Here is your Mayor's update, some COVID-19 information, some other useful information! Please forward as widely as you would like.
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Edmonds Community College has vaccine appointments for this Friday-Tuesday now- click to register ASAP.

The state has shifted to a two-phase system called “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery" (the full plan is now published and available here) and the chart is here. Our Puget Sound region (King, Pierce and Snohomish) are now in Phase 2.

The Roadmap plan was also adjusted: first, the evaluation criteria for regions to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 (meet 3 of 4 metrics only), and the timeframe in which regions can progress- it will be an update every 2 weeks. So, we know we'll be in Phase 2 through February 15, and if we stick with masks, distancing, etc, we should be able to stay in Phase 2 after the next assessment on February 12.

As a reminder, here is what changes with Phase 2 from our November-January status (details here):
* Indoor dining with 25% capacity
* wedding and funeral attendance limit of 30 is remove (though indoor dining limitations apply)
* Low, moderate, and high-risk sports competitions (not just practice) allowed, maximum 200 including spectators
* Indoor entertainment can open at 25% capacity of 200 people whichever is less (think of places like aquariums, theaters, museums, bowling, cardrooms, event spaces)
* Outdoor entertainment for groups of 15, with maximum attendance of 200, allowed.

Below are a couple relevant graphics from County Emergency Management and the Health District.

Positive news on case counts, with Monday's update below. Keep up your good habits!

Cases by Zip Code

The Health District updated their case counts by zip code, with a map that shows the cumulative number. It struck me to see that at least 3000 Mukilteans have been diagnosed with COVID in the last 12 months. I am always focused on current case counts, so to see the cumulative total was striking. That's about 14-16% of our residents.

As you know, the state is now in Phase 1B-Tier 1 of vaccine distribution. Anyone over age 65, and all people over 50 who also live in a multigenerational household are eligible to receive the vaccine, in addition to those covered by phase 1A (health care workers at high risk for COVID-19 infection, first responders, people who live or work in long-term care facilities, and all other workers in health settings who are at risk of COVID-19). Learn more about who can get the vaccine and when.

It looks like the US is going to continue to focus on 2 doses for all, instead of widely distributing one dose to as many as possible, as some countries have said they might focus on.

If you know others don’t have access to the internet or struggle with technology, they can call 2-1-1 or 1-800-525-0127 and press #. People can also text ‘vaccine’ to 211-211. These numbers are staffed by specialists who can help with all kinds of community resources, including COVID-19 and Phase Finder questions.

Vaccine Availability

Check this out: Snohomish County is prepared to do 50,000 doses per week in our mass vaccination sites, but that is dependent on vaccine supply. If we have the vaccine supply for at least 50,000 first doses per week, we would be able to get everyone in the county vaccinated in under 20 weeks.

Last week the county and its partners received a total of 17,000 doses. This week, they’ve been told to plan for 15,000 doses. Of that number, 9,000 are first-shot doses. There are 100,000 Snohomish County residents eligible for those 9,000 doses.
The chart below shows our County's progress so far.

The information below is my best understanding of what has a realistic chance of success as you seek appointments.

Making an Appointment to Get Your Vaccine

NEW SOURCE: A helpful fellow reader said that Washington Medical Group in Snohomish has vaccines. Their signup genius link is here. They appear to be booked through February 11, but one to add to your list to check on future dates. This might be one to check on Friday/Saturday, or could be a Monday check- I will keep an eye on it and keep you updated.

I have been told it's a good idea to call your primary doctor or clinic to ask them if they are administering the vaccine, as a first step. I have not heard of anyone having any success with this method, however.

This Find Your Phase site confirms your eligibility. It does not currently direct you to appointments. Some sites say that you should print and bring the eligibility certificate with you, others do not, it's certainly helpful if you are aged 50-64 and in an intergenerational household. Right now just an ID card with your age should generally be sufficient (drivers license, etc). And, remember the vaccine is free.

This State Department of Health site appears to have all the links (including the ones I have below). However, there is very little information on whether those sites have doses. It has been updated with a map, which is nice especially if you're thinking of heading to north King County or Skagit-- easier to identify other options (I especially liked it for pharmacy locations!).

Links to Check on Sunday
I have heard that QFC and Safeway are updating their availability on Sundays. QFC info is here. Safeway is here.

