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Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters shared a plea with the public Tuesday morning to keep up with preventive measures and power through the fatigue of a prolonged pandemic response.
Case rates continue to climb, in all age groups now, including the elderly. Countywide, COVID hospitalizations are hovering near 30 this week compared to numbers in the teens several weeks ago. Though that is still “below the danger zone” that impacts hospitals’ ability to provide care to all patients, Dr. Spitters cautioned that could change if we don’t turn things around.
A key challenge with responding to COVID-19 is that people who choose not to adhere to prevention measures can “kind of veto the majority, and that’s somewhat unfair and frustrating,” Spitters said.
“I don’t want to blame or stigmatize folks who don’t feel this way, but it sure would be great if everybody were on board,” he said. “Even sort of agree to disagree, but let’s stick together and get through this because there’s no shortcut out of this and we’re not going to be back to normal next week. It’s many, many months away even with a vaccine coming. We’ve got to get through at least another nine to 12 months of preventive measures.”
Executive Somers noted that the virus is spreading in situations that are hard to contain or control, such as gatherings of family or friends inside people’s homes. He acknowledged the hardship of not having these gatherings but urged people to remember that the more people they have contact with, the greater the risk of spreading COVID-19.
“We really need to try to limit those small gatherings,” Somers said. “So that would be my plea to people is please, I know it’s Halloween, I know Thanksgiving is coming up, but we just really need to keep our social distancing measures in place.”
Watch the briefing here: https://youtu.be/xr4B2UgGpdg
Or read the transcript: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5576/COVID-briefing-transcript-oct-27?bidId=
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Snohomish County is continuing to see rising case rates. The preliminary rate for the most recent two-week period is the second highest we’ve seen since the pandemic began.
We can all take action to help fight the fall and winter surge of respiratory illnesses, particularly COVID-19. Mask up when around anyone who is not part of your household, stay home if you are ill, wash your hands, clean and sanitize the surfaces you touch most often, and avoid gatherings. If you are socializing with people you don’t live with, be sure to wear a mask, keep distance (six feet or more) from non-household members, and meet outside or in an area with good ventilation.
And check out more detailed information, including hospitalizations, deaths, and other data, in the weekly reports and snapshots.
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Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that Washington is joining other western states to review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines when approved by the FDA. This is an added layer of independent expert review that will help build confidence in the vaccine.
This panel of experts, begun by California Gov. Newsom last week, will expand with representatives from Washington, Oregon and Nevada.
"The FDA has made public information about the data required for authorizing a vaccine. That, combined with two independent federal groups, and our own Western States review process, should give the public pretty high confidence on the safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine," Inslee said.
For more information, see the full press release.
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The state Department of Health is collaborating with Safeway Inc. and Albertsons Companies LLC to offer no-cost influenza (flu) vaccination for uninsured adults over the age of 18 to help prevent flu illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials are concerned that the presence of both viruses could put more people in the hospital and strain Washington’s health care system.
Twenty-three Albertsons and Safeway pharmacies across the state will offer flu vaccine free of charge through June 2021 to uninsured adults. The pharmacies will not charge an administration fee, and no proof of residency or immigration status will be required.
Find the list of participating locations on the Department of Health's website.
Everyone 6 months and older needs a new flu vaccine every year. Young children, pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions, and those aged 65 and older are at high risk of complications from flu illness.
Adults who have insurance should also get vaccinated now. Flu vaccine for those age 19 and older is covered by most insurance companies and by Medicare and Apple Health (Medicaid). Washington also provides flu vaccine, and all recommended vaccines, at no cost to everyone under the age of 19.
The effort is a collaboration between Safeway, Albertsons and the Department of Health.
For help finding a health care provider or vaccine location, and to learn more about flu, visit www.KnockOutFlu.org
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Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) are inviting Washington residents ages 18 and over to participate in the Washington COVID-19 and Technology Survey. Survey responses will help the UW and Washington State Department of Health better understand how to us technology to fight the ongoing pandemic. Participation is completely voluntary and responses will be kept confidential. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and will close at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 10. For the English version of the survey, click here. For the Spanish version, click here. If you have any questions about the survey or your participation, you can contact the survey team at WaNotifySurvey@uw.edu.
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Applications are now open for a fall round of two separate Marysville CARES grant funds. One is for public service activities that prepare, prevent and respond to the spread of infectious disease such as COVID-19. The other is for low-income small businesses (microenterprise, five or fewer employees) that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
COVID-19 Public Service Grant
The city is making at total of up to $100,000 available for infectious disease prevention and response. Eligible activities include:
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Testing, diagnosis or other services;
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Equipment, supplies and materials;
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Meal delivery to quarantined or medically vulnerable populations;
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Emergency rental/mortgage assistance for those financially harmed due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Small Business Grant
Marysville small businesses with five or fewer employees, and whose owners meet HUD low-income requirements, are invited to apply Marysville CARES grants of up to $15,000 each. These grant funds may be used for existing business operating expenses such as lease or rent payments, payroll, utilities and inventory. The business owner must meet federal low-income eligibility guidelines. For example, a family of four with an annual household income of $88,250 or less would qualify.
The city will award a total of up to $125,000. The funds allocated to Marysville through the CARES Act will not be enough to provide grants for all businesses negatively impacted, nor will it be enough to fix all of the damage sustained, but is a piece of the overall recovery.
Funding for both of these grants is from the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Program, which provides annual grants to develop viable communities through decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for- low and moderate-income persons.
