October 28, 2022
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Yesterday, King County announced a new public health campaign, “Don’t Count Us Out,” to reduce the stigma around substance use disorders. I am excited about this program launch after having supported the proposed initiative in 2021 of Councilmember Reagan Dunn’s, dedicating $500,000 of councilmanic funds. Around 90% of people with substance use disorders do not seek treatment, often fearing judgement or shame.
This program seeks to counter this figure by focusing on two main themes: “Don’t Count Us Out,” to address the stigma that people with substance use disorders are fragile and cannot recover, when in fact, studies have shown that 80% of people who suffer from addiction can recover and attain major life goals. The other theme, “Support Makes a Difference,” addresses the need for encouragement and support, rather than judgement and shame, to make a significant difference in recovery. For more information on this program, click here. For scientific facts about addiction, what we can do to reduce substance use disorder stigma, important statistics about recovery, ways to help someone with an addiction, and resources for getting treatment, see this website.
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.
Quote of the week
"Success isn't about how your life looks to others. It's about how it feels to you."
– Michelle Obama, 2012
 COVID resources
On October 27th, Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah provided an update on respiratory virus season and other public health topics. He was joined by Dr. Tao Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer, DOH; and Lacy Fehrenbach, Chief of Prevention, Safety, and Health, DOH. View the briefing here.
King County’s community level of COVID remains currently classified as low, although there are still about 181 daily new cases, according to the most recent reports. Please continue to exercise caution throughout each day to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe.
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. And you can also view the most recent statewide COVID-19 data from the state Department of Health (DOH).
COVID-19 Data Dashboards have been updated to provide a more intuitive view of King County data. For more information on these updates, see this article from the Public Health Insider. View all County COVID-related Data Dashboards here, including vaccination rates and outcomes according to vaccination status.
If you’ve waited to get your COVID-19 booster, now is the time to get it! It’s the single most important way for everyone to avoid serious COVID infections and long COVID, and especially for people over age 50 or those who have a weakened immune system or health conditions like diabetes or heart disease. COVID-19 vaccine and boosters are FREE. No health insurance or proof of citizenship is needed. Check your local pharmacy or contact your healthcare provider to see if they have the updated booster shots. For more information and locations: kingcounty.gov/vaccine
Medicare covers up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each month, at no cost to you. See this page for more information on and to request your at-home tests today.
Monkeypox resources
New monkeypox cases in King County seem to have peaked in July and August. As of Wednesday, there have been a total of 478 cases in King County. For the most up-to-date data and advice from Public Health – Seattle and King County, visit this page.
The King County Department of Health has launched an interactive monkeypox virus (MPV) data dashboard. More information is available on the Washington State Department of Health MPV information page. Visit the new dashboard here.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
Pediatric respiratory illnesses flood Seattle hospitals, officials say – KOMO News
New Variants Are Coming – The New York Times
How new covid-19 variants dodge our immune systems – The Washington Post
'Unprecedented volumes': RSV cases in King County on the rise – King 5
VIDEO: More information from doctors and parents about RSV – American Academy of Pediatrics
Respiratory infections surge in WA, leading to long waits at hospitals – The Seattle Times
The most common COVID symptoms have changed, study says. Here they are – The Seattle Times
Biden officials worry pandemic exhaustion could lead to bad COVID winter – The Washington Post
Bivalent Boosters: Side Effects, Safety, and More – Seattle Met
DOH data shows childhood vaccination rates remain stagnant – Bothell Reporter
What changes when Washington's COVID-19 emergency ends next week? – KOMO News
The most common COVID symptoms have changed, study says. Here’s what they are – McClatchy DC
Biden gets updated COVID-19 booster shot, promotes vaccine – Associated Press
 Full Council
The King County Council met on Tuesday and included a proclamation I introduced with Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Sarah Perry recognizing October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in King County. Joining us over Zoom was Merril Cousins, E.D. of the Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence. The Council also took action on an ordinance approving and adopting a memorandum of agreement negotiated by and between King County and the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587, as well as on an ordinance confirming the reappointment of Wendy Davis to the King County Rural Forest Commission. For meeting materials and a recording of the meeting, click here.
