7/8: Wednesday Update

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No interview today, just updates!  We do have a huge raft of interviews coming up, so stay tuned.

STATE

  • Yesterday, the governor extended his order regarding the state’s phased economic reopening through August 6th.
  • Bar-style seating and live music are prohibited in Phase 2 and Phase 3 counties, but restaurants and taverns in Phase 2 or beyond may resume self-service buffets, salad bars, salsa bars, and other similar communal food sources and drink stations, subject to adherence to safety standards.
  • Because the pandemic may make it difficult to deploy trained disaster response volunteers from one area of the country to another, the American Red Cross is seeking to train volunteers locally for possible shelter operations in case of disaster.
    • Anyone can volunteer, but medical professionals with active, current, unencumbered licenses are especially needed.
    • Roles are available for nursing and medical students as well.
    • The Red Cross also seeks to connect with established pet sheltering organizations.
    • Information is available at redcross.org/volunteertoday or by emailing JoinUsNW@redcross.org.
  • The Federal Small Business Administration has resumed accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program and will continue to do so through August 8th.
    • Employers can visit SBA.gov for more information.

REGIONAL

  • The City of Seattle is resuming paid parking on city streets on July 13th, with all metered street parking areas charging 50 cents per hour for at least a month, and parking enforcement in time-metered spots.
  • Everett’s Paine Field will reopen with limited commercial passenger service to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver starting August 1st.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • Pierce County has reported lower than expected counts for positive COVID-19 tests this week, due most likely to the closure of several labs over the holiday weekend.
    • The Health Department advises that labs are catching up in processing test results, and the department expects an increase in case counts in the days ahead.
    • The department also added a new graph to its online dashboard, which shows a timeline of both the number of tests and positive tests over time
    • It can be viewed at tpchd.org/COVID19cases.
  • The Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources Department will host one-hour virtual workshops for providers and professionals to learn about the changes that have been introduced to Medicare since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The Medicare workshops will be offered July 9th at 3pm and July 13th at 11am, and will provide an overview of Medicare updates, enrollment options, telehealth, testing and more.
    • The Aging and Disability Resources department will also offer a virtual presentation on Social Security Disability on Monday, July 13, from 4 – 5 p.m., including how to qualify and apply for benefits and how to appeal denials.
    • For info on how to attend any of the virtual workshops via zoom or phone, call 253-798-4600, or visit the Human Services section of co.pierce.wa.us.
  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Pierce County AIDS Foundation are offering free drive-thru HIV testing and hepatitis A vaccination this Saturday, July 11th, 3-7 p.m.
    • Individuals must reserve an appointment time by calling 253-597-4803.

TACOMA

  • This Saturday, July 11th, is the 2020 Community Cleanup for Hilltop Neighborhood.
    • Single-family homes and duplexes in the area bounded by Sprague, Division, and Tacoma Avenue Avenues and I-5 can dispose of household items through curbside pickup
    • Households may dispose of up to 25 sealed bags or boxes of unusable household items and up to three large items like furniture or appliances that aren’t suitable for donation.
    • All batteries, gasoline, oils, and other fluids must be removed, and no hazardous waste will be accepted.
    • All items must be less than 6 feet long in any direction, and residents should call ahead if they are putting out any large unbagged items.
    • More information is available through Solid Waste Management at (253) 502-2100 and at CityofTacoma.org/cleanup.
  • Applications for the City’s Rental Assistance Program have reopened and are being accepted through July 15th.
    • Call (253) 582-5320 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, or visit CityOfTacoma.org/CovidRent.
    • Qualifying renters may be granted a one-time payment of up to $1,000 which goes directly to landlords
    • The city will not track or provide information regarding citizenship or immigration status to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  • The Louder Than A Bomb, Tacoma youth poetry slam festival, which was cancelled in March, has been rescheduled as an online event.
    • Submissions and media releases are due July 15th, and the event will be streamed on August 7th
    • Pre-register or get more info at Write253.com/LTABindy