Links to Check at 4pm Every Day
Arlington Airport mass vaccination site appears to be updating every day at 4pm for the following day or two. The slots go fast (a fellow reader said within 10 minutes), but it looks to be consistently updated.

Links to check on Friday afternoon/Saturday (and after 4pm each day):
Boeing and Edmonds Community College: register through this Seattle Visiting Nurses Association link. Note that the Paine Field site has now moved to the Boeing Activity Center, which is off of Seaway Blvd at 6400 36th Ave W (google maps link). These sites had no vaccines available this week, but should be up next week.

Monroe Evergreen Fairgrounds: here is a link to their signup genius site, no appointments right now.

Evergreen Health Monroe has appointments on Wednesdays, next open date is next week. I think this is a Friday/Saturday/Sunday check, but I'm not sure.

Links to check other days of the week
Providence Medical Center has changed their process and is reaching out directly over the next 1-2 months to their high-risk patients.

Three Costco sites are active, but no appointments yet: Everett, Lynnwood, and Marysville.

North Sound Pediatrics has moderna with dates weekdays and weekends, no appointments right now

SeaMar Clinics do not have vaccine, but suggest refreshing their site later to watch for updates.

Shoreline International Community Health: No appointments right now, but a site that is an easy and quick check each day.

Waitlist Links
Virginia Mason has a wait list available here). This wait list has been functioning, with a waiting period of 3-7 days after you add your name. They have a Lynnwood location near 196th Street. From what I have seen, they text a code once appointments are available. They also have an option to be on a waitlist for a second dose, if you are thinking about that.

Skagit Regional Health has a waitlist for their Arlington/Smokey Point facility. Their site says they will call once vaccine doses are available.

UW Medicine: Eligible patients may call or text 844.520.8700. You will be put in line to receive a call back. Appointments will only be scheduled during the return call. If you have used UW Medicine before and have a eCare myChart account, you can use that as well, through the app or website. You can sign up for a weCare account here, it says it could take a week.

What About the Second Dose??

The Health District is encouraging people to wait until closer to their 21- or 28-day mark before seeking to schedule an appointment. In the meantime, people need to save the immunization card received during their first dose appointment. If possible, take a photo or scan a copy to have just in case the original is lost. Also know which brand of vaccine originally received and ask the vaccine provider if they are giving the same brand of vaccine (CDC notes that Pfizer and Moderna are not interchangeable, you need to make sure you get the same kind for the second dose).
The CDC is saying that if you can't get close to the 21 or 28 day mark, the second dose may be scheduled up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.

Some National News

President Biden on Tuesday took additional steps t to implement his comprehensive National Strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. These steps include increasing the vaccine supply to states, Tribes, and territories and increasing funding to jurisdictions to help turn vaccines into vaccinations. And, the President announced that starting next week, the first phase of the federal pharmacy program will launch and select pharmacies nationwide will start offering vaccinations for their communities.
The fact sheet says starting Thursday Feb. 11 “those eligible for the vaccine will have the opportunity to be vaccinated at select pharmacies across the country through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination. This program is a public-private partnership with 21 national pharmacy partners and networks of independent pharmacies representing over 40,000 pharmacy locations nationwide.
See the full fact sheet for a list of participating pharmacy partners. Local pharmacies include
• Walgreens (including Duane Reade)
• Walmart, Inc. (including Sam’s Club)
• Rite Aid Corp.
• The Kroger Co. (including Fred Meyer)
• Publix Super Markets, Inc.
• Costco Wholesale Corp.
• Albertsons Companies, Inc. (including Albertsons, Safeway, Haggen)
(there is a longer list at the link)

Comparing the 3 Vaccines

StatNews compares the three vaccines in this article.
The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for use for people aged 16 and older. Moderna’s has been cleared for use in people 18 and older, though the company is now testing its vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds. Johnson&Johnson’s vaccine has not been tested in children and teens under 18.
Pfizer and Moderna have 95% and 94.1% efficacy after two doses, respectively. J&J's was tested differently- efficacy after one dose, and against some of the variants that popped up during their testing period (which was not happening during Moderna and Pfizer testing). Overall, J&J was shown 66% protective against moderate to severe Covid infections and 85% protective against severe disease.
It’s not yet known if any of these vaccines prevent asymptomatic infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Nor is it known if vaccinated people can transmit the virus if they do become infected but don’t show symptoms.
All three have somewhat common minor side effects, and Moderna and Pfizer have seen the more severe allergic reaction, but in just a dozen instances per million. These side effects are a sign of an immune system kicking into gear. They do not signal that the vaccine is unsafe (more discussion of that in this Atlantic article.)
The article has more interesting details, as well!

