As we all continue to battle the effects of this virus, there is a lot in our community that has been inspiring, and also a lot that has been heartbreaking. Local artists like Rosemary Jones have been sharing their inspiration and new art, and families have been discovering new hikes and parks to explore. Unfortunately, the increased numbers of unemployment and people needing social services has been staggering, and I am working tirelessly to ensure that our frontline workers, many of which are low-wage workers, are protected and have the safety net that they need to stay in their homes and feed their families.  

Tomorrow, I will vote as a member of the Health District to request a variance for Snohomish County to move forward to Phase 2 of re-opening. This vote will be followed by a County Resolution to authorize the submission of the application to the State. This request is based on the best available advice from our Health Officer, the latest data, and the strength of our public health system. It’s imperative that workers have the protections in place to safely return to work and that small businesses are able to safely open their doors. We share a common goal with Governor Inslee of ensuring our most vulnerable are protected and that we make any determinations with all residents in mind. The request may be denied and we will do what we can to keep our County and region moving forward. Please follow my Facebook page for updates.

In my last newsletter, I announced the formation of the District 2 Economic Recovery Advisory Group, and today I’ll share the results of this working groups’ efforts. Below you can also read an update on the County’s allocation of $147M in Federal CARES Dollars, a follow-up to the 38th Legislative District vacancies, resources for Small Businesses, reminders about face coverings, an update on the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, info about a CompTIA A+ Certification, and resources for people experiencing Domestic Violence. 

Updates are changing so rapidly that it can be hard to keep up on current information. As a reminder, please continue to seek out information from trusted sources. Our local Snohomish Health District, Snohomish County Coronavirus Page, the Washington State Department of Health, and Federal CDC are all great places to receive accurate and timely information. 

In my last newsletter, I announced that in conjunction with Tulalip Tribal leadership, Everett Mayor Franklin, and Mukilteo Mayor Gregerson, I formed the District 2 Economic Recovery Advisory Group which would help aide the County’s economic response and recovery. My goal was to have an inclusive, informative, and cohesive economic recovery plan that is tailored to each economic sector in District 2. Recognizing that recovery will be different for all types of businesses - from restaurants and aerospace suppliers to retail and personal care - I also facilitated six local business sector discussions in addition to the Advisory Group meetings to determine a better coordinated response to this pandemic. The perspectives shared in the sector meetings informed a Findings and Strategies document that I provided to the County’s Economic Recovery Taskforce. 

I prioritized reaching out to the workers and businesses who have been most impacted by the shutdown and the virus. Our latest studies show the people most susceptible and at risk of contracting COVID are those that work with the public, these are typically low wage jobs and the families that are the least economically stable. In light of this, I made an intentional effort to reach out to our small businesses, sole proprietors, and frontline workers so that their voice and the true impacts of this crisis could be heard.   

Findings ranged from lack of consumer confidence in providing a safe environment to disproportionate impacts and lack of PPE for employees. Solutions ranged from the need for consolidated messaging, a certification of compliance, and a standardized tool kit with guidance on how to reopen and rental assistance. 

It is clear that best business practices are key. We need to demonstrate to our communities that the new bottom line for businesses is keeping people safe, with the understanding that some of our operations will become less efficient and more costly, and accepting that the number of people we can serve at once might decline. It will be critical to develop partnerships across economic sectors, which includes local non-profits, to best utilize resources and how we can be of most service to our underrepresented populations. 

It was a privilege to work with and hear from our local businesses, employers and workers to synthesize these findings and suggestions. I’ll keep you updated on developments. 

One of the provisions that counties have received from the Federal Government is through the Federal CARES Act. Snohomish County received $147M from the Federal Government to be allocated in ways that best serves our County. The County Executive, County Council, department directors, and other lead staff have been working swiftly to identify how to best allocate this money. Over the past two weeks, we have allocated the money as follows:

• $37M for Economic Stabilization 

• $44M for Public Health and Emergency Response 

• $10.9M for the Snohomish Health District 

• $25M to Human Services and Housing 

• $6M to Essential Government Services 

The remainder of the money, $20.4M, will be placed in Reserves pending further discussions and information regarding the County’s financial status and the community’s needs. 

As part of the Economic Stabilization relief funds, the County has established two small business grant funding opportunities, which will be administered by Workforce Snohomish. The first opportunity is the Snohomish County Small Business Relief, Recovery, and Resiliency Grant Program (R3). Grant application requests of up to $25,000 are now live for businesses who qualify for these one-time grants. Priority will be given to those small businesses who have been most impacted. For more information on qualifications and the grant process, please visit this page. Applications are due by June 3 at 5pm.  

The second grant is the Snohomish County First in Flight Fund (F3). This fund will award grants to both Paine Field Airport tenants and to aerospace sector small businesses. These grants will help support our region’s aerospace sector which is the largest driver of our local economy. For more information about these grants and the application process, please visit this website. Applications for these grants are also due by June 3 at 5pm.  

As the County responds to this crisis I’m prioritizing meeting the immediate needs of those who have been bearing the brunt of this crisis. Our small businesses and low wage workers have been impacted the most, many of whom are on the brink of losing their businesses or housing. Getting these essential funds to the least economically stable is imperative to provide relief to our workforce and stabilize our communities.  

Additionally, information received from the many constituents, small business owners, business organizations, labor unions, and other community leaders has helped to inform the allocation of these funds. If you have concerns or would like to provide suggestions or priorities as we continue to respond to this pandemic, please feel free to email them to myself and to the whole council (contact.council@snoco.org) so that your voice can be heard too. 

