11/9: Monday Briefing

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STATE

  • The Washington State Department of Health has reported that today is the 6th consecutive day with more than new 1,000 new COVID-19 cases across the state.
    • Officials have scheduled an “urgent COVID-19 response media briefing” for 2:30pm Tuesday afternoon.
    • In the meantime, Washingtonians are strongly urged to commit to fewer, shorter, smaller social gatherings, since reducing close contact with others is paramount.
    • Staying home is still safest. If you do go out, keep it quick, keep your distance and wear a face covering.
    • Always wear a face covering when you’re around people who don’t live with you.
    • This includes close friends and family; while it may feel awkward to do this around people we know well and trust, many people get COVID-19 from someone who doesn’t have symptoms yet.
    • Talk to your family and friends about alternate ways to celebrate the holidays. Brainstorm ideas for virtual celebrations so you can still enjoy spending time together without putting each other at risk.
  • If you have contracted and recovered from COVID-19, you may be eligible to donate plasma to assist someone currently suffering from disease complications.
    • Go online to TheFightIsInUs.org to check your eligibility, find donation centers, and learn more information.

REGIONAL

  • Pierce County set a new high for single-day new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, when 223 positive COVID cases were reported.
    • The county’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 people is 187.6
    • Health officials note that in Pierce County, as throughout the state, cases are increasing in all settings and are occurring in all age groups as people spend more time indoors in colder weather, and reiterate the importance of social distancing, hand washing, and masking.
  • Restaurant Rally is going on this week through Thursday, November 12th, and November 15th-19th as part of a county effort to support dining establishments suffering economic losses related to the pandemic.
    • Participating establishments, which have all been verified to be operating within covid safety guidelines, will be giving customers 30% off their dine-in or take-out meal before tax, excluding alcohol and orders via 3rd party delivery services, and the restaurants will be reimbursed with federal covid relief funds disbursed through the county.
    • The list of participating restaurants can be found online at PierceCountyRestaurantRally.com.
  • Pierce County will be offering a virtual workshop entitled “Bringing Parents Home,“ where participants will learn what to anticipate when aging parents move into fa family member’s home and how to make necessary adjustments.
    • The hour-long workshop will be offered online and by telephone on Saturday, November 14th, at 10am
    • Contact the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 253-798-4600 or (800) 562-0332 for details on how to call in or attend via zoom.
  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has updated its website for schools, and now reports where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred in schools
    • Tacoma Public Schools independently has begun reporting cases at its schools, showing the date, building location, number of positive cases, and number of individuals quarantined since Oct. 7th.
  • Sound Outreach is providing financial assistance to Federal Way residents who has been affected by COVID-19
    • EMERGENCY funds are available for such things as car repairs, food, internet and more.
    • Individuals can call 253-593-2111 to see it you qualify

TACOMA

  • The City Council will hold it’s regular meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10th, at 5pm
    • It will stream live on Facebook and at TVTacoma.com, and be broadcast on TVTacoma.
  • Tacoma ProBono will host a free virtual event at noon tomorrow, November 10th, explaining and reviewing the statewide residential eviction moratorium set to expire on December 31st.
    • There will be a moderated Q&A session for attendees
    • Links to join the event can be found on Tacoma Pro Bono’s facebook page, and you can also call TacomaProBono at (253) 572-5134 for more information.
  • On November 13th at 10am, Sound Outreach is offering a virtual workshop titled “How to Deal with Collection Agencies”.
    • Links to attend can be found on Sound Outreach’s facebook page, or by calling Sound Outreach at (253) 593-2111 or by emailing info@soundoutreach.org
  • Tacoma’s independent movie theater, The Grand Cinema, will be open on Thursday, Nov. 12 through Saturday, Nov. 14 for the first time since the pandemic necessitated closure.
    • Films to be shown are part of the Tacoma Film Festival and are limited screenings to gauge audience interest with a potential to open up additional theaters based on demand.
    • There will be no concessions, and masks will be required at all times.
    • More info, including the full list of guidelines, can be found online at TacomaFilmFestival.com.
  • Tacoma Public Utilities has extended the deadline for small businesses to get up to $750 for utility bill charges incurred since March 17th of this year.
    • Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, November 11th online at MyTPU.org.

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:
    • Tuesday, Nov 10th: Kandle Park and Pacific Lutheran University
    • Thursday Nov 12th at Oakland/Madrona Park, at Stewart Heights Park, and the Church for All Nations
    • Friday, Nov 13th at Tacoma Community College and Tacoma Nazarene Church
    • Saturday, Nov 14th at FOUR locations: Portland Avenue Park & Center, Journey Church at 1801 N. Pearl St. in Tacoma, and the Pierce County AIDS Foundation at 3009 S. 40th St., and Salvation Army Camp Arnold in Eatonville.
    • 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