COVID-19 Data Updates
For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard. The links to the data by demographics and geography are on the same page.
View all County COVID-related Data Dashboards here, including vaccination rates and outcomes according to vaccination status
View the most recent statewide COVID-19 data from the state Department of Health (DOH).
Quote of the Day:
“Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.” – Doris Lessing, interview with The London Times, 2003
COVID News
Yesterday’s Department of Health COVID update
 Washington State Department of Health (DOH) yesterday announced the release of its “WA Forward” plan, which will focus on prevention, education and monitoring. According to Assistant Health Secretary Lacy Fehrenbach, “Where we have been successful, it has been because we’ve all come together for the common goal of protecting health. As we go forward we will focus on healing, building resilience, and connection.”
- What’s WA’s COVID plan now? Expect details tomorrow from state – The Seattle Times
Omicron news and masking decisions
 As you may know, with the relaxation of COVID masking rules, masking decisions are now up to individuals, families and individual businesses and facilities (more on these decisions below). It’s important to note that school districts and child care settings can choose to have students, teachers, and visitors wear masks even after the statewide mandate lifts. There is also some concern about the possibility of a new wave of positive cases.
You may be interested in the following articles. The first article, from Newsweek, includes the following: “Orlando, Chicago, Seattle, and Milwaukee are some of the most prominent cities showing a high spread of COVID-19, according to a Newsweek review of CDC data tracking COVID-19 in wastewater in the U.S.” And this is what Dennis Worsham, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County, told Board of Health members at our meeting this afternoon. You can view his full presentation that includes more on Covid as well as a broader report on the state of health in the county here.
- New Omicron wave threatens these U.S. cities as officials relax COVID rules – Newsweek
- U.S. sewer data warns of a new bump in COVID cases after lull – The Seattle Times
- Opinion: Once again, America is in denial about signs of a fresh COVID wave – The Guardian
- Fauci warns of potential rise in U.S. COVID cases as funding runs dry – The Seattle Times
- What King County’s mask mandate rollback means for you – Public Health Insider blog
- What’s best for your family? Considerations for masking at school and child care – Public Health Insider blog
- Seattle Now: The Great Unmasking – KUOW
- WA students, teachers wrestle with wearing masks in schools after mandate drops – The Seattle Times
- King County masking guidance
Sick with COVID? Use the hotline or check the website
 Sick with COVID-19? Need food or other help while you isolate at home? Call DOH’s COVID hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #. Language assistance is available. Also, see this page for more information on isolation and quarantine. And, remember to report your home self-test positive results here.
County Business and Other News and Events
This week at the Council
At Tuesday’s Full Council meeting the Council approved legislation by a vote of 8-1 aimed at fighting displacement and combating the effects of historical racism and injustice through establishment of a grants program and other resources. Councilmember Rod Dembowski introduced the legislation, which my colleague Councilmember Girmay Zahilay and I co-sponsored. Called the “Equitable Development Initiative (EDI),” the legislation will help guide investment and resource allocation in historically marginalized communities across King County to address the impacts of past policies that have led to inequities and displacement.
Also, Councilmembers received an update from Public Health on the County’s COVID status and response, which you can watch here. Councilmembers also declared this week “Transit Appreciation Week,” which you can watch here.
At Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting (which I chair), Councilmembers received an update from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority and a partner organization We Are In and a briefing on Partnership for Zero, which can be viewed here. We also discussed and took action on a new proposed ordinance required under a new state law changing the structure and membership of the County Board of Health, which you can view here.
You may also be interested in the 2022 King County Economic and Revenue Forecast which was presented to the King County Forecast Council on March 9th. I’m one of four members of the Forecast Council, as well as County Executive Dow Constantine, Councilmember Joe McDermott and County Budget Director Dwight Dively. Click this link to download a copy of the Powerpoint presentation.
Next week at the Council
Note: Council meetings are still being held remotely.
