{"id":333,"date":"2020-09-14T18:09:59","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T02:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/?p=333"},"modified":"2020-09-14T18:09:59","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T02:09:59","slug":"9-14-monday-briefing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/2020\/09\/14\/9-14-monday-briefing\/","title":{"rendered":"9\/14: Monday Briefing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_5351\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-333-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\">https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/?powerpress_pinw=333-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 11:21 &#8212; 8.9MB)<\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><h1 id=\"state\">STATE<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">The <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/wadepthealth\/wildfire-smoke-covid-19-are-a-bad-mix-7890d1a49ca4\" href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/wadepthealth\/wildfire-smoke-covid-19-are-a-bad-mix-7890d1a49ca4\" rel=\"nofollow\">Washington State Dept of Health<\/a> notes that air pollution due to wildfire smoke can provoke symptoms that can look a lot like COVID-19: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Serious wheezing and shortness of breath are always worth a call to your health care provider \u2014 or 911 if you are really struggling to breathe.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Health care providers can help you determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Until air quality improves, those in smoke-impacted regions are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, keep windows closed, utilize air conditioning systems on recirculation mode, use fans and filters, maintain indoor air quality by limiting frying, broiling, or candle use inside, and to limit any strenuous physical outdoor activity like jogging or physical labor.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Air quality can be monitored at airnow.gov and purpleair.com.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Due to fires and power outages, the <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/soundoutreach\/posts\/4348630001845162\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/soundoutreach\/posts\/4348630001845162\" rel=\"nofollow\">deadline has been extended<\/a> for families of school children to apply for Pandemic EBT, a special additional food assistance benefit, to Wednesday, September 16, at 3 pm.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Applications will ONLY be accepted via phone, by calling DSHS at 877-501-2233<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Department of Social and Health Services has updated its Disaster Cash Assistance Program to serve people who are affected by the wildfires burning throughout Washington state, including residents of Pierce County.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">To see qualifications and to apply, go to washingtonconnection.org or call 877\u2013501\u20132233.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WaStateDSHS\/posts\/2780954568674794?__cft__[0]=AZXAbMvxIfe1Z9naYByKy2XE7wEn5Ev0LPOxmhZxCPU1C9w_1hGpX_LFZ0o2xqR_gXeZHf8oSQidMrBalnW9XzaIZc8IyR1FNF3B5Nm-si36AiFyFRUnTeHGboR7SMG1RqIZ1SvI4pDCwp5p7DqLw6tgvJM1bRq-vWFgS8552JBcTw&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WaStateDSHS\/posts\/2780954568674794?__cft__[0]=AZXAbMvxIfe1Z9naYByKy2XE7wEn5Ev0LPOxmhZxCPU1C9w_1hGpX_LFZ0o2xqR_gXeZHf8oSQidMrBalnW9XzaIZc8IyR1FNF3B5Nm-si36AiFyFRUnTeHGboR7SMG1RqIZ1SvI4pDCwp5p7DqLw6tgvJM1bRq-vWFgS8552JBcTw&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R\" rel=\"nofollow\">DSHS customers<\/a> receiving or applying for cash, food, medical or child care programs can now submit verification documents by email.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">DSHS will send emails to existing customers with email addresses on record between Sept. 10 and Sept. 25 inviting them to participate in the new service.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Individuals may call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 with questions<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">The <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.wa.gov\/news\/kreidler-extends-emergency-order-telehealth-oct-14?utm_content=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_name=&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;utm_term=\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.wa.gov\/news\/kreidler-extends-emergency-order-telehealth-oct-14?utm_content=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_name=&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;utm_term=\" rel=\"nofollow\">State Insurance Commissioner<\/a> has yet again extended the emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. Insurers are required to:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and Go-to-Meeting.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory illnesses billed during a provider visit for COVID-19 with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">and to Treat drive-up testing sites for COVID-19 as provider visit with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">and to waive or expedite prior authorization requirements for home healthcare or long-term care facility services to speed up discharging patients who are ready to leave.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"pierce_county\">PIERCE COUNTY<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.tpchd.org\/Home\/Components\/Blog\/Blog\/31740\/333?backlist=%2f%3ffbclid%3dIwAR0hO39m1VnIFfRh3R2KuYxAoZsvbdefjUuzMsh3QJkcQvCrh_qwl03FDZY\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tpchd.org\/Home\/Components\/Blog\/Blog\/31740\/333?backlist=%2f%3ffbclid%3dIwAR0hO39m1VnIFfRh3R2KuYxAoZsvbdefjUuzMsh3QJkcQvCrh_qwl03FDZY\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department <\/a> has issued guidance for families who have decided to guide their children&#8217;s education via so-called learning pods while school buildings are closed.