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 County leaders urged people to cancel Thanksgiving gathering plans, pointing to a rapid rise in the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Snohomish County.
History from the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic shows that a disregard for health measures and personal decisions to gather with friends and family do contribute to spread of disease and, ultimately, more deaths, a virtual media briefing was told Tuesday morning. Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Snohomish Health District Health Officer Chris Spitters and Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann spoke during the briefing on topics including federal support for COVID response efforts and vaccine planning efforts for the county.
“We are not through this yet, as you know,” Somers said. “We have many more months before we, I think, start to return to normal, and hopefully the vaccines pan out well and we get them distributed. But the pandemic is really at its most dangerous right now, and we need every level of government to be working together and working with us.”
The capacity to care for COVID-19 and other patients in hospitals and clinics will be overwhelmed if we do not flatten the curve on case rates, Spitters and Biermann said.
“Today we have 80 people with COVID in the hospital. That is a 400% increase in just six weeks,” Dr. Spitters said. “Statewide there are 1,000 people in Washington state hospitals with COVID. Locally, in March, we peaked at about 120 hospitalized, just 40 more than we are at now. And we’re on pace to surpass that within the next week or two.”
COVID-19 infections have surpassed 300 cases per 100,000 population for the last two weeks. On Sunday and Monday, Snohomish County had more than 300 new cases reported in a single day. Those were record high daily case counts.
Biermann, the Emergency Management Director, asked people to think of the impacts on the healthcare and emergency response workers before they choose to gather during the holidays.
“There’s a finite amount of staff. That seems intuitive, but I think it’s important to stress that those folks are out there every day not only trying to address COVID but all of the other issues that are happening throughout our community,” Biermann said. “So I would ask on their behalf that folks be mindful of that and also think about when you’re gathering, the increased risk that you’re creating for our providers, our responders, our law enforcement folks who are out there in community trying to keep people safe and get them the help they need.”
Watch the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/tsvjwZ2bukA
Or read the transcript: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5807/nov-24-briefing-transcript?bidId=
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Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged all Americans to forgo traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with extended family or friends and celebrate at home with the people you live with. More than 1 million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last 7 days.
Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.
Read the full release here.
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People catching a state ferry for essential travel over Thanksgiving weekend should review sailing schedules in advance, Washington State Department of Transportation officials say. Several routes are operating on modified timetables under Washington State Ferries’ COVID-19 Response Service Plan that are different from years past.
“With statewide restrictions in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19, this will not be a normal Thanksgiving for ferry travel,” said Amy Scarton, head of WSF. “If you absolutely must ride our ferries, please wear a mask anytime outside of your vehicle as one is required aboard our vessels and throughout our terminals in compliance with the state’s health order to help keep people safe.”
For more information see the full press release.
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Remember the simple things. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. And don't forget to be like this turkey- make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who are not in your household. #InItTogether
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From our friends at South County Fire: “Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires across the United States. A leading cause of home fires is from unattended cooking. Make sure to always stay in the kitchen whenever you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food.”
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Our holiday plans might have changed this year, but we can still create memories with our loved ones. Check out our ideas on how to make a few new traditions this Thanksgiving. #InItTogether
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Looking for some fun activities to do this week or over the weekend? Find new coloring pages, cards, word searches and paper airplane design (with instructions) at www.snohd.org/activities. You can print and download your favorites.
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene says she wears a mask, "to do my part to keep our community safe." The CDC just recently concluded that wearing a mask not only protects others, but it protects a person wearing a mask as well. Why do you wear a mask? #MaskUpWA #MaskMonday
Made in partnership with Restart Us
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Snohomish County had a 5.2% unemployment rate in October, according to data released Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department.
That compares to a 7.4% unemployment rate in September; 7.7% in August and 8.7 % in July.
The county’s unemployment rate spiked to 19.2% in April as results of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
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Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday announced additional financial support funds for families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We know this pandemic is taking an economic toll," Inslee said during a press conference. "On (Nov. 15) we announced $50 million in business supports, but after more discussions with legislators and our agencies, we’ve agreed on how to more than double that."
In addition to funds announced Nov. 15, the total new economic supports amount to $135 million. Included in that total is:
- $70 million in business support grants.
- $30 million for the recovery loan program.
- $20 million for rental assistance.
- $15 million for energy bills for low-income households.
Included in the $70 million in business support grants is $50 million for a new round of Working Washington grants focused on the hardest-hit industries. Remaining funds will go toward historically disadvantaged businesses who applied for earlier business grants and bolstering Commerce’s business resiliency network.
See the full press release for more information. Details on available business assistance here.
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Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new cap on fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates and others.
The proclamation caps delivery fees at 15% and total fees at 18% of the purchase price of an order. Third party delivery platforms have seen increased usage as fewer people are dining indoors this year due to health restrictions and concerns over contracting COVID-19.
The proclamation is similar to measures taken in several cities around Washington. It takes effect Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 12:01 a.m.
Read the full proclamation here.
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Everett Public Library is updating hours for curbside service starting Monday, Nov. 30th. The change will increase hours available to pick up items from the library. Learn more and browse the library's digital and curbside services at epls.org.
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The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) encourages qualifying child-care centers, emergency shelters, and adult care centers in Washington state to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP reimburses some costs associated with serving well-balanced, nutritious meals to children and adults.
The following care centers and institutions may participate in the CACFP:
- Nonresidential licensed public or private nonprofit child care centers or family daycare homes.
- For-profit child care institutions in which at least 25% of children served are low-income based on the center’s licensed capacity or total monthly attendance, whichever is less.
- Area eligible child care centers or institutions that provide care to school-age children.
- Nonprofit emergency shelters that provide temporary residential facilities to children.
- Qualifying public or nonprofit adult centers, or for-profit adult centers that receive compensation under Title XIX of the Social Security Act for at least 25% of their enrolled adults.
Care centers and institutions may apply for the program or get more information by emailing OSPI's Community Nutrition Program, or by mailing Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, Washington 98504–7200.
See the full press release for more details.
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Wintertide is returning with an all new format, changing from a single-day City-led event, to a multi-week community holiday celebration. The Wintertide celebration will kick off on Nov. 28, Small Business Saturday, and run through the end of the year.
This year, the primary goal of Wintertide is to promote pandemic-safe holiday activities in Everett and help local small businesses capitalize on holiday season shopping.
“Wintertide is about bringing the community together to celebrate the spirit of the season,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “This year our focus is on supporting our local businesses and restaurants, and creative ways to enjoy safe, holiday fun.”
Beloved Wintertide elements will return with a COVID-19-safe format this year. Santa will visit neighborhoods thanks to the Everett Fire Department, who will drive Santa around in a fire truck to wave at families as they watch from the safety of their homes. The Everett Public Library and Imagine Children’s Museum will offer home-based holiday activities for families.
Holiday lighting is getting a boost thanks to the Downtown Everett Association and the Evergreen Arboretum, who are adding new outdoor light displays for the community to enjoy.
“Expanding the format to a multi-week celebration is hopefully the start of a new tradition that not only boosts our local economy, but also creates programs that everyone in Everett can enjoy,” said Franklin.
Learn more at visiteverett.com/wintertide.
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The Everett Gospel Mission has just opened a new winter shelter in downtown Everett. Call 425-740-2550 to check availability. For the up to date status on all the shelters in the county as they open, bookmark the Snohomish County Cold Weather Shelter webpage.
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Cumulative confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases from January 2020 through November 24, 2020.
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There will be no COVID-19 Brief on Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The COVID-19 Brief will return on Tuesday, Dec. 1st.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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