COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these dreadful numbers from over the weekend:
- 1,457 new positive cases of COVID-19 (includes 1,362 confirmed cases and 95 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 135,104).
- 4 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,757 to date)
- 36 new hospitalizations (7,325 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, 84.4% of King County residents 16 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 78.4% have received both doses.
Among all eligible residents (those 12 years and older), as of today, 83.7% of King County residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 77.6% 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:
-The number of confirmed positive cases is 502,924; the number of probable cases is 56,838, for a total of 559,762 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 6,534
- The total number of hospitalizations is 30,899
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “Our world is one of terrible contradictions. Plenty of food but one billion people go hungry. Lavish lifestyles for a few, but poverty for too many others. Huge advances in medicine while mothers die everyday in childbirth . . . Billions spent on weapons to kill people instead of keeping them safe.” - Former U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, 2011
Dr. Duchin’s Friday COVID briefing and press conference
Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin, of Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) held a press conference on Friday and briefed reporters and the public on the latest COVID news for King County. Dr. Duchin’s briefing can be viewed in full here on Public Health’s Facebook page.
You may also be interested in this coverage of the briefing from KING 5 News: Unvaccinated 67 times more likely to die from COVID-19, adjusted data shows.
The latest updates on COVID
NOTE: For the latest on COVID and schools, see the next blurb.
- Coronavirus daily news updates, Aug. 30: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world – The Seattle Times
- Health official: At least 85% vaccination rate now needed to beat COVID-19 delta variant – KING 5 News
- Washington state health care system faces ‘enormous stress’ as COVID hospitalizations continue to rise - The Seattle Times
- Because of COVID surge, packed Tri-Cities hospitals turning ambulances away – Tri-City Herald / The Seattle Times
- Even mild COVID-19 likely can spark ‘significant heart damage,’ Washington cardiologist says – The Oregonian / Oregon Live
- Study: Airborne transmission of respiratory viruses – Science
- Delta-fueled infections are moving through rural, southern Oregon 'like a buzz saw' – NPR
- Pediatricians besieged by parents seeking COVID vaccines for kids under 12 – The Washington Post / The Seattle Times
- Washington state employees union sues Gov. Jay Inslee to delay vaccine mandate, pending negotiations – The Seattle Times
-Unethical? Unnecessary? The COVID-19 vaccine booster debate intensifies – Science
- Oregon becomes only state in the nation to implement outdoor mask mandate – KATU/ABC
- Biden health department hires four outside firms to audit COVID-19 grants to hospitals- Stat News
- Vashon Island fire chief refuses to get COVID-19 vaccine despite Washington state mandate – Seattle P-I
- Opinion: I was once a hardcore anti-vaxxer. Now I try to nudge people to get the Covid-19 vaccine – Stat News
- Opinion: The hard COVID-19 questions we’re not asking – The New York Times
The latest on schools and COVID-19
 - The U.S. Education Department is investigating five states over their mask mandate bans – The New York Times
- Parents puzzle over school safety as many Washington state kids return to school for first time in over a year – The Seattle Times
- ‘Outdoors is safer than indoors’ for school lunch, says local health officer – MyNorthwest
- State superintendent’s emergency rule will penalize Washington schools not complying with mask, vaccine requirements – The Seattle Times
- Emergence of delta variant means a back-to-school like no other – South Seattle Emerald
- In this stressful back to school season, use “layers” of precautions to keep everyone safe – Public Health Insider blog
- As School Board meetings get hostile, some members are calling it quits – NPR
- As districts insist on vaccines, some teachers push back – AP News
- An elementary school teacher took off her mask for a read-aloud. Within days, half her class was positive for delta – The Washington Post / The Seattle Times
A few more resources on schools and COVID
Public Health is reminding everyone that “Change is constant in this COVID-19 world.” As the situation evolves, Public Health will continue to update, provide the latest information and answer additional questions related to children and schools on these two web pages:
- Frequently asked questions about schools and child care during COVID-19
- COVID-19 outbreak data including schools and child care
You may also be interested in the resources on this webpage from the CDC: COVID-19 pandemic: Helping young children and parents transition back to school.
This week at the Council
Note: All Council and committee meetings are still being held remotely.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 31st at 9:30 a.m. – Law and Justice Committee: Briefing on evaluation of King County Sheriff’s Office relating to a 2019 Officer-Involved Shooting, consideration of ordinances relating to public defense and hate crime reporting
The King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) will present a systemic review of the Sheriff’s Office’s handling of a November 2019 shooting of 36-year-old Anthony Chilcott. The briefing will identify problematic tactics, systemic issues, and shortcomings in the Sheriff’s office that contributed to the shooting, and will identify methods to improve decision-making and prevent future similar tragedies.