Local Services and Land Use Committee: Tuesday, March 22nd at 9:30 a.m. Briefing on the County’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan. Discussion and possible action on an ordinance relating to building and construction standards, and a briefing on a proposed ordinance updating County codes for wineries, breweries and distilleries. The agenda, meeting materials and instructions on providing public comment are available on this page.
Full Council: Tuesday, March 22nd at 1 p.m. Proclamation of March 21‑27, 2022 as National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week in King County, discussion and possible action on proposed ordinances on solid waste fees, the Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade project and collective bargaining and juvenile detention. Action on several appointments. The agenda, meeting materials and instructions on providing public comment are available on this page.
Employment and Administration Committee: Tuesday, March 22nd at 1:30 p.m. Briefing from the Department of Information Technology on mobile device management. Discussion and possible action on an appointment to the Citizen’s Elections Oversight Committee. Updates on the hiring of a new Council Chief of Staff and on human resource issues. The agenda and meeting materials are available on this page.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee: Wednesday, March 23rd at 9:30 a.m. Briefings on the County’s Risk Management Fund and on Council budget priorities. Discussion and possible action on an ordinance relating to the sale of surplus property. The agenda, meeting materials and instructions on providing public comment are available on this page.
Executive Constantine’s ninth COVID-19 emergency budget funds $55 million in Public Health response
King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted the ninth COVID-19 supplemental budget today to the King County Council. The $157 million budget includes $55 million for Public Health to continue testing and isolation and quarantine centers.
The transmitted budget would appropriate $157 million to continue the county's COVID-19 response, provide resources to administer federal funds, and other technical fixes. Since 2020, King County has received approximately $2.1 billion in COVID relief from the federal government, as well as additional contributions from the State. Read the full story here.
Join me for the County Council’s Womxn’s History Month Panel: March 30th
 Over the past several years, we have witnessed women here and throughout the world step into their power and demonstrate an incredible amount of resilience in the face of complex challenges. For each person, that power and resilience have looked different — including caregiving, running for office, advocating for their community, just trying to make it through relatively unscathed, and everything in between.
Please join me for the King County Council’s Womxn’s History Month Panel on Wednesday, March 30th from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. This year’s theme is “Resilience, Power and Healing,” and will be livestreamed on Facebook and King County TV. This will be the sixth annual program I have convened and moderated (we had to cancel 2020’s as Covid was taking hold). It is being co-hosted by the King County Equity and Social Justice Legislative Branch Team and the County’s Women’s Advisory Board. Council Chair Claudia Balducci will provide welcoming remarks.
Panelists include:
Karen Arlette Gamez Lopez, Immigrant Rights Advocate and Community Organizer, Career Pathways Navigator for the WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle Position 4
Cherryl Jackson-Williams, Family and Community Engagement Advocate, Member of King County Districting Committee
Councilmember Sarah Perry, King County Council District 3
Victoria Santos, Director of Strategic Development and Wellness Initiatives and one of the Co-Founders of the BIPOC ED Coalition of Washington State
Wrap up of 2022 state legislative session
 Councilmembers were updated by Council staff via email about the 2022 state legislative session, which ended last week. According to Council staff: “…the legislature passed a $16B transportation package (including $3B in transit funding), spent $5B in a supplemental budget, and took on a number of difficult issues including law enforcement reform, behavioral health and homelessness and ongoing pandemic support to name a few.” A noteworthy capital budget was also approved.
“There was one bill that unexpectedly died — HB 1099. This bill would have incorporated climate change and resiliency into land use planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA). The bill was put into conference committee, an agreement was adopted, and the bill was passed out of the Senate on a 28-21 vote. However, the bill was not brought up for a House vote—it seems the House just ran out of time.” See this page for a summary of legislation passed by the Washington State Legislature during the 2022 session.
Inquests resume in King County, first case was heard Tuesday
After a delay of more than four years from lawsuits that led to an eventual Washington Supreme Court decision and a new executive order by Executive Dow Constantine, inquests into deaths caused by law enforcement officers resumed this week in King County.
