11/16: Monday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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  • State-level updates on COVID-19 can be found online in multiple languages at coronavirus.wa.gov.
  • Dialing 311 will get you to the City of Tacoma’s non-emergency information line.
  • The state’s Coronavirus Q&A line is staffed 7 days a week, 6am-10pm, at 1-800-525-0127. For interpreters in other languages, press # when they answer and say your language.
  • You can also text the coronavirus Q&A line at 211-211 in any language.
  • Dialing 211 will connect you to community resources statewide through United Way, and you can also visit wa211.org online.
  • The “Washington Listens” support line is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, to help Washingtonians cope with pandemic-related stress as a free service for those who are not in crisis but need an outlet to manage stress. The number for Washington Listens is 1-833-681-0211.
  • Influenza vaccines are now widely available at pharmacies and clinics; go to KnockOutFlu.org or https://fluzone.com to find a vaccination location.
    • Uninsured adults can now get a free flu vaccine at the Safeway pharmacies on 12th & M St. in Hilltop, and on 38th St. in Tacoma’s Lincoln District, or at 21 other locations across the state of Washington.
    • No proof of residency or immigration status is required.

STATE

  • Over the weekend, the governor announced new and updated guidelines for economic and social activity in Washington in order to stem coronavirus transmission:
    • Indoor gatherings with anyone from outside one’s household are prohibited after today, unless all parties can quarantine for two weeks prior to gathering, or for 7 days plus a negative covid test no more than 48 hrs prior to gathering.
    • The governor has implored all Washingtonians to forgo Thanksgiving gatherings unless all members of a party can quarantine immediately and faithfully for two weeks.
    • Outdoor gatherings may have no more than 5 people.
    • Only outdoor visits are permitted at long term care facilities except for end-of-life circumstances.
    • Retail, groceries, and personal services are limited statewide to 25% capacity.
    • Religious services are also limited to 25% capacity, or 200 people, whichever is less, and no musical ensemble performances or practice, including for choirs, is permitted. Soloists at religious services are ok.
    • No congregational singing is permitted.
    • Wedding and funeral ceremonies may take place with limited attendance, but indoor receptions of any size are prohibited.
    • Indoor gyms and fitness facilities must close, and youth and adult amateur sporting activities are limited to outdoors only with facial coverings.
    • Cultural centers like bowling alleys, museums, indoor spaces at zoos, aquariums, and movie theaters must close.
    • After Tuesday night, all indoor dining must cease; takeout and outdoor dining with up to 5 people per table is still permitted.
    • The restrictions will remain in effect until Monday, December 14.
    • All K-12 education, higher education, child care, courts, and court-related proceedings are not affected by any new restrictions, and may continue operations under previous safety guidance.
    • Washingtonians are strongly urged to recommit to preventative measures, including severely restricting interacting with anyone outside one’s household, masking whenever interacting with anyone from outside ones household for any period of time, and washing hands.
  • The Washington Department of Emergency Management is asking the public to buy only what you need when shopping for food and household items at grocery stores.
    • The department states that supply chains will remain healthy if we all buy only what we need, and asks all shoppers to please respect grocery store limitations on supplies and plan ahead.
    • Grocery stores are continuing to receive supplies like normal. The supply chains will remain strong as long as people only buy what they need.
    • Don’t forget your mask and to maintain social distance in stores and please stay patient with hardworking employees, who are just trying to do their job.
    • These tips come from the Washington Food Industry Association:
      • Make a List and Stay Focused: Before you head out to the store, take a few moments to make an itemized list of what you need. This helps you shop more efficiently and not spend extra time in the stores.
      • Try “Contactless” Shopping: Order ahead, pay ahead, then use curbside pick-up or try a delivery.
      • Shop Off-Peak Hours: Type the name of the store and its location in Google search. A box will pop up showing when foot traffic there is highest.
      • Respect the Limits Set – Don’t Hoard! Many stores have place limits on items such as eggs, toilet paper and more. Please respect these limits. They have been set in place to make sure that the products are available for all shoppers.

REGIONAL

  • On Saturday, Pierce County reported more than 300 new COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time ever.

TACOMA

  • Free flu vaccines for adults are available in Tacoma Tomorrow and Wednesday at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s parking lot at 3629 S. D St., 5am-1pm.

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, November 17th at Peck Athletic Field, at Stewart Heights Park, and at the 72nd and Portland Park & Ride, all in Tacoma
    • Wednesday, November 18th at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in South Tacoma and at the University of Puget Sound in North Tacoma
    • Thursday, Nov. 19th at Centro Latino in Hilltop and at the Washington State Fairgrounds Blue Lot in Puyallup
    • Friday, Nov 20th at Gig Harbor High School
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone
    • results are available in 3-5 days
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.