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Families who have children from multiple families learning together under the supervision of an adult acting as a tutor should do the following:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Keep pod sizes small. Limit to 5 or fewer students. Larger pods carry more risk if someone gets sick.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Keep pods consistent \u2013 the same students should participate. Mixing pod groups increases the risk of spreading illness.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Complete health screenings prior to attending a learning session.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Wear face coverings.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Maintain 6 feet of physical distancing among group members.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Hold class outside if possible. This will increase ventilation and provide maximum fresh air. A garage with the door open may provide a large covered space with good ventilation. If class cannot be outdoors, ensure the class area has proper ventilation. Open windows when possible.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Assign students their own learning materials to reduce shared items.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Encourage students to wash their hands at the start and end of meetings, before eating, after coughing and sneezing, and after touching their faces.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Ask students to bring meals. Do not share food or drinks.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">If a member of a learning pod becomes sick with COVID-19, contact the Health Department to assist with case investigation, contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine recommendations.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">A confirmed COVID-19 case in a pod likely means the entire pod will need to quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">More info available at tpchd.org\/covidinfoschools.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"tacoma\">TACOMA<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Due to continued hazardous air quality, Metro Parks Tacoma will keep the following facilities closed on Tuesday, Sept 15:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Point Defiance Zoo &amp; Aquarium<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Point Defiance Marina (limited access to boathouse tenants only)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Meadow Park Golf Course<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Park Restrooms<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Tacoma City Council will hold its weekly meeting virutally tomorrow, September 1st at 6pm<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">It will air on TV Tacoma and will be livestreamed on TVTacoma.com and on the city&#8217;s Facebook live.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"testing_sites\">TESTING SITES<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">There are numerous free testing sites in our region:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">For Seattle locations, visit <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"http:\/\/www.seattle.gov\/\" href=\"http:\/\/www.seattle.gov\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Seattle.gov<\/a> or call 206-477-3977.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">For other King County locations visit <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.kingcounty.gov\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kingcounty.gov\" rel=\"nofollow\">KingCounty.gov<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">For Pierce County locations, visit <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.tpchd.org\/covidtest.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tpchd.org\/covidtest.\" rel=\"nofollow\">TPCHD.org\/covidtest<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">This week&#8217;s <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/piercecountywa.gov\/6758\/Covid-19-Mobile-Testing?fbclid=IwAR30bMJ2R7XhGq1LcQfznMFW2gyyUUMR9MWEa74WUPV0ysfWXUE1qK0s0rE\" href=\"https:\/\/piercecountywa.gov\/6758\/Covid-19-Mobile-Testing?fbclid=IwAR30bMJ2R7XhGq1LcQfznMFW2gyyUUMR9MWEa74WUPV0ysfWXUE1qK0s0rE\" rel=\"nofollow\">mobile testing events in Pierce County<\/a> include:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Asia Pacific Cultural Center on Wednesday, Sept 16<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Prairie Ridge Community Center on Wednesday, Sept 16<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Washington State Fair on Thursday, Sept 17<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Tom Taylor Family YMCA in Gig Harbor on Friday, Sept 18<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Puyallup United Methodist Church in Puyallup, Journey Church on Pearl St. in Tacoma, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church on East McKinley in Tacoma, all on Saturday, Sept 19<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Patients can also call their health providers for tests.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_5352\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-333-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\">https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/?powerpress_pinw=333-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"KTQA-DB-20200914.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 11:21 &#8212; 8.9MB)<\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><p>STATE The Washington State Dept of Health notes that air pollution due to wildfire smoke can provoke symptoms that can look a lot like COVID-19: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath. Serious wheezing and shortness of breath are always worth a call to your health care provider \u2014 or 911 if you are really struggling to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=333"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":334,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333\/revisions\/334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}