 | Here is my daily update, some COVID-19 information, some other useful information! Please forward as widely as you would like.
I want to hear from you, contact me anytime. If you're reading this because it was forwarded to you, or you saw it on Facebook and would like to receive it yourself, email me here to subscribe. | The state website shows the guidance for businesses, and the full Safe Start report has details on what phase 2 means. ....but when is phase 3?! The Health District has their insights here. Way more info from the Health District can be found here. King County is now in Phase 2, with additional information here. Island County is in Phase 3. If you are a business owner wondering which category you fit, you can ask the State via this online form. Here is a new (easier to read) summary of what's open and what's not on the state site. The phase 1 and 2 graphics are below. | Louis Harris joined our Council officially at last night's meeting. Louis and I both ran for the Snohomish County Council last year, and I was always impressed with him, his positions on issues and his connection to the community. He serves on the Everett Police Chief's Community Advisory Board and is the Vice President of the Snohomish County NAACP. Louis will be our city's first black councilmember and is a resident of mid-town. | I missed this last Friday, but the Health District has a great new one page data snapshot that aligns with the state metrics. It's a good way to see if we are on track to move to Phase 3 (I had a guess here yesterday, but after reading about the uptick, I'm reserving for another week... I don't think the County will apply for phase 3 until another week has passed, at least). It looks like two problematic areas are the 2 new outbreaks in a high risk setting (defined as workplace, congregate living, or institutional setting) The snapshot is updated each Friday, I'll include it either on Friday or Monday, depending on when it gets released. | Effective Friday, the Washington State Department of Health requires you
to wear a cloth face covering in public when you cannot stay six feet away from others. You must wear a face covering in indoor public settings except when you eat, and outdoors when you cannot stay six feet away from others at all times. You do not need to wear a cloth face covering in your home when you are only with people in your household, or when you are alone in your car. You do not need to wear one when you exercise outdoors with plenty of space. Some people should not wear cloth face coverings:
Children under two years of age
People who have disabilities that:
o Prevent them from comfortably wearing or taking off face coverings
o Prevent them from communicating while wearing face coverings
People who have respiratory conditions or breathing trouble
People who have been told by a medical, legal, or behavioral health professional not to wear face coverings
Violations of the facial covering directive will be a misdemeanor. Today, our City (and all cities and counties around the state) is receiving enough masks for every resident who makes less than 200% of the federal poverty line. For a couple, that's $33,820, and for a family of four, it's $51,500. In Mukilteo, there are nearly 2000 individuals who qualify. We will be distributing to a number of organizations in order to reach these residents (food bank, school food distribution, service providers). If you are someone who serves these residents or have a suggestion of where we could reach people, email me! | From our county Public Health:
There were 75 new cases reported to the Health District on Monday. That’s the largest single-day total since April 9, when there were 92 cases reported. Case investigation is ongoing to determine when each of those 75 people were tested, when they first developed symptoms, who their contacts were, and additional information to help health officials better understand the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Friday marks three weeks since the county received state permission to enter Phase 2. It is earliest the county could apply for Phase 3.
Executive Somers and Dr. Spitters described the new cases as a “yellow light” and a reason for caution as the county looks toward a potential Phase 3 application. More data is needed in the coming days and will be analyzed later this week. | We can't visit the new terminal yet, but they did release a cool two and a half minute video of the current construction status. You can view it here on Youtube. Community Transit and Everett Transit have announced that fare collection for transit service will resume July 1. Both transit agencies suspended fare collection in March 2020 (Herald article) Driver licensing offices, largely closed since March 31, will reopen by appointment only in a series of stages beginning this week. Health and safety measures will be taken to help protect both employees and customers at all locations. Customers are urged to go online or call the Customer Service Center (360-902-3900), if possible, to get what they need. They are expandingtheir online services, so it's a good place to start.
