Crossposted from Public Health Insider

As fall rolls around and holiday gatherings approach, so does flu season. That means it’s time to think about another important vaccine you should get this year: your flu shot.

Here are ten things to know about the flu shot and why it’s so crucial this fall. Read more.

Crossposted from the Plane Talk newsletter

The Burien/SeaTac Community Police Academy visited the fire station at King County International Airport recently. The Academy is a nine-week course designed to increase the understanding between residents and their police departments through public education.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) provided a fire truck water demonstration, an introduction to breathing apparatus equipment and a K-9 demonstration by King County Sheriff Deputy Samuel Sare and his partner, Chuck.

“We all enjoyed the tour and demo,” wrote Michiko Wilson in an email thanking ARFF after the event. Wilson collaborated with Detective Robell Ghrmai from the City of SeaTac Police Department on the academy.

According to Wilson, most of the participants live and/or work in either Burien or SeaTac. They cited these reasons for participating in the academy:

• Learn how they can assist the police/city;
• Learn and understand the services provided by the local law enforcement;
• Be more knowledgeable about the law enforcement and policing; and
• Learn how they can better support law enforcement.

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ second Jobs and Housing Program crew is helping maintain completed restoration projects and lay the foundation for future restoration successes. They are also taking the first steps toward potential careers in conservation. Read more here, and watch the video below.

This Veterans Day, America will pause to honor those who have served in the military. Most Americans hold those who have served in high regard, yet sometimes are unsure how to properly thank a veteran without unintentionally saying the wrong thing, appearing intrusive, or somehow offending them.

While it is customary to offer a “thank you for your service” to veterans, if you’re looking for an alternative, you could instead say:

• “Thank you for putting your life on hold to serve our country.” 
• “Thank you for the sacrifices you made being away from your family.”
• “Thank you for stepping up and choosing to serve when many others didn’t.”

But don’t stop there. Follow up by asking them if they have an interesting military story they might like to share. In fact, most veterans would be happy to share their military stories about coming of age, lifelong friends they’ve made, humorous situations, locations they’ve traveled to, cultures they’ve explored, and more. Here are examples of questions you could ask to begin the conversation:

• What inspired you to join the military, and how did you choose your branch of service?
• What was your job and what was the most rewarding part of doing it?
• What was your training like?
• What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the military?
• Was the food as bad as we hear?
• What are some of the things you remember about military life that you enjoyed?
• If you saw multiple deployments, how did they differ from each other? What did you enjoy about them?
• Did you go overseas? If so, what surprised you the most about serving abroad?

It is also important to know the types of questions you really DON’T want to ask. These questions include: Did you ever kill anyone? Did you see dead bodies? What was the worst thing you ever saw or that happened to you? Do you have PTSD? Did you see any action? How could you leave your family for so long? These sorts of questions often times make those who served feel uncomfortable and can be deemed as disrespectful.

So, on this Veterans Day and every day, the biggest sign of respect you can show to a veteran is to get to know them. Asking them about their military service and showing interest is the best way to express your gratitude for the many sacrifices they have made. For more information about those who choose to serve, please see this article on 15 Things Veterans Would Like You to Know.

People join the National Guard and Reserves for a variety of reasons. Participating in the Guard and Reserve enables them to continue with their civilian jobs while still serving our country and being part of something greater than themselves. Their success and ability to focus on their varied missions depend on the support they receive not just from their families but also from their employer, direct supervisor, and fellow co-workers.

King County is truly proud to have about 100 employees who choose to serve in the National Guard and Reserves. In fact, King County was bestowed the “Above and Beyond Award” in 2018 by the U.S. Department of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, for the generous benefits we offer those who serve. However, benefits are just one piece; the support each of us chooses to provide to our fellow co-workers who serve can be very impactful and meaningful.

Below are some ways in which we can show our support to those who serve:

• Plan and prepare: The supervisor and coworkers can work with the service member to prepare for both planned and unplanned emergency (e.g. natural disaster) mobilizations and deployments, and create a plan of action in advance to make sure staff are trained and know how to step in to handle the work.
• Meet with service member: The supervisor, HR and co-workers are encouraged to meet with the Reserve or National Guard employee and ask, “How can I support you?” and if you are comfortable, ask, “Is there some way in which I can support your family?” Unplanned deployments and mobilizations can be hard on the employee’s family. Offering to check in with the family or offer help in some other way can go a long way in alleviating some of the service member’s stress.
• Stay in touch: Keep your service member “in the loop” with what is going on at work. Information to share might include positive changes in the workplace (e.g., new projects or hires) and social information (e.g., a coworker had a baby, a new walking group started). You can do this with monthly letters and occasional e-mails. Staying in touch helps enhance the service member’s morale and feel remembered, especially if they are away during holidays. You might even consider sending a “care package” when they are deployed.
• Develop a reintegration plan: When it is time for the employee to return, the supervisor can discuss with the service member:
  • What the employee can expect (e.g., what tasks have been delegated to others, if they will be working in the same or a different role, if and how procedures have changed).
  • What the employee would like or find helpful in returning to work (e.g., written instructions for new procedures, additional meetings with management to get caught up on what they have missed, flexible work schedule).
  • How the employee would like to be treated regarding their deployment (e.g., would they prefer not to discuss it, would they like to share what they did while they were away).
  • What training, re-training, or accommodations need to be put into place.

Given this list, let us each now consider ways in which we can recognize and support our co-workers who choose to serve.

Election Day is coming up fast on Tuesday, Nov. 8. If you have not voted yet, be sure to fill out, sign, and return your ballot as soon as possible.

Ballots need to be in a drop box by 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day, Nov. 8, or have a postmark on or before Election Day. Vote Centers open this Saturday, Nov. 5 for those who need in-person assistance.

Please remember that employees may not send their ballot to Elections via interoffice mail. They must use a regular mailbox or drop box – no stamp needed.

Call King County Elections with any questions at 206-296-VOTE (8683), and for more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections.