8/5: Melanie Weaver of Catffeinated

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Melanie Weaver of Catffeinated explains what a cat cafe is, how it works, and the ways in which spending time with animals can promote health and happiness.

Interview begins at 13:09.

2020 Primary Coverage

A recording of the KTQA/Radio Tacoma joint Primary Coverage is available here.

STATE

  • All 17 legal challenges filed against the governor’s emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been dismissed.
  • The governor has extended through September 1st protections against federal stimulus payments and unemployment benefits being garnished from bank accounts to cover consumer debts.
  • The governor also extended a waiver to recent graduates of denistry, denturist, dental hygiene, and pharmacy programs so they can obtain temporary licenses to begin work.
  • Recent updates to fitness and sport guidelines for phase 2 and 3 counties will go into effect on August 10th.
    • Indoor fitness areas must provide a minimum of 300 square feet per person of physical distance between people in all areas of the facility.
    • Occupancy of facilities over 12,000 square feet is limited to 25% of the fire code limit.
    • Everyone at indoor fitness facilities must wear face coverings except while engaged in strenuous exercise.
    • No spectators are allowed.
    • Outdoor areas should be used to the greatest extent possible for fitness training and group exercise.
  • Alaska Airlines announced that all guests age 2 and older must wear a cloth mask or face covering at all times when at the airport or onboard Alaska aircraft.
    • Face coverings with direct exhaust valves, face coverings that do not cover a guest’s nose and mouth, and face shields without masks are not acceptable, but Alaska will provide disposable masks for passengers upon request.
    • If a passenger or guest is unwilling or unable to wear a mask for any reason while at the airport, they will not be permitted to travel.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • Officials have closed Lowell Johnson Park on Anderson Island due to overcrowding and noncompliance with physical distancing guidelines.
    • The park is also known colloquially as “The Ol’ Swimming Hole,” and is located on the shore of Florence Lake.
    • Officials expect to reopen the park once the county enters Phase 3.
  • Bloodworks Northwest is holding a blood drive at Old Hot Yoga Studio in Puyallup August 8th, 9 am – 5 pm, to help fortify dwindling blood bank supplies.
  • The Pierce County Fair begins virtually tomorrow at 1pm with a “Royal Welcome” at piercecountyfair.com.

SCHOOL NEWS

  • This afternoon, the governor and state superintendent of public instruction announced strong recommendations on how public and private k-12 schools should decide whether and how to return to in-person instruction.
    • Schools located in counties with more than 75 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period are strongly urged to proceed with distance learning.
    • Schools located in counties with between 26 and 75 cases per 100,000 residents should consider prioritizing in-person learning for elementary school students and those receiving special education services.
    • Low-risk counties are urged to resume schooling for elementary grades and consider partial in-person instruction for secondary students.
    • Districts in all counties are urged to consider indefinitely suspending all sports and extracurricular activities.
    • The recommendations are not mandatory, unless ordered so under the jurisdiction of local county health officers.
    • Schools that do resume in-person instruction must abide by all COVID-19 safety protocols outlined by the governor for schools and workplaces.
  • Registration is now open through August 24th for Tacoma Online, a full-time online public school platform that is part of the Tacoma Schools.
    • The school allows students grades k-12 to access core classes and electives online, and to complete assignments at their own pace, through an online curriculum provider.
    • Enrollment in Tacoma Online is different from “remote learning” through the physical school in which a student is enrolled.
    • Elementary students who enroll in Tacoma Online must stay in the program for a full trimester, and middle and high schoolers must stay in the program for an entire semester, even if health conditions allow for in-person instruction at neighborhood schools.
    • Families must have consistent, reliable internet access.
    • Registration forms are found at TacomaSchools.org.
  • Pacific Lutheran University plans to begin the fall semester with remote instruction, and will transition to in-person learning according to public health recommendations, faculty preference, and course type.
    • Capacity in residence halls will be reduced, with on-campus students assigned to single dorm rooms.
    • Undergraduate students will be granted an extra year at PLU, tuition-free, to complete courses they may have to drop or delay due to COVID-related concerns.

TACOMA

  • The Tacoma City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday advocating for the expansion of health interventions at the Northwest Detention Center, due to COVID-19.
    • The resolution calls for suspension of facility operations for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including transfers in and out of the facility, and calls for the systematic release of all detainees under parole and bond.
    • The council also committed to continue exploring the extent of the city’s regulatory authority of the private detention center
    • More information is found online at CityOfTacoma.org/OEHR.
  • Applications are now available for 2020 Grit City Trees Program, which gives away free trees for planting along city streets as part of a goal to reach 30% canopy coverage by 2030
    • The deadline for individuals is Sunday, August 30th, and the deadline for groups is Sunday, Sept. 6
    • Neighbors are encouraged to work together, while following COVID-19 safety precautions, to apply as a group.
    • Visit CityOfTacoma.org/GritCityTrees, email trees@cityoftacoma.org, or call at (253) 502-2138 for information and applications.