The city is offering technical assistance by email to those interested in applying. To request technical assistance, please contact Amy Hess, Associate Planner, at ahess@marysvillewa.gov or Chris Holland, Planning Manager, at cholland@marysvillewa.gov. To request the application in an alternative format, please contact the Community Development department at 360-363-8100 (voice) or 800-833-6399 (TDD).
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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on nonprofit organizations, with many experiencing increased demand for services and programs while at the same time dealing with disruption of services and programs, cancellation of contracts, funding losses due to canceled fundraisers, reduced donations and other issues affecting staff and volunteer capacity. The impacts are particularly hard on nonprofits led by and serving Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities.
The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with Philanthropy Northwest to provide $2 million of relief funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act with a focus on community-based nonprofits and Tribal organizations most impacted by COVID-19.
How to apply
Grant applications are due by Nov. 6, 2020. Find all information and application materials here.
Technical or translation assistance for this grant can be provided by contacting community.outreach@commerce.wa.gov. Commerce’s outreach team will help connect you to someone with assistance.
An online information session will be held in English via Zoom this week:
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 – 8 p.m. PDT
The Zoom conference line is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89880601482.
Zoom meeting ID is: 898 8060 1482.
Via phone at 1-253-215-8782.
Working with strategic partners and through experience working with local organizations, Philanthropy NW developed application criteria and will award grants between $25,000 and $50,000, based on the organization’s need. Priority consideration will be given to programs that serve economically vulnerable areas especially in rural, remote and Tribal communities and whose leaders are reflective of the populations they serve. Small organizations and those serving unincorporated areas are encouraged to apply.
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As part of the 2021 budget process, the Snohomish County Council is inviting the public to join public hearings that will be held remotely due to health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, October 26, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., the Council will hold remote public hearings, via Zoom, to seek input from county residents regarding their priorities for the 2021 Budget. Those who are unable to attend these hearings also can provide written testimony to Contact.Council@snoco.org. Additional information and agendas can be found via the county website.
ZOOM webinar remote participation information: Attendees can participate remotely by clicking on the link or calling into the meeting with the phone numbers listed below.
Zoom Webinar Link: https://zoom.us/j/94846850772
Dial in: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 948 4685 0772
Zoom Webinar Instructions
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The City of Mill Creek's Small Business and Service Organization Grants for those affected by COVID-19 are due Wednesday, Nov 4. The City may award up to $600,000 in small business grants. Additionally, $70,000 has been allocated for service organizations that are providing COVID-19 relief operations for the public within the City of Mill Creek.
More information and application forms are here.
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Dr. Ian Saltzman, Everett Public Schools Superintendent, sent this letter to district families Tuesday, announcing remote learning through Jan. 11. He also released a video.
“The district would like to share the difficult decision the board and superintendent have made to remain in fully remote learning until January 11, at which time we will begin bringing our youngest students back only if health conditions allow. This does not apply to the Developmental Kindergarten, Developmental Pre-K, Life Skills and Strive students whom we plan to bring back to the classroom on November 16. This is a two week adjustment from the original announcement. This adjustment is being made to allow for more time to complete IEPs, transfer caseloads, continue training and finalize plans.
“Waiting until after winter break was not an easy decision, but we do not want to transition to hybrid learning only to have to close buildings again due to infections. We also want to provide consistent, stable information for families, so they do not worry about information and conditions changing weekly. We realize this may be disappointing for many of our students, families, and staff, but we believe it is necessary due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases over the previous several weeks.”
For more information, see the full letter.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended two emergency orders. His order requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) and his order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically-necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are both extended until Nov. 24.
Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term limited duration medical plans. The order on surprise billing applies to both in-state and out-of-state laboratories when a provider orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
Also, insurers must continue:
- Allowing a one-time early refill for prescription drugs.
- Suspending any prior authorization requirement for treatment or testing of COVID-19.
- In addition, if an insurer does not have enough medical providers in its network to provide testing or treatment for COVID-19, it must allow enrollees to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost.
Read the full release.
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The Internal Revenue Service today set Nov. 10 as 'National EIP Registration Day,' as the agency and partners across the country launch a final push to encourage everyone who doesn’t normally file a tax return to register to receive an Economic Impact Payment.
'National EIP Registration Day' will take place just a few days ahead of the extended Nov. 21 registration deadline. This special event will feature support from IRS partner groups inside and outside of the tax community, including those that work with low-income and underserved communities. These groups will help spread the word about the new Nov. 21 deadline and, in some cases, provide special support for people who still need to register for the payments.
The IRS has already sent nearly 9 million letters to people who may be eligible for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payments but don’t normally file a tax return. The letters, along with the special Nov. 10 event, both urge people to use the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool, available exclusively on IRS.gov.
Anyone using the Non-Filers tool can speed up the arrival of their payment by choosing to receive it by direct deposit. Those not choosing this option will get a check.
Beginning two weeks after they register, people can track the status of their payment using the Get My Payment tool, available only on IRS.gov.
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Bring the kids to Marysville Police Department’s drive thru trick or treat event on Friday, October 30th from 2-5 p.m. Marysville Police Department is located at 1635 Grove St.
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The Everett Silvertips Hockey Club wears a mask so they can help get things back to normal and see you in the stands again. Why do you wear a mask? #MaskUpWA
Made in partnership with Restart Us
Click on the image below to watch the full video.
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Case count as of October 27, 2020.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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