Friends, 

As things have continued to unfold with the ongoing fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, I’m writing today with some updates from the County, some resources from the State, and also some local resources to help keep ourselves busy while we stay home. As you know, Governor Inslee earlier this week ordered a “Stay Home Stay Healthy” order for all Washingtonians. There were some cities who had already issued similar orders, but this one from the State supersedes all other orders. We have heard from so many scientists, doctors, and other experts that they only defense that we have right now against the virus is social distancing, so this order from the Governor is our best shot to slow the spread, protect lives, protect the long-term devastation of our economy, and get back to our “old normal” quicker. 

I hope that this newsletter is helpful to you. As I mentioned last time, it’s imperative that we rely on information that is factual and science-based as we continue to weather this storm together. If there is anything our office can do to help you during this time, please consider us a resource. You can call us at 425-388-3494 or email our office at contactdistrict2@snoco.org. The County campus is closed and we are working from home and conducting all public meetings remotely using a new online platform.  

Sincerely, 

Megan Dunn 

Snohomish County Councilmember, District 2 

Paula Rhyne 

Legislative Aide to Councilmember Megan Dunn 

Earlier this week, Governor Inslee issued a Stay Home Stay Healthy order which applies to all Washingtonians. All Washingtonians are asked to stay home and only travel out of the house when necessary, and only for critical trips. These trips include grocery stores, doctor’s office, and pharmacy visits. Here’s a listing of what’s open and what’s closed. While most businesses are closed, some essential businesses remain open. These businesses help to ensure the continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. While generally, most Washingtonians are asked to work remotely or stay home, some jobs are essential and those people are allowed to go to work.  

Many people have lost their jobs or businesses as a result of this virus which is leading our local and national economy towards a recession. In order to dampen the economic impacts of the virus on our region, the State and Federal Government have released funding available through unemployment claims and small business grants and loans. A federal stimulus package is forthcoming, but the State has already taken measures to help. More information about resources available to workers and employers who are impacted because of COVID can be found here.  

For current information on cases in Snohomish County, the Snohomish Health District has information on current case counts. The Health District also announced Drive-Thru Testing that’s available by appointment only. If you are experiencing symptoms AND are working in a critical field, 60 years or older, have underlying medical conditions, OR are currently pregnant, you can sign up for an appointment. Click here for more information and for the link to sign up for an appointment.  

The State Department of Health also has a lot of great information about Coronavirus and information for healthcare providers and people who may be at risk. They also have this webpage with their fact sheet translated into a number of different languages; if you know someone whose first language isn’t English, please pass this information along to them. 

I know that there is a lot of information out there, and sometimes it’s hard to sort through the fact and fiction. The County’s Joint Information Center (JIC) has received a number of questions based on false information, so they have put together this infographic to address rumors. If you hear of any rumors or need help sorting fact from fake, please email the JIC at eccjic.activation@snoco.org. FEMA has also launched a Coronavirus Rumor Control page.  

Last, we have been receiving reports that people have been calling 911 to ask non-emergency questions about COVID-19. Please only use 911 in the case of an emergency. If you have questions about the virus and symptoms, the Snohomish Health District and State Department of Health’s websites have more information. 

We are incredibly busy at the County responding to this pandemic. The Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) through the Department of Emergency Management has been activated and there are teams working around the clock to protect the life, property, environment, and economy of the County.  

I have been working closely with the team that is addressing sheltering and food access and lead a bi-weekly call with local human services providers to help continue to assess needs in our region. Because of the calls, we were able to identify gaps in services that the County and other providers could fill to help serve the most vulnerable in our County during this time.   

The group at the Emergency Coordination Center has good news to share regarding their response efforts. Here are some highlights:  

Friends, this is an incredibly challenging time, and reports are showing that the number of people exposed and diagnosed has not peaked for our area. We are working to make sure our health care system does not get overwhelmed and working to secure more tests, more protective gear and additional hospital beds and recovery or quarantine beds. I am fighting to ensure that workers in our County have the protections that they need and that resources are available to those who are unemployed and that businesses and schools will be able to re-open as soon as possible. Additionally, I recognize that the most vulnerable in our communities will be disproportionately impacted by the virus; both health-wise and income-wise. I’m looking ahead to how the County can help flatten the curve of the economic impacts in the months ahead and am working with departments and other officials to protect those in our community. Things could worse before they get better, but if we all work together, we can make sure that it gets better faster. 

Thank you to the essential employees, truck and bus drivers, school teachers working remotely, janitors who clean to reduce our risk, to our front-line families and first responders and to our public servants and health care workers that are putting in overtime and responding to this crisis. Please know that we are doing all we can to support you and your families and we value our caregivers and all those sacrificing and staying home to protect our community health. 

Again, please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can be of service in any way. You can call my office at 425-388-3494 or email me at contactdistrict2@snoco.org.  

In Service, 

Megan Dunn