Earlier this month, Senator John McCoy, the Senator from the Washington State 38th Legislative District announced his retirement. Senator McCoy has been a stalwart advocate for veterans, tribal relations, and the environment. He has left quite the legacy in our State and I am grateful for is service. His retirement left a vacancy, and the County Council is responsible for filling this vacancy through an appointment process.  

The District Democrats provided three nominations to fill the Senator’s seat, with Representative June Robinson receiving the largest majority of the vote. It was an honor to use my vote on the County Council to appoint her to be the new Senator for the District as I had also been able to vote for her Representative position appointment when I was a PCO!  

Her appointment to Senator then left a vacancy in the Representative position, which would also be filled through the Council’s appointment process. In advanced anticipation of this vacancy, the PCOs selected three candidates for Council's consideration with the following ranked allocations: Charles Adkins (20), Emily Wicks (18) and Mario Brown (3).  

The Council received 30 letters of support for Emily, two for Charles and one for Mario. Public comment was provided during the interviews with three comments in favor of Emily Wicks. In addition to support letters from the public and individual tribal members, other endorsement letters for Emily included Operating Engineers Local 302, Laborers Local 292, The National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington. Emily has a strongly demonstrated background in state issues and qualifications to represent the 38th LD, she has strong progressive values and a long history of service to the district.  

Additionally, I had several conversations with Tribal leadership and tribal members regarding the candidates and heavily weighted their input and insight into my vote. Partnership with our local Tribes is imperative and I value my relationship with Tribal leadership and am committed to continuing collaboration efforts to honor their sovereignty and representation.   

When considering appointments for political appointments, I consider the PCO ranking, written question responses, in-person interviews, qualifications, demonstrated sound judgement, and community support. I weighed all these factors and seconded the amendment to appoint Emily. The Council voted 4 to 1 in favor of appointing Emily Wicks and I know she will represent our area well.  

Both Senator Robinson and Representative Wicks’ appointments will be on the ballot to be decided by voters in the election this November.  

While working with local businesses regarding the economic downturn we are experiencing, across the board I heard deep concerns about the future of people’s businesses, and also frustrations with resources that are available. Here is a list of resources that you may find useful: 

The County is working on identifying the business community’s needs to ensure that we can quickly recover from this economic downturn, and I will keep you informed of any new developments. 

A reminder to everyone that the Snohomish Health District strongly encourages the use of face coverings in public when you are in a space that you can’t reliably be six feet from other people. As you may know, you can have COVID-19 for up to seven days before showing symptoms. During those seven days, if you go in public without a mask, you could be spreading it to others. Wearing a mask is not just recommended for your safety, but to also help protect others and further slow the spread of this awful virus.  

Here is a recent press release from the Snohomish Health District with some more information.  

If you or a person you know is having a hard time accessing a face covering, our friends with the Providence Institute for a Healthier Community put together an incredible network to help connect volunteer mask-makers with people who are in need of a mask! In the first 22 days, they have been able to distribute 5,165 masks all over Snohomish County through their Snohomish County Mask Brigade program. If you want to volunteer to be a mask maker, mask deliverer, or mask recipient, please visit this webpage to sign up. 

Thank you, Providence Institute for a Healthier Community, volunteers, and the Give Well Local team! 

Giving blood is important to me because I know how this simple act can save lives. Bloodworks NW recently shared that they have decided to cancel all mobile blood drives through the end of summer. They will, however, continue to do “Pop-Up Donor Centers” which will help to back-fill their supply. The Angel of the Winds Arena has been selected as a site. If you're able, please make an appointment to donate blood at the Angel Of The Winds Arena Pop-up Donor Center.  

Donating blood is a safe activity and there is no risk of contracting Coronavirus from the blood donation process. Blood donation takes about an hour from registration to post-donation refreshment. Information about who can donate and where, is available at www.bloodworksnw.org. 

(From the Snohomish Health District Blog):

The pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has amplified existing challenges in our community. Where there were cracks before, they’ve gotten wider, and people who were struggling to climb out are facing more obstacles. Many in Snohomish County are dealing with illness, loss, disconnects from social circles and supports, and/or economic hardship. 

Domestic violence is one of the issues that has been exacerbated during this crisis. This can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of children and adults. For many people, "Stay Home Stay Safe" is not a reality. Staying home can mean additional exposure to mental, physical, and sexual violence without an opportunity to report it or reach out for help or support.

The reality is that we won’t have a full understanding of just how much of an impact this pandemic has had on those experiencing domestic violence for many months or, more likely, years.   

But to get a better understanding of what we are seeing now, what resources are available in our community, and how people can help, the Snohomish Health District reached out to some local experts. They spoke with Lori Vanderburg and Anne Ewalt with Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center, Melissa Mertz with Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse, and Vicci Hilty with Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County. 

More on this conversation can be found at the Snohomish Health District Blog. 

Friends, I know that things are so difficult right now and that we are not out of the woods yet. I am grateful for all of the community members and businesses who have worked hard to adapt to the safety protocols and recommendations that have been advised by our public health officials and the governor. I am committed to ensuring that any policy decisions from the County are applied equitably and that the voices and stories of our most vulnerable neighbors are at the forefront of discussions. 

Again, if I can be of assistance in any way, please reach out to me at Megan.Dunn@snoco.org or at 425-388-3494. 

Be Well, 

Megan