicine offering third vaccinations, rescheduling surgeries as Delta variant surges – The Seattle Times
- The fine print: Understanding the new policy authorizing extra COVID vaccine doses for the immunocompromised – Stat News
- Opinion: What happened this week is that patience from the vaccinated finally ran out – The Seattle Times
- Hospitals across Inland Northwest revise visitor policies as COVID-19 cases surge – KREM News (Spokane)
- Do people with asthma face higher COVID risks? Medication may play a role, study finds – The Bellingham Herald
- Last Wednesday, the CDC released new data showing the COVID vaccine is safe for pregnant people. Additional guidance is available at this page on the CDC website: COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding.
County dashboard highlights broad effects of pandemic
If you have not yet checked out the County’s Economic, Social, and Overall Health Impacts Dashboard, I urge you to give it a try. It is updated weekly and tracks measurements in areas such as food insecurity, unemployment, family violence and more. The information can then be broken down by demographic and other factors.
For son of Jonas Salk, coronavirus vaccines conjure memories of polio’s defeat
 Photo- By Yousuf Karsh, photographer - Wisdom Magazine, Aug. 1956
This is a fascinating article in the UW alumni magazine on the differences and similarities between our current vaccination efforts against COVID, and the defeat of polio by vaccine - - from the point of view of the son of Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine. As my father had polio when he was young, I find this article especially compelling.
The latest updates on climate, extreme heat and wildfires
 - Climate change is harming people’s health, emergency room doctor says. Worsening heat and pollen are sending people to the hospital. – Yale Climate Connections
- California fire threatens homes as blazes burn across West – AP News
- After UN climate report, individuals seek to do their part – AP News
- The new IPCC Report includes – get this, good news - Yale Climate Connections
- As wildfires overwhelm the West, officials try to predict their path - The Seattle Times
- King County creates ‘playbook’ to help prepare for future heat wave events – KING 5 News
- Heat wave likely killed far more people in Washington state than reported – KUOW
- EXPLAINER: Western states face first federal water cuts – AP News
Update on City Hall Park, the County Courthouse and my new legislation on the Park
As I’ve discussed in past e-newsletters, there have been very serious safety concerns raised by employees and visitors accessing services at the County Courthouse. Violence around the Courthouse has increased in the last several months, including a recent case of attempted rape inside a women’s bathroom in the building.
Last week, the JustCARE program – funded by the County and the City - had staff in City Hall Park assisting people living there to move voluntarily to safer and more sustainable shelter options. (The City of Seattle owns the park, which is located next to the County Courthouse.) To date, at least 68 people have moved out of the park and into a hotel room or shelter. The park is now closed and fenced.
On Friday, I introduced legislation aiming for the County to acquire City Hall Park and consider how it might be better used in the future. I applaud the work that has been done by the JustCARE group to find shelter for the many people who were residing in the park and the effort being taken now to restore and secure the grounds. This was not an easy task. It is now time for us to reimagine this space to ensure that it is safe for people to congregate, recreate and traverse safely for years to come. We can also take this moment to think big about its future use. I strongly believe that this property should be managed and owned by the County rather than the City of Seattle because of its close proximity to the courthouse and other county campus buildings.
The motion requests a report from the Executive by November 15th of this year. The legislation has been referred to the Council’s Committee of the Whole. You may also be interested in the following articles:
- More than 70 people living in Seattle's City Hall Park moved to shelters – KING 5 News
- Community group played key role in getting City Hall Park campers into temporary shelter – KOMO News
- Lawmaker calls for Seattle to give county control over City Hall Park following closure – MyNorthwest
- King County Superior Court commends JustCARE, City of Seattle, and King County for addressing public safety concerns and providing shelter and services to people living in City Hall Park – August 13 news release from the King County Superior Court
This week at the Council
Note: All Council and committee meetings are still being held remotely.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17 at 9:30 a.m. – Budget and Fiscal Management Committee (which I chair): Discussion of several ordinances, including proposals to lower the County’s borrowing costs for wastewater services, to increase solid waste disposal fees to pay for climate change and zero waste initiatives, and funding safety and seismic upgrades at Harborview.
