COVID-19 UPDATES
Note: Public Health has changed the way it is reporting these data, in order to better show the trends. As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers for the last seven and last fourteen days:
- 2,891 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the last seven days (includes 2,674 confirmed cases and 217 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 158,072). These numbers include 424 new cases since yesterday, and a 12% decrease in the reported number of daily positive cases in the last seven days, over the prior 7 days.
- 37 new COVID-19-related deaths in the last two weeks (1,939 to date)
- 102 new hospitalizations in the last seven days (8,242 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:
Among all eligible residents (those 12 years and older), as of today, 87.3% of King County residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 81.8% have received both doses.
- View updated County vaccination data here.
- View COVID outcomes according to vaccination status here.
To view a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by race and ethnicity, 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 612,757; the number of probable cases is 79,580, for a total of 692,337 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 8,198
- The total number of hospitalizations is 38,344
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right.” – Jane Goodall, 2008
The details on booster shots
 While there’s been a lot of news about boosters in recent weeks, there’s also a lot of confusion. You may be wondering if multiple shots are necessary, regardless of your vaccination status. You may also be wondering if you’re currently eligible, or when you might be. Get the full details here from the State Department of Health. You may also be interested in the following articles:
- A primer on what we know about mixing and matching COVID vaccines – Stat News
- People who received a J.&J. vaccine may be better off with a Moderna or Pfizer booster, a study finds. – The New York Times
- A study of COVID vaccine boosters suggests Moderna or Pfizer works best – NPR
- FDA analysis of J&J COVID vaccine booster sets the stage for public hearing - NPR
- An F.D.A. panel recommends a Moderna booster for many Americans – The New York Times
Watch how proposed new COVID pill works and could transform treatment
 Merck’s Molnupiravir is the first oral treatment that has shown promise in treating COVID-19. Watch this short explainer video from Stat News to see exactly how this drug works in the body against the virus.
Helping businesses with vaccine verification
As of October 25th, we must all show proof of vaccination to go into bars, restaurants, clubs and gyms. In preparation, Public Health and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce worked together to produce this business toolkit to help businesses get ready to verify vaccination status. The toolkit includes training guidance, signage, and scenario planning.
City of Seattle opening high capacity downtown vaccination hub
 The new Downtown Seattle Vaccination Hub at the Amazon Meeting Center will open on October 23rd and will have the capacity to provide about 10,000 shots per week. The City is also working with partners to launch fixed vaccination hubs in South and West Seattle, as well as one to two Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Mobile Vaccination Teams. Read the full announcement here and you may also be interested in this article from The Seattle Times: Seattle to open COVID vaccine hub downtown, restart Fire Department mobile units.
Poll shows severe impact of COVID on household finances
According to an article in Bloomberg News, “...for almost 20% of U.S. households, the pandemic wiped out their entire financial cushion, a poll released Tuesday [found].” The poll was conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. According to the Bloomberg article, “Almost a third of those making less than $50,000 had their entire financial cushion wiped out.”
The latest news on COVID
 Photo by Kevin Grieve on Unsplash
Note: For the latest on children and COVID, see the blurb below this one.
- Large events in Washington state will soon require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test – The Seattle Times
- Breakthrough COVID may not be as threatening as scientists thought – NPR
- Why many Black Americans changed their minds about COVID shots – The New York Times
- COVID-19 hospital visitor rules: Families want more access – AP News
- We’ve lost the war’: Idaho doctor says COVID is here to stay as state adds more cases, deaths – The Seattle Times
- If you’ve already had COVID, do you need a vaccine? – The New York Times / The Seattle Times
- King County executive praises vaccine mandate but Snohomish and Pierce are leery - KOMO News
- Boeing will require all employees to be vaccinated, despite wary labor unions and conservative opposition - The Seattle Times
- Fauci says other variants not expected to ‘outstrip’ delta as new one emerges – The Washington Post
- Washington hospitals brace for thousands of employees to leave – KIRO 7 News
- Hundreds of police officers have died from COVID. Vaccines remain a hard sell. - The New York Times
- Is it the ‘worst cold ever,’ the flu or COVID? What to know before winter. - The Washington Post / The Seattle Times
- The W.H.O. names an advisory group to study the origins of the pandemic. – The New York Times
The latest news on kids, COVID and schools
 - Seattle schools may seek statewide vaccine mandate for all Washington students – The Seattle Times
- Covid and age: An unvaccinated child is at less risk of serious COVID illness than a vaccinated 70-year-old. – The New York Times
- Vashon school district continues to grapple with COVID cases – Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
- VIDEO: Task force: Pediatricians, schools to help get kids vaccinated – Yahoo News
- Schools are new battleground in war of disinformation over COVID-19 vaccines – CNN
- Five ways parents can help children adjust to being at school after months in lockdown – The Conversation
An update on the general election in the County
 Today King County Elections (KCE) mailed out nearly 1.4 million ballots to registered voters across King County for the 2021 general election. Your ballot should arrive by Monday, October 18 at the latest. Local Voters’ Pamphlets will be arriving this week.
