10/16: Friday Briefing

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STATE

  • Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Douglas and Chelan Counties have entered Phase 2 of reopening.
  • The Washington State Department of Health released the latest COVID-19 transmission report, with the following findings:
    • Transmission is increasing in western Washington and recently plateauing in eastern Washington, but the eastern Washington situation is unstable and efforts to control the spread of the virus must be strictly maintained or intensified to avoid a backslide.
    • Per person, the case rate in eastern Washington is twice as high as in western Washington and the daily hospitalization rate is more than twice as high.
    • Case counts in western Washington are increasing across all age groups and over broad geographic areas, suggesting broad community spread, not a single type of activity or setting.
    • In light of the report, the department continues to encourage frequent hand washing, sanitizing surfaces, wearing protective clothing, masking up while in public or doing commerce, and limiting social contacts outside one’s household.

REGIONAL

  • As of yesterday, The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said that the county’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 people was 99.
    • With a six-day data lag required for state measurements, the county’s case rate per 100,000 was 88.4.
    • State guidelines indicate that the case rate per 100,000 residents should be below 75 before school districts can consider bringing the youngest students onto campus for partial in-person learning.
  • Pierce County full-service restaurant owners can apply online through October 23rd for the Restaurant Rally program, in which federal funding disbursed through the county would cover 30% of customers’ food purchases.
    • Restaurants whose applications are accepted will then offer a 30% discount for diners between November 8th and Nov 19th of this year (excluding Friday and Saturday).
    • Restaurants can email PCRestaurantRally@piercecountywa.gov, or call 253-798-6150 for more info.
    • At piercecountywa.gov, applicants can look in the Economic Development department section, click on CARES Act Funding, and look for Restaurant Rally.
  • This Saturday, Oct 17th from 10am to 2pm, a family health and safety fair will be held at the Auburn Valley YMCA at 1620 S. Perimeter Rd in Auburn.
    • Adults and Children age 4 and up can get free flu vaccines with no appointment needed
    • Staff will be on site to assist with applications for benefits such as reduced fair ORCA cards, free or low-cost health insurance for qualified individuals, and basic food benefits
    • Free Health screenings for blood pressure, HIV, cholesterol, diabetes, and dental health will also take place, with no appointment needed
    • Attendees should expect to practice 6-foot distancing, and to wear masks
    • Spanish interpreters and service providers will be on site
    • More info is available at facebook.com/SKCFamilyHealthSafetyFair
  • Another free health clinic will take place Saturday, Oct 17 10am-4pm at the ShoWare Center in Kent (625 W James St, Kent)
    • All vaccines required for K-12 school entry (Hep B, Varicella, Polio, MMR, Tdap, DTaP, plus flu vaccine to kids ages 4-18) will be provided at no cost and will be available to all kids regardless of insurance or immigration status.
    • Adult flu vaccines at no cost to uninsured and underinsured community members, will also be offered, but online registration is required for flu shots at schedule.seattleVNA.com.
  • The Safe Streets organization invites middle and high school youth in Pierce County to participate in their Youth Leading Change program in response to the challenges of remote schooling.
    • The free after-school program gives young people the opportunity to do community projects, volunteer, engage in advocacy work, docollege and career prep, bond with other youth, receive mentoring, and learn about jobs/internships.
    • For more information, email ylc@safest.org.
  • The application deadline for several Pierce County Business loans and grants has been extended to October 20th
    • For Commercial Rent and Mortgage Payment Assistance, email PCBizRAMA@piercecountywa.gov or call (253) 798-6150 for more info.
    • For the Emergency Small Business Relief program, which grants interest-free 12-month loans and forgiveable loans visit piercecountywa.gov or at makeittacoma.com

TACOMA

  • All students 18 and younger can get free breakfast and lunch packs through June 30, 2021
    • Originally the free meal program was set to expire at the end of December
    • Tacoma Students, parents or guardians can continue to pick up meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday – Friday, at Baker, First Creek, Giaudrone, Gray, Jason Lee, Mason, Meeker, Stewart, Truman and Wainwright, as well as scheduled stops throughout district neighborhoods.
    • more information, including menus, at TacomaSchools.org.
  • The City of Tacoma has created the Small Business Resiliency Grant Program to assist eligible businesses with economic recovery.
  • Businesses must (1) be licensed and physically located in Tacoma, including home-based and food truck operations, they must meet certain federal low/moderate income requirements, they must employ five or fewer full-time equivalent employees including the owner, and they must be able to demonstrate a loss of income due to COVID-19.
    • A one-time payment of $10,000 will be made to businesses selected at random by lottery.
    • Go to MakeitTacoma.com for info and applications.
  • For Minority Business Development Agency PPE Grants and One-On-One Technical Assistance Regarding COVID-19 Business Recovery Efforts, contact Malika Godo by emailing mgodo@cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 344-6632.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
  • This weekend and next week’s free pop-up testing events in Pierce County include:
    • Satruday, Oct 17th: Journey Church, Salvation Army Camp Arnold, Narrows Plaza Bowl, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
    • Tuesday, Oct 2oth: Key Peninsula Longbranch Improvement Club, the Sprinker Recreation Center, Spanaway–Nourish Pierce County office,
    • Wednesday, Oct 21st: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Tacoma Dome, the Sixth Avenue Apartments at 2302 Sixth Ave in Tacoma
    • Thursday, Oct 22: Church For All Nations in South Tacoma, Salvation Army Puyallup, and Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood
    • Friday, Oct 23: City of Bonney Lake
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone.
  • Many testing events run all day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, but check TPCHD.org/covidtest for times.
  • Community Health Care, with locations in Tacoma, Spanaway, and Lakewood, is offering testing for COVID-19, even if you are not a Community Health Care patient.
    • Call (253) 722-2161 for a Tele-Health Screening Appointment