9/15: Monday Briefing + “Tacoma Snow” from Leanne Trevalyan

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Listeners to today’s briefing are treated to the track “Tacoma Snow” by Leanne Trevalyan!

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

  • New funds for rental assistance was made available for residential renters who cannot be evicted for non-payment during the pandemic, but whose rent-owed still keeps accruing
  • All regions in the state are now in Phase 2 as of today
    • At the end of last week, it appeared that the south-central region would remain in Phase 1 but a review of reporting data indicated that the region had indeed met the required 3 out of 4 public health metrics required to advance.
    • The state Dept of Health reassesses the metrics for all eight regions every two weeks and will announce any phase adjustments on Thursdays.
    • The next announcement will be Thursday, February 25, 2021 for implementation and possible phase movement on March 1, 2021.

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.

TACOMA

  • This evening at 6pm, The Hilltop Action Coalition’s Virtual Weekly Update will host Leah Ford, Health Promotion Coordinator with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department as part of the Black History on the Hill Series.
    • The meeting is streamed live on Facebook at 6, and the video is available shortly after live debut.
    • The Hilltop Action Coalition holds Virtual Weekly Updates each Monday at 6PM until COVID-19 precautions are lifted; HAC Monthly Community Meetings will return when its safe to meet in person.
  • Tacoma Public Schools is changing the way it provides meals to students
    • Any children up to 18 years old can still get free breakfasts and lunches through the remainder of the school year, whether they are learning at home or in a school building.
    • Starting Tuesday, Feb. 16, Meal packs can get picked up at elementary schools from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    • Meal packs can get picked up at middle schools from 10 a.m. to noon
    • Times and stops for the Meals on Wheels meal delivery program in neighborhoods have changed, and a new map is available online at TacomaSchools.org–look for the nutrition services department page
  • Students and anyone else entering a school building are required to fill out a health survey
    • Students can take the survey online by logging into the TPS Family App found at family.tpsapps.organd using their school district email address to access the survey.
  • The City of Tacoma will host a virtual Black Business Empowerment Panel Discussion on Wednesday from 10am to noon
    • The virtual event will begin with a panel of local Black entrepreneurs from Little Sister Boutique, Locals Warehouse, Campfire Coffee, Only Oatmeal Cookies, Quickie Too, and ETC Tacoma
    • The panel discussion will be followed by a presentation and a Q&A session regarding the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program.
    • You can sign up for the virtual event at bbetacoma.eventbrite.com or call (253) 591-5621 for more information.
  • As the snow from this weekend’s storm begins to melt, residents might experience localized flooding issues. Individuals can call the city’s Environmental Services 24hr line at (253) 591-5585.

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 offers free mobile testing events
    • On Tuesday, Feb 16, the department will be at the EB Wilson apartments located at 1212 S. M Street (just a stone’s throw from the KTQA studio!)
    • On Wednesday, Feb 17: free covid tests will be offered at Anchor Church located at 2401 S. Orchard St
    • On Thursday, Feb 19: Church For All Nations at 111 112th St. E.
    • Fri, Feb 20: the health dept will be back at Anchor Church on Orchard St. and also at Charles Wright Academy
    • And on Saturday, Feb 21st: you can get free covid tests in Tacoma at the MDC Child Care Food Program on 945 Fawcett Ave.; in Eatonville at Salvation Army Camp Arnold; or in Bonney Lake at Bonney Lake High School
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.
    • If you need later hours, the Lakewood State Emissions Inspection Station is open till 5:30pm
  • Some Walgreens pharmacies also now offer free drive-up rapid antigen testing for people Ages 3 and up, including the Walgreens at 38th & Pacific in Tacoma