5/14: Thursday Update

By rebecca No comments

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It’s a busy Thursday!  No new interview, just lots of news. 

STATE

  • The governor has published guidelines on how personal and professional service providers can resume business once their counties enter phase 2 of reopening.
    • These service providers consist of office-based occupations that serve a client base, and include people like accountants, lawyers, web developers, insurance agents, and other paid advisors.
    • Rules include reduced client occupancy, frequent handwashing and disinfecting, increasing availability of tissues and trash cans, assigning groups of employees to specific breakrooms and bathrooms, and increased use of touchless payment systems.
    • Full guidelines are available in the “News” section at coronavirus.wa.gov
  • The State’s L&I and Health Departments have issued rules governing farmworker housing, which will go into effect on Monday.
    • Employers will need to disinfect areas and facilities, provide temporary worker housing residents with cloth face coverings, ensure physical distancing at all cooking, eating, bathing, recreational, and sleeping facilities.
    • Details are available at doh.wa.gov/Newsroom.
  • From May 13 to May 20, The employment security department is limiting inbound calls so claims staff can focus on outbound calling to resolve pending claims and complex issues. Inbound calls will be reserved for those who lack internet access and need to use the phone to apply for benefits and submit weekly claims.
    • Apply for benefits and submit weekly claims online.
    • Use the automated phone system to file an application or weekly claim.
    • Call our questions hotline at 833-572-8400 for general answers that are not available on our website.
    • Report fraud using our special fraud hotline: 800-246-9763.
  • And at 3:30 today Governor Inslee will hold a virtual press conference on facebook live and at tvw.org. He is expected to address the restart of business with members from industry associations.

FAIRS

  • The 2020 Thurston County Fair, which was to have taken place July 29 through Aug. 2, is officially canceled.
    • Fair staff are working on a plan to continue to hold youth market animal sales with a virtual auction and social distancing precautions in place.
  • The Southwest Washington Fair in Lewis County, originally scheduled for August, has also been canceled.
  • The Washington State Fair in Puyallup still may take place September 4-27 with modifications.

KING COUNTY

  • Doctors from Seattle Children’s Hospital are urging caretakers of children to closely monitor if a child has a persistent fever, as it may be a symptom of a rare but serious syndrome related to COVID-19 in children.
    • Health officials confirmed the first case of Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in a child, which can lead to heart and blood vessel damage.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public to call 911 with information on the possible whereabouts of 17-year-old Asia Imanis Bellamy
    • Asia is considered endangered based on developmental disability, and has no history of wandering or running away
    • Asia is Black, 5’7“, 145 pounds, was wearing her hair in braids and was last seen yesterday afternoon in a gray long-sleeved shirt, multi-colored tank, blue pants, and flip-flops.

TACOMA

  • The City of Tacoma is hosting is weekly remote T-Town Hall tonight at 6pm.
    • The topic is economic development.
    • Participants can go to zoom.us and enter the event ID 820 7578 8412
  • Tomorrow the city council will hold its weekly meeting to address COVID-19 impacts.
    • Virtual attendees may call +1 253 215 8782 and enter the Meeting ID: 832 6587 6087.
    • It will also be broadcast on the City’s Facebook LIVE, on TV Tacoma, and tvtacoma.com.