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17th at 1 p.m. – Full Council: COVID update and public hearing on winery moratorium in unincorporated King County
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Wednesday, August 18 at 9:30 a.m. – Council Committee of the Whole: COVID briefing from Executive budget office, discussion of an ordinance to create a publicly accessible database of vacant or unused county-owned real property
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
August 25th: Virtual open house on new south King County waste transfer station
 Rendering of a proposed design
King County’s Solid Waste Division is in the process of designing a new recycling and waste transfer station that will replace the 1960s-era Algona Transfer Station. When it opens in mid-2025, the new station will offer a full array of recycling services, hazardous waste disposal for households and qualifying business, sustainable building features, public art, and other community benefits. Join County Solid Waste Division staff to learn more about this new facility and give your input on the design updates at a virtual open house on Wednesday, August 25th, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information on the project and to register for the open house see this page. To request language interpreter services, or accommodations for people with disabilities, please contact Solid Waste Division at 206-477-4466, TTY Relay 711 at least one week in advance of event.
Pet of the Week at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC)
 Cordelia, August 10th Pet of the Week
Your new best friend may be waiting for you at the Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) pet adoption program. Visit this page to learn about animals who are looking for good homes!
Time for Seattle to think small?
I found this Crosscut article fascinating: To solve Seattle’s biggest problems, the city needs to think small. It certainly provides food for thought as the City considers how it will look and operate once we are through this pandemic.
Join the National Nordic Museum – and me - for the Nordic Labyrinth Unveiling on August 21!
 You are invited to join the National Nordic Museum in Ballard on Saturday, August 21st, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. for the unveiling of its new Nordic Labyrinth on The Fisherman's Sun Terrace. There will be special guest speakers -- including myself and Robert O’Driscoll, Consul General of Ireland to the Western United States, and Helge Marstrander, Consul/Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Norwegian Consulate in San Francisco -- a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a special labyrinth craft activity for kids. For details, see this page.
August 21: Join the Queen Anne Historical Society for a tour of Mount Pleasant Cemetery
 Historian Kim Turner and the Queen Anne Historical Society invite you to join them this Saturday, August 21st, from 10 a.m. to noon for a tour of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The tour is free of charge and good walking shoes are recommended. Meet at the south entrance to the cemetery at 700 West Raye Street at 10:00 a.m. Kim will walk participants through the beautiful grounds of Mount Pleasant and point out interesting historical sites. Old favorites and new places to explore will include the burial site of a Civil War veteran and the monument that commemorates the lives of people lost in the 1906 sinking of the S.S. Valencia off Vancouver Island. Kim’s cemetery tours are always popular, informative and unique.
Ballard Pool to reopen in October, other city recreation facilities starting to reopen
 According to an article in MyBallard, the City of Seattle has announced it will start reopening pools and community centers around Seattle this fall, with the Ballard Pool set to reopen to the public in October. Seattle Parks and Recreation will start ramping up their public services and programming at various recreation facilities in the city starting September 7th. See this news release from the City for more information: Pools and registered community center programs to begin phased reopening starting in early September.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that on this day in 2003, a state DOT bridge construction project unearthed Tse-whit-zen, a largely intact Klallam Indian village, in a major archaeological discovery? Read the full story – and view a photo of the unearthed village – here on HistoryLink.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Misinformation at public forums vexes local boards, big tech – AP News
- Facebook and YouTube execs say removing COVID-19 misinformation isn’t enough – Stat News
- Elective surgeries are being delayed again. Doctors want to handle it differently this time – Stat News
- Seattle Children’s hospital workforce protest for full Covington report – The South Seattle Emerald
- King County’s plans to preserve farmland – KIRO 7 News
- Seattle grew by more than 100,000 people in past 10 years, King County population booms, diversifies, new census data shows – The Seattle Times
- Sound Transit faces a $6.5 billion shortfall. Here’s what it might do – The Seattle Times
- Seattle tourism starter pack: Walk off the cruise ship and see city landmarks in 90 minutes (all in District 4!) – The Seattle Times
- First live Asian Giant 'Murder Hornet' of 2021 spotted in Washington State – KUOW
- Seattle council set to vote on bill limiting SPD’s use of less lethal weapons during protests – MyNorthwest
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo by Peter Yeung
Today’s Moment is an inspiring story of human ingenuity, working in concert in nature. A research team from Corsica University’s marine research institute Stella Mare is depositing oysters around islands in the Mediterranean, as told in this story from Reasons to be Cheerful.
According to the story, “The species naturally filters water in order to absorb nutrients and grow their shells. But scientists have discovered that a byproduct of this oyster growth process is that harmful pollutants such as phosphorus, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and nitrogen from fertilizers, which are difficult to remove from water and can persist for decades if left alone, are also extracted from the sea... proponents believe Stella Mare’s method could be a low-cost, relatively simple solution to improve the health of our oceans.”
In addition, the Billion Oyster Project in New York Harbor is restoring oyster reefs, which have been decimated in the last 100 years. According to the project website, “Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, and can protect [the] city from storm damage — softening the blow of large waves, reducing flooding, and preventing erosion along the shorelines.”
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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