{"id":536,"date":"2021-02-08T15:43:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T23:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/?p=536"},"modified":"2021-02-08T15:43:32","modified_gmt":"2021-02-08T23:43:32","slug":"2-8-monday-briefing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/2021\/02\/08\/2-8-monday-briefing\/","title":{"rendered":"2\/8: Monday Briefing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_2484\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-536-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\">https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/?powerpress_pinw=536-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 17:35 &#8212; 13.4MB)<\/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 governor signed into law today legislation that will increase minimum unemployment benefits for workers starting July 1st.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary?BillNumber=5061&amp;Year=2021&amp;Initiative=false\" href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary?BillNumber=5061&amp;Year=2021&amp;Initiative=false\" rel=\"nofollow\">new law<\/a> also relieves employers of individual benefit charges for claims that occurred between March 22 and May 30 of 2020<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">A <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.wa.gov\/news\/kreidler-calls-special-enrollment-all-state-regulated-health-insurers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.wa.gov\/news\/kreidler-calls-special-enrollment-all-state-regulated-health-insurers\" rel=\"nofollow\">special open enrollment period for health insurance<\/a> in WA will run from Feb. 15 through May 15 for people who are uninsured.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Anyone who doesn\u2019t have health insurance can buy a plan directly from an insurer or through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange at <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.wahealthplanfinder.org\/wahealthplanfinder.org\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wahealthplanfinder.org\/wahealthplanfinder.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.wahealthplanfinder.org\/wahealthplanfinder.org<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Exchange is also offering a special enrollment from Feb. 15 through May 15.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Personal data of individuals who used Washington State Auditor systems may have been subject to a security breach.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Individuals whose information may have been compromised can contact the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions at <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/dfi.wa.gov\" href=\"https:\/\/dfi.wa.gov\" rel=\"nofollow\">dfi.wa.gov<\/a>, or call 1-877-RING-DFI (877-746-4334)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"vaccine_info\">VACCINE INFO<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Washingtonians can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines online at <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/FindYourPhaseWA.org\" href=\"https:\/\/FindYourPhaseWA.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">FindYourPhaseWA.org<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"Https:\/\/COVIDvaccineWA.org\" href=\"Https:\/\/COVIDvaccineWA.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">COVIDvaccineWA.org<\/a> is also a great source of vaccine info from the State Department of Health, and <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/TPCHD.org\/vaxToTheFuture\" href=\"https:\/\/TPCHD.org\/vaxToTheFuture\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/TPCHD.org\/vaxToTheFuture<\/a> is the webpage for the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.thenewstribune.com\/news\/coronavirus\/article248609355.html\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenewstribune.com\/news\/coronavirus\/article248609355.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">The following health systems and clinics in our region<\/a> are offering vaccine appointments for eligible individuals:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">MultiCare, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sea Mar, Orting Family Practice, OM Life Health Clinic, University Place Medical Clinic, Tacoma General, St. Joseph&#8217;s, International Health Community Services, Fred Hutchinson, Evergreen Health, and Seattle Children&#8217;s Hospital.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/kuow.org\/stories\/pandemic-blog-updates-for-the-northwest\" href=\"https:\/\/kuow.org\/stories\/pandemic-blog-updates-for-the-northwest\" rel=\"nofollow\">UW Medicine<\/a>is pausing further first-dose vaccines until further notice. Anyone who has already made an appointment with UW medicine will be able to get first and second vaccine doses.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Many pharmacies also have vaccine programs by appointment, including Safeway Albertsons, Kirk&#8217;s Pharmacy, Lincoln Pharmacy, QFC, and Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Community vaccination sites for vulnerable, underserved individuals are now open at the <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/elected\/executive\/constantine\/news\/release\/2021\/January\/29-vaccination-sites.aspx\" href=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/elected\/executive\/constantine\/news\/release\/2021\/January\/29-vaccination-sites.aspx\" rel=\"nofollow\">ShoWare Center in Kent and at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn<\/a>.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Register for an appointment online at <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/vaccine\" href=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/vaccine\" rel=\"nofollow\">kingcounty.gov\/vaccine<\/a> or call 206-263-9600<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Puyallup Tribal Health Authority has vaccines for adult tribal members, PTHA patients, and their adult household members.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept urges residents to follow the department&#8217;s social media posts and keep an eye on their website for more opportunities for pop-up vaccination events.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Individuals can also sign up for email notifications in advance of future COVID-19 community vaccine events by going to tpchd.org\/notify.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"regional\">REGIONAL<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept reported 119 new COVID 19 cases today.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">The 2-week covid-19 case rate per 100,000 people in Pierce County was 332.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Starting this past weekend, the Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept has discontinued reporting COVID cases and deaths over the weekend and on holidays. That will mean Monday&#8217;s total case rates might appear high, since it will include multiple days&#8217; worth of data.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">The South King Emotional Wellness League will be hosting free 45-minute virtual counseling sessions on Wednesday, Feb 10.