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See below for today's COVID-19 information. Please forward as widely as you would like. This one is long, but partly because the resource lists remain at the bottom. Updates are in the first three sections.

I want to hear from you, contact me anytime.

What's New Today?

I have added Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County and their 24 hour support hotline for those not feeling safe at home- 425-252-2873 to the comprehensive resource list below.

Enforcement of Stay at Home Order for Non-Essential Businesses
During a press conference yesterday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a three-step process for enforcement of the Stay at Home order for non-essential businesses. He stressed that enforcement will be a locally driven decision.
* Step 1 will focus on education and encouraging voluntary compliance.
* Step 2, if compliance is not achieved with Step 1, will focus on citations or suspensions or revocation of business licenses.
* Step 3, if compliance is not achieved with Step 1 and 2, will result in the business being referred to the State Attorney General’s office for possible charges.
Anyone in the state will be able to visit coronavirus.wa.gov to report suspected business violations of the order. In Snohomish County, reports can also be made to the Snohomish Health District Environmental Health Division at 425-339-5250.

Mukilteo is developing social media and website information, but in the meantime, you can send local requests for enforcement to cv19violations@mukilteowa.gov

Federal Payments to Individuals
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment.

Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment of $1200 each ($2400 for married filers) and $500 per qualifying child. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible.
For more information please visit the IRS’ webpage.

Sounder schedule has been reduced (most commuter routes are down by 80%). It cuts two of the Mukilteo routes per day, reduced schedule is here.

Great guidance below on smart shopping-

shopping

What does it mean to stay home?

Information sourced from the State coronavirus site

Can I go outside?
Yes. In fact, it is good for you to go for walks, check your mailbox, and sit in the sunshine. Just remember to stay at least six feet away from others, avoid travel, and avoid crowds.

Can my family or friends come visit?
You should cancel or postpone in-person visits. Keep in touch with your family and friends through phone and video calls, emails and letters, and virtual gatherings.

I live with other people who come and go. What do I do?
Encourage everyone in your household to stay home unless they need groceries, prescriptions, or if they are still required to work. Anyone who goes out should wash their hands immediately when they get home. In your house, clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces, such as remote controls, phones, countertops, and doorknobs.

How can I protect myself if I have to go out?
If you have to go out, carry hand sanitizer (if you can find it) or disinfecting wipes, stay at least six feet away from others, cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, and wash your hands when you get home. It’s a good idea to also clean off any items you bring home with you before you use them.

How can I get groceries and prescriptions?
Many grocery store chains will deliver goods and prescriptions. Stores are also reserving times for people who are older, pregnant, or have health conditions to shop.

Should I cancel my vacation plans?
Yes. How far in the future, I would say use your best judgement. June might still be a risky timeframe, but you can always wait and see if circumstances change in your destination or here.

Should I cancel my doctor appointments?
Talk to your doctor about whether you should cancel your appointments.

Are my pets affected?
There is no evidence that people can get sick from their pets. However, the CDC recommends that you wash your hands after touching your pets, their food, waste, or supplies.

Should I wear a facemask?
You don’t need to wear a facemask if you are not sick. If you are sick, you should wear a facemask, if you have one. You should also put on a facemask when you go to your doctor’s office.

Can I go to my place of worship?
No.

Will I get my Social Security benefits?
Yes. If you get a phone call from someone who says there is problem with your Social Security account, hang up. Unfortunately, people are scamming others.

What should I do if I start to feel sick?
Call your doctor before you leave the house to get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have symptoms that are getting worse, have a chronic health condition, or have shortness of breath. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.

How long will this last?
Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is for at least two weeks (from March 23, 2020). I have a strong feeling that this will continue into late April.

What Can You Do?

Follow Physical Distancing Guidelines, stay 6 feet away from anyone you don't live with.

Use hand sanitizer/wipes as you enter a grocery store (the Mukilteo QFC has wet wipes available at the entrance). Wash hands immediately upon returning home.

Tell Others to also stay at home and stay apart.

Give blood- schedule online (to help minimize social contact) at https://www.bloodworksnw.org/donate (no mobile blood drives because they have issues transporting themselves to sites. But they have great procedures in place at their facilities).

Leave Some for Your Neighbors, Your Healthcare Providers, and Emergency Responders
• Your actions matter!
• Buy what you need and leave supplies for your neighbors, healthcare providers, and emergency responders.

If you feel like you need to reach out for support, do not hesitate to contact the Disaster Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to talk with crisis specialists. They are available 24/7.

