Laura McDonald of Multicare explains the Hope Grows Here campaign, window gardens, and surprise flower drops orchestrated by Multicare, Tacomans, and South Sound residents.

Interview begins at  9:45.

• Governor Inslee is not planning to mandate masks in public in Washington State at this time
  • He has stated that broad usage of face coverings by people in public indoor spaces is ideal, and has generally put the recommendation in guidelines for reopening each business sector
  • At the county level, King, San Juan, and Spokane Counties have declared that people must wear masks in public, and it is strongly recommended by officials in Snohomish and Pierce counties.

• Sea Mar Community Health Clinic att 31405 18th Ave S in Federal Way is offering free COVID-19 testing every Tuesday 12 p.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Tests are for suspected active infection, not antibodies
  • Tests must be scheduled over the phone by calling 253-681-6600
  • People who schedule a drive-thru appointment will remain in their cars for their test.
  • People who schedule a walk-up appointment will receive their test outside under a tent.
  • Health insurance is not required, nor is it required that you be a current or past SeaMar patient.

• Pierce County is providing free personal protective equipment (also called PPE) to county businesses, while supplies last, to help with COVID-19 workplace safety compliance.
  • Businesses must fill out a Request Form at www.piercecountywa.gov/BusinessPPE and indicate the type of PPE needed.
  • More information can be had by calling (253) 798–6150 or by emailing PCBizPPE@piercecountywa.gov.

• Healthcare workers in the Tacoma area can now get free transportation to and from hospitals through Medstar by calling 1 (800) 236-2011 or by using the “GOIN’” smartphone app.
• The University of Washington is planning to resume many in-person classes when the fall semester begins September 25 at all three campuses, including UWT.
  • Large lecture classes will likely remain online
  • Students taking in-person classes can expect to wear masks, and have classrooms sanitized between uses
• The City of Tacoma received a donation of 70,000 disposable medical masks, and hundreds of medical gowns from Fuzhou, China as part of the Sister Cities program.
  • The PPE is being distributed to shelters, food banks, and healthcare centers, as well as being stored in case of a fall or winter resurgence of COVID-19.