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Case rates continue to increase in Snohomish County, but the rise was less steep this week than in previous weeks. While this may be a positive signal, it also underscores the importance of taking preventive actions to not only slow the increase but to turn it around, county leaders said during a virtual news briefing Tuesday morning.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters spoke during the briefing.
The Executive talked about the election and directed people to how they can vote and where they can monitor results. He encouraged people to go to https://www.snoco.org/elections for more information, and to make sure they vote if they haven’t already. It is likely that more than 65% of ballots will have been tabulated by 8 p.m. on Election Day, but more ballots will continue to be counted in the coming days, he said.
“Some will be celebrating victory and some will be mourning loss following this election,” Somers said. “Let’s be smart. Keep our social distancing measures in place. Wear a mask and don’t gather with more than five people from outside your household, and keep that six feet of distance. We don’t need more cases, don’t need to add them to our near record totals just because we’re letting down our guard.”
Dr. Spitters addressed misinformation on social media that masks don’t work. They do, he said, and there are physics and epidemiological studies that back up their effectiveness.
“When we see that cases are going up, it suggests that face coverings are not being used universally and/or not used correctly. So again, if you're getting together with people who are not out of your household, whether it's in your household or outside of it, wear a face covering. You're out in public, whether it's outdoors or indoors, wear a face covering. Going into place of commerce, work, what have you, face covering.”
He also noted that we won’t know whether Halloween gatherings impacted case rates for a week or two, but heading into the holiday season, people should be prepared to do things differently. It is especially important to protect those who are older and medically vulnerable.
Watch the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/-D6X2MSWJH8
Or read the transcript: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5677/Transcript-Nov-3-COVID-briefing?bidId=
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Over the weekend, Snohomish County saw its single highest one-day total of new reported cases – 141.
The Snohomish Health District is receiving reports of between 50 and 100-plus new cases each day.
We’ve been asked how people can help address this pandemic. In general, people are doing great wearing masks in public settings, like the grocery store or while running errands. But are you wearing masks when getting together at a friend’s house? What about when carpooling or on a lunch break with a coworker? We can’t let our guard—or mask—down unless we’re at home with household members.
COVID cases are rising across Washington. The state Department of Health on Friday reported 1,047 new COVID cases in a single day. The number was a new daily high since mid-July.
In light of a potential fall surge, the Department of Health recently encouraged Washingtonians to flatten the curve once again. The new numbers provide more evidence that the surge isn’t coming – it’s here. These upward trends threaten the progress we’ve made toward containment, and could impede other important statewide progress in the future.
“We are also concerned about the risk of overwhelming our hospital systems when we see cases spike like this,” says Dr. Kathy Lofy, State Health Officer. “Our hospitals do not have unlimited capacity.”
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As the holiday season approaches and COVID-19 numbers in Snohomish County rise, the City of Edmonds understands why community members may want to host their holiday gatherings at one of the many parks. However, in accordance with the current CDC, State of Washington, and Snohomish Health District COVID health and safety guidelines the city cannot permit or allow events that may attract crowds and gatherings of people. At this time only weddings, funerals and specific athletic activities are allowed provided they abide by clear guidelines as laid out by the Governor.
“Gatherings which bring together 10 or more guests from outside your household are not permissible at this time,” said Angie Feser, Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Servicers Director.
“Edmonds has a significant percentage of high-risk residents and we request that you help us ensure the public health and safety of all our community.”
For more information, see the full press release.
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Mukilteo City Councilwoman and Snohomish Health District Board of Health member Elisabeth Crawford released a #MaskUpWa video on Monday. Crawford says she wears a mask, "because I care about the health and safety of my community, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to prevent the spread of COVID-19."
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Don't forget to take the University of Washington's COVID-19 and Technology Survey!
Responses to the survey will help UW better understand how they can use mobile technology to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and will close at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 13th.
For the English version of the survey, go to https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=PR3N4FRTJH. For the Spanish version, go to https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=XPFR89JX9D.
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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Philanthrophy Northwest is partnering with the state Department of Commerce 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 impacted by COVID-19. Applications are due Friday, November 6. http://ow.ly/EIfY50C3nkr
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Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday announced the allocation of $24 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds to purchase approximately 64,000 computing devices for students across the state. These devices will enable students to receive their education in the new COVID-19 remote learning environment. The first shipment of 20,000 devices is expected in the coming weeks.
“Having their own device is vital to students and staff participating and succeeding in distance learning,” Inslee said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown challenges at every Washingtonian, especially working families and students — having the proper equipment to navigate their new educational reality shouldn’t be one of those challenges.”
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Registration is now open for the FREE virtual WA State Biz Fair on Tues., Nov 10th. Learn from the experts how to start, grow or build resiliency for your small business – especially during these challenging times.
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Small business owners now have more places to seek culturally and linguistically relevant help for dealing with COVID-19, thanks to the expansion of the Small Business Resiliency Assistance program. Twenty partner organizations are available to help small businesses and nonprofits:
- Find and apply for resources, whether you are open or closed
- Access translation assistance
- Navigate local, state, and federal resources
- Retain and support your workforce
- Plan for recovery and safe reopening
- Strengthen your community through mentorship, education, and training.
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The City of Arlington announces the availability of additional funds for Arlington small businesses through the Arlington Business Rent and COVID-19 Relief Program.
This grant program focuses on small businesses that are critical to supporting our community’s broad-based recovery. Priority will be given to dining, retail, and service sector establishments.
The City has $40,000 to distribute to qualifying small businesses for grants up to $3,500 to cover expenses related to COVID-19. Eligible costs include payment or reimbursement of existing and current lease/rent/mortgage payments, utility payments, revenue reduction or increase in expense related to COVID-19, improvements necessary to meet safety requirements, or other COVID-19 related expenses. Documentation of expense is required.
Having received or applied for other assistance does not make a business ineligible for this grant.
The grant application closes November 12 at 10:00 a.m.
Apply here: https://arlingtonwa.seamlessdocs.com/f/rentgrant
Questions: Call Sarah Lopez at 360-403-3448
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Feeling sick? Stay home. This is the time to listen to what your body is telling you. Even if you don’t have a fever, other symptoms like sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, body aches, fatigue, or nausea could be signs of COVID. And if it’s not COVID, you don’t want to spread other illnesses, either. So when you don’t feel well, don’t go out, don’t go to work, and don’t have visitors. Wait until you’re well again.
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Knitting. Baking. Weightlifting.
Escaping into a fictional world of werepires.
Our healthy outlets are more important than ever right now.
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Gratitude leads to resilience. Resilience is a buffer to life’s adversity. What are you grateful for?
We’ve added some gratitude journal pages, available with prompts or without, for download at www.snohd.org/activities.
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Influenza, usually called flu, is highly contagious. Most people recover with rest and basic care – healthy food, plenty of fluids. However, the flu can be serious. Infants, older adults, pregnant women and people with underlying conditions are at higher risk of hospitalization or death.
Flu season is unpredictable. Typically, it starts in October and peaks between December and February.
Getting your flu shot is even more important this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Think of it as essential. Talk to your medical provider or local pharmacy.
If you do feel sick, stay home to avoid spreading the illness. Be sure to always wash hands and surfaces thoroughly with soap and warm water. Cover sneezes or coughs with a tissue, and never cook or serve food when you are sick.
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Case counts as of November 3, 2020.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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