Bad news and glimmers of hope
The Yakima Health Department reported recently that 95 percent of people in Yakima are wearing a face covering in public - and now Yakima County is the only place in the state where each person who gets COVID-19 on average spreads it to less than one other person.
Everywhere else in the state is on the path to runaway transmission rates of COVID-19, according to the most recent statewide situation report.
In Kitsap County, the situation is also serious. As of today, 165 new COVID-19 cases have been reported this month alone. That equals the number of new cases reported for Kitsap in March, April and May combined.
Here’s the concerning news:
- The number of people getting COVID-19 every day in Washington is higher now than it has ever been.
- Hospitalization rates are rising throughout the state.
- The increase in the number of young adults getting COVID-19 is leading to an increase in the number of children and teens who are getting COVID-19 and threatening to spread broadly into younger and older age groups, as we have seen happen in Florida.
And the good news:
Changing our behavior makes a difference. The report describes the hopeful story of Yakima County, which has seen a sharp turnaround in the number of people getting COVID-19 each day now that nearly everyone in Yakima County is wearing cloth face coverings and practicing physical distancing.
You know what to do. Each of us needs to make a conscious shift in the way we live our lives so that we can send our kids back to school in the fall and continue to reopen our businesses.
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Keep in-person visits limited to only a few - virtual hang-outs are a great option for larger groups.
- Stay six feet away from other people.
- Wear a cloth face covering in public.
Practice compassion. Do your part to make sure we can send our kids back to school and avoid the need for more restrictions.