2/11: Snowy (?) 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, and lots of COVID data displays are available at doh.wa.gov/CovidDataDashboard.
  • Going to wa211.org online or dialing 211 will link you to all sorts of resources for social, health, and financial assistance.
  • Dialing 311 will connect you to the City of Tacoma
  • The state’s Coronavirus hotline is 1-800-525-0127
  • You can also text the hotline at 211-211

STATE

  • The governor today authorized $87 million dollars of state funds through the state dept of commerce to be used for rental and business assistance
    • Rental assistance is intended to help keep renters in stable housing and prevent unsurmountable accrual of back-owed rent during the duration of the eviction moratorium
    • Renters can go to Commerce.wa.gov and click on the “housing” tab
    • Business grants will be able to be used for business rent, mortgages, technology, pandemic safety updates, and other expenses whose payment would prevent permanent closure.
  • Five more regions of the state will move to Phase 2 on Monday, Feb. 15.
    • Our region will remain in Phase 2.
    • The south central region that includes the Tri Cities, Yakima and Walla Walla will remain in Phase 1 because they have not met 3 of 4 public health metrics around COVID19.

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
  • Eligible King County residents can seek appointment online at kingcounty.gov/vaccine or call 206-263-9600
  • Pierce County residents can sign up for email notifications in advance of future COVID-19 community vaccine events by going to tpchd.org/notify.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept reported 52 new COVID 19 cases today, and 2 deaths.
    • The 2-week covid-19 case rate per 100,000 people in Pierce County was 278.
  • With inclement weather forecast today and through the weekend, many schools, institutions, and transportation services may switch to alternate hours or cancel some services.
    • Most local schools aim to continue with remote learning if weather gets bad
    • Tacoma schools already had scheduled vacation days for Friday and Monday in honor of Presidents Day.
    • Three warming shelters will be in operation: the Eastside Community Center for adults of any gender, the Center at Norpoint, serving single adult women and couples; and the Salvation Army, serving adult men.
    • Tacoma City crews plow and de-ice streets on a priority level, beginning with primary arterial streets, followed by secondary and auxiliary routes.
    • To report icy road conditions in Tacoma, call (253) 591-5495.
    • For snow-related flooding issues call Environmental Services 24hr line at (253) 591-5585.
    • You can report trees hung up in power lines or down lines to Tacoma Power (253) 502-8729
    • To report an outage, call (253) 502-8602.
    • Road hazards in Pierce County can be reported to 253-798-6000
    • Puyallup Tribal Inclement Weather hotline is 253-680-5700
    • Sound Transit rider inquiry number is 1-888-889-6368 and rider updates can be found online at soundtransit.org
    • Forecast updates can be found online at weather.gov/seattle, which covers our regional forecasts
    • Tacoma Mutual Aid is accepting donations of warm coats, gloves, blankets, tents, and tarps for distribution to unhoused neighbors–donations can be dropped off at King’s Books at 2nd & St. Helens Avenue
    • Tacoma Public Utilities advises that with the freezing weather, water in pipes can freeze and expand, producing pressure within the pipes – which can cause them to break
    • To prepare for an extended freeze, you may want to insulate exposed pipes, valves and hose bibs
    • More prevention tips are found online at MyTPU.org/ProtectPipes
  • This Saturday, Feb 13 at 1pm, the Wing Luke Museum will celebrate the Lunar New Years virtually with lion dance performances, stories, crafts and other activities

TACOMA

  • 2nd Cycle, Tacoma’s nonprofit community bike shop, is now able to offer volunteer opportunities in a limited capacity, adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols
    • Returning volunteers can email volunteer@2ndCycle.org, and first-time volunteers can visit 2ndCycle.org/empower.
  • Symphony Tacoma is broadcasting an Encore Release of Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet suites this Saturday, Feb 13th at 7:30pm in honor of Valentine’s Day.

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, but this week and weekend many are cancelled due to inclement weather, so check TPCHD.org before heading out
    • Tomorrow, there will be no mobile testing sites available, including the Lakewood station, but the county will evaluate opening Saturday based on weather and road conditions.
  • 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.