 | Here is your Mayor's 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 weekly snapshot of COVID-19 activity in Snohomish County is now available, with data from the week ending September 5. It shows some continued progress. The case rate per 100,000 population per 14-day period is lower than in the previous snapshot, and there are fewer hospital beds occupied by COVID patients.
However, the number of outbreaks is up. Examples of an outbreak include two or more linked but non-household cases in a workplace, or one or more cases in a long-term care facility. Remember to follow masking and cleaning requirements, and to stay home if you are feeling ill. |  Mukilteo Air Quality is Unhealthy | Wildfire smoke likely will continue to fill Snohomish County skies until late this week. The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert through noon Thursday.
The image here is of Mukilteo's air quality today.
Protect your health. Stay indoors if you can.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says the light rain showers that began late Monday have not significantly reduced smoke levels. It predicts the area could see smoke levels increase somewhat on Wednesday as winds bring more smoke from Oregon fires north. Air quality is expected to remain UNHEALTHY or VERY UNHEALTHY for everyone until late Thursday or Friday, when a storm is expected to clear out most of the smoke.
Think twice before you visit a park in the next few days. Try to keep to indoor activities. You can monitor air quality here and here
Wildfire smoke information
Health guidance | Wondering how you can make your own air purifier? King County Public Health shares instructions.
1. Place a 20" x 20" air filter (MERV13 or FPR 10) behind a 20" x 20" box fan
2. Use heavy duty tape (i.e. duct tape) to adhere the filter to the fan
3. Enjoy cleaner and healthier air in your home! | The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report, which reflects an overall decline in COVID-19 activity as of late August. The report also highlights encouraging signs that keeping our distance, limiting gathering size and wearing face coverings are working to slow the spread of the disease.
Report findings include:
• The reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19 patient will infect) was close to one in western Washington and above one in eastern Washington as of August 28. The best estimate of the reproductive number at that time was 0.86 in western Washington and 1.22 in eastern Washington. The goal is a number well below one, which would mean COVID-19 transmission is declining.
• We’re seeing decreases in case counts in both eastern and western Washington since the start of August. These decreases are occurring across all age groups. We are starting to see similar trends in hospitalizations and deaths, which take longer to reflect changing levels of disease activity than case counts.
• People are interacting more safely than we were earlier in the pandemic, and it’s making a difference. The report includes a model that isolates the effect of mobility changes from non-mobility related changes on COVID-19 transmission. The comparison suggests that while we are more mobile than we were in April, we are interacting more safely—taking precautions like wearing face coverings, restricting gathering size and keeping high-risk environments closed. We must continue these precautions to keep transmission decreasing. | COVID-19 is considered a pandemic (CDC). You may have seen rumors on social media that it was downgraded, but unfortunately this disease continues to spread in multiple countries and on multiple continents. The state Employment Security Department reports Washington has received approval for the maximum amount of weeks under Lost Wages Assistance: 6 weeks, from 8/1 to 9/5. Per FEMA, no more weeks will be available. ESD will pay the benefits retroactively starting Sept. 21 Remember to get your flu shot (although Dr. Fauci said we should wait until next month! I already got mine, of course). Here is some coverage about the flu vaccine:
- Yes, you can have Covid-19 and the flu at the same time. Here's what that could do to your body. – CNN
- Flu or COVID-19? Don’t guess this fall, get your flu shot – The Seattle Times With the transition to virtual learning and adapting campus life to combat the COVID-19 crisis, autumn quarter at the UW will be different from any previously experienced. The UW is hosting virtual events showcasing what it is like to be a Husky during a global pandemic, starting on September 24th at 11:30am. UW leaders will highlight the University’s steps to reduce density, increase physical distancing, provide testing and manage contact tracing. They will also share ways the UW is working to ensure all students continue to have access to the services and support they need. To register, click here. NPR: A COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only 50% Effective. Is That Good Enough? Seattle Times: ‘Crisis within a crisis’: Already endangered by COVID-19, Washington farms and farmworkers face new threat from wildfires The News Tribune: The number of Washingtonians facing hunger has doubled since start of the pandemic Geekwire: Wildfires: Why they’re getting so bad, and tips for staying safe from the smoke Reuters: In Brazil, it's not just forests. The world's largest wetland is on fire. NPR: Redesigning The Office For The Next 100-Year Flu (Yes, It's Coming) | A reminder- Snohomish County has made more than $2 million available to non-profit organizations that serve Snohomish County residents to support organizational stabilization and capacity-building for addressing the COVID-related needs of community members.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18!
