7/10: Troy Christensen, TacomaPride 2020

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Troy Christensen of Rainbow Center shares the unique ways in which Tacoma is celebrating LGBTQ Pride this month!

Interview begins at 9:55.

STATE

  • The governor has extended and modified a proclamation regarding the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act, allowing government organizations to continue to meet virtually.
    • It also waives the mandated time frame of responding to requests to accommodate the physical closures of public buildings.
    • Public agencies in Phase 3 counties may choose to include in-person components to their public meetings.
  • The governor has also waived certain statutory and regulatory requirements relating to Department of Health licensing for health care facilities, and has loosened restrictions on the manufacturing of hand sanitizer.
  • The Developmental Disabilities Administration has received permission to loosen their timeline for conducting regular in-person reviews, site-visits and assessments of clients.
  • Full text of each gubernatorial proclamation can be found in the News sections of coronavirus.wa.gov and governor.wa.gov.
  • WIC, the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, will continue offering remote services, including enrollment, at least through September 30 instead of requiring in-person meetings.
    • WIC has also expanded the list of allowed foods to give families more choices, launched a WIC Shopper app, and WIC cards for making purchases.
    • For more info, you can text “WIC” to 96859, dial the “Help Me Grow WA” Hotline at 1-800-322-2588, or visit ParentHelp123.org.
  • The pause on letting any county move to the next phase of reopening may be extended beyond next week if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, per Washington’s Secretary of Health.
    • Officials urge Washingtonians to continue to limit in-person gatherings and wear masks in public to contain respiratory droplets responsible for spreading the virus.
  • Washington Poison Center has issued a warning that some hand sanitizers marketed and sold in the US have been found to contain an amount of methanol, also known as wood alcohol, that can be toxic for humans and animals.
    • Methanol is not FDA approved for use in hand sanitizers in the US, and ingestion or skin exposure at high levels can cause blurred vision, blindness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, loss of coordination, and decreased alertness.
    • Consumers can check products against the FDA recall list at FDA.gov or call Washington Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for questions.
    • Recalled products should be discarded in hazardous waste, and not flushed or poured down drains.
  • Individuals who have not completed the national 2020 census may receive in-person visits in the coming weeks.
    • The census can be completed online at 2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.
  • As individuals participate in summer recreation, the State Emergency Management Division warns that there is a severe fire potential this weekend in many counties due to dry and windy conditions.
    • The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Adams, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Yakima counties.
    • The state advises against driving on grass, throwing cigarettes out car windows, or utilizing campfires in these areas.

REGIONAL

  • Big Ten collegiate athletic conference will not be playing any non-conference games this fall, if any games at all, which means the UW football team’s home opener against Michigan on September 5 is canceled.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • WorkSource and WorkForce Pierce County are hosting JobFest 2020 virtually on July 15th for young adult job seekers ages 16 to 24
    • Attendees will chat with recruiters and meet with employers who are hiring for fulltime, part-time, and seasonal jobs.
    • Participants can register at hirepiercecounty.easyvirtualfair.com or call (360) 504-8141.
  • Individuals living in Pierce County whose income, work, or access to child care have been impacted by COVID-19 may qualify for childcare assistance depending on household gross income.
    • Call Child Care Aware–Washington at 1-800-446-1114 8:30-4:30 Monday thru Friday to see if financial help is available.
  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is making vital records available for order online or by mail, with same-day curbside pickup available for orders submitted by 1pm.
    • Call (253) 798-6555 or visit TPCHD.org and search for Birth Records, Death Certificates, or Vital Records.

TACOMA

  • Tacoma Community House is hosting Early Childhood Education training for refugees and other immigrants starting July 13th and running through September 18th.
    • Participants earn STARS certification for childcare professionals, receive English language instruction and mentorship while job searching, and coaching for how to open and operate one’s own childcare business.
    • This program is FREE and covers the cost of instruction, certification, CPR training, vaccinations, background checks, and support services
    • Interested individuals can email WorkReady@TacomaCommunityHouse.org or call 253-383-3951
  • The Tacoma Spring Fest, which was postponed once and rescheduled for August, has been cancelled.