Employment and Administration Committee
The Employment and Administration Committee met on Tuesday, following adjournment of our weekly Council meeting. The committee received two briefings, a human resources update and a chief of staff update. The committee also discussed the King County Fleet Vehicle Pool Program, as well as motions to approve several King County Council job descriptions. For meeting materials and more information, click here.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee met on Tuesday and Wednesday. Over these two meetings, the committee considered proposed ordinances necessary to implement the Biennial Budget relating to school impact fees and comprehensive planning; public transit; development permitting fees; surface water management; and property tax levies. The committee also considered an ordinance concerning the renaming of the DCHS Children and Youth Department, as well as several ordinances relating to performance management and accountability; the organization of administrative offices and executive departments and offices; electronic monitoring fees; temporarily raising thresholds for emergent need projects; acknowledgement of receipt of the Body-Worn Camera and In-Car Camera System Pilot Report; adoption of the Harborview Medical Center 2023 Capital Improvement Program Annual Budget. For meeting materials and a recording of the meeting, click here
 As the King County Council continues to do the important work of finalizing the 2022-2023 Biennial Budget, most committee meetings continue to “stand down” during the budget process. The County Council continues to meet weekly on Tuesdays at noon. Next Tuesday the Flood Control Board of Supervisors (consisting of all Councilmembers) will meet directly following the Council meeting.
Full Council
The King County Council will meet on Tuesday, November 1st, at 1:00 p.m. at which we will discuss and take action on several ordinances, including the adoption of a memorandum of agreement with employees of the King County Juvenile Detention Guild, King County Police Officers Guild, and the Puget Sound Police Managers Association. The Council will also discuss and possibly approve several job descriptions for King County positions, as well as confirm the appointment of Christopher Hayes to the Citizens' Elections Oversight Committee and approve the extension of the Executive's appointment of Quanetta West as Acting Director of the Juvenile Division. Click here for more information on this meeting and its agenda, and learn how to join the meeting here.
Flood Control District
The King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, November 1st, immediately following the conclusion of the King County Council meeting. The committee will discuss resolutions relating to the acquisition policy, operation, and finances of the King County Flood Control Zone District, as well as a resolution authorizing a property tax levy to implement the District's 2023 budget. Click here for more information on this meeting and its agenda.
 The Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is seeking to lessen disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic
The County has made dedicated efforts to improve conditions for people and staff in King County’s adult jails, youth detention facility, and community corrections programs. Notably, in-person activities are returning to these facilities once again to better connect those in custody to support resources and loved ones. Furthermore, newly approved labor agreements for staff reflect the County’s recognition of their vital work. To learn more about these actions and progress, click here.
Plan now if you have business with King County Records and Licensing Services
The King County Records and Licensing Services is moving to a new location in Pioneer Square and will be minimally staffed due to the move from November 14th-25th. If you have documents to record, consider planning ahead. See this link for more details.
 The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission is currently recruiting for six vacant positions
There are six seats open on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission. Commissioners from across King County work together to identify, elevate and develop shared strategies and solutions; streamline and strengthen efforts; and bring more resources to the most pressing issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities. Ideal applicants will be immersed in one or more immigrant/refugee communities; reflect the racial, ethnic, professional, socioeconomic, gender, sexual orientation, age, and geographic diversity of King County communities; and be well-versed on the issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities. To apply, click here.
After-Hours Answering Service and Consulting Nurse Helpline
Public Health — Seattle & King County (PHSKC) is requesting applications from organizations that provide professional 24-hours-per-day, 7 days per-week, and after-hours answering services for medical and dental providers. Applicants should be able to provide consistent nurse consulting coverage and after-hours/weekend answering services for PHSKC clinics and patients seeking support for urgent medical and dental needs. For more information, click here.
 The Department of Commerce is accepting applications for affordable homeownership projects
Through the WA State Housing Trust Fund, the Department of Commerce supports capital projects for various low-income populations. The Homeownership Funding cycle is now open, which may provide funding for down payment assistance, resolving loan fund capitalization grants, self-help projects, short-term production loans, developer subsidies for long-term or permanent affordable resale restricted programs, and others. The application will close on January 19th, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. For information on funding requirements, click here. For the latest application details, see this page.
 Help shape next steps for Link light rail to Ballard and the Chinatown-International District station area!
You are invited to join the Chinatown-international District and Ballard communities in building on the feedback received at the October 13th open house and online survey. The next opportunity to share and collaborate with the community will be a workshop at Union Station on November 2nd at 4:00 p.m. This workshop will focus on options for further study of the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project. You may RSVP to phoebe.wu@soundtransit.org and find more information on the workshop here.
