1/12: Tuesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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We start with a Jack Parker track “The Mountain” and then get caught up on our new Phase 1 guidelines for COVID safety. 

PERENNIAL RESOURCES

  • 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.
  • Many resources are available for adults and youth experiencing distress, as well as those caring for anyone experiencing emotional distress.
    • The “Washington Listens” support line for managing stress and getting referrals for behavioral health services is 1-833-681-0211.
    • The Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number is 800-273-8255 for English, o en espanol: ocho ochenta y ocho, seis veintiocho, noventa y cuatro, cincuenta y cuatro 1-888-628-9454
    • The Crisis Text Line provides confidential text access from anywhere in the U.S. to a trained crisis counselor when you Text HEAL to 741741. If you text FRONTLINE to 741741, you’ll be connected with a crisis counselor trained to help frontline workers in the fight against COVID.
    • Teens can call or text the Teen Link number at 866-833-6546
    • And individuals struggling with substance use or addiction can call or text the WA Recovery Help Line at 366-789-1511

INTERNATIONAL

  • The prohibition on non-essential travel between Canada and the US has been extended to at least February 21.
    • All essential travel, such as that for trade between the nations, medical travel, and family reunification, will continue as usual, though anyone flying to Canada from the US will need to produce a negative COVID-19 test result from the 72 hrs prior to travel, and will still have to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arriving in Canada.

STATE

  • The governor has issued a proclamation suspending the requirement that statewide elected officials be sworn in ‘at the capitol’–they may choose to be sworn in remotely or in person between Jan 12 and January 15, at which point the order expires.
  • A reminder that our state’s covid restriction and reopening plans for 2021 went into effect yesterday.
    • All of Washington’s eight regions are under Phase 1 due to high covid rates.
    • Phase 1 allows for gyms and fitness centers to offer limited service by appointment only.
    • Indoor cultural venues like theaters, concert halls, and aquariums, my give private tours for households with up to 6 members, but must remain closed for general admission.
    • Indoor worship services, retail stores, and professional and personal services are limited to 25% capacity.
    • Indoor social gatherings and dining are still prohibited, and restaurants offering outdoor dining must limit table size to 6 people and must close by 11pm.
    • Our region consists of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, and will move to Phase 2 only when COVID case rates and hospital admission rates drop by 10%, and the positivity rate on COVID tests is below 10%, along with adequate ICU space.
  • As of yesterday, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will begin texting a verification code to every person in Washington state who tests positive for COVID-19.
    • The goal is to help WA Notify exposure notification users alert fellow users faster if they’ve been exposed.
    • People who test positive for COVID-19 will still receive notification from their health care provider or testing facility – that won’t change – but everyone who tests positive will now also receive a text.
    • That text includes a link to activate a verification code within WA Notify, and anonymously alert users they may have been exposed.
  • Washington state is administering coronavirus vaccines slightly better than the national average, but delays persist.
    • CVS and Walgreens, which are contracted to manage vaccines for elderly residents of longterm care facilities, are behind on scheduling
  • The Washington State Department of Health notes that so-called “Pandemic fatigue” can affect our choices and our interactions with others, and there are ways to cope with negative feelings.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 143 new COVID 19 cases today and 296 cases yesterday. There were 293 cases Sunday, and 291 cases on Saturday.
    • The health dept notes today’s case count is “likely an undercount due to a lab processing delay with the state reporting system, “ and also that we’re starting to see an increase in cases that can’t be attributed to holiday fluctuations in lab processing and data entry.
    • The County’s average cases per day over the last 2 weeks is 286, and with a 6-day lag to account for data accuracy, the case rate per 100,000 people is 444.
  • Residents of Pierce County can go to tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture to keep up to date on vaccine efforts in our county, including when you might be eligible for vaccines based on availability, and your personal factors like age, health, work, and living situation.
  • The 62d Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis McChord is celebrating the grand opening of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Civil Rights Movement Pop-Up Museum in the Chapel Support Center on McChord Field
  • The museum will run from Tuesday, 12 Jan 2021 to Friday, 22 Jan 2021.
  • Black and Healthy Pierce County is a new online resource for COVID-19 information, community conversations and support.
  • Their website is blackandhealthypiercecounty.com, and they are also on Facebook and Instagram @blackandhealthypierceco, Twitter: @BlackHealthy253, and TikTok: @blackandhealthy_pierceco

TACOMA

  • The Tacoma City Council holds its regular meeting tonight remotely at 5pm.
    • It will be broadcast on TV Tacoma and livestreamed at TVTacoma.com
  • The City of Tacoma is offering a Resurgence Business Loan with the support of the Tacoma Urban League, Latinx Unidos, the Asia-Pacific Cultural Center, and the Latino Community Fund.
    • Contact Will Suarez at 253-591-5590, or email resurgenceloan@cityoftacoma.org

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
    • For King County locations visit KingCounty.gov.
    • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
      • Tomorrow, Jan 13: Pierce College in Puyallup, & the State Emission Inspection Station in Lakewood
      • Thursday, Jan 14: Centro Latino in Hilltop, STAR Center at 3873 S. 66th St, Lakewood Emission Inspection Station
      • Friday, Jan 15: West Pierce Fire & Rescue in University Place, Bethlehem Baptist Church 4818 Portland Ave E, and the Emission Inspection Station in Lakewood
    • No ID is required, tests are free and open to anyone, and most testing runs 10am-3pm, except the Lakewood station goes till 5:30), but check TPCHD.org for specifics
    • Results are available in 3-7 days