COVID-19 Update from Executive Somers

Snohomish County, Washington sent this bulletin at 03/26/2021 03:34 PM PDT

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Snohomish County Responds: March 26, 2021 Update

Governor adopts CDC guidance on distance between students

The Governor announced in a Thursday afternoon press conference that school districts can immediately adopt new CDC guidance changing the required distance between students in the classroom from 6 feet to 3 feet. The decisions were made based upon the latest data from the CDC and will give school districts the flexibility to make the best choices for their students, teachers, and families. School districts still have the option to maintain 6 feet of distance. The new guidance is available on the DOH website.

The Governor also provided brief updates on the state’s vaccination efforts, reporting 97% of doses received in the state have been administered and over 1 million Washingtonians are now fully vaccinated.

Watch the press conference on TVW.

Snohomish County declares ‘Broadband Access Week’

The Snohomish County Executive and County Council on Thursday adopted joint resolution #21-007, declaring March 29 through April 2, 2021 as “Broadband Access Week” in Snohomish County.

The goal of Broadband Access Week is to increase public awareness of broadband needs and to increase responses to the broadband access and speed survey in Snohomish County. The survey, hosted by the Washington State Broadband Office in the Department of Commerce, maps survey responses to identify areas of the county with broadband access at adequate, inadequate, or no service levels. The survey can be found at this link.

“This year we have seen how our economy, health, education, and our very future depends on reliable broadband access,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “By encouraging people to take the broadband access survey, we will have a better idea of where resources need to be focused to ensure both our urban and rural communities have access to this critical infrastructure. Snohomish County wants to see more accessible and more reliable broadband in every corner of the county.”

Broadband Access Week is part of a broader campaign by the Snohomish County Broadband Action Team (BAT) to expand broadband access to all residents and businesses in the county. The BAT has been spearheaded by Executive Somers, Councilmember Nehring, and Councilmember Low in partnership with community leaders from business, education, healthcare, service providers, first responders, and local government. To learn more about the BAT, visit their website.

“For those areas of the county where broadband access is either limited or non-existent, we will continue to champion solutions,” said Councilmember Nate Nehring. “Our partnership with the state’s Office of Broadband Access affords us an opportunity to make our case at the local, state and federal levels for more resources to help us get broadband into the hands of more people, particularly in our rural communities.”

“I am pleased to work with Executive Somers and Councilmember Nehring to highlight broadband access as a top priority for our county’s rural residents,” said Councilmember Sam Low. “Broadband access and improved speed are vital needs for many, and communities across my district will benefit from this work. We are closely collaborating with local stakeholders to make sure this survey is shared throughout the community.”

“We have learned over the past year that broadband access equates to the health and education of our residents,” said Council Chair Stephanie Wright. “We must ensure everyone in the county, whether in our urban cores or our rural expanses, can get a job, stay healthy, and go to school. Improved broadband access will do just that.”

“Our community is stronger when we all have equitable access to reliable, timely, and relevant information,” said Council Vice Chair Megan Dunn. “Improving broadband access will improve equity across the county. I encourage all of our residents to take part in the survey and help us make the case for better access.”

“Whether you live in an urban, suburban or rural part of the county, you should be able to expect reliable broadband service,” said Councilmember Jared Mead. “Our experience during the pandemic has made it only more obvious that improving broadband access will help us improve our economy, education system, and opportunity.”

For additional information about the Snohomish County Broadband Action Team, go here.

What’s a COVID-19 vaccination card and why should I keep it?

When it’s time for your second dose, remember to take your vaccine card with you! Your provider will update it with the new information. This is proof that you got both of your doses.

SBA to increase lending limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

“More than 3.7 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide low-interest emergency working capital to help save their businesses. However, the pandemic has lasted longer than expected, and they need larger loans. Many have called on SBA to remove the $150,000 cap. We are here to help our small businesses and that is why I’m proud to more than triple the amount of funding they can access ,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

Businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time. SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date. Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000.

This new relief builds on SBA’s previous March 12, 2021 announcement that the agency would extend deferment periods for all disaster loans, including COVID-19 EIDLs, until 2022 to offer more time for businesses to build back. In order to shift all EIDL payments to 2022, SBA will extend the first payment due date for disaster loans made in 2020 to 24-months from the date of the note and to 18-months from the date of the note for all loans made in the calendar year 2021.

Read the full release.