Looking for ways to help? This state site is a good one stop shop for individuals and businesses: https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov/how-you-can-help

City Information

All parks are closed except for 76th Street/Community Garden entrance to Japanese Gulch for trail access. If you want to access Big Gulch, I would encourage you to park at the library, rather than on the street near 92nd Street Park.

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.

Remember the non-emergency number at (425) 407-3999. If you have an emergency, call 911. (But don't call with questions about the Governor's order and what's open or not).

For more information on city facilities, see this link.

Case Count

I still just have Friday's count of 20 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases identified in Mukilteo. County case counts are available at this link, updated each weekday at 2pm.

General Resource Links

The Health District has an updated FAQ, a great place to start when looking for COVID-19 information: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/3118/FAQ_coronavirus_03242020?bidId=
City of Mukilteo COVID-19 page

Snohomish Health District
Washington State Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
COVID-19 Testing Guidelines from Public Health – Seattle & King County
Find information in other languages
Washington State COVID-19 Response

What to do if you are sick: CDC Resources

Watch out for COVID related scams. If you are unsure about whether something is real or a scam, the Justice Department created a central fraud hotline (1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov). You can also call the non-emergency line at 425-407-3999.

Comprehensive Resource List

FOR BUSINESSES
Learn if your business is considered essential and can continue to operate following the Governor’s March 23 Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.
• Would you like to request to be essential (or not)? Fill out this form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d4c155fa930f4b848f95774d610c9708 to petition this issue.
• The Washington Department of Commerce has created a list of crisis planning tools and resources where you can get information about emergency grants, disaster loans, and other small business support.
• The Washington State Department of Revenue has information about tax filing deadlines, extensions, and relief.
• Greater Seattle Partners, City of Seattle, and the Chamber have launched a survey for businesses, freelancers, and gig workers to learn about needs and help target future support.
Comprehensive and Updated FAQs For Employers on the COVID-19 Coronavirus – Fisher Phillips

Snohomish County Links
Local SnoCo resources for businesses
Federal Small Business Adminstration Loans
King County Public Health signs for businesses to post

FOR INDIVIDUALS
Cash assistance calculator: from the federal government’s stimulus package, of up to $1,200 per person depending on income, will be sent to households in early April.
• If you have lost your job due to COVID-19, you can file for unemployment benefits.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
Resources for Restaurant Workers
• Mortgage and Rent. If you don’t have enough money to pay your rent or mortgage, contact your lender or landlord immediately. Otherwise, some suggestions are below:
--Washington Homeownership Hotline (877-894-HOME)
--Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggestions
--Rental assistance & counseling (800-569-4287)
--List of Housing Counseling Agencies
--For renters, the Governor issued a statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for non-payment of rent until April 17
• Federal Student loans. If you need help with your student loans, you may be able to temporarily suspend your payments by applying for a deferment or forbearance from the US Department of Education.
• Utility bills. If you need help paying your utility bills, contact your service provider immediately.
--Puget Sound Energy and PUD will not shut off service during the emergency. Most utilities also offer assistance programs for people in need.
--The Utilities and Transportation Commission offers energy assistance programs.
--The federal government offers assistance programs to help with telephone and heating bills.
o Comcast is offering free WiFi hot spots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees.
• Health Insurance. The Washington State Insurance Commissioner has information about health insurance, as well as how to get insurance through the Washington State Exchange if you need it.
• Food assistance. If you need help with food, every school district in the state is providing grab and go lunches for children, and there is additional help at many local food banks including the Mukilteo Food Bank.

FOR EVERYONE
• If you feel like you need to reach out for support, do not hesitate to contact the Disaster Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to talk with crisis specialists. They are available 24/7.
• Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County has their 24 hour support hotline available for those not feeling safe at home- 425-252-2873
Restaurants that are open for take out or delivery- access this list, https://discovermukilteo.org/2020/03/17/what-restaurants-are-open/ developed by city staff with great support from business owners in the community.
This is another countywide link, https://localsnoco.com/ with similar info.
Special Shopping Hours for Seniors, Other At-Risk People
A number of local grocery stores have special shopping hours for senior citizens and others with vulnerable immune systems.
QFC begins this week, 7-8am Monday-Thursday.
Albertsons, Haggen, and Safeway Tues. & Thurs. from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Target Wednesdays, first hour after opening; Whole Foods Daily, one hour before opening to the general public.
Discounted laptops for nonprofits and low-income households

• Social/Sober Support
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Unity Recovery
Suboxone Forum
Support Groups Central
LifeRing Secular Recovery
SOS
In the Rooms
Medication Assisted Recovery (MARA)

 
   
 
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