More people need help getting food in the pandemic
Pictured: A National Guard member helps pack food for distribution. About 330 National Guard members were deployed to help at food banks in King County. Of those, 116 ended their assignments by the end of June. That leaves a significant gap, since volunteers have for the most part followed the governor’s stay-home order.
Food banks need your help now more than ever. “The pandemic and the resulting unemployment and economic downturn are having a severe impact on people’s ability to pay for basic necessities, including food,” said Brendan McCluskey, director of King County Emergency Management.
Financial donations and volunteers are critically needed at food banks. “Especially with the potential for a second wave (of COVID-19), food bank providers are showing concern,” said Jennifer Rosenberger, Senior Manager with King County Emergency Management.
The King County Donations Connector directs people who want to give money to the Washington Food Fund through Philanthropy Northwest. You can also sponsor a food box. Read the full media release.