4/9: Rob Colbert, Feeding the Fight

By sam No comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:27 — 8.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Rob Colbert introduces us to Feed The Fight–Tacoma, an initiative helping support local restaurants and medical staff members that are fighting the Coronavirus.

Interview begins at 7:33.

WASHINGTON STATE

  • Washington State’s Board of Education has adopted emergency rules that allow school districts to apply for flexibility in awarding diplomas to high school seniors impacted by school closures.
    • School districts must make a good faith effort to give students opportunities to complete credits for high school graduation, but may apply for waivers of certain requirements starting April 15th.
    • The Board will meet again via Zoom on April 21st to give districts an update on waiver applications.
    • Detailed info is available online at sbe.wa.gov.
  • The Washington State Department of Commerce has made $5 million in emergency grants immediately accessible to the 29 federally recognized tribes within Washington state to help cope with severe impacts of COVID-19.
    • Each tribal government will receive at least $100,000.
    • Funds can be used to address public health needs, social programs, food security, behavioral health, housing, unemployment, telehealth infrastructure, and procurement of medical equipment.
  • Governor Inslee is expected to address the public at 3:30pm today, so stay tuned for a possible update during our 6pm rebroadcast.

TACOMA

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, and the Economic Development Board, are creating 90-day Rapid Response Teams to assist businesses with concerns regarding the Covid-19 emergency.
  • Families with students enrolled in the Tacoma Public Schools are asked to conduct a household survey about technology needs, given that the response to school-based laptop distribution last week exhausted available inventory.
    • The short survey can be found at tacomaschools.org/techsurvey by April 12th.
    • The survey is not a laptop request form, but will help inform the district’s plan for continuing remote learning during school building closures.
    • Families can also call the District switchboard at 253-571-1000
  • Pacific Lutheran University has cancelled the in-person graduation ceremony that was to be held on May 23rd at the Tacoma Dome.
    • A ceremony for the class of 2020 will be held Saturday, September 5th, at 2 p.m. at PLU, and will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.
    • Another celebration for 2020 graduates will be held on PLU’s campus during Homecoming on October 10, 2020.
    • May 2021 Commencement in the Tacoma Dome will also be open to the 2020 graduating class and guests.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department notes that even with news about the COVID-19 infection curve flattening, typical springtime religious celebrations need to happen in ways that do not involve gathering with anyone apart from members of your household.
    • Attending any gatherings of any kind increases your risk of getting COVID-19 and spreading it to others, even with face masks.