Remember if your drivers license expired on or after March 1, it's good though September 30. Our recycling provider, Waste Management, was awarded the 2020 Recycler of the Year for inspiring positive recycling habits through social media. Here is their press release. I appreciate the resources and educational materials that WM provides- they have been great partners with our Mukilteo Elementary eco kids program, for instance! (Plus all those truck drivers were our Mukilteans of the Day a couple months ago!). Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Washington State Ferries (WSF) is holding a virtual community meeting. Join us at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30 for a brief presentation and Q&A session with ferry staff. You can register today by going to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8357823696989175565. | Some Dept of Health tipson going back to work. These are directed to employees and is a good collection of the business resources you might have not been tracking if you are not a business owner. WIAA, the State Interscholastic Activities Association, has released guidelines on "opening" up school sports in the fall. Guidelines here. | The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) announced that Washington’s average annual wage grew by 6.7% in calendar year 2019 to $69,000. This is the largest percentage increase year over year since 1999.
The average annual wage is used to calculate unemployment benefits for jobless workers. The minimum weekly unemployment benefit, calculated at 15% of the average weekly wage, will increase by $13 to $201, for new claims opened on or after July 5th. At the same time, the maximum weekly benefit, which is the greater of $496 or 63 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase by $54 to $844. More detail here. | NPR has some tips for visiting your elderly relatives. Some ideas-- keep "your bubble" intact. Don't go to a busy beach or park and then visit grandparents. Sadly, Washington Post reports that public health officials are leaving their posts amid threats and political pushback. I really appreciate our local Snohomish Health District employees, from Dr. Spitters on down through the whole organization. They have worked hard and continue to provide the expertise and service to keep us safe. Research is showing that antibody levels in recovered COVID-19 patients decline quickly (Reuters article). | Department of Health has a blog post with advice for summer fun.
As you are considering your plans for the summer, the keys to COVID-free summer fun are:
Outside is lower risk than inside.
Small gatherings are lower risk than large gatherings.
Stay at least six feet away from other people as much as possible.
Wash your hands, and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer within easy reach. Like next to the sunscreen and bug spray.
The full post, with advice for reducing risk while camping, picnicking and recreating near the water. The full post, with advice for reducing risk while camping, picnicking and recreating near the water, can be found here. | All reopening guidelines can be found here. Here is the Safe Start Plan for K-12 Schools. Locally, Everett's Getting to Safe Guide is a great resource. It's now available in Spanish and Russian, as well. | All In Washington has scheduled a concert at 7 p.m. tonight to raise money for workers and families impacted by COVID-19. Performances will be live streamed, from Pearl Jam, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Brandi Carlile, Ben Gibbard, Sleater Kinney, Macklemore, and many more Seattle favorites and others! Details and livestream can be found here. I've shared links from the Good News Network, and thought I would reach back into my memories of my Grandma's house... Here is a funny Reader's Digest link with google search auto complete jokes, for the dorks like me out there. Some are awkward, some bizarre, but a fun glance through. I like "why isn't 11 pronounced onety-one?" (and here's the more serious study of oneteen versus eleven!) | Lighthouse Park, Edgewater Beach and 92nd Street Park reopened on May 5. Bathrooms are open only at Lighthouse Park 7am-7pm. Playgrounds remain closed until either Phase 3 or when we have full staffing and ability to clean daily. Trails and sidewalks continue to be open for your physical activity! Please respect physical distance of six feet. All City Facilities closure: City operations will continue via primarily phone, email and online. The public is encouraged to call (425) 263-8000 for assistance with City services or visit our website at www.mukilteowa.gov. Government services are not slated to reopen until Phase 3 of the new reopening plan, which is mid-June at the earliest. For more information on city facilities, see this link. | Current case count is 70 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases identified in Mukilteo, with no deaths amongst those cases, and 65 individuals who are recovered. County case counts are available at this link, updated each weekday at 2pm City counts will be updated weekly starting today. | | |
