4/5: Sunday Update

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It’s Sunday!   No interview today, just updates.   See you tomorrow!

PERENNIAL

  • State-level updates on COVID-19 can be found online in multiple languages at coronavirus.wa.gov.
  • Health Department officials are staffing a Coronavirus Q&A line 6am-10pm 7 days a week at 1-800-525-0127. For interpreters in other languages, press # when they answer and say your language.
  • Dialing 311 from your phone in Tacoma will get you to the City of Tacoma’s non-emergency information line.
  • Dialing 211 from your phone in Tacoma helps connect you to community resources statewide through United Way. You can also visit wa211.org online.

WASHINGTON STATE

  • The Department of Licensing will temporarily extend drivers license and state ID expiration dates.
    • Cards set to expire between April 3 through July 3 will have a 90-day extension. Letters will be sent to affected card holders, who will not receive a new card with the letter, but may renew online. The extended expiration date will show up on the driver record if pulled by law enforcement.
    • The Department of Licensing will also send letters to CDL and CLP holders whose licenses and permits were set to expire on or after March 1, notifying them their license or permit is extended to June 30, 2020.
    • Commercial drivers should carry a copy of their expired medical certificate to show their license or permit expiration date was on or after March 1, 2020.
    • Customers can call 360-902-3900, email CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov, or visit dol.wa.gov.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • In light of new CDC recommendations that members of the public wear face coverings while in public, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reminds residents that cloth or other homemade masks are not tested and certified as personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Those providing care in healthcare settings and first responders such as firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement officers should only use cloth masks as a last resort, and medical-grade supplies should be prioritized for these workers.
    • For others, cloth masks may provide limited protection when doing essential tasks like buying groceries and picking up prescriptions. Homemade masks can help decrease some of the droplets produced when talking, coughing or laughing.
    • Masks may provide protection for others around you, since many people may become infected with the virus without showing symptoms. Wearing a mask could protect those around you if you have the virus and don’t know it.
    • Wearing masks properly may provide some protection in addition to frequent hand-washing and staying 6 feet apart from people outside your household
    • More info on wearing masks can be found at tpchd.org or at cdc.gov. Questions can be answered by calling the state hotline at 1-800-525-0127.

REGIONAL

  • Federal Way Public Schools has extended its free meal program for children 18 and under through spring break, which begins tomorrow. More info is found at fwps.org or by calling 253-945-2000.