2/9: Tuesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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VACCINE INFO

  • Washingtonians can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines online at FindYourPhaseWA.org.
  • For general info on the vaccine, go to COVIDvaccineWA.org or https://TPCHD.org/vaxToTheFuture, which is the webpage for the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.
  • The following health systems and clinics in our region are offering vaccine appointments for eligible individuals:
    • MultiCare hospitals, including Tacoma General;
    • Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, including St. Joseph’s, St. Claire’s in Lakewood, St. Francis in Federal Way, and St. Anthony’s in Gig Harbor;
    • Kaiser Permanente facilities
    • Sea Mar clinics
    • Orting Family Practice, OM Life Health Clinic, University Place Medical Clinic, and International Health Community Services
    • Fred Hutchinson, Evergreen Health, and Seattle Children’s Hospital
  • Many pharmacies also have vaccine programs by appointment, including select Safeway-Albertsons and QFC pharmacies throughout the region; Kirk’s Pharmacy in Eatonville; and Lincoln Pharmacy and Acts Pharmacy, both in Tacoma.
  • King County has 2 vaccination sites: the ShoWare Center in Kent and at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn.
  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept urges residents to follow the department’s social media posts and keep an eye on their website for more opportunities for pop-up vaccination events.
    • Individuals can also sign up for email notifications in advance of future COVID-19 community vaccine events by going to tpchd.org/notify.
    • The department is launching a pilot program to increase vaccine opportunities among groups disproportionately affected by severe COVID illness and barriers to vaccine access despite eligibility.
    • There will be small, community-run vaccine events where community partner groups register people who have limited transportation options, language barriers, tech barriers, or other access challenges.
    • Those experiencing barriers in our county include:
      • Individuals from Black, African American, Latinx or Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and American Indian communities
      • People with housing instability and disabilities
      • Low-income households
      • Immigrants and refugees
      • People with limited English proficiency
      • People in rural areas
    • The department is imploring that community partners promote these small vaccine events using low-tech options and avoid posting to social media, because individuals needing extra time to register due to their individual challenges are likely to miss out.
    • If you are a radio listener wanting to be connected to these events, and you don’t have internet access, give us a call and we can help you!

REGIONAL

  • Kids Mental Health Pierce County recently hosted a webinar on how families, educators, and communities can support kids transitioning from remote to hybrid in-person schooling.
  • The South King Emotional Wellness League will be hosting free 45-minute virtual counseling sessions on Wednesday, Feb 10.

TACOMA

  • The Tacoma City Council will hold its weekly meeting, along with Community Forum at 5 p.m. tonight
    • If you’d like to submit a comment relating to an item on the agenda, written public comments can be submitted to cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org before 4 p.m. or you can also speak during the meeting to share your public comment.
    • The mtg will be broadcast TV Tacoma, and livestreamed on facebook and at tvtacoma.com.
    • Full agenda, Zoom login, and zoom phone numbers for Community Forum can be found online by following links on the city’s facebook page, or at cityoftacoma.org, or by calling 311.

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, at the Lakewood State Emissions Testing Center, and more.
    • You can go to coronavirus.wa.gov and follow links for “Find Covid Testing Near Me” for specific locations.
    • In addition to permanent regular testing locations, The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept’s mobile testing events this week are as follows:
      • Wednesday, Feb10: 6th Ave Apartments
      • Thursday, Feb 11: West Pierce Fire & Rescue in University Place, Eatonville High School
      • Friday, Feb 12: Eatonville High School, Pierce County Library at 3005 112th St. E.
    • 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
  • Three Walgreens pharmacies also now offer free drive-up rapid antigen testing for people Ages 3 and up:
    • In Tacoma at 3737 Pacific Ave
    • In Lakewood at 8224 STEILACOOM BLVD SW
    • In Kent at 27112 132ND AVE SE
    • Patients using this testing method must pre-register online at Walgreens.com/COVID19Testing.