1/13: Wednesday Briefing

January 13, 2021 By rebecca No comments

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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.

Governor Inslee delivered an inaugural address to a remote meeting of the state legislature today, urging Washington State to move to a “new normal” that addresses issues that include equity, pandemic recovery, affordable housing, police reform, and climate change.
- The address can be seen at TVW.org
- All committee hearings in both chambers are being held remotely.
- Public participation is still allowed, albeit remotely
- Hearings and floor votes will continue to be broadcast or live streamed by TVW, the state’s government affairs channel.
Washington state health officials are sticking to the 2-dose vaccination recommendation despite some countries or regions considering vaccinating poulations with one dose to start.
- Research showed that two doses of either of the 2 approved vaccines–Pfizer or Moderna–prevent between 94 and 95 percent of Covid cases, and almost no serious illness in those who do become infected.
- Just one dose prevents at least 50 percent of coronavirus infections and might prevent up to 90 percent of infections, but there is not enough data from trials to determine how well it prevents severe cases.

The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 423 new COVID 19 cases today and 143 cases yesterday.
- The health dept notes yesterday’s case count was “likely an under-count due to a lab processing delay with the state reporting system,” but that the delay was resolved and added to today’s total.
- The County’s average cases per day over the last 2 weeks is 300, and with a 6-day lag to account for data accuracy, the case rate per 100,000 people is 466.

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