7/6: Monday Update

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It’s Monday!   No interview today, just updates!

STATE

SCHOOLS

  • Summer food distribution sites for children and families have been set up all across the state, facilitated by schools and municipalities.
    • Text “food” or “comida” to 877–877, or contact Child Nutrition Services within the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at (360) 725–6200, or check local school websites or social media postings.
  • Most schools are seeking family input for the 2020-21 school year.
    • Families should check emails from their children’s school, or visit local school district websites to look for those online surveys and feedback forms.
    • The Tacoma Public Schools website has links to the parent survey, as well as advice on how to help children adjust to wearing masks, at TacomaSchools.org.
    • Clover Park’s reopening survey is found at CloverPark.k12.wa.us.
    • The Federal Way School District and Tacoma Public Schools have links for summer remote learning opportunities on their respective websites at fwps.org and TacomaSchools.org.

TACOMA & PIERCE COUNTY

  • Tacoma City Council passed a resolution last week urging residents who do not meet exemption criteria to comply with the governor’s order to wear face coverings or masks when they are in outdoor or indoor public areas, especially when they cannot maintain a physical distance of six feet from others.
  • The Tacoma Public Library has opened Book Drops on a rotating schedule at various locations across the city.
    • This week, books drops will be open at the Fern Hill, Wheelock, and Moore branches, but patrons should check the schedule at TacomaLibrary.org or call 253-292-2001.
    • All returned materials will be quarantined in closed, sealed containers for 72 hours, and materials will remain on patrons’ accounts until after the quarantine period is over.
    • All materials have been renewed through Tuesday, Sept. 1, with fines waived.
  • The library is offering a slate of virtual activities and workshops throughout the summer, including summer reading groups, a Pokemon league, cartooning and drawing classes, and children’s story time.
    • Activities are listed at TacomaLibrary.org, and as events on the library’s Facebook page.
  • The library is also collecting stories, photos, artwork, and other creative contributions that document life during the pandemic, under the name “The Dear Tacoma Project.”
    • Individuals can contribute via the link bit.ly/tpl_deartacoma, or see postings on the Tacoma Public Library’s facebook and twitter pages @TacomaPublicLibrary
  • The Tacoma City Council’s weekly meeting will happen virtually tomorrow, Tuesday July 7th at 5pm, and will be broadcast on Facebook LIVE, TV Tacoma, at tvtacoma.com, and via Zoom.
    • Written public comments relating to agenda items must be submitted via email to cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org before 4 p.m.
  • July kicks off the Month when Tacoma celebrates Pride.
    • Celebrations have gone virtual this year because of the pandemic.
    • This week’s events include a Pride flag raising at the Tacoma Dome, an LGBTQ-affirming proclamation at the city council meeting, community awards, a virtual pride parade, and drive-thru HIV testing.
    • More information is found online at TacomaPride.org.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free testing sites in our region:
  • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
  • Patients can also call their health providers for tests.
  • 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.