In 2018, Executive Dow Constantine paused inquests to address concerns of fairness and transparency and pushed forward with a new process built on stakeholder and community input. When local jurisdictions challenged the new process in court, the new program was delayed until the Washington Supreme Court reaffirmed the Executive’s order in July 2021. With the legal challenges concluded, King County is now set to resume the inquests to provide clarity, accountability, and closure to the public and to the families of those killed by law enforcement. Read more details here. You may also be interested in this article:
- Inquests into officer-involved shootings look very different now in King County – KUOW
Funding opportunities
 Best Starts for Kids (BSK) Open House on upcoming funding opportunities
Join Best Starts for Kids staff at a Virtual Open House on Wednesday, March 30th to learn about upcoming funding opportunities. For more information and to register, click here.
For additional information on upcoming RFP and RFQ opportunities see this page.
Reminder: Two applications due March 24th
Lead & Toxics Program Action Groups and Product Testing Events Request for Applications: Deadline is March 24th
The Lead and Toxics Program at Public Health – Seattle & King County seeks partnerships with community-based organizations to prevent childhood lead poisoning and increase Blood Lead testing with a focus on three areas of concern: housing, health care, and consumer products. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/rfa/lead-toxics to access the full RFA document for details. The deadline to submit applications is March 24th by 2 p.m.
Best Starts for Kids Request for Proposals (RFP): Deadline is March 24th
Best Starts is seeking an evaluation partner to assess the successes, challenges, and implementation learnings arising from the first Best Starts for Kids levy period from 2016-2021 to inform implementation of the 2022-2027 levy. This partner will use qualitative and quantitative data, including the data collected during the first levy period, to answer the question: To what extent and in what ways has the Best Starts for Kids initiative improved health and well-being and advanced equity for children, youth, families and communities in King County? For details see this page.
Meetings, events, happenings, opportunities
This Saturday: Transit needs in northwest King County
Join King County Metro and Sound Transit this Saturday for a discussion about how to address changing transit needs and improve mobility options for communities in northwest King County in preparation for the expansion of Link light rail to Lynnwood Transit Center. This session will provide an opportunity to learn about the Lynnwood Link Connections project and ways to be involved, and ask questions. The discussion will take place Saturday, March 19th, from 10 - 11 a.m. Register on this page.
Once you register, you will receive the Zoom meeting link to join by computer, tablet or smart phone and the conference call line to join by phone. Language assistance is available.
If you can’t make the meeting on Saturday…
… and you live, work or travel through northwest King County, please visit the Lynnwood Link Connections webpage to learn more, and then take the survey about your transit use and needs, and consider applying to serve on the Mobility Board.
Reminder: Metro service changes start Saturday
 After restoring 36 routes in October 2021, Metro will make further improvements starting this Saturday, March 19th. Riders will see more City of Seattle-funded bus trips added to Metro’s frequent transit network, as well as better access to hospitals on First Hill, improved connections to schools, and more night service in southeast and central Seattle. Read the full story here on the Metro Matters blog.
Ballard Food Bank Coffee Break Chat next Thursday
 Did you know that people get their mail delivered at Ballard Food Bank (BFB)? Or that folks can see a medical professional, receive veterinary services for their pets, and get help with rental assistance at BFB’s new Hub for Hope? You’re invited to a special virtual coffee break to hear more about the Community Resource Hub in BFB’s new facility.
Join BFB staff and volunteers next Thursday, March 24th, at 10 a.m. for “Coffee Break Chat: Preventing Homelessness & Streamlining Services: How Ballard Food Bank’s Community Resource Hub helps people access financial assistance and connect with other community resources.” To register and for more information see this page.
Voices of Women Shaping the Tech Industry: Next Thursday
The Center for Women and Democracy invites the public to hear from some amazing and trailblazing women tech leaders in Washington who are making space for all women in tech. Learn more about their experiences in the male-dominated tech industry and what is needed to ensure that women are fully represented and included in the leadership track. The discussion takes place on Zoom next Thursday, March 24th from 5 - 6:15 p.m. See this page to register.
