Reduce your risk for flu, find vaccines near you: Flu shot options for telecommuting employees
Every fall, King County’s Balanced You team encourages employees to get their flu shot and this fall, flu shots are more important than ever. To encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting employees are being asked to get their flu shots from their healthcare providers or pharmacists, instead of coming into the workplace. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for information telecommuting employees need to know about flu shots this fall, including how to access them near you.
Share this:
Getting a flu shot is essential and so are you: Worksite flu shot clinic options for onsite employees
Each year, King County’s Balanced You provides onsite flu shots for employees. Providing programs to support your health and well-being is one way we’re Investing in YOU. Visit this Balanced You blog post to learn how we’re modifying the flu shot clinic program to serve those most impacted during the pandemic.
Share this:
Get a flu shot this fall
Dear King County Employee,
Since the first outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States was recognized in King County just over 6 months ago, I have deeply appreciated the care and commitment to public service I see demonstrated every day by my fellow employees. Our response to the pandemic has been a tremendous effort, where the entire workforce has rallied during a public health emergency to take personal actions to stop the spread of the disease, while at the same time working hard to safely continue delivering critical services to our region.
As we head into fall, we in Public Health – Seattle and King County are acutely aware of the need to ensure we have the capacity in our health care system to treat an anticipated increase in COVID cases. Critical resources like ICU beds and emergency department staff must be available to treat COVID-19. To help relieve the burden on hospitals, flu vaccination is more important than ever. Flu vaccination prevents millions of flu illnesses and medical visits, tens of thousands of flu hospitalizations and thousands of deaths from flu in the U.S. each season. In addition, influenza and COVID-19 share many symptoms and it will be complicated to distinguish between the two. It’s in everyone’s best interest to prevent influenza illnesses that may be confused with COVID-19 and result in unnecessary isolation or quarantine and avoid preventable visits to a healthcare provider or hospital.
Today I am appealing to you to get a flu shot this fall. In addition to decreasing the number of activities outside the home, wearing a mask whenever in public and social distancing, getting a flu shot is one of the most important actions you can take at this point in time to stay healthy and aid in our community-wide response to the pandemic. The county makes it free for employees and anyone covered by your benefits to get a flu shot at one of our onsite clinics, or at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. The Balanced You team is again organizing onsite flu shot clinics for those workers onsite. The schedule and more information about on-site flu clinics is here. If you are working from home, avoid a commute to a worksite by getting vaccinated at your physician’s office or local pharmacy. Information for telecommuters seeking a flu shot is here.
I want to reassure you of several things:
- The flu vaccine is safe – you will not get the flu from the vaccine.
- The flu vaccine is effective – it reduces your likelihood of getting the flu and is even more effective in reducing severe infections and hospitalizations.
- When you get a flu shot, you also help prevent flu from spreading to others, especially those who are high risk for both COVID and flu due to their age or medical conditions.
- For those of you getting vaccinated onsite, the Balanced You team is working with Get a Flu Shot social distancing, sanitation and other protocols that will make the experience safe.
On behalf of your partners in public health, we thank you for taking this action.
Jeff Duchin, MD
Health Officer, Public Health – Seattle & King County
Share this:
Training Spotlight: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Basics OnDemand
The economic recession, racial injustice and the global pandemic are all having a profound impact on the mental health of children. Age, direct experience, and pre-existing conditions are all factors that can compound the effects of current events on children’s mental health.
NAMI Basics OnDemand, offered free by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth ages 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms. NAMI Basics OnDemand is an adaptation of the in-person course offered in 43 states by NAMI affiliates.
Register for the program at https://basics.nami.org. The program is divided into six sessions, including:
- Basic elements of coping with mental health conditions
- Brain biology and getting a diagnosis
- Communication skills and crisis preparation
- Treatment and connecting with others by sharing your story
- Navigating the mental health and education systems
- Self-care and advocacy
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Share this:
Pet of the Week: Dora
Hi! My name is Dora and I am available for adoption. I like getting attention on my own terms. When I come up to say hello, sometimes I want to rub against your pant leg, sometimes I want to smack you, and sometimes I want to bite you. I’ll always keep you guessing as to what kind of mood I am in! I am a gorgeous cat that at first was very timid, but once I realized that people just want to make me happy, I have taken my rightful place as princess and will be adored and treated with respect! 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 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.
Share this:
Celebrate the unsung heroes of the workplace: Payroll Professionals
This week is National Payroll Week. It is a week set aside to celebrate all payroll professionals everywhere who, day after day, work hard to ensure the timely and accurate distribution of payroll to approximately 150 million America wage earners.
Payroll is important. Not only is it a symbol of the bond of trust and mutual commitment between employers and employees, payroll also funds families, supports households, and keeps our economy going. It enriches careers and allows us amazing experiences as we grow and go. To be a payroll professional means that you are constantly learning as you work through the many changes and increasing demands to be compliant with federal, state, and county regulations. Yes, payroll is also difficult and seems to get harder and more complex every day, but it is also enormously rewarding to know that you consistently provide employees with an accurate and timely paycheck every single payday.
