4/8: Dana Coggon, Urban Agriculturalist

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Dana Coggon shares how Tacomans are rooting ourselves and growing together through food gardening, seed sharing, and digging in to our own backyards and patios.

Interview begins at 10:00.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

WASHINGTON STATE

  • Individuals who have a loved one in the care of the Department of Health and Social Services, or DSHS, can now call 888-856-5691 to get information on what is happening at various facilities around the state
    • Operators can connect callers directly to facilities and will give updates on visitation guidelines or restrictions.
    • A new DSHS webpage offers a searchable database of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities, with contact info, visitor policies, and other COVID-19 updates at dshs.wa.gov/altsa.
    • In most cases, friends and family remain currently prohibited from visiting long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family homes.
  • The Washington Employment Security Department notes that while phones are open, they are overloaded. They are actively directing individuals seeking general info on unemployment to visit esd.wa.gov/newsroom and click on the FAQ. Those with specific questions may still call (360) 902-9500, but may experience very long wait times.

REGIONAL

  • The Department of Defense field hospital currently stationed at the Century Link Field Event Center will be returned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency so it can be deployed to another state facing a more significant need.
    • The field hospital had been requested before statewide physical distancing strategies were fully implemented, out of concern that area hospitals would be overloaded with Covid-19 cases
    • State and local leaders stated that hospitals in the Puget Sound region have adequate capacity, including ICU beds and ventilators, to support medical needs without the field hospital.
    • The state will use a former Medical Center in Yakima to bolster surge capacity in Central Washington if needed.
  • CHI-Franciscan hospital network is offering free virutal Urgent Care visits for anyone exhibiting mild symptoms such as low-grade fever, cough or respiratory problems.
  • Multicare is also waiving co-pays, co-insurance, or other charges for those accessing e-Visits for symptoms related to COVID-19.
    • Individuals may access Multicare e-Visits online at multicare.org/virtualcare. Users must have a web-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
  • Both health networks advise that anyone experiencing severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties, high fever, or a life-threatening emergency should call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency department.

FIFE

  • The City of Fife is temporarily suspending water shutoffs for nonpayment and waiving late fees for utility bills up to 60 days.
  • Those experiencing hardship can call Utility Billing Customer Service at 253-922-2489, option 1, and leave a message to be returned.