KCE is projecting 46% turnout for this election. In 2019, the County had a final turnout of 49% in the general election and in 2017 reached 43% in the general.
Voters will get to weigh-in on 15 ballot measures and 332 offices countywide. KCE will have all 74 ballot drop boxes open for this election, including the newest one at UW Bothell! Stay tuned also for a new location in Woodinville.
County Vote Centers, including the KCE headquarters in Renton is open now for voters to get registered, obtain a replacement ballot, use an accessible device or just get assistance in general. For Saturday, October 31, Monday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 2 (Election Day) KCE will be open at five additional locations (Bellevue College, Federal Way Performing Arts Center, Kenmore City Hall, Kent City Hall and Lumen Field). KCE will also have Student Engagement Hubs open at UW Seattle and UW Bothell.
As always, full information on registering to vote, updating your registration, returning your ballot and more can be found at the KCE website.
Belltown United to host Mayoral and City Council “Candidate Conversations” October 19
Join Belltown United for a virtual conversation with the City Council and Mayoral Candidates next Tuesday, October 19 at 6 p.m. Candidates running for city-wide Council Positions 8 and 9 and both Mayoral candidates are expected to speak. For more details, and to register and submit questions, see this page.
Next Thursday, October 21st: Seattle’s next Mayor
 Join Crosscut on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. for “Northwest Newsmakers”, featuring the two candidates who are vying to lead Seattle as it faces enormous challenges - from an ongoing pandemic to a crisis of homelessness and housing to calls to reimagine policing and public safety. How they propose to take on these issues could have a profound impact on the future of the city for many years to come. Hear how each candidate identifies solutions in dueling one-on-one interviews. To RSVP and for more information see this page.
Reminder: Public meetings next week on proposed County district maps
 Current County Council districts
The County’s Districting Committee is holding four town hall meetings next week to gather community input on the proposed draft maps. You can also take the community survey – available in several languages – on this page. The town hall meeting dates are:
Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, October 19 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, October 20 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, October 21 at 7 p.m.
You can view an informative video explaining the County’s districts, the process and how you can be involved here on YouTube. The County’s Districting Committee last month released three draft maps proposed new County Council district boundaries that will be the subject of public hearings next week. The draft maps can be found here.
Opportunity to weigh in on County budget
The King County Council is in the process of reviewing the Mid-Biennial Budget that makes adjustments and additional allocations to the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget, and would like to hear from you. The budget will be discussed at upcoming meetings of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, which I chair, on Tuesday, October 19th and on November 16th, both at 9:30 a.m. Additional details on how to listen to the meeting or provide public comment are available at https://kingcounty.gov/council/committees/budget.aspx
Ballard Food Bank opens new location
 Ballard Food Bank has relocated to a beautiful, larger location at 1400 Leary Way, just down the street from the old location. The new food bank is twice the size of its former location, and includes a garden, a large waiting area, and cafe for visitors. To view photos, a video and to learn about the years of work that made this move happen, see this page. You may also be interested in this article in MyBallard.
A visit to Uplift NW
 I was able to recently stop by Uplift NW in Belltown (in fact, it is located in the same building as Operation Sack Lunch, which I profiled on Monday) and visit with its Executive Director, Gina Hall, and other staff. And I am very pleased that we allocated $50,000 in federal ARPA funds to advance its work, providing job training, technology training, job supports, and other supports for folks in our region that need it. Thanks, Uplift NW, for all the good work you're doing for folks in our region!
MORE DATES TO NOTE THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK
RFP deadline for County’s Farmland leasing program is October 17th
The County’s Local Food Initiative, launched in 2014, aims to increase access to healthy, affordable foods in underserved areas and to support farmers and protect farmland. Currently, King County has up to five acres of farmland available to lease near Kent starting in 2022. It is especially encouraging applicants who work to support business expansion for new and beginning and historically underserved farmers. For information on the Farmland Leasing Program and to apply, see this page. For more information contact Melissa Borsting.