Committee members will also consider a motion sponsored by my colleague Councilmember Reagan Dunn, that would establish a countywide “Stop Hate Hotline” to support accessible reporting of hate crimes in a way that avoids fear of retribution. The legislation also provides for a public awareness campaign associated with the hotline.
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 31st at 1 p.m. – Community, Health and Housing Services Committee: Briefing on the Blake decision’s impact on the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), update from County Superior Court Judge Oishi on Courthouse safety
In February 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in State v. Blake that the state’s felony drug possession statute was unconstitutional. The decision affects anyone previously convicted of simple possession of a controlled substance, and can include currently incarcerated individuals. The decision means convictions may be vacated, dismissed, etc., by an order from the court, and will also lead to increased use of DCHS’ behavioral health services.
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Wednesday, September 1st at 9:30 a.m. – Committee of the Whole: COVID-19 briefing from the Executive’s office, discussion of a motion regarding the roles and responsibilities of the County, the City of Seattle, and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority and other cities in King County in responding to the homelessness crisis
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
Wednesday, September 1st at 3 p.m. – Regional Water Quality Committee: Briefings on January 2021 wastewater discharge and County’s Clean Water Plan strategy
For instructions on viewing the meeting and providing your input, and to view the agenda and meeting materials, see this page.
News on the County’s Clean Water Planning
 As I’ve mentioned in the past, King County is in the process of working with community partners to develop a comprehensive Clean Water Plan to clean up our county’s waterways and help clean up Puget Sound. The County is undertaking this large planning effort because it is facing critical decisions that will affect the region’s water quality.
The Clean Water Planning process works with eight community-based organizations (CBOs) as trusted advocates and leaders representing communities who haven’t historically been included in strategic planning processes. For more information on the developing plan, see links to these documents, available in 15 languages:
- The Actions in the Clean Water Plan (pdf)
- The Clean Water Plan Process (pdf)
We need arts and culture - - especially during a pandemic
I recently spoke along with County Executive Dow Constantine at an event held at the Woodland Park Zoo honoring the cultural sector. I’m shown here with Alejandro Grajal, President and CEO, Woodland Park Zoo; County Executive Constantine; and Bob Davidson, President and CEO, Seattle Aquarium.
I have been so impressed with the efforts and creativity on the part of the cultural sector in pivoting from in-person venues to virtual platforms and now (hopefully) heading back to all in-person.
I have consistently believed, even in the darkest days, that as we return to a new, post-COVID normal, we will once again fill our art museums, our theatres, our music nightlife venues, and our educational and scientific institutions. And we’re seeing that it’s starting to happen now – but still with many challenges.
That’s why, as the Council’s Budget chair, it’s been hugely important to me to use COVID relief funds to not only prioritize public health, food, housing, and other urgent needs, but also our cultural sector. It is essential for our economic recovery, bringing tourists back, holding conventions.
From last year’s federal CARES Act, the County provided over $7 million in direct relief to the sector such as over $4 million dollars to 4Culture and $2.5 million to live music and other venues.
Please see below for an important survey on the impact of COVID-19 on cultural organizations. You may also find these articles of interest:
- Delta variant looms over Seattle’s live music comeback – The Seattle Times
- ArtSEA: Pack a mask and vaccine card for Seattle arts shows this fall - Crosscut
- How safe are concerts? Swedish’s infection prevention expert answers our questions about live music and COVID – The Seattle Times
The following are a few more items relating to the arts, culture and heritage sector:
COVID Cultural Impact Study
Arts, cultural, heritage, and science nonprofit organizations in our communities have been hit hard by the pandemic. Since March 2020, ArtsFund has been collecting quarterly snapshot data of impacts across the sector. As Washington state venues begin to open again, ArtsFund is conducting a comprehensive COVID Cultural Impact Study.
The COVID Cultural Impact Study will be released in Winter 2021-2022. Both cultural sector non-profits and members of the public are encouraged to participate. For full details on the study, see this webpage.
Landmarks capital funding grants: Deadline is September 22
Whether you are an individual owner or you represent an organization, if you are the steward of a designated historic landmark property in King County and are working to rehabilitate it, 4Culture is encouraging you to consider applying for a Landmarks Capital grant. For full information on this funding opportunity, eligibility and application requirements, see this page.