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">You can sign up for Virtual Mental Health Support day by following links at <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/SKEWLeague\" href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/SKEWLeague\" rel=\"nofollow\">facebook.com\/SKEWLeague<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Pierce County Parks and Metro Parks Tacoma are collaborating to enhance Specialized Recreation programs in Pierce County for individuals with varying developmental and intellectual disabilities.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The parks departments will host a virtual open house this Friday, Feb 6th at 6:00pm<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Go to <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.piercecountywa.gov\/specializedrecreation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.piercecountywa.gov\/specializedrecreation\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.piercecountywa.gov\/specializedrecreation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"schools\">SCHOOLS<\/h1>\n<div class=\"level1\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Tacoma Public Schools plans to increase in-person schooling for kindergarten, first and second grade students from 2 to 4 days per week, based on the anticipation that Pierce County\u2019s COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 will continue to stay below 350.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Today, Feb. 8: First graders started in-person learning in cohorts two days a week (this includes older students in multiage classrooms with first graders, such as Montessori)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Feb. 16: Second graders will start in-person, learning in cohorts two days a week, and Kindergarten students are expected to attend in-person learning four days a week<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Feb. 22: First graders are expected to attend in-person learning four days a week<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">March 1: Second graders are expected to attend in-person learning four days a week<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Due to space constraints, only kindergarten, only students in grades k-2 are expected to return to school four days a week this school year.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">When all other grades start learning in person, they will do it in their cohorts, two days per week, through the end of the school year.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">More information is available at tacomaschools.org<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">In Federal Way, PreK, kindergarteners, 1st graders and some students in grade 2-12 receiving special education services whose parents or guardians have selected the hybrid model as their preferred option can plan to attend in-person hybrid schooling on Monday, March 1, 2021.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">More info at fwps.org<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">In Fife, 1st and 2nd grade students return in A\/B hybrid cohorts this week.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The week of February 15th &#8211; 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are slated to return in cohorts<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The week of February 22nd &#8211; 6th and 7th grade students are slated to return in cohorts (if case counts in Pierce County are &lt;350 cases\/100K)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">The week of March 1st &#8211; 8th graders and high schoolers might return in cohorts (if case counts in Pierce County are ~200 cases\/100K)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">More info at fifeschools.com<\/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 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.<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">You can go to coronavirus.wa.gov and follow links for \u201cFind Covid Testing Near Me\u201d for specific locations.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">In addition to permanent regular testing locations, The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept&#8217;s mobile testing events this weekend and next week are as follows:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Sat Feb 6: UW Tacoma, Journey Church<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Sun Feb 7: Center at Norpoint, Dacca Park<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Mon Feb 8: Ft. Steilacoom Park, Prairie Ridge Community Center<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Wednesday, Feb10: 6th Ave Apartments<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Thursday, Feb 11: West Pierce Fire &amp; Rescue in University Place, Eatonville High School<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level3\">\n<div class=\"li\">Friday, Feb 12: Eatonville High School, Pierce County Library at 3005 112th St. E.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">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<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Results are available in 3-7 days<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1 node\">\n<div class=\"li\">Three Walgreens pharmacies also now offer free drive-up rapid antigen testing for people Ages 3 and up:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">In Tacoma at 3737 Pacific Ave<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">In Lakewood at 8224 STEILACOOM BLVD SW<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">In Kent at 27112 132ND AVE SE<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level2\">\n<div class=\"li\">Patients using this testing method must pre-register online at <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/Walgreens.com\/COVID19Testing\" href=\"https:\/\/Walgreens.com\/COVID19Testing\" rel=\"nofollow\">Walgreens.com\/COVID19Testing<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_2485\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-536-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\">https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/?powerpress_pinw=536-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/episodes\/KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"KTQA-DB-20210208.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 17:35 &#8212; 13.4MB)<\/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 governor signed into law today legislation that will increase minimum unemployment benefits for workers starting July 1st. The new law also relieves employers of individual benefit charges for claims that occurred between March 22 and May 30 of 2020 A special open enrollment period for health insurance in WA will run from Feb. [&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\/536"}],"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=536"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":537,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536\/revisions\/537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daily.ktqa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}