The Non-Profit Stabilization and Capacity Building grant program is a key part of the relief and recovery action Snohomish County is taking to help non-profit organizations impacted by the pandemic. Each non-profit organization applying for grants under this program must:
• Be registered as a non-profit organization in the State of Washington.
• Be designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization and not in suspense or debarment.
• Have a physical presence in Snohomish County.
• Be in operation for at least one year.
• Have experienced a reduction in revenue or increase in service demand attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To apply, please visit https://www.cf-sc.org/ | Mukilteo Schools are in the midst of planning a return to school. Their recent message shared:
"District departments have been planning and establishing health and safety protocols, staffing levels, transportation and other resources needed to support in-person instruction for our youngest students. As the Health District’s recommendation states, and assuming the case counts remain lower, we will phase in students with at least three weeks between each group, starting with our youngest students and those with special needs. We will monitor the health and safety of staff and students during each phase before progressing to the next phase.
This preparation requires much work and communication with employees and families. The earliest this could be considered is mid-October. Limited exceptions to the start date will be made on a case by case basis. We are excited by the thought of bringing students back into schools, but will do so carefully and thoughtfully. Families who want to continue 100 percent distance learning will have the option to do so. | Recent reports from the Small Business Administration have data specific to Mukilteo! 452 businesses received Paycheck Protection Program loans, for a total amount of $93,284,641. | This week, Snohomish County launched a new ‘Better with Boeing’ campaign to highlight the value of Boeing to our region. I encourage you to check out the posts on social media and share your own stories, using the #betterwithBoeing hashtag. Do you know a Boeing employee in your family or amongst your friends, do you have a good memory of a flight on a Boeing plane (ah, how we miss those), do you have a Boeing employee customer at your business? Let's amplify those good stories about Boeing in our community. |  current condition of the fence that will be replaced with a handrail | Pedestrian Path Temporary Closure On Monday the pedestrian path bordering construction of the new Mukilteo terminal will close for up to four weeks. You can still access Edgewater Beach Park and other pedestrian facilities. During that time two activities will be completed:
* Install handrail along new wall
* Layout (survey) for the new handrail posts
* Drill & set anchors into an already poured thickened edge (south-side of the Sidewalk)
* Install Handrail and fencing
* Layout (survey) for the new posts
* Auger-in, set posts, pour concrete
* Roll-out and attach fence
The path will open sooner if the contractor completes their work more quickly. | Highlighting the New Terminal Artwork Paying homage to the site's history, the new Mukilteo terminal will feature tribal cultural motifs throughout. This figure above was carved by Tulalip master carver James Gobin and is installed outside the women's restroom. A similar male figure stands outside the men's room. Gobin's other carved works -- a full size working canoe and spindle whorl -- will be inside the terminal. They join the colorful glass panels on the two elevator shafts, designed by Tulalip master carver James Madison, and two welcome figures on the toll plaza, designed by Suquamish artist Kate Ahvakana, to remind visitors of the importance of this site to the local tribes. | Learn about our orcas and salmon! Tomorrow, join Seattle Times Journalist Lynda Mapes September 17th, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time to learn about the southern resident orca whales and Chinook salmon that are a signature of our region. Lynda will discuss the status of the Southern residents, including updates on the pregnancy of Tahlequah (J35), and share about what's its like covering these two interdependent species - orcas and salmon - and their struggle for survival, which Lynda reported on in the award-winning Seattle Times “Hostile Waters” series. For more information and to register, click here. | Lighthouse Park, Edgewater Beach and 92nd Street Park reopened on May 5. Bathrooms are open only at Lighthouse Park 7am-7pm. Playgrounds are now open, with warnings about cleaning schedules and advise to use at your own risk posted. Trails and sidewalks continue to be open for your physical activity! Please respect physical distance of six feet, and put your face covering on as you pass others. 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 129 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases identified in Mukilteo (9 new cases), and 106 individuals who are recovered. County and city case counts are available at this link, updated each weekday at 2pm. | | |
