Tonight is the last Presidential debate at 6pm, followed by the Washington State Lieutenant Governor's debate at 8pm (so keep your tv/local internet site on!).
Schools May Continue In-Person Learning
Our County is now within the high COVID-19 activity category of more than 75 cases per 100,000 residents in a two-week period. Based on the decision tree for schools, updated by the Washington State Department of Health on October 16, schools may continue limited in-person learning.
Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District, shared the following recommendations with schools today:
Continued * distance learning is still strongly recommended, with limited in-person learning for younger learners (especially K-3) and high need students (e.g., disabilities, homelessness, farthest from educational justice)
* In-person learning for older students is discouraged, except high need students, particularly at the current level and trajectory of COVID-19 activity in the community.
* Strongly recommend canceling or postponing most in-person extracurricular activities, including sports, performances, clubs, events, and such, with the option to allow extracurricular activities in small groups of six or fewer students.
They will continue to assess the need for greater restrictions- factors affecting in-person education may include increased frequency or difficulty in controlling school-based outbreaks, evidence that schools are amplifying transmission in the community, dwindling acute care hospital capacity, or statewide directives further limiting in-person attendance. The best way to stabilize children’s education and permit a greater return to in-person learning is for the entire community to reverse the current upward trend in COVID transmission
Snohomish County has flattened the curve before, and we can do it again. It is essential that everyone is consistently:
* Wearing a mask, even with people you see regularly and in your smallest social circles and anytime you are using shared transportation, including while in your own vehicle with other people.
* Keeping gatherings small and hold them outside whenever possible.
* Avoiding any social gatherings indoors, but if you must participate, wearing a mask and ensuring windows and doors are open to maximize ventilation.
* Washing or sanitizing hands often and not touching your face.
* Staying home if you’re sick or if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
New State Guidance for Religious and Faith-Based Events
The religious and faith-based guidance is updated to:
• Clarify that physical distancing between non-household members must be 6 feet in all directions; and
• Permit brief physical contact among up to five individuals, excluding religious leaders, if the brief contact is a critical component to the organization’s religious service, so long as masks are worn and hands are sanitized immediately before and after the contact.
Read the full guidance document here.
New State Guidance for Higher Education Institutions and Living Facilities
The proclamation adds additional safety measures to address significant increases in COVID-19 infections that have occurred particularly in congregate living areas, like Greek houses, and large social gatherings of students.
Examples of changes include:
• Limitations on the number of residents who may share a sleeping area;
• Limitations on the number of people in common areas;
• Requirements for all people in common areas to wear a mask and remain socially distanced.
