See below for today's COVID-19 information. Please forward as widely as you would like.
I want to hear from you, contact me anytime.

It's week two of our Mukilteo Spirit Week! Today is support small business day. Order take-out or delivery; write a yelp or google business review, or contact your favorite business with a message of support.

Our Mukilteans of May 6, 2020 are our teachers!

I have a few stories to share about great teachers, as nominated by parents and students.

Ms. Dolan at Serene lake Elementary school is an amazing teacher. She was made to be a teacher! Her kindness and joy towards the children is contagious and you can tell she loves all her kiddos!
My daughter says she’s very kind and makes learning fun!

Mr. Bob Simon nominated by a parent who said, "He helped my son want to come to school every day during a very difficult and life changing circumstance. He was also his football coach this year and showed my son the potential he has as a leader. Because of Mr. Simon, my son's confidence as a learner, athlete, and human has grown."

Mrs. Becky Veenendaal, a 3rd grade teacher at Picnic Point Elementary! She has been so supportive, engaging, and fun for all her 3rd graders during this difficult time and before. She has done a great job adapting to the new online schooling, making sure the kids are not stressing but are still learning. She has made the transition not only easier on kids but on parents as well as she communicates multiple times a week with us all. Hands down the best!!!

Babby Skowrya at Kamiak - a true champion for her students.

Mrs Minegishi, Mrs Zugel and Mrs Pearlman at Harbour Pointe. They are quick to answer questions each day when kids need help on an assignment. They will even do a zoom meeting if needed. They have very structured online learning which makes it so much easier for many parents, especially ones still having to work.

Georgia McClaskey is not only an extraordinary teacher in special eduation, she’s also an amazing Kamiak Unified Coach!!

Miss Lindsay Wolfe at Mukilteo Elementary has done a great job with teaching the kids how to navigate the online schooling; she’s really good about asking them every week if they have any feedback for her on how she can do a better job. And she also checks in with them on how they’re doing and gets them thinking.

Crystal Stengele at Kamiak. She is always providing information to parents, advocating for her students and making sure students and families are taken care of outside of school.

Morgan Lee, Life Skills (special education) at Columbia Elementary- as one parent said, "the hardest job out there, but she does it with grace and LOVE."

Miss Drake is a steadfast example for her co workers to follow. She is tirelessly adjusting to online learning and is now preparing to delegate things out so that para-educators can help. Her main goal is and has always been student success. Miss Drake is a joy to work with and she is loved by her students.

and, finally: "ALL teachers right now. They are all working above and beyond for our kids."

This is teacher appreciation week and we want to celebrate it in Mukilteo. Thank your teachers for being awesome!

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

The American Red Cross is offering a free Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 online-only course during the pandemic.
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning techniques for supporting mental health during the COVID-19 crisis. Topics include:
• Recognizing Stress in Adults, Teens and Children
• Practicing Mental Health First Aid
• Caring for Yourself
• Supporting Your Family
• Supporting Yourself and Coworkers at Work

I have taken Youth Mental Health First Aid in the past, and it's been very helpful for my work, community and personal interactions.
You can register (for free) here.

The State Department of Health data visualization is looking cooler, with updates thanks for a Microsoft team. It's also more accessible for all users. Check it out.

The Governor's dashboard with risk assessment guidelines also has a an update. It can be found at this link.

The Governor issued new guidance yesterday for vehicle and boat sales, as well as spiritual gatherings.

Boat and vehicle sales guidance from the State

Additional FAQ on boat and vehicle sales

Faith-based drive-in spiritual services

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) today is urging individuals who did not secure health insurance for 2020 to sign up for coverage by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8, the deadline of the limited-time special enrollment period (SEP) through Washington Healthplanfinder for coverage beginning May 1, 2020.
Individuals who need help signing up for coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder may contact the Customer Support Center between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 855-627-9604. They may also contact an Exchange certified Navigator, Broker, or Enrollment center who can answer insurance questions and help with enrollment. Free help from local experts is accessible via the WAPlanfinder Mobile App or by visiting this link.

The Exchange is also reminding people that even after May 8, individuals who have recently lost their job or their employer coverage, have experienced a change in income, or experienced another qualifying event can continue to visit WAHealthplanfinder.org or use the WAPlanfinder Mobile App to sign up online.
In some cases, individuals may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) that is available year-round on Washington Healthplanfinder.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is reminding consumers of a new federal protection that applies to how insurance companies use a consumer’s credit history. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act and protects consumers during the coronavirus pandemic from any negative credit reporting as long as their accounts were in good standing before the pandemic started. This protection also applies to how insurers use credit history to calculate how much consumers pay for auto and homeowners insurance.

Local resident Todd Cook has a blog through his work at Beresford Booth PLLC in Edmonds with a good summary and analysis of the phases of reopening! It is a longer assessment of information I have attempted to share in my abbreviated way. I recommend giving it a read, here is the link.

Crosscut has an article about the rise in Seattle of domestic violence calls, and the challenges the stay home order means for our friends and neighbors in this situation. It includes resource links. Remember, our local Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County has their 24 hour support hotline available for those not feeling safe at home- 425-252-2873. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.

Here is a webinar from the state on current efforts for economic resiliency and recovery for businesses.

A worldwide effort including some Mukilteo residents created a lovely facebook video of music and song. Check it out.

It was only a matter of time before we figured out a way to make masks fashionable. In this case, Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, has decided that this week will be “Mask Fashion Week.” Billboards are popping up across the city featuring people wearing designer masks. Click the following link to see some photos and coverage of the event: RFI article.

If you make your own masks that have a unique or cool design, send a photo of them to me that I might feature in an upcoming email!

Yesterday was National Nurses Day, and our school nurses safely paraded in cars and were cheered on in several neighborhoods!

Lighthouse Park, Edgewater Beach and 92nd Street Park will 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.

Remember the non-emergency number at (425) 407-3999 or email cv19violations@mukilteowa.gov. If you have an emergency, call 911. (But don't call with questions about the Governor's order and what's open or not). You can also report violations or questions about violations to the State via this link.

For more information on city facilities, see this link.

Current case count is 52 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases identified in Mukilteo, with no deaths amongst those cases, and 43 individuals who are recovered.
County case counts are available at this link, updated each weekday at 2pm.