The high cost of racism: Inequality, the economy, and public health
 Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health welcomes the public to join a discussion on the economic toll of racism. The discussion will take place online next Monday, March 21st, at 10 a.m. PT.
Decades of discriminatory lending, wage disparities, and inequities in access to higher education, among other factors, have limited the Black community’s ability to generate personal wealth and economic growth. Other communities of color have had similar experiences. And the impact goes far beyond the economy: Each of these factors also takes an enormous toll on the health and well-being of people of color. This panel brings together economic, scientific, and policy experts to discuss how we can build a more equitable and healthier future for everyone. Register here to join the discussion.
Pollen Season is worse because of climate change
 Scientists have found that allergy seasons are getting longer and more severe. Human-caused climate change is the “dominant driver” of these longer pollen seasons and is a major reason for increasing concentrations of pollen. Read more about the public health impacts from the state DOH here. You may also be interested in this article from the Associated Press (AP): The Big Sneeze: Climate change to make pollen season nastier.
Did you know?
… that, on today’s date in 1999 the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties initiated the Built Green environmental building program? Read the full story here on HistoryLink.
Today’s moment of inspiration
“You can’t make this story up…a pound dog that is out saving killer whales.”
 Courtesy of the Seattle Aquarium comes an amazing story and a must-see video. Chris Morgan, wildlife ecologist, conservationist, filmmaker and host of the podcast THE WILD, takes the public (via video) on a research vessel in the San Juan Islands to witness Eba, an orca-scat-sniffing rescue dog. The scat tells the story of the challenges the orcas are facing—from toxicity and stress levels to reproductive health and more. Chris uncovers some brilliant work that has already been done to help orcas and what you can do to help.
“We know what we need to do and it’s actually not that huge…Nature is resilient, humans are resilient, and the whales are resilient…We can see this population recover and rebound and we have a responsibility to do it.”
I encourage you to check out this amazing video, “Eba and the Orcas,” which takes us onto open waters with Eba, a rescue dog with an unusual talent.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Moderna is going head-to-head with Pfizer-BioNTech for the opportunity to vaccinate the youngest children – The New York Times
- Pfizer-BioNTech seek U.S. OK for second COVID booster for 65 and older – Reuters
- Forget Boosters—Will You Need an Annual Covid Shot? – Seattle Met
- COVID’s new ‘deltacron’ variant: What’s known and what isn’t – The Seattle Times
- Diabetes & COVID-19: Scientists explore potential connection – AP News
- China battles multiple outbreaks, driven by stealth omicron – AP News
- White House begs Congress for Covid funding amid concern about Omicron sister variant – Stat News
- ‘Haven’t we learned anything?’: Experts warn of disastrous consequences if pandemic funding dries up – Stat News
- King County officials plan for next phase with COVID – KUOW
- School officials struggle with how to feed students as omnibus bill skips meal waivers – PBS
- Better air in classrooms matters beyond COVID. Here's why schools aren't there yet – NPR
- For kids with COVID-19, everyday life can be a struggle – AP News
- Public health experts sketch a roadmap to get from the Covid pandemic to the ‘next normal’ – Stat News
- Seattle, King County prepare for return to in-person work, lifting mask requirements – The Seattle Times
- Flu Vaccine Was Not Very Effective This Season, the C.D.C. Says – The New York Times
- Editorial: "Dropping bike helmet law is a wrongheaded decision – The Seattle Times (I appreciate this one a lot as it reinforces my position in having been the lone vote against the helmet law repeal at the February Board of Health meeting.)
- Letter to the Editor: "Helmet-law repeal: ‘Cart before the horse’ (my letter) – The Seattle Times
- Sound Transit considers competing proposals for West Seattle, Ballard Link extension – MyNorthwest
- Flush with state dollars, Seattle’s Aurora redesign emerges – MyNorthwest
- UW welcomes community to view cherry blossoms; peak bloom expected mid-March – UW News
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I am now sending out weekly. 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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