COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers for the last seven and last fourteen days:
- 1,521 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the last seven days (includes 1,416 confirmed cases and 105 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 174,156). These numbers include 210 new cases since yesterday, December 1st.
- 24 new COVID-19-related deaths in the last two weeks (2,096 to date). That number includes 2 new deaths since yesterday, December 1st.
- 52 new hospitalizations in the last seven days (8,821 to date). That number includes 16 new hospitalizations since yesterday, December 1st.
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 eligible King County residents 12 years and older, as of today, 90.7% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 84.8% have received both doses. Among residents 5 years and older, as of today, 86.0% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 77.9% 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 684,930; the number of probable cases is 93,986, for a total of 778,916 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 9,380
- The total number of hospitalizations is 43,217
The graph below shows the cases in King County.
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one’s soul; when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men [sic] are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood.” – Josephine Baker, 1977
Washington state and King County announce FEMA mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit coming to Western Washington
Governor Inslee today announced a new state and county partnership with FEMA to continue ensuring life-saving COVID-19 vaccines are given out to Western Washington communities quickly and equitably.
Gov. Jay Inslee in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, the King County Executive’s Office, Public Health – Seattle & King County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Washington State Emergency Management Division, and King County Emergency Management, announced today that FEMA is preparing to send a mobile vaccination unit to several western Washington communities to ensure life-saving COVID-19 vaccines are given out to the public quickly and equitably. Read the full story here.
Booster vaccines available to everyone over 18
 Everyone that is 18 years or older that is fully vaccinated is now eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, boosters are recommended at least two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For the Moderna or Pfizer series, boosters are recommended at least six months after completing the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer series.
Public Health’s vaccination sites at Auburn, Kent, Bellevue Eastgate, and Downtown Seattle are using a waitlist for all booster appointments. Register for the waitlist at yourcovidvaccine.kingcounty.gov, or visit the Getting vaccinated in King County page for additional vaccine locations.
You may also be interested in this article from The Seattle Times: Omicron prompts swift reconsideration of boosters among scientists or this article from The New York Times: Most COVID vaccines will work as boosters, study suggests.
One year later, millions use Washington state’s exposure notification app
 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is celebrating a successful year of WA Notify, the state’s exposure notification app. More than 2.62 million people have enabled it— accounting for more than 43 percent of all smartphone users in the state.
With disease transmission still high, it’s important that people continue adopting this key technology. “WA Notify has been a very successful innovation for our state, and we’re proud of the team at the Department of Health who helped create a tech-based solution that contributed to the greater good as we fought – and continue to fight – this pandemic,” said Dr. Umair A. Shah, state Secretary of Health. Read the full story here from DOH.
Improve your masks and how you use them
 Masks are a crucial tool for containing this pandemic. It’s all about fit, filtration and consistent use. This article from the Public Health Insider blog is still accurate and germane nearly a year later: It’s a good time to improve our masks and how we wear them, as more contagious COVID-19 variants emerge.
According to the Public Health article, “There’s more evidence that wearing a mask protects everyone – the person wearing the mask (personal protection) and others around them (source control). Although masks alone are not 100% effective, they are a powerful tool. The key is to use a mask that’s well made and fits snugly against your face.” For additional information, see the following:
- Are you wearing the right mask? It comes down to fit and layers – KUOW
- Masking Guidance webpage from King County
- Counterfeit COVID masks are still sold everywhere, despite misleading claims – The Seattle Times
Update on County Council Districting process
The County Districting Committee held its public hearing on Tuesday to take comments on the final version of the draft map of County Council districts. The Committee met the next day (yesterday) and agreed to a few minor changes.
These changes will require a “republish” of the Districting Master plan, which will come out shortly. State Law then requires a public review period of seven days which means that the “final approval” of the maps will likely occur on the 8th of December. Keep in mind that the district I represent, D4, has to contract the most, shedding 21,000+ residents even though it’s the smallest geographically. Each district will end up with about 252,000 residents.
