Reducing coronavirus risk as we spend more time indoors for fall and winter
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
As the season changes, cooler temperatures mean more time indoors. The risk from COVID-19 increases with indoor gatherings compared to outdoors, but there are ways to reduce the spread and stay healthy. We talked to Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin about COVID-19 risks indoors and what to do about it.
Dr. Duchin, you’ve said “outdoors is safer than indoors.” Why is that?
Socializing outdoors is less risky than indoors for two main reasons: First, natural outdoor airflow rapidly dilutes viruses floating in the air. Second, sunlight kills viruses. But, as we head into fall and winter, we spend less time outdoors and more time indoors, where the risk of COVID-19 spread is higher.
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Internship program takes off despite COVID
Crossposted from the DES Express
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, King County International Airport’s internship program continued this spring and summer, with a twist, thanks to an innovative new partnership between the airport and the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS).
“We are very excited to keep the internship program running this summer despite the challenges,” said Mohamed Nimeri, Managing Engineer. “Thank you, Eric and Kevin, for leading this effort!”
Eric Miller and Kevin Nuechterlein, both capital project managers at KCIA, led the development of the new internship program. While many activities were shutting down this spring, the internship program was beginning, thanks to a connection Nuechterlein made in 2019.
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Annual Giving Drive is now on
King County Employee Giving Program’s Annual Giving Drive kicked off for 2020 on Monday, Oct. 5, and it’s your opportunity to support a cause you care about. Find out the many ways that you can take action in support of the participating nonprofits who are doing great work in our community and around the world.
For more information, visit the Employee Giving Program at www.kingcounty.gov/giving. Thank you for all you do.
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New Climate Action Toolkit will help King County cities develop customized climate strategies, mobilizing the region’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions
A new Climate Action Toolkit created by King County and King County-Cities Climate Collaboration will provide local governments with practical guidance on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for both government operations and at the community-wide scale, spur the growth of an equitable clean energy economy, and preserve our natural environment.
If approved by the King County Council, the toolkit that King Executive Dow Constantine announced today will be available at no cost to all 39 cities. It is designed to be a flexible guide for cities in all stages of climate planning to help them develop customized climate strategies.
“The Climate Action Toolkit will help mobilize cities throughout King County, uniting our efforts to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our region for climate impacts,” said Executive Constantine.
Read more in the official press release.
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Pet of the Week: Mr. Wilson
Hi! My name is Mr. Wilson and I am available for adoption. I am an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing! I like getting attention on my own terms. I can get overstimulated with petting, so please move carefully with me and keep an eye out for signs that I might need a break. My caregivers have noticed that I do not seem to get along with other cats and dogs, so I may do best as the only pet in my new home. My personality color is RED. I am a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality! I may be sensitive to handling, so I would do best in a home with a cat savvy family who knows when to give me some space.
Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
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Fall and winter mindfulness class schedule now available
Mindfulness is a practice that can support you in reducing stress at work and at home. Mindfulness techniques are especially useful now, as we move through the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
Balanced You continues to partner with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees, via both employee-specific and community classes. In alignment with social distancing recommendations, all in-person classes have temporarily shifted to online platforms.
For the fall and winter, we have expanded our mindfulness class menu to include classes for employees involved in the COVID-19 response, classes for parents, classes for mindful eating, classes for emotional resilience, and more. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for details and registration links.
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Get Up and get moving! Let Balanced You know what type of virtual exercise classes you want
We heard from employees that you wanted to be able to exercise at home while telecommuting. So, Balanced You, in partnership with our vendor Vivecorp, is offering free, live virtual fitness classes to King County employees! But first, we need your feedback so we know what type of classes you are interested in. Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Let us know the types of classes you’re interested in and when you’d like to see them offered. Contact balancedyou@kingcounty.gov for more information.
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Employment Transition – online, October 8 and multiple dates
King County experts will provide important information about the resources and services that are available to employees who are facing a layoff. Topics covered include: Career Support Services, Priority Placement Program, Employee Assistance Program, Making Life Easier Program, Balanced You and Benefits. There will also be time for you to ask questions. This is a voluntary virtual meeting.
This workshop will be held via Zoom Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Register here.
Additional courses are available on the Career Support Services training page. For questions or more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS or contact Career Support Services at CareerSupportServices@kingcounty.gov.
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Training Spotlight opportunities from Learning and Development
- Communication and Problems Solving Skills, online – Facilitated by Lenny Borer, this three-day training is $65 and takes place from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Oct. 13, 14, and 15. Register here.
- QuickBooks Level 1, online – Offered through North Seattle College this class is $85 and takes place over two sessions on Oc. 15 and 22. Register here.
More opportunities are available on our King County Eventbrite page. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Lunch and Learn Sessions for Disability Awareness Month, October 7 and 21
In celebration of October as National Disability Awareness Month, the Department of Human Resources is hosting two Lunch and Learn discussions that focus on Race and Disability, to be held via Zoom. We will begin our discussion with a short video and then an open dialogue facilitated by Workforce Equity Manager Gloria Ngezaho, and employees Jennifer Greenlee, Lili Stansberry and Christina Davidson. All King County employees are welcome to join.
- Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, Oct. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. – Discussion on the intersection of Race and Disability
- Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, Oct. 21 from noon to 1 p.m. – Discussion on Media Representation of Race and Disability
To register and for more information, email Christina Davidson at Christina.Davidson@kingcounty.gov.
You will receive an Outlook calendar event with the Zoom link upon registration.
Employee News 