This year, we have all faced unexpected and enormous challenges to ensure payroll is processed properly while many of us are working from home with all its distractions and interruptions and without our usual working space, yet, somehow we have all managed to overcome the new obstacles and meet the challenges to stay on schedule. Please know that your many efforts to keep payroll on track, regardless of those challenges, are very much appreciated.
Thank you for all the work you do every day to pay our employees. Your part in this complex process and your willingness to do whatever it takes to meet the payroll deadlines makes it possible for employees to be able to count on King County payroll, regardless of the department or agency. We are all partners in this process and appreciate all you do for payroll, and especially your flexibility and determination in this difficult year.
To show the appreciation of the county, King County Executive Dow Constantine has declared this week to be National Payroll Week 2020 in King County. View the official proclamation here.
Share this:
Advice for working in smoky air
Dear employee,
You have probably noticed the smoky air in our region today. Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, fast heartbeat, headaches, and asthma attacks. Some people need to be outdoors for their work or other responsibilities. With our current unhealthy air conditions, it’s recommended that you limit your time outdoors. If you are concerned about doing field work in these conditions, please consider these tips and guidance:
- Talk to your supervisor about possible options to reduce the amount of time you spend outdoors by performing desk work or alternate work assignments on smoky days.
- Conduct field work later this week if possible (smoke should improve later in the week)
- The air quality level can change quickly, so check air quality conditions regularly and if possible, adjust your schedule to avoid travel and working outdoors during periods when air quality is the most impacted by smoke conditions (keep in mind air quality is typically the worst in the middle of the day during wildfire smoke).
- If you must work outdoors, limit time outdoors to a minimum and find a safe location to breathe filtered air while maintaining social distancing during breaks from outdoor work. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be more difficult to find public spaces to take clean/cool air breaks this year.
- Drink plenty of water.
- If you have medical conditions that could be worsened by wildfire smoke, consult with your medical provider and speak with your supervisor to work out the best options for your work schedule on smoke days.
- You may be able to use accrued vacation or comp time when there is wildfire smoke instead of reporting to your designated work location. You may request leave, subject to approval by your supervisor. If you have no leave accrued, your supervisor may approve leave without pay to cover absences. Please refer to HR Bulletin 2011-0009 County Operations During Emergency Situations and Inclement Weather to learn more.
It is not known how much protection cloth face coverings or surgical masks provide from wildfire smoke. N95/N100 masks can provide protection to some people when worn properly but can also worsen conditions for people with existing respiratory conditions. Due to COVID-19, N95/N100 masks may not be available and those available are in need by medical professionals. KN95 masks are available through your agency’s Safety Officer where needed. Safety Officers may contact Fleet Stores for masks at fleetstores@kingcounty.gov.
More information from Public Health – Seattle & King County about wildfire smoke and your health can be found here. Additional information from WA Department of Health and EPA on indoor air filtration during wildfire smoke can be found here and here. We will provide additional updates as conditions warrant.
Share this:
Two new COVID-19 testing sites to open in South King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
New testing sites in Renton and Auburn will bring additional free COVID-testing to south King County, where communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. A new site in Auburn opens Sept. 1, and a new site will open in Renton on Sept. 8.
If you have symptoms, get tested early
Early testing is important to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading to friends, family, and the community. It is important to get tested immediately if you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, shortness of breath, fever, loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, nausea, or diarrhea.
We strongly encourage anyone seeking testing to pre-register at the websites below to save time and speed up the testing process.
Share this:
Making Life Easier offers live and on-demand webinars for King County employees, multiple dates
King County employees have access to a variety of upcoming scheduled webinars hosted by Making Life Easier. Register early for live interactive sessions as space is limited; otherwise, recordings will be available on-demand 48 hours after the live session.
- Tools for navigating this marathon of uncertainty, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
- Supporting your working parents in the chaos of 2020: A webinar for managers, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
For more information about the Making Life Easier program, visit www.kingcounty.gov/MLE.
Share this:
Building Bridges Between Cultures, online training Sept. 18
The King County Native American Leadership Council is sponsoring “Building Bridges Between Cultures.” This free learning opportunity is open to all King County employees and is limited to 300 participants. This workshop will assist participants to understand and acknowledge the unique history and experience of Indigenous Peoples and learn about allyship responsibilities. The training will be hosted by Ellany Kayce and Jonathan Betz-Zall of the Seattle based Nakani Native Program. “Nakani” is a Tlingit word for a person or an entity that serves as a go-between or connector for different people and cultures.
- Friday, Sept. 18 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Join the Zoom call here. Please note the updated meeting link and password: Meeting ID: 947 5904 1117, password: NALC. On mobile: Dial 1-253-215-8782 then input the meeting ID number.
For more information, contact Native American Leadership Council representative Pamela Stearns at Pamela.Stearns@kingcounty.gov.
Employee News 