We will keep you updated here, and you can also check this page for the most current information.
Nominations close tomorrow: The 2022 Larry Gossett Service Award
Do you know someone who has made tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to advancing racial equity, social justice and human rights? Consider putting their name in nomination for the 2022 Larry Gossett Service Award! The nomination form is open until tomorrow, Friday, December 3rd and more information on the award and how to submit a nomination is available here.
County COVID response funds available for child care and small businesses
County Budget Director Dwight Dively informed Councilmembers during Tuesday’s meeting of the Committee of the Whole that $7 million is available for child care grants that are being administered by Child Care Resources. For information and to apply, see this page.
Budget Director Dively also mentioned that there is approximately $500,000 remaining in small business grants, which provide support for businesses affected by County COVID response sites. Specifically, these grants are for businesses affected by their proximity to a COVID-related isolation and quarantine site. For information and to apply, see this page.
Briefing on federal infrastructure bill
Members of the Council’s Mobility and Environment Committee were briefed yesterday on the recently-enacted federal infrastructure bill, and how it may benefit the state and King County. You can view the presentation by downloading the PowerPoint here.
You may also be interested in this newsletter from Lisa Brown, Director of our state’s Department of Commerce, which includes a summary of items in the federal bill, as well as this summary of potential impacts of the bill on our state’s Commerce department.
According to Brown’s newsletter, “While the final impact here in Washington is not yet known, initial state-by-state estimates based on formulas and past funding actions summarized in this CNBC article suggest a potential $8.6 billion to our state.”
Executive Constantine shares Best Starts for Kids success at national conference in Georgia
At the Prenatal-to-Three County Leaders Academy event held at a National Association of County Officials conference this week in Decatur, Ga., Executive Constantine joined a panel to discuss how to ensure equitable recovery for child care in the post-COVID era. Constantine spoke about King County’s Prenatal to Three investments like child care and other early childhood programs, including the child care components of the voter approved 2021 Best Starts for Kids levy. You can read the full story here.
Next Tuesday: County Behavioral Health Legislative Forum
 Make your voice heard at conversations with local state legislators and county councilmembers. Learn about our 2022 mental health and substance use disorder priorities. Hear incredible recovery stories. The King County Behavioral Health Legislative Forum will take place online, next Tuesday, December 7th, from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. Free and open to everyone! Visit kingcounty.gov/legislativeforum for more information and updates. You may also be interested in this article from the state Department of Health (DOH): Behavioral health coping strategies focus on resilience this holiday season.
A visit to the Queen Anne Historical Society
 I was pleased recently to have met with some volunteers from the Queen Anne Historical Society and present them with a check for $1,500 to support their work. QAHS preserves the history of Queen Anne so that residents and visitors now are able to learn from the past. It also provides free tours of the neighborhood, showcasing beautiful, old architecture. As a longtime former Queen Anne resident, I've always admired their dedication. Here I'm pictured with Michael Herschensohn, Leanne Olson, Rene Alkoff, and Maureen Elenga. Thank you for all that you do!
Happenings in District 4
Holiday Open Studios at Building C in Ballard: This Saturday, December 4th
 Building C in Ballard invites you to a Holiday Open House, in studios! Join more than 25 artists for the 2021 Holiday Open House & Artists Market to shop local two floors of art and crafts and enjoy the colors and visions of their amazing roster of artisans!
Belltown Artwalk Night Market: December 10th
Grab a friend and a mask, and get your art fix at the Belltown Night Market, a FREE, all-ages group show featuring 15 Seattle-based Black artists and creatives. The event will be held on Friday, December 10th from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. (This venue is one of the locations on Belltown Art Walk map. Find the other locations here.)
Sunset Hill Holiday Art Fair December 11th
 The Sunset Hill Community Association is hosting a Holiday Art Fair the weekend of December 11th. The fair will be a combination of a walking tour, combined with artists hosted in its Clubhouse, located at 3003 NW 66th St. The Clubhouse will be open Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on both days. Admission to this event is free.
