Metro’s Family Day vaccine clinic is this Saturday, June 26

King County Metro is partnering with Public Health - Seattle & King County and their partner Discovery Health to host a Family Day vaccine clinic: 

• Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Metro's Safety and Training building at 11911 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila
• Parking is available on site.

King County employees and their loved ones are invited to make an appointment to receive one of two COVID-19 vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine will be available for those 12 and older and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available for those 18 and older.  There will also be a limited number of vaccines available for walk-ins but your preferred vaccine type cannot be guaranteed without an appointment.

Please register for the vaccine of your choice by visiting Discovery Health's registration portal. Click here for more information. 

King County corrections officers line up for vaccines at clinic

By Noah Haglund, DAJD communications specialist

One by one, King County corrections officers rolled up a sleeve to get a dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Employee Health staff hosted the clinic at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. The next day, they put on a similar event at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Read the full story here. 

Nature-lover leads West Point Treatment Plant updates

Kolby Hoagland is the type of person who is made for life in this region. “If it has something to do with the outdoors, I do it,” he said. “Fishing, gardening, soccer and anything in the snow…that doesn’t involve a motor.”

It might sound surprising that someone who has a passion for the great outdoors and the natural beauty of the Northwest works in a field that deals with all kinds of waste and… well, excrement. But the project that Kolby Hoagland leads for the West Point Treatment Plant is designed to keep Puget Sound safe and clean for all its inhabitants. So maybe the contrast isn’t that far of a stretch.

Click here to read more about Kolby and his team's work.

Get ready for the heat!

With temperatures forecast to be way above normal this week, there are several tips to keep in mind to stay cool. 

The county offers training for supervisors about how to help employees deal with the heat and keep employees safe. Keep in mind that personal factors, such as fitness level, age, obesity, alcohol use (even the night before), nicotine use, etc., affect an individual’s susceptibility to heat illnesses.

Check out tips and resources here. 

It's time for a vacation!

A year ago at this time, if you had a vacation planned for 2020, you probably cancelled it or were considering cancelling. If you hadn’t planned one, you were probably wondering if and when you would get to travel again.

With vaccination rates on the rise, many people have begun traveling or making plans to. Even if you don’t intend to travel this year, taking time away from work can be an important part of managing your overall well-being. 

Click here to read more about the benefits of using your vacation. 

Pandemic Loneliness: How to seek more connection

Even as more things begin to open up, there is a lot of uncertainty around what the next few months will look like.

 Loneliness and lack of social connection has been amplified throughout the pandemic. It is normal to grieve the social life we once had.

Balanced You pulled together some tips to increase connectivity in your life, regardless of your current circumstances. Read the full blog here.

Safety Tip #3: Consider your route 

During the nice summer months, many of us choose to go outside more. If you’re out at lunch, on your way to or from work, or just out and about in the evening after work, select your route with safety in mind.

Taking shortcuts can save time, but sometimes that isn’t the safest route. Avoid empty parks and alleys. Stick to well-lit areas. Learn more by watching our brief video, “Consider Your Route.” 

Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe! 

Recommitting to health goals with Omada

As more of the world opens up, we’ve heard from employees their desire to recommit to health goals that may have taken a back seat during the COVID-19 pandemic. When recommitting to health goals, it is important to be compassionate with yourself and your body.

King County and your insurance provider offer a program called Omada that can help you shift your mindset about your goals and support you wherever you are in your journey. Omada can support those who want to make lifestyle changes and who may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Learn more about Omada and how to get started on the Balanced You blog.

As Drowning Deaths Doubled in King County in 2020, Water Safety Is More Important Than Ever

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider

With hot summer days comes an increased desire to cool off in the region’s pools, beaches, rivers, and lakes. But in 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic pushed more people towards outdoor activities, King County saw drowning deaths double compared to 2018. Thirty-three people lost their lives in King County waters last year, nearly 70% of which occurred in open water incidents and drowning continues to be the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and teens.  

Read more of this post

Pet of the Week: Ursa

I am a 93-lb. female gentle giant who loves the pleasures of air conditioning and short walks. I’d be thrilled if you let me chew up squeaky toys at home and lay around on the couch. I may also have a high prey drive and would probably do best in a home without small animals.

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that RASKC has moved to adoptions by appointment only. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.

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