1/20: Wednesday Briefing

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.
  • 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

STATE

  • Washingtonians can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines online at FindYourPhaseWA.org.
    • The state department of health reminds residents that even if you qualify today, you may have to wait a few weeks to get an appointment for the vaccine due to available doses and appointment times
    • The department’s normal media briefing that had been scheduled for today is rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, January 21 at 9am.
  • The state legislature and the governor have extended 26 emergency proclamations and rules on account of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic emergency.
    • The full list can be found online at governor.wa.gov in the news section
    • The proclamations cover a broad range of issues, including those related to long term care and behavioral health facilities, governmental access, relief from tax penalties and fees, licensing, tuition waivers, delays of law implementation, unemployment benefits, and protections from debt collector seizure of federal stimulus payments.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 302 new cases today
    • The County’s average cases per day over the last 2 weeks is 261, and with a 6-day lag to account for data accuracy, the case rate per 100,000 people is 405.
    • More than 4,000 Washingtonians have died from COVID, and Nationally, more than 400,000 people have succumbed to the disease.
  • The University of Washington will not be holding most in-person spring quarter classes.
    • All campuses do expect to bring more students back to campus in the fall

TACOMA

  • The Tacoma Arts Commission is accepting applications for $3000 grants

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region, including at Multicare, Franciscan, and Kaiser facilities; at Community Healthcare and SeaMar Community Health Centers; at Cheney Stadium, and more.
    • For King County locations visit KingCounty.gov.
    • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
      • Thursday, Jan 21: Gig Harbor’s Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, The Church For All Nations in Tacoma, and the Lakewood Inspection Station
      • Friday, Jan 22: Tacoma MetroParks Kandle Park, Bonney Lake High School, and the State Emission Inspection Station
    • 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