Arc artist showcase: September 1st and September 8th
 4Culture’s Arc Artist Fellowship provides critical—but rare—unrestricted funding to a new and unique cohort of King County artists every year. The six 2021 Fellows are all between the ages of 18 and 25 and are creating art that challenges structures of power in the global fight for social justice. Join 4Culture for a two-part virtual showcase on Zoom to hear from each artist about their work.
The two sessions are September 1, 12 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and September 8, 7 – 8 p.m. Separate registrations are required for each session (use the links above). Once you register, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link and password to the virtual event. Contact lauren.semet@4culture.org if you have any trouble registering.
Swedish’s Black Birth Empowerment Initiative highlighted in Forbes magazine
 Photo by Mustafa Omar on Unsplash
In an article on racism in maternity care, Forbes magazine writes, “...the U.S. maternal mortality rate [is] 2.5 to 3.5 times higher for Black women than for white and Hispanic women, respectively...”
The recent article highlights the Swedish Doula Program’s Black Birth Empowerment Initiative (BBEI), which works to address racism in maternity care. BBEI (pronounced “Bay”) works with Black patients from pregnancy through the postpartum period and provides professional support and mentorship to Black doulas.
This Wednesday, 3 – 4 p.m.: Free Transit: What’s Possible?
 Join Terry White of King County Metro and other transportation leaders to discuss the future of transit in our region at a discussion hosted by Transportation Choices Coalition. The online discussion will take place this Wednesday, September 1st at 3 – 4 p.m. For details and to register, click here.
Pet of the Week
 Ready for some love from affectionate Ariya? See her and her other friends at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet. Adoptions remain by appointment only, so make your booking on the website. If you have additional questions, contact RASKC at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that on this day in 1976, Harold McCluskey, a chemical operator at the Hanford nuclear weapons plant, became "The Atomic Man" when he survived accidental radiological contamination. McCluskey became so radioactive that he had to be kept in a steel and concrete isolation tank for five months to avoid exposing others. It is the highest dose of radiation known to a human who survived. Read more about the accident and how McCluskey survived here at HistoryLink.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Northwest’s low blood supply is limiting deliveries to hospitals – The Seattle Times
- Weather heats up as California fire inches toward Lake Tahoe – AP News
- Prominent Black doctor talks about resignation from Seattle Children's, citing racism – KING 5 News
- Judge strikes Seattle charter amendment on homelessness from November ballot – The Seattle Times
- King County leaders address courthouse safety in downtown Seattle, seek solutions to safety issues – Q13 Fox
- Report: 7 In 10 AAPI women over 50 impacted by anti-Asian hate - Asian Journal
- Reel youth film camp introduces BIPOC kids to the world of filmmaking – South Seattle Emerald
- Washington organizations are resettling Afghan refugees, here’s how you can help – South Seattle Emerald
- What we learned about the urban/rural political divide in WA - Crosscut
- A Hurricane Ida unknown: Economic impact on region and U.S. – AP News
- How climate change is fueling hurricanes like Ida - NPR
- A perfect storm: Climate disasters are magnifying the U.S.’s maternal health crisis – Stat News
- Eleven-thousand-year-old solution to modern problem: Ancient potato could thrive in changing climate – Yale Climate Connections
Today’s moment of inspiration
 I’ve mentioned before that one of the few positive stories from this pandemic has been the creativity people have shown in helping others and finding ways to make the challenges of COVID a little more bearable.
A wonderful example of this creativity comes to us from Albany, Georgia, where students in Mrs. Evans’ and Mrs. Williams’ virtual classes at Monroe Comprehensive High School were treated to unique “welcome back to school” messages. Evans and Williams teamed up with the school’s Cheer Squad (whose members all wore masks) to produce a special welcome back rap video inspired by the track “What’s Poppin’” by rapper Jack Harlow.
One excerpt: “You got options, but you better pass my class no floppin’ / Gon’ log in, every day, every morning, I’m watchin’ / Yeah we virtual, and you know what’s up, so we ‘bout to take it up a notch,” Evans raps in her video.
These videos made my day, and I’m sure they lifted the spirits of the students as they begin this new pandemic school year. The story and the two videos are available at this link on Yahoo: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/teachers-back-to-school-rap-virtual-learning-coronavirus-160544490.html
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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