Party Planning Reminder

If you're Super Bowl party planning, remember to limit any party size to no more than five people from two households indoors and a maximum of 15 if meeting outdoors. Social distancing and mask wearing remains crucial.

Local restaurants open for 25% indoor and 50% outdoor capacity

Diamond Knot's production brewery taproom is now open (the one with the big roll-up doors on Chennault Beach). They are open Monday-Friday from 11am-4pm for growler fills, packaged beer and kegs to-go; and Friday and Saturday from 3pm-8pm for you to enjoy brews with them indoors, on-site.
Arnie's Restaurant opened Tuesday at 3pm for indoor dining (reservations by phone can be made at 425-355-2181).
Ivars now has breakfast for delivery or pick-up from 9am-12pm. Get your day going with items like Andouille Sausage Omelet or Skillet, Veggie Omelet, Bacon Scramble, Breakfast Sandwich, or their famous Landing Breakfast (and it's not just breakfast, you can get their clam chowder, fish and chips, etc!). Order directly from them here.
If you know of any other restaurants or shops reopening or hoping to get customers in, let me know, I would be glad to spread the word!

Community Transit Enforcing Mask Order

Community Transit has shared that nearly 99% of riders across their system are wearing masks on buses. A new federal order was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that requires riders to properly wear face masks when using public transit vehicles and when on property where customers board, exit or wait for a transit vehicle.
To make the best effort to comply with the CDC Order, Community Transit will enforce customer mask compliance effective immediately. They will continue to offer free masks on all buses if customers do not bring their own. However, according to the order, refusing to wear a mask or face covering is a violation of the new federal order and passengers may be subject to penalties under federal law.
Failure to comply may also result in a denial to ride or removal from our vehicles or property unless the individual is exempt because they cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

Small Business Help

Help available for Washington’s small businesses during COVID crisis
Small businesses are the backbone of Washington’s economy and many have been devastated during the pandemic. Many have closed, others are barely hanging on. Small businesses owned by people of color have been particularly impacted. In response, Congress has passed several aid packages and the State of Washington has provided relief, along with many local communities. But resources can be difficult to find, and the applications can be challenging to navigate.
See www.SmallBizHelpWA.com for more information and resources.

Job search requirements continue to be suspended

The Washington State House of Representatives and Senate voted to continue the suspension of job search requirements until the Pandemic State of Emergency is withdrawn by the governor or legislative action, whichever is first. This means that individuals filing unemployment insurance claims can continue to answer “no” to the job search question on their weekly claim until the suspension is lifted. Learn more on the  job search requirements page.

Internet Speed Survey

Here is a chance to help with internet access and speed in our State. The Washington State Broadband Office mapping initiative will help identify gaps in high-speed internet service and areas of broadband infrastructure needs in order to advance the state’s goal to have universal broadband access in Washington by 2024. Take the 1-minute access and speed survey here.

OSPI unveils ‘Get Ready’ COVID-19 vaccination plan for teachers, school employees

The State Superintendent's Office released a plan on Friday to launch when personnel become eligible under Washington state’s vaccination protocols, and will focus on supporting a safe return to school for communities across the state and ensures a commitment to fairness, equity, and consistency in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The announced plan will include approximately 14 to 20 vaccination locations along the I-5 corridor and in Spokane which will be capable of offering vaccination to upwards of 80% of school employees.

Other News

I'm sure you have already seen this story about Swedish and UW administering 800 doses on Thursday night, from 11pm to 2am after a freezer broke. I am now going to activate twitter notifications for Swedish, just in case another call goes out on social media!
Seattle Times: Washington state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Do you live in a multigenerational household?

Novavax says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, but far less so against one variant

A Covid-19 vaccine from Novavax proved nearly 90% effective in preliminary results from a key clinical trial in the United Kingdom, the company said, but appeared far less effective against a new variant of the coronavirus that accounted for most of the cases in South Africa. StatNews That variant has now been discovered in South Carolina.

