With the most recent numbers, Snohomish County is now within the high COVID-19 activity category of more than 75 cases per 100,000 residents in a two-week period. Based on the decision tree for schools, updated by the Washington State Department of Health on October 16, schools may continue limited in-person learning.

Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District, shared the following recommendations with schools today:

• Continued distance learning is still strongly recommended, with limited in-person learning for younger learners (especially K-3) and high need students (e.g., disabilities, homelessness, farthest from educational justice)
• In-person learning for older students is discouraged, except high need students, particularly at the current level and trajectory of COVID-19 activity in the community.
• Strongly recommend canceling or postponing most in-person extracurricular activities, including sports, performances, clubs, events, and such, with the option to allow extracurricular activities in small groups of six or fewer students.

“These recommendations are a ceiling for what’s permissible, but not the floor. Each school and family needs to make decisions on what is best for them,” added Dr. Spitters. “We will continue to monitor case rates, hospitalization impacts, test positivity rates, and trends in cases occurring in schools. These recommendations may be revised if the COVID-19 situation continues to deteriorate in Snohomish County.”

Examples of factors that would call for greater restrictions affecting in-person education may include increased frequency or difficulty in controlling school-based outbreaks, evidence that schools are amplifying transmission in the community, dwindling acute care hospital capacity, or statewide directives further limiting in-person attendance. The best way to stabilize children’s education and permit a greater return to in-person learning is for the entire community to reverse the current upward trend in COVID transmission.

Snohomish County has flattened the curve before, and we can do it again. It is essential that everyone is consistently:

• Wearing a mask, even with people you see regularly and in your smallest social circles and anytime you are using shared transportation, including while in your own vehicle with other people.

• Keeping gatherings small and hold them outside whenever possible.
• Avoiding any social gatherings indoors, but if you must participate, wearing a mask and ensuring windows and doors are open to maximize ventilation.
• Washing or sanitizing hands often and not touching your face.
• Staying home if you’re sick or if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

Marysville CARES Business Relief Grants of up to $10,000 may be awarded to businesses that meet these criteria:

• Located within Marysville city limits,
• Current Marysville business license,
• Have fewer than 50 full-time employees or equivalent, including owner,
• Experienced interruptions, loss of sales, closure or curtailed operations, or other negative financial impacts due to restrictions imposed to address COVID-19, and
• In business since on or before Jan. 1, 2020.

Grant funds may be used to pay for wages, rent/mortgage, utilities, debt payments, insurance, cost of goods or supplies for which your business has not received previous COVID-19 funding relief. Grants do not need to be repaid. 

Grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis and we expect to give out all available funds. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply soon at www.marysvillewa.gov/CARESBusinessGrants.

As of Oct. 15, the city had awarded just over $645,750 in federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act funds to Marysville small businesses. With this addition, about another $400,000 remains available. 

A remaining balance from Round 1 in the amount of $70,000 is identified for this second round of our business grant program. Each grant will provide a financial resource to help a Mountlake Terrace business emerge from this difficult time by retaining and creating jobs, acquiring necessary product to stay open, and providing goods and services to the community. 

Eligible businesses submitting a complete and timely application may receive a grant of up to $5,000. Funds can be used for operating expenses, including business rent or lease, payroll, utilities, inventory, marketing, and improvements necessary to meet social distancing or employee safety requirements. A 25% reduction in revenue (comparing 2019 and 2020) during a one-month period must be documented and submitted with the application. Any month from April 2020 through August 2020 can be referenced and documented in the application. Please refer to the application (link below) for eligibility. If your business received a grant from the city during the first round of funding, you are not eligible to apply.

Here is an overview of the 4-step application process: 1) Determine eligibility by reviewing the grant overview; 2) Gather documents required for submittal; 3) Complete the online application; and 4) Submit your application by Friday, October 30, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Businesses selected to receive grant funding will be contacted via e-mail. For more information, contact Lisa Plancich at lplancich@mltwa.gov or (425) 744-6207.

The city of Lake Stevens created an emergency grant program for small businesses from a portion of its CARES Relief Funds. The city processed two rounds of grants earlier this year.

The Lake Stevens City Council has authorized a third round of small business grants. This grant is intended to provide direct assistance to small Lake Stevens businesses economically affected by the current health crisis.

Grant applications must be submitted by 4:00 pm on October 30, 2020, and grants will be awarded after November 9, 2020.

See the full press release for more information and the application link.

The City of Arlington is offering credit to utility customers impacted by COVID-19. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.

The City recognizes that COVID-19 has caused substantial financial impacts to citizens and businesses. Through the customer support program, the city is implementing a one-time utility credit to qualified applicants. Residential customers that submit an application and meet eligibility criteria will receive a one-time $250 credit on their water/sewer account until funding is exhausted. Commercial customers that submit an application and meet eligibility criteria will receive a one-time $350 credit on their water/sewer account until funding is exhausted. Utility credits are not applicable to stormwater and irrigation only accounts.

Find more information on eligibility and a link to the application form here.