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Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced a two-week pause on movement in the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan. Under the pause, Snohomish County will remain in its current phase – Phase 3. At the end of two weeks, each county in the state will be re-evaluated.
The decision was made in consultation with the Department of Health, and reflects current data suggesting Washington’s fourth wave has hit a plateau.
“We are at the intersection of progress and failure, and we cannot veer from the path of progress,” Inslee said. “Our economy is beginning to show early signs of growth thanks to some of our great legislative victories and we know vaccines are the ticket to further reopening — if we adhere to public health until enough people are vaccinated.”
Watch the governor’s press conference or read his full press release for more information.
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Key leaders of Snohomish County’s response to the COVID-19 crisis expressed gratitude Tuesday over Gov. Jay Inslee’s decision to pause for two weeks any changes in state pandemic restrictions under the Roadmap to Recovery plan.
“I want to start by thanking Governor Inslee for understanding our unique circumstances and looking at the data,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said. “Snohomish County’s curve is plateauing, and it makes sense to pause and see if we follow the same pattern as last year, with a significant drop in the spring. Our small businesses and their workers have borne the brunt of the shutdowns over the last year, and we want to keep them as open as possible.”
Somers’ comments were shared during a briefing about the community’s response to the pandemic, delivered along with Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters and county Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann.
“This is not a break in terms of effort by the community. We need to take this opportunity,” Dr. Spitters said.
It’s critical for people to keep practicing COVID countermeasures, including wearing masks and avoiding indoor gatherings with numerous people from outside their home. But one of the most impactful actions now is to get vaccinated against COVID, the briefing was told.
“Take that shot and let’s move Snohomish County forward,” Dr. Spitters said.
For much of the past four months the county has struggled to match limited vaccine supply and overwhelming demand. There now is a plentiful vaccine supply, but fewer people are seeking shots.
Dr. Spitters said there likely are a number of causes, including that many of those most-motivated to be vaccinated already have received their doses. He cautioned against interpreting any slowing in demand as hesitancy toward COVID vaccines. Some people simply need help fitting a vaccination into their schedule, or encouragement, or assistance in arranging an appointment.
The Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce is adjusting its operations at mass vaccination sites to address those needs, Biermann said. He recounted the scramble over the weekend to administer several hundred doses of vaccine when anticipated demand didn’t materialize. The effort to find patients was successful, and no doses were wasted, he said.
Still, the taskforce is making changes at its sites. Hours and days of operation are being expanded. Appointments also can be made on-site – making it easier for people to access vaccinations.
The science is clear that widespread vaccination is necessary to suppress COVID infections and to allow the community to resume more vibrant public and economic life.
People have been saying for months that we are facing this pandemic together. Now is the time for action by getting vaccinated or encouraging others to do the same, Biermann said.
“This is everyone,” he said.
Watch the press conference here: https://youtu.be/Sg-LBluffrM
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Starting Wednesday, May 5, all mass vaccination sites operated by the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce will begin offering on-site registration for people who do not have a prior appointment.
People may arrive at the sites during open hours to receive their vaccine even if they do not have an appointment. Vaccinations will be provided as long as doses are available. They will be asked to register on-site for their shot using a digital or paper form.
The taskforce still highly recommends registering in advance. This reserves a dose for that appointment. Vaccines for those without an appointment will be given on a first come, first served basis.
Signing up for an appointment is easy. It can be done online using the registration links at http://bit.ly/snocovaccine, or over the phone by calling 425-339-5278 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
More more information, please see the full press release here.
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Getting your COVID vaccine is easy. Starting Wednesday, May 5, you can come to a mass vaccination site in Snohomish County without an appointment and be registered on-site to get your shot. While we recommend making an appointment in advance by going online to http://bit.ly/snocovaccine or calling 425-339-5278, you no longer need to have an appointment.
Check out this week’s calendar for the mass vaccination sites. Please note that weekend and evening availability is expected to increase again next week.
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A new report from Snohomish Health District provides updated data regarding who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 so far in Snohomish County. The breakdown of just over 300,000 residents vaccinated through April 18, shows vaccine distribution by sex, age, community and race.
Non-Hispanic Whites are the most vaccinated group in terms of total number of doses, but on a per capita basis, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders and Asians are higher.
African Americans and American Indian/Alaska Natives have had similar vaccination rates when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanics had lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination compared to non-Hispanic Whites, but that percentage has been increasing over time.
