6/22: Monday Update

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No interview today, just many updates!

BORDER

  • At least six US visitors to Canada, who received authorized entry because of their status as essential workers, received $1,200 fines for taking sightseeing detours to hike through Banff National Park.
    • The Canada-US land border is still closed to non-essential travel, except for immediate family members of Canadian citizens or residents who are reuniting with family, and for Americans who are driving through Canada to get to Alaska.
    • Alaska-bound travelers are expected only to engage in essential needs while in Canada, which does not include sightseeing.

STATE

  • The USDA Summer Food Service Program is available for children while school is not in session.
    • To find a Summer Meals site near you, text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877–877 or visit NoKidHungry.org.
    • You can also call 1-800-322-2588 or visit ParentHelp123.org online.
    • Locally, Tacoma Public Schools will be coordinating summer meal distribution. More info can be found at TacomaSchools.org.
  • Yakima Health District officials are urging residents to forgo any kind of gatherings, as Yakima has the highest rate of COVID19 per capita in the Western United States, and hospitals are at capacity.
    • Facial coverings are now legally required while in public in Yakima County

PIERCE

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is urging residents to consider getting tested if they have been unable to maintain safe physical distance from others while at a gathering or through the course of work or shopping
    • The department also urges testing for individuals who have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, and for members of Black, Latino, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Native communities, even if they aren’t experiencing symptoms.
  • The Health Department is also hiring temporary full- and part-time workers for contact tracing, lab coordination, and administrative support at up to $27.68 per hour.
    • Bilingual individuals who are part of hard-hit communities are especially sought.
    • Links to applications can be found at TPCHD.org or by going to Seeker.WorkSourceWA.com.
  • Pierce County Parks are opening more amenities while complying with Phase 2 guidelines:
    • Playgrounds will reopen with posted guidelines of no more than five children on each structure and supervised parental support to keep six feet apart.
    • Additional park restrooms will be open, but continuous access is not guaranteed. Portable units may still be used at some locations.
    • Sports complexes may accommodate practices in preparation for game and tournament play that will begin in Phase 3. Teams must register for use and follow Sporting Activities Guidance from the state.
    • Sprinker Rec Center will be open for scheduled fitness and individual instruction activities June 22-July 5, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m daily.
    • The Sprinker Skatepark will be open June 22 – July 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Sprinker ice operations will be open for pre-registered free style and instructional stick & puck sessions.
    • Heritage Park soccer fields are open for small group practices only, but individuals must contact Rec Coordinator Jared Bucci at 253-798-4121 to rent the fields. Baseball and softball fields remain closed at this time.
    • All this information can be found at PierceCountyWa.gov/parks.

TACOMA

  • On Thursday, June 25th at 11am, Tacoma’s Rainbow Center will be distributing fresh boxed meals, non perishable food boxes, masks, and hygiene and sanitizing supplies at 2215 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma). More info is available by calling 253.383.2318.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free testing sites in our region:
    • For Seattle locations, visit Seattle.gov or call 206-477-3977.
    • For King County locations, including Auburn City Adventist Church, Sea Mar in Federal Way, and the Kent Public Health Center,call (206) 744-0400, (253) 681-6600, or visit KingCounty.gov.
  • In Pierce County, free tests are conducted at:
    • Nearly all Kaiser networked locations, Franscican Prompt Care centers, Multicare locations, and the Hilltop, Eastside, Spanaway, and Lakewood Community Health Care centers.
    • SeaMar Community Health Center in Hilltop
    • The Pearl Street Walgreens (for adults only).
    • The Sprinker Rec Center in Spanaway will be hosting a drive-through COVID-19 testing site from June 27th through 29th. Call (253) 798-4000 for more information.
  • For the Tacoma Dome this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 pm, register at TheLittleClinic.com or call 1-888-852-2567 and select option 3.
  • All Pierce County testing locations, along with their phone numbers and addresses, can be found on the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s website at TPCHD.org.
  • Patients can also call their health providers.
  • In general, patients should arrive at testing sites wearing face coverings and expect the process to take about 15 minutes.
  • Some of the testing sites offer rapid test results, while others have a 48-hr turnaround time.
  • All tests just listed are for active infection, not antibody serology tests.