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Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Snohomish Health District Prevention Services Director Katie Curtis, and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann briefed reporters Tuesday about the response to COVID-19.
The team shared the County’s progress on vaccinating all Phase 1a eligible people, including the launch of two drive-through vaccination facilities, less than a month after the first COVID vaccine received emergency approval by the FDA.
Meanwhile, the briefing also touched on the state’s new “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to recovery” plan. COVID case rates in Snohomish County are again climbing. They need to consistently decline to help make the region eligible for more-relaxed health guidelines.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/XyijWX7AP3w
Or read the transcript: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/6274/Transcript-of-January-12-2021-Briefing
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Jason Biermann, director of the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, wears a mask to protect the people responding to COVID. Why do you wear a mask? Tell us in the comments below! #MaskMonday #MaskUpWA
Made in partnership with Restart Us.
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Marysville Fire District opened a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for first responders on Friday. The clinic, operating at Marysville Fire Station 62, will be open to firefighters and EMS professionals across Snohomish County.
“Vaccinating first responders against this virus is so important to the health of our entire community, because we need to ensure we’ll be there to meet your needs,” said Fire Chief Martin McFalls.
This clinic is one of several vaccination opportunities for local first responders, which have been coordinated among Snohomish County fire agencies and local health authorities. Dozens of Marysville firefighters already received their initial vaccine dose through the Everett Clinic.
The clinic at Station 62 will primarily serve responders from agencies including Marysville Fire District, Tulalip Bay Fire, Arlington Fire Department, North County Fire and EMS and other nearby departments; but it will be open to any Snohomish County EMS workers. Trained firefighters will administer the vaccine.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this and to make our station available for this historic effort,” McFalls said. “Finally, we have a chance to fight back against this virus.”
This clinic came to fruition as part of a nearly year-long, historic collaboration among Snohomish County Fire agencies. Since February 2020, agencies have worked together to obtain PPE, standardize safety measures, develop rapid-response protocols and coordinate vaccinations to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marysville Fire District Firefighter Hayley Peterson administers a vaccine to Firefighter Cydney Hallahan
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Starting Monday, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) began texting a verification code to every person in Washington who tests positive for COVID-19. The goal is to help WA Notify exposure notification users alert fellow users faster if they’ve been exposed.
People who test positive for COVID-19 will still receive notification from their health care provider or testing facility – that won’t change. But everyone who tests positive will now also receive a text. That text includes a link to activate a verification code within WA Notify. It makes it possible to anonymously alert users they may have been exposed.
People who test positive can expect to receive a text from DOH within 24 hours after we get their result. Anyone who receives a text and isn’t using WA Notify can simply disregard it.
Currently, public health provides the verification code during the case investigation process, but this should make the notification process faster.
The text message is shown below. See the full press release for more information.
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Beginning Monday, January 11, YMCA resumed some indoor fitness activities. The new Healthy Washington plan announced this week permits the Y to reopen its fitness centers and gyms, but with different restrictions than the previous reopening.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Limited capacity/occupancy. No more than one member per 500 sq. ft.
- Facial coverings are required at ALL times except while actively using the pool. Facial coverings are required while working out.
- Reservations required. 45-minute sessions will be available for the cardio, strength, gym, and other areas in the facility to accommodate more members.
- Outdoor group exercise will be available by reservation.
- Hours will remain the same. Open from 5 am – 8 pm Monday through Friday (closed from 1 – 3 for deep cleaning) and Saturday from 7 am – noon.
- Wellness checks required upon entry (temperature and health check).
- Extensive cleaning and sanitation practices, as well as physical distancing rules will continue.
YMCA of Snohomish County remains committed to providing a safe, healthy environment for its members. YMCA will continue to provide virtual programming through its Y at Home platform. For more information, please visit: ymca-snoco.org/reopening.
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The free Small Business Requirements and Resources (SBRR) COVID-19 Impact Webinar provides an overview of some of the state responses, resources, and other impacts affecting small businesses. This new streamlined 90-minute webinar features brief presentations from state partners and more “open-mic” dedicated time for more questions. Join us for the first 2021 Spanish SBRR webinar on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Click to preview the agenda and register online or call 360-515-6101. For regular updates regarding the Spanish Small Business Requirements and Resources (SBRR) (Taller de Requerimientos y Recursos) webinar, please email: smallbusiness@esd.wa.gov
Click here to preview the agenda and register for the English SBRR webinar on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m.
No cost registration.
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Join Sno-Isle Libraries on Thursday, Jan. 14 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. for the inaugural event of Issues that Matter 2021, Pandemic Pressures: Wellness in Uncertainty, where panelists will be discussing and sharing valuable mental health resources to help everyone through this unprecedented time. Register for the virtual event today.
https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/events/5fd944f37e1d5e39007ae108
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The Internal Revenue Service is urging people to visit IRS.gov for the most current information on the second round of Economic Impact Payments rather than calling the agency or their financial institutions or tax software providers. IRS phone assistors do not have additional information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov. A list of frequently asked questions is available at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/second-eip-faqs
Recently, the IRS and the Treasury Department began issuing a second round of Economic Impact Payments, often referred to as stimulus payments.
The direct deposit payments may take several days to post to individual accounts.
Paper checks also began going out and will continue to be sent through January. Some people will be mailed debit cards in January, and the IRS urges people to carefully check their mail. Paper checks and EIP Cards are being sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. Mailed payments will require more processing and mailing time. Those who reside abroad will have longer wait times for checks as disruptions to air travel and mail delivery in some countries will slow delivery.
The IRS emphasizes that there is no action required by eligible individuals to receive this second payment. The payments are automatic, and people should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions.
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Cumulative from Jan. 2020 through Jan. 12, 2021.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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