Agenda announced for People v. Cancer
The Atlantic recently announced the first lineup of speakers for its fifth annual People v. Cancer event on Thursday, November 3rd. This virtual event will unveil groundbreaking research and host conversations from within the cancer community. Join this event virtually to hear from survivors, medical providers, patients, and scientists.
Agenda topics include:
- The Biden Administration’s Cancer Moonshot Plan
- An exploration of Proton Beam Therapy
- Racial disparities in cancer
- The barriers to care for the LGBTQ Community
- A conversation on supporting caregiver well-being, and much more!
Register here for this exciting event and stay up-to-date on the event through its website.
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Discussion
On Tuesday, November 1st at 10:00 a.m. in recognition of the 10th anniversary of Initiative 502’s approval by the voters, the initiative’s architect and ACLU political director Alison Holcomb will lead a discussion during a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting. Alison worked diligently on Seattle and King County’s groundbreaking Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, as well as the I-502 campaign, which joined Colorado in instituting some of the nation’s first systems in legally producing, processing, and retailing cannabis. Click here to stream the event.
White House Women’s Economic Impact Briefing
 Join Senior Advisor to the President for Public Engagement Keisha Lance Bottoms, Assistant to the President & Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein, and other Senior White House officials for a Women’s Economic Impact Briefing on Tuesday, November 1st at 9:30 a.m. This event will feature community leaders from across the nation and will discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic investments and impacts, as they pertain to creating lasting change for women. Register for this special webinar here.
Bolt Creek Fire Emergency Support
As the Bolt Creek and Loch Katrine fires have had disastrous effects on families and communities, the Emergency Feeding Program has been working diligently on the ground to assist the Baring, Skykomish, and Grotto communities. The Emergency Feeding Program is establishing an emergency cache of food to assist these communities through potential winter road closures after the Bold Creek Fire. In case of an emergency, the program is working to provide 2 weeks’ worth of food for 300 people, as well as having 3 trucks to deliver supplies. Visit their website for more information or call Executive Director Glenn Turner at 206-331-1830 to get involved.
King County has resources to help you be better prepared for emergencies. Sign up for ALERT King County, a regional public information and notification service. This service helps King County residents stay informed about hazards and threats that impact the area.
In case of emergency, including any medical emergencies, please call 911.
Lastly, to get in touch with the King County Office of Emergency Management, call at 206-296-3830 or visit their website.
A moment of inspiration
A farmer’s town rallied to bring in his harvest after injury
While driving in the small community of Frost, Minnesota, Scott Legried swerved to avoid a German shepherd puppy who ran into the road. In avoiding the puppy, his vehicle was forced off the road and into a cornfield, where he was knocked unconscious. With many injuries that sent him to the hospital, the only thing on the farmer’s mind was how he could complete the October harvest. Hearing the news, more than a dozen farmers the community and surrounding towns traveled to Legried’s farm with their combines, trucks, and grain wagons, harvesting his soybean crop for him. They then told him they would return later in the month to bring in his corn. For the whole story, click here.
Helpful and informative links
The fate of Seattle’s City Hall Park is in Mayor Harrell’s hands – The Seattle Times
City keeps City Hall Park – Real Change (I’m quoted)
How Washington State Law Lets Clergy Hide Child Sexual Abuse – Investigate West (I’m quoted)
UW Medicine nurses latest to receive big raises in new labor contract – The Seattle Times
Seattle Voters See Improvement, Call for Action on Public Safety, Homelessness – The Seattle Metro Chamber
Washington State’s COVID-19 Emergency Declaration to Expire with HELSA Still in Effect – JDSUPRA
How to Protect Your Children and Pets from Rodent Poisons – Public Health Insider
Combating homelessness: DESC plans new housing facility in Interbay – Queen Anne & Magnolia News
When does daylight saving time end? – King 5
REPORT - Implementation Plan for AECOM Recommendations Q3 2022 – King County
On April 24, 2017, the King County Council commissioned AECOM to perform an independent assessment of the catastrophic event that occurred at West Point on February 9, 2017. AECOM staff worked closely with the Council and WTD engineering and plant operations staff to complete its assessment.
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates. 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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