Deadline for Parks survey for County partner organizations is October 17th
Has your organization partnered on a project with King County Parks? Scheduled your events on a County trail? Used County parks as the location of the programs you offer? Does County funding help your organization carry out its mission? If so, the County Parks Department wants your feedback. Please take a few moments to fill out the Partner Survey for the Parks Department, which will be available until Sunday, Oct 17. This feedback will, in part, shape the County’s 2022 update to the King County Open Space Plan: Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas.
Join DESC next Monday, October 18th to learn about proposed supportive housing development
DESC helps people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. DESC is hosting a second virtual meeting on Monday, October 18th, at 6 p.m. regarding its proposed Woodland Supportive Housing development at 50th street and Aurora Avenue. To learn more about DESC’s Woodland project and for details on joining the meeting, please visit this page.
October 19th: Join King County Executive Constantine and King County – Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C)
 Join Executive Constantine and other elected Officials at a virtual Town Hall, Tuesday, October 19th from 6-7pm. Leaders will discuss K4C actions to build climate equity and climate resilience into long-term planning. The event will include presentations, a panel discussion, and Question & Answer opportunities for attendees. Please click here to join the webinar. The Passcode is 644147.
Public invited to a live recording of “Unpacking the Eerie”
 Two UW School of Social Work alumni, Akshi and Shaena, are inviting the public to a live stream of Unpacking the Eerie, “the creepy podcast with a social justice lens” next Thursday, October 21st, from 6 -7:30 p.m. This episode will unpack the Fremont Troll - its ghost stories, history, and role in gentrification and houselessness in Seattle. This event is free and will be presented virtually through YouTube Live. Registration is required for access to the event link.
Reminder: Sound Transit seeks community members for West Seattle and Ballard Link Project Advisory Group, Deadline is October 27th
Help shape the future of light rail in your community! Sound Transit is close to releasing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Project and is looking for people along the project corridor who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences to join one of several community advisory groups.
Feedback from these groups, along with Draft EIS comments received from the public, will help inform Sound Transit Board action to confirm or modify the preferred alternative for the project. People who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a person of color, women, LGBTQ+, immigrant or refugee, low-income, or people with diverse abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Submissions will close on 5 p.m, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. See the links above for details.
The Arc of Washington State, Disability Rights Washington and Allies in Advocacy aim to center intersectionality
 Disability Rights Washington, The Arc of Washington State and Allies in Advocacy have sent out an email with a message reaching out to the BIPOC community in the interest of centering intersectionality and working to make the disability justice movement more inclusive. Their message: “Let's discuss how the issues that are important to BIPOC communities intersect with disability advocacy.” For more on this effort, see this page.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that, on this day in 1964, according to HistoryLink, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a new Comprehensive Plan to plan and coordinate growth and land-use development in King County? According to HistoryLink, the Plan won national recognition “by relying primarily on detailed policy statements, rather than a land use map, for guiding land development.”
Additional helpful and informative links
- 'We have to be heard': Texas women travel to seek abortions – AP News
- Nonprofits call on King County to invest millions more to combat gun violence – KING 5 News
- ‘Disheartening’ rise in King County gun violence has already surpassed 2020’s record toll – The Seattle Times
- King County Metro cancels 26 early morning bus trips – MyNorthwest
- King County begins mailing ballots for November general election. Here's what voters need to know – Seattle P-I
- The AP Interview: Kerry says world short of climate goal – AP News
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Rabbi Margaretten with the four children he helped evacuate from Afghanistan and their mother
This story is another example of common human decency overcoming politics and tribalism. The BBC is telling the storyof a Rabbi who has put together an enormously effective operation to help get Afghanis out of Afghanistan. Rabbi Margaretten told the BBC, "Why is an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi from Brooklyn helping Muslims in Afghanistan? The answer is very simple, my parents and grandparents are all Holocaust survivors.”
Rabbi Margaretten’s connection to Afghanistan began when he was contacted by a Jewish Afghan carpet trader named Zablon Simintov in August. The Rabbi said, “’Since I got Zablon out, I started speaking with people on the ground and they said 'there are so many people in danger, maybe you should get involved'.” He raised funds from the Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Chicago and set up a team to process paperwork and visa applications for Afghan nationals at risk. They also cover expenses such as stays at safe houses and hotels, and food, clothing and medical bills. Thousands are still trying to leave the country every day. Rabbi Margaretten says he will continue his efforts to help them for "as long as it takes.” View photos, videos and 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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