Winterfest at Seattle Center: Through December 31st
Connect to a world of sparkling lights, amusements and spirited entertainment at Seattle Center Winterfest, happening virtually on the web and also in-person on the Center grounds. You will find performances, the Winter Train & Village, ice sculpting and the annual campus lighting display. More information is available here.
Walk with Friends of Discovery Park: December 19th
Introducing FODP's new monthly "Walk in the Park" series - - the first will be Sunday, December 19th from 10 a.m. - noon. FODP President Phil Vogelzang will lead a two-mile walk through the Park called "From pavement to mycelium. How old Fort Lawton and the new Discovery Park became Seattle’s greatest greenspace”. Click here for the complete schedule and to sign up.
DID YOU KNOW?
... that on December 2, 1896, the "giant Palouse earthworm" as it will come to be called, was first reported? According to HistoryLink, the worms “...have become legendary -- rumored to spit, smell like lilies, and grow to three feet long -- but also rare, with just a handful of sightings over the past century.” Sounds a bit like “Dune”...
Additional helpful and informative links
- Biden’s new COVID plan: more boosters, free home testing, and “monoclonal antibody strike teams” – Stat News
- White House says ‘nothing is off the table,' including vaccine requirement for domestic air travel – The Washington Post
- Omicron and delta spell return of unpopular restrictions – AP News
- Second U.S. case of Omicron variant indicates domestic transmission - Stat News
- Variants, boosters turn rich-poor vaccine gap into chasm – AP News
- WA kids 5 to 11 are getting vaccinated faster than the national average – Crosscut
- More than 129,000 kids ages 5 – 11 receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in less than a month – DOH Press Release
- What you can expect when vaccines become available for kids under 5 – NPR
- Omicron's arrival in Washington state is imminent. Experts say they're prepared - KUOW
- US panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck – The Seattle Times
- Omicron coronavirus variant travel bans may be too late, experts say - The Washington Post
- Who's in? Who's out? The ethics of COVID-19 travel rules – The Conversation
- As COVID crisis continues, new proposals aim to reduce poverty in Washington state - The Seattle Times
- How does climate change affect human health? – Discover Magazine
- Food bank volunteers adapt to help neighbors in need - The Seattle Times
- South King County cities calling for collective approach to combat rise in violent crime - The Seattle Times
- 'All we ask for is peace'; Local man pleads for an end to South King Co. violence – Q13
- A world ablaze, captured by AP photographers in 2021 – AP News
- Those cute cats online? They help spread misinformation. – The New York Times
- More than 200,000 deaths could be annually prevented if countries support more urban cycling by 2050 – Colorado State University News
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo: JiaYing Grygiel / Special to The Seattle Times
This is another story about the silver lining of this pandemic -- people getting creative about helping their neighbors and going out of their way to spread some cheer during these dark days.
This story comes from The Seattle Times. Magnolia resident Lanne Rosebrook Stauffer has established a Little Free Bakery, which she stocks with fresh, handmade baked goods every Tuesday, her one day off work. We have all seen the Little Free Libraries, and there is even a Little Free Art Gallery. But according to the story, the inspiration for the Little Free Bakery came from a “Little Free Flowery” a few blocks from Stauffer’s home, “... a home with a yard full of flowers where they set out scissors and vases and ribbons and people can take home a drop-dead gorgeous bouquet. For free.”
Stauffer works six days a week and bakes on Tuesdays. Her baking favorite is pie (mine, too). She prepares the dough Monday night and starts baking in the morning, with the goal of stocking the Little Free Bakery by 3 p.m. on Tuesdays.
“People really love it. People are just very surprised and filled with happiness or joy or gratefulness to be able to come and get a pie,” Stauffer told The Seattle Times. “All positive feedback, and that’s what we need. This pandemic has been long, and we’re heading into winter, we just need some joy. I don’t mean to sound corny, but that’s how I feel.” Read the full story and see more photos here. Thank you, Lanne!
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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