News on COVID and a new virus, human behavior during pandemics, volunteers needed for booster shot trial, update on resettlement of Afghan refugees in our region, arts and culture grants, transit talk on new age of light rail, congratulations to Ballard Food Bank, and inspiring new farmer’s market...

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Banner image showing King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles.

September 20, 2021

Photo by El Mercadito Farmer's Market and Urban Fresh Food Collective

Photo by El Mercadito Farmer's Market and Urban Fresh Food Collective. See today's Moment of Inspiration!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,  

First, a reminder that Public Health Officer Dr. Duchin’s Health Order requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars, gyms or entertainment venues will take effect on October 25th (more below) which means that today was the last day to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines if you have social plans on October 26th.  Of course, ASAP is always the best possible time to get your shot.  If you’re planning to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you have more time.

I also wanted to draw your attention to this fascinating column by Danny Westneat in The Seattle Times if you haven’t read it already: Wondering why society went off-kilter during the pandemic? It was all predicted in this book

Westneat writes of his interview with Steven Taylor, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, who wrote a book in 2019 entitled The Psychology of Pandemics.  Westneat’s column is a compelling read, and I was especially taken with this quote: “Pandemics bring out all these extremes in behavior... Anxiety, fear, denial, racism, conspiracy theories, the popularity of quack cures, the ‘you’re not the boss of me’ backlash to health directives — these things have all been seen dating back to the medieval plagues.”

In addition, included below are updates on COVID, the resettlement of Afghan refugees, arts and culture grants, and more.  I have also included information below on a new virus called Nipah, which has broken out in India and is causing concern.  (Sigh.)

As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.   

All the best and I hope you are staying safe.