10/28: Alyssa Torrez, Tacoma Housing Authority Trunk or Treat

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Alyssa Torrez, program specialist for the Tacoma Housing Authority, gives details about this Friday’s Trunk or Treat event!  Interview begins at 21:05

STATE

  • The State Health Department is urging individuals to normalize wearing masks in one’s home when friends or family members come to visit, even briefly, in light of increased infections stemming from transmission between family members and close friends who may live in different households.
  • The UW School of Public Health is inviting Washington residents over age 18 to participate in a survey to better understand how to use technology to fight the ongoing pandemic.
    • Participation in the Washington COVID-19 and Technology Survey is completely voluntary and responses will be kept confidential.
    • Email WaNotifySurvey@uw.edu for a link to the survey in Spanish or English
  • The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is now taking applications
    • The $40M fund provides economic relief to Washington residents who are ineligible for other COVID-19 relief, including disaster cash assistance, unemployment benefits and the federal stimulus payment, because of their immigration status.
    • The fund provides a one-time payment of $1,000 per person, up to $3,000 per eligible household.
    • People can apply online at immigrantreliefwa.org from Oct. 21-Dec. 6, 2020 and funds will be distributed by Dec. 28, 2020.
  • The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with Philanthropy Northwest to provide grants that focus on community-based nonprofits and Tribal organizations most impacted by COVID-19
  • Email community.outreach@commerce.wa.gov for technical assistance or translation
  • Application info, including links to attend an online info session via Zoom on Oct 29th from 7-8pm, can be found online at PhilanthropyNW.org. Under the “Resources” section at philangthropyNW.org, look for COVID-19 Equity Relief Fund for Nonprofits.
  • The governor has issued guidance regarding COVID-19 safety and voting service operations.
    • Any COVID-related orders that could be interpreted to restrict access to voting centers and student engagement HUBS by persons intending to register to vote, obtain a ballot, receive assistance with a ballot, deposit a ballot or use other voting-related services is temporarily suspended.
    • Elections personnel are deemed essential workers, elections offices are deemed essential facilities, and voting by mail or in person is an essential activity.
    • Gathering restrictions do not apply to voters who are in attendance at a voting center for the purpose of registering to vote or to cast a vote.
    • Elections personnel and voters should practice physical distancing and use face coverings

REGIONAL

  • South King County residents may be eligible for emergency bill pay assistance due to COVID-related hardship.
  • Bonney Lake High School will host a free drive-thru flu shot event from kids and adults tomorrow, Thursday Oct 29th from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

TACOMA

  • Downtown On The Go will host a virtual training on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 2pm on how to give comment to the Tacoma City Council through a variety of avenues during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
  • Also on Thursday, SeaMar Community Health will be hosting a virtual Latino Health Forum 9am-2pm
    • Presentations topics include Latino Health Outcomes at the Intersection of Race, Latino Physician workforce in WA state, Health and rural life during the pandemic, and immigrants & COVID-19.
    • The target audience includes health care experts and activists serving Latinos in the Pacific Northwest
    • Registration and further info at seamar.org/latinohealthforum
  • Tacoma City Council is looking for applicants to fill positions on the Community’s Police Advisory Committee
    • The Committee is responsible for conducting policy review, reviewing trends in complaint investigation and statistical reports, and engaging in community outreach.
    • Black and Indigenous community members, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, seniors, immigrants, and refugees are especially encouraged to apply.
    • Applications are found online at cityoftacoma.org/CBCapplication and must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by November 11, 2020.
    • More information can be obtained by emailing servetacoma@cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 591-5505.

HALLOWEEN

  • Many community events are slated to take place this weekend in celebration of Halloween“
    • The WA State Health Dept is discouraging traditional door-to-door trick or treating due to COVID-19
    • Health dept suggestions for alternative ways to celebrate Halloween include holding scavenger hunts at home, dressing up and hosting online costume or pumpkin carving contests, holding Halloween movie marathons with household members, keeping 6 feet from non-household members if participating in public events, washings hands before and after picking up treats.
    • For those distributing treats, the health department recommends limiting candy to individually wrapped treat bags to reduce the number of people who would typically touch items in a communal bowl, and placing treat bags on a table in the driveway or yard to avoid crowds at one’s door, if possible.
    • Another suggestion is to place mini pumpkins 6 feet apart in a line to signal physical distancing markers for trick-or-treators who are waiting.
  • This Friday, Oct 30th
  • Saturday, Oct 31st:
    • Businesses at Point Ruston Public Market host socially distanced trick or treating with a variety of candy chutes and catapults.
      • Costumes are encouraged for all ages and even pets
    • On Saturday, Oct 31 from 3–6 PM The Hilltop Business Association and The Hilltop Action Coalition are sponsoring Halloween On the Hill, where businesses throughout Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood will facilitate socially distanced trick-or-treating for families.
      • All participants are asked to wear face masks and maintain 6-foot distancing.
      • Email info@hbatacoma.com with any questions.
    • Also on Saturday GenCare LifeStyle at Point Ruston hosts no-contact halloween treat pickup from 1–3 PM in their parking lot.
    • Hearthside Manor on Drexler Drive West in University Place will host a drive-thru treat pickup from 2-5pm, where costumes and decorated cars are encouraged.
    • From 4-5PM on Saturday, interpreters at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum will host a virtual discussion on Victorian spiritualism practices and seances that were documented in fort historical records.
      • The event will conclude with a performance of what a Victorian seance might have sounded like!
      • Registration is required via EventBrite, and questions should be emailed to elizabeth.rudrud@tacomaparks.com.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

  • Community events are also slated to take place this weekend in observance of Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
    • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has outlined in English and Spanish a list of low, medium, and high-risk activities with regards with COVID-19 on Dia de los Muertos:
    • Lower risk activities include:
      • Preparing food to share with loved ones in your household, or delivering to people at higher risk of severe illness without making direct contact.
      • Playing music your loved ones enjoyed while alive.
      • Creating an altar for your deceased loved ones with ofrendas.
      • Decorating masks
      • Joining with loved ones online instead of in person.
      • Setting out pillows and blankets in one’s own home for your loved ones’ spirits.
    • Medium risk activities include:
      • Visiting the gravesites. Minimize risk by avoiding large groups, wearing a face mask, and maintaining a Safe Six feet of space.
      • Having a small parade or processional outside, keeping household groups six feet apart.
      • Having a small dinner gathering with local family and friends while staying outdoors and practice physical distancing.
    • Higher risk activities include large indoor gatherings with singing or prayer, especially with people from other geographic regions.
    • The health dept notes that Hispanic people make up 11% of Pierce County’s population but account for 22% of all COVID-19 cases, and urges everyone to be sure to care for the living as you may be welcoming the spirits and memories of loved ones back into your lives.
  • Sunday
    • La Resistencia will hold a Dia de Muertos remembrance from 1-3pm outside the Northwest Detention Center at 1623 East J St. to honor the lives of detained individuals lost to COVID-19 and police brutality.
    • Attendees are invited to bring a kite and ofrendas of flowers or food to place on symbolic altars, or to decorate your car with flowers and with the names of people who’ve died by COVID-19 and police violence.
    • Attendees are asked to abide by COVID safety guidelines around physical distancing.

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:
    • 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