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See below for COVID-19 information from today. Did you know I have done these every day since March 20th (except weekends, starting on May 4)? You can see the archived messages here.

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I want to hear from you, contact me anytime.

Mukiltean of the Day

The Mukiltean of May 18, 2020 is Cheri Nicolopoulos!

Cheri, the owner of Nic's Barbershop, is a great supporter of our Mukilteo Police Department and is always willing to help with any form of outreach. She is always giving to those less fortunate, and has a heart-warming and positive "Nic's Selfie of the Day" on their Instagram- even while they are staying home!
And, let’s not forget her amazing wit and laughter while sitting in her chair- making all customers feel as though they are at home with a long lost friend!

Do you know someone who deserves to be the Mukiltean of the Day? Nominate them!

Business Impacts Data

The first results from the new U.S. Census Bureau Small Business Pulse Survey released yesterday show a large negative effect from COVID-19 for the majority (51.4%) of respondents and an expectation that it will take more than six months for their businesses to return to normal. An average 31.4% expect more than six months will pass before their business returns to its usual level of operations. The survey was delivered to 100,915 small businesses in Week 1. 22,449 small businesses responded. The Census Bureau defines small businesses as single business locations with one to 499 employees and at least $1,000 in annual revenue.

The Small Business Pulse Survey includes information on location closings, changes in employment, disruptions in the supply chain, the use of federal assistance programs, and expectations concerning future operations. Please visit the Census Bureau’s webpage to continue reading about key findings from the Small Business Pulse Survey. The data visualizations are more interesting, and you can check out those out here.

IRS Tax Initiatives

Due to COVID-19, the IRS’ People First Initiativeprovides relief to taxpayers on a variety of issues from easing payment guidelines to delaying compliance actions. This relief is effective through the filing and payment deadline, Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
• Existing Installment Agreements – Under an existing Installment Agreement, payments due between April 1 and July 15, 2020 are delayed. You can cancel payments, but interest does continue to accumulate on any unpaid balances.
• New Installment Agreements – People who can’t pay all their federal taxes can establish a monthly payment agreement.
• Pending Offer in Compromise applications – Taxpayers have until July 15, 2020, to provide additional information for a pending OIC. The agency generally won’t close any pending OIC request before July 15 without the taxpayer's consent. Taxpayers with an active OIC can delay all payments on accepted OICs until July 15, 2020, though interest may accrue
• Delinquent return filings – The IRS will not default an OIC for taxpayers who are delinquent in filing their tax return for 2018. However, they should file any delinquent 2018 return and their 2019 return by July 15, 2020.
• Non-filers – More than 1 million households who haven't filed tax returns in the last three years are owed refunds. The deadline to get refunds on 2016 tax returns is July 15, 2020. Those who owe taxes on delinquent returns may visit IRS.gov for payment options. The longer the debt is owed, the more penalties and interest accrue.
• Automated liens and levies – IRS delayed issuing new automated and systemic liens and levies. Taxpayers experiencing a hardship due to a levy should reach out to their assigned IRS contact or fax their information to (855) 796-4524.
• Certifications to the State Department – IRS has delayed new certifications of taxpayers who are considered seriously delinquent. This affects a person’s ability to receive a new or renewed passport. Existing certifications will remain in place unless their tax situation changes.
• Private debt collection – IRS will not forward new delinquent accounts to private collection agencies during this period.

County Business Relief Grants

Snohomish County is proposing a Small Business Relief, Recovery, and Resiliency (R3) Grant Program. It's heading to the County Council for review and approval.

It is anticipated that it will take less than 30 minutes to apply for most businesses, with awards within five weeks of the application. Grants in amounts of up to $25,000 will be awarded to qualifying businesses. Businesses applying for grants under this program must:
• Be licensed to do business in the State of Washington and physically located in Snohomish County.
• Have 20 or fewer employees (including the business owner/worker).
• Be in operation for one or more years.
• Certify at least a 25% reduction in revenue attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Able to demonstrate that the business was a going concern before March 23, 2020.
Economic and unemployment data for Snohomish County provides insight about our hardest hit businesses. The focus of this grant program is on small businesses that are critical to supporting our community’s broad-based recovery. Priority will be given to dining, retail, hospitality, arts and entertainment, and service sector establishments. Businesses owned by women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

Funding is intended to support business sustainability through the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds received must be used to cover expenses that have not been previously accounted for and are incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.

I will let you know when it is approved and the application is live!

Rules of the Trail

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has a new blog with tips for outdoor trail usage, with 10 rules:

1. Check before you go. Not all trails opened on May 5th.
2. Ride solo, or only with housemates.
3. Ride local. Keep it short.
4. Keep your distance.
5. Rethink trail etiquette (stay alert, slow down, communicate).
6. Prioritize loops and directional trails.
7. Trailheads and parking lots are not hangouts.
8. Be self-sufficient.
9. Protect trail crew (watch out for those working to open trails).
10. Shift your perspective and express your appreciation!
1. Check before you go. Not all trails opened on May 5th.
2. Ride solo, or only with housemates.
3. Ride local. Keep it short.
4. Keep your distance.
5. Rethink trail etiquette (stay alert, slow down, communicate).
6. Prioritize loops and directional trails.
7. Trailheads and parking lots are not hangouts.
8. Be self-sufficient.
9. Protect trail crew (watch out for those working to open trails).
10. Shift your perspective and express your appreciation!

Use these tips on the trails in Japanese Gulch (interactive map here) and Big Gulch (interactive map).

WSF Reminds Us to Stay Apart

WSF six foot

To meet social distancing requirements, WSF is posting new terminal occupancy guidelines, and installing floor and chair markings to remind customers to stay 6 feet apart.

State Guidance

The latest releases from the Governor on reopening guidelines:

Golf

Construction

Professional Photography

All reopening guidelines can be found here.

Resources

Remember, Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County has their 24 hour support hotline available for those not feeling safe at home- 425-252-2873.

In the News

New York Magazine on disruption around universities- will the future look like a small cadre of all-online four year universities?

Roads and Bridges magazine highlighted Mukilteo's WSF terminal (as well as Seattle's Colman Dock).

Fun Diversions and Inspiration

DC Comics has made more than 50 of their iconic comics free, available here. Digital issues include the Caped Crusader, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash among others!

Explorer the history of European cities on this timeline. It shows when each was first founded or first appeared in chronicles. This web page runs as an animation, with cities popping up in purple dots as the years roll by. The dates range from 770BC to 1323AD.

The Center for Discovery shares ideas on how to keep kids active and engaged in a safe way right now.

City Information

Lighthouse Park, Edgewater Beach and 92nd Street Park reopened on May 5. Bathrooms are open only at Lighthouse Park 7am-7pm. Playgrounds remain closed.

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.

Case Count

Current case count is 54 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases identified in Mukilteo, with no deaths amongst those cases, and 51 individuals who are recovered (that's an increase of xxx).
County case counts are available at this link, updated each weekday at 2pm.

General Resource Links

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.

 
   
 
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