10/19: Monday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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STATE

  • The border between Canada and the US will remain closed for at least another month for most individuals who aren’t essential workers or those with immediate relatives on either side of the border.
    • The U.S. Embassy in Canada stated that the border policy applies to automotive, commuter rail and ferry travel but not air, rail or sea travel.
  • Washington State University announced the cancellation of 2021 spring break because of Covid-19.
    • Instead of a traditional spring break week, the university plans a series of single days off midweek.
    • Additionally, WSU is also asking students to stay home after Thanksgiving this year until the new semester starts if they plan to go home or socialize with others during the holiday.
  • The last day to register online to vote in Washington is October 26th–one week away.
    • Register, update your registration, find the status of your ballot, and more at https://votewa.gov.
    • Local election information is available online at piercecountyelections.org or by calling 253-798-VOTE (253-798-8683)
    • Call or look online if you don’t receive your ballot in the mail by Wednesday, October 21st.

REGIONAL

  • YWCA Pierce County is offering a new virtual art therapy group for teens ages 14-18 who have experienced dating violence.
    • Email redefininglove@YWCAPiercecounty.org for more information or to register.

TACOMA

  • Tacoma City Council will hold its weekly meeting virutally tomorrow, October 20, at 6pm
    • It will air on TV Tacoma and will be livestreamed on TVTacoma.com and on the city’s Facebook live.
  • The City of Tacoma will host a virtual town hall meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, Oct 21, where staff will give a brief presentation on the budget and then offer opportunities for attendees to give feedback and ask questions
    • The meeting will be held via zoom
    • Go to the City of Tacoma’s facebook page and look under “events” for links, or call 311 in advance of the meeting to get login and call-in information
    • The budget proposal can be viewed in advance online at https://www.cityoftacoma.org/budgetdevelopment.
  • The University of Puget Sound, located in North Tacoma, announced that it plans to conduct in-person instruction in the spring if health conditions allow.
    • The college anticipates up to 1,300 students living on campus for spring semester
    • 44 isolation rooms will be available for students who may require it
    • Campus community members will be tested for COVID-19 at least once per week during the semester
  • This Wednesday, Oct 21st, and this Friday, Oct 23rd, from 9 AM to 11 AM PDT, the Food Is Free Project of Tacoma will be facilitating the distribution of Farm-to-Family boxes that will contain cooked protein, dairy, and produce.
    • Any experiencing food insecurity is welcome to pick up food, free of charge, at the Calvary Baptist Church parking lot at St. 65th and C Streets.
    • Boxes must be refrigerated within one hour of pick up.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
  • This 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