10/26: Monday Briefing & Phil Gets Out The Vote

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Today’s briefing precedes a 1952 episode of the Phil Harris & Alice Faye Show called “Get out the vote!” You can check your ballot status and get voter info at votewa.gov. 

STATE

  • The state Insurance Commissioner has once again extended emergency orders related to the pandemic:
    • Health insurers must waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for coronavirus
    • Consumers are also protected from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically-necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19
    • Insurers must also continue to allowing one-time early prescription refills, and may not require pre-authorization for treatment or testing of COVID-19
    • if an insurer does not have enough medical providers in its network to provide testing or treatment for COVID-19, they must allow enrollees to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost.
    • The order is extended through November 24th.
  • The Washington State Department of Health is seeking community feedback on how to prioritize and allocate vaccines for COVID-19 once they are approved and become available.
    • A link to the feedback survey is available online in multiple languages at doh.wa.gov in the COVID-19 vaccine section of the website.
  • A study out of University of Washington has concluded that there’s no evidence that the experimental drug hydroxychloroquine prevent people from developing Covid-19.
    • Researchers found those who had close contact with an infected person and took the medication were just as likely to get Covid-19.
    • The study also found no evidence that those who got hydroxychloroquine were less likely to develop symptoms when infected.

REGIONAL

  • The health department made note of Monday’s lower numbers compared with Friday’s reported all-time high of 139 new cases in a single day and the subsequent cumulative total of more than 200 over the following two days.
    • Fewer people seek testing and labs have lower staffing levels on weekends.

TACOMA

  • The Tacoma City Council is taking public comment on the City Manager’s Draft 2021-2022 budget.
    • The hearing will be after a short regular agenda at 5:00pm and before Virtual Forum (where you can comment on non-budget issues).
    • The meeting will take place via Zoom, and will be broadcast on TV Tacoma, and streamed via the city’s Facebook Live.
  • On Wednesday, Oct 28th from 2 – 6 PM, the Food Is Free Project of Tacoma will be distributing Farm to Family boxes containing cooked protein, dairy, and produce at Calvary Baptist Church parking lot at S. 65th and S. C streets.
    • Boxes Must be refrigerated within one hour of pick up.
    • Everyone experiencing food insecurity welcome.
    • Line up at C st heading south from 65th
  • This Friday, October 30th from 6 to 8pm, Tacoma Community House and Tacoma Housing Authority welcome families for a drive-thru Trunk or Treat event, rain or shine!
    • Due to COVID-19 guidelines, no foot traffic can be accommodated.
    • Costumes are optional but encouraged
    • Participants will drive thru the Tacoma Community House Parking lot to enjoy and collect treats from decorated trunks and booths spaced 6 feet apart
    • If you would like to donate candy or register for a parking spot, please email: amayer@tacomacommunityhouse.org.
    • KTQA-LP will be supplying a spooky soundtrack that night, so tune in as well to 95.3FM!

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:
    • oN Tuesday, October 27th, testing will take place at PLU and at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse
    • Wednesday, October 28th, the county health department will be at the University of Puget Sound in North Tacoma, and at the Saar’s Marketplace parking lot in Spanaway
    • Thursday, October 29th, testing will take place at the Tacoma Dome and at Chapel Hill Presbyterian in Gig Harbor
    • Friday, October 30th, the health department will be at Tacoma Nazarene Church in the Lincoln district and at West Pierce Fire & Rescue in University Place.
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone.
  • Testing runs 10am-3pm.
  • 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