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“It will enable all of us to go back to our normal life. I miss my normal life. And I think and believe that you also miss your normal life. Let’s make a concerted effort to take the coronavirus vaccine.”
-- Pa Ousman Joof, Executive Director, Gambian Talents Promotion
Why do you vax?
#vaxupsnoco
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This video also is available in additional languages:
- Wolof: https://youtu.be/VrXuMMIpfbs
- Mandinka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncb4zLNlnhg
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Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday released new guidance for spectator events and religious organizations, authorizing seating areas for vaccinated patrons and worshipers. The sections are one way to allow more people to attend events and services, in both Phase 2 and Phase 3.
The new spectator rules include:
- Vaccinated sections only allowed in facilities with individual, designated, seating and controlled entrance and exits.
- Vaccinated sections must be reserved for people 16 and older who are fully vaccinated.
- A patron vaccinated against COVID-19 by a two-dose mRNA vaccine (such as Moderna and Pfizer), or a single dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson), are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after the final dose of vaccine (the second dose for a two-dose regimen, or the single dose for a single-dose regimen). Documentation of vaccination status must be available upon request at any time.
- Children between the ages of 2 and 15 who can provide proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of admission, are also allowed in the vaccinated section. Children under the age of 2 do not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to be admitted to the vaccinated section when accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
- No adults who are not yet fully vaccinated, including adults who are in the progress of being vaccinated, will be permitted in the vaccinated only section, even with a negative test.
Meanwhile, the following guidance also has been updated:
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The COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone over 16 who lives or works in Washington. But now that you’re eligible, should you rush to get one? The state Department of Health chatted with Danielle Koenig, Health Promotion Supervisor and immunization education expert, to learn why you should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Maybe you heard about people taking a “wait and see” approach for the vaccine. Koenig urges against this.
“There are no benefits to waiting to get the vaccine,” said Koenig. “The sooner you get the vaccine, the sooner you and others are protected from the disease.
“The reality is that you can’t be certain of your risk. Even young and healthy people can get sick and die from diseases like COVID-19,” said Koenig. “You might not be afraid for yourself, but you can get sick and pass the virus onto others who can’t fight it off as well.”
Medical experts estimate that between 70–90% of the population will need to be vaccinated to create “herd immunity,” which significantly lessens the threat of the virus. People who wait to get the vaccine increase their risk of catching COVID-19 and spreading the virus.
Read more.
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Washington state’s three-week vaccine forecast shows continued good supplies of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The numbers are subject to change as vaccine availability from the federal government may change.
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This week: 394,060 total doses (208,380 first doses, 185,680 second doses)
- This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer, 157,400 doses of Moderna, and 16,700 doses of Johnson & Johnson
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Week of May 9: 387,660 total doses (195,980 first doses, 191,680 second doses)
- This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer, 163,400 doses of Moderna, and 4,300 doses of Johnson & Johnson
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Week of May 16: 387,660 total doses (195,980 first doses, 191,680 second doses)
- This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer, 163,400 doses of Moderna, and 4,300 doses of Johnson & Johnson
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Whether online or in person, teachers put heart into everything they do. Thanks teachers, we appreciate you!
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President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a new COVID-19 vaccination goal: By July 4, he wants 70% of the U.S. adult population to have one vaccine shot and 160 million U.S. adults to be fully vaccinated.
The plan hinges on making vaccination more accessible while continuing to increase confidence in the vaccines. Among other things, he is directing tens of thousands of pharmacies in the federal pharmacy program to offer walk-in appointments and deploying more Federal Emergency Management Agency resources in support of smaller community vaccination sites and mobile clinics.
Biden also set a goal of getting the nation’s adolescents vaccinated as soon as possible, if a vaccine gains authorization for this age group from the Food and Drug Administration and is recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn more.
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is extending the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through September 13.
TSA’s initial face mask requirement went into effect on February 1 with an expiration date of May 11.
“The federal mask requirement throughout the transportation system seeks to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation,” said Darby LaJoye, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator.
The CDC recently announced that fully vaccinated travelers with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the U.S., but the CDC guidelines still require individuals to wear a face mask, socially distance, and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.
While this announcement extends the date of enforcement, all other aspects of the requirement remain unchanged, including exemptions and civil penalties. Exemptions to the face mask requirement for travelers under the age of 2 years old and those with certain disabilities will continue. The existing civil penalty fine structure will also remain in place which starts at $250 and rises to $1,500 for repeat offenders who violate this face mask requirement.
See the full press release for more information.
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Cumulative from January 2020 through May 3, 2021.
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