U.S. deaths from Covid-19 forecast to rise by 90,000 by Feb. 20

Federal health officials predict as many as 90,000 more people in the U.S. will die from the coronavirus in the next four weeks — a sobering warning as the government strains to improve delivery and injection of vaccines. The projection, coming from the Biden administration’s first health briefing last week, does not break new ground but reflects a different approach to sharing information than the previous administration's. “I know this is not news we all want to hear, but this is something we must say so we are all aware,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. Her agency forecasts between 479,000 and 514,000 deaths in the U.S. by Feb. 20. “If we are united in action, we can turn things around.”: APNews

J&J one-dose Covid vaccine is 66% effective, a weapon but not a knockout punch

Johnson & Johnson said last Friday that its single-dose Covid-19 vaccine reduced rates of moderate and severe disease, but the shot appeared less effective in South Africa, where a new coronavirus variant has become common.

Novavax says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, but less so for one variant

As countries around the world scramble to secure enough vaccine doses to protect their populations, Novavax reported its Covid-19 vaccine proved nearly 90% effective in preliminary results from a key clinical trial in the United Kingdom. But in a separate trial, the vaccine appeared far less effective against a new variant of the coronavirus first identified in South Africa. In a 15,000-volunteer U.K. trial, the vaccine prevented nine in 10 cases, including against a new strain of the virus circulating there. But in a 4,400-volunteer study in South Africa, the vaccine proved only 49% effective.

Who got the first Covid-19 vaccinations?

When the first two Covid-19 vaccines became available in December, health care workers along with residents and staff of long-term care facilities were first in line. A new CDC report tells us something about these nearly 13 million people. Data were available on sex and age for almost all recipients: 63% were women and 55% were over 50. But race and ethnicity were reported for only half of them: 60% were white, 14% were categorized as multiple or other race/ethnicity, 12% Hispanic/Latino, 6% Asian, 5% Black, 2% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 0.3% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The report notes the need to reach "those at highest risk for infection and severe adverse health outcomes," many of whom are Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Hispanic.

Who didn't get vaccinated?

Another CDC report said just a little over a third of nursing home staffers who were offered Covid-19 vaccine received it in the first month it was available through a partnership with CVS and Walgreens. That contrasts with more than three-quarters of the residents living in 11,000 nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities who got vaccinated. Some health care workers have previously been hesitant to get flu vaccination, receiving the shots at lower rates than hospital staff members.

Other Links

NPR: Some European Countries Move To Require Medical-Grade Masks In Public (might be time to order some disposable medical masks and double-mask, or switch up your old cloth ones- Dr. Fauci has said the CDC agreed to take a look and consider recommending double-masking (New York Post)

New York Times: Mask Fights and a ‘Mob Mentality’: What Flight Attendants Faced Over the Last Year

Washington Post: New diabetes cases linked to covid-19. It appears there's not enough data to be sure, but up to 14% of those with severe covid-19 developed a form of diabetes, one analysis found.

NPR: At Least 38 Capitol Police Officers Test Positive For COVID-19 Since Jan. 6 Riots

All guidance can be found here.

King County guidance on what to do when an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19.

Getting to Safe Toolkit for Businesses

I liked this month's Snohomish County Tourism suggestion to get our travel fix by dining out at diverse restaurants! They have suggestions here, and I would recommend locally some of these awesome restaurants. If you see some names you haven't visited in awhile, put them on your list for some takeout! Thai Waterside, Kostas Rainbow Wok & Teriyaki, Sabor a Mexico, Kings Teriyaki, Hani Hani, Sakuma Japanese, Grouchy Chef, Miako Teriyaki, Golden House, Niko Teriyaki and a couple great ones just outside city limits: Hanami Sushi, GyroStop, Rasoi Indian, Chiangmai Thai, Budapest Bistro, Han River, Niko Teriyaki

A Mukilteo Highlight

Here is a nice Mukilteo Beacon article about our community garden off of 76th Street. You are welcome to take a peek outside of it on your way to a walk in Japanese Gulch!

Current case count is 546 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases identified in Mukilteo (6 new cases since Tuesday ), and 441 individuals who are recovered (no new recoveries).

County and city case counts are available at this link, updated each weekday at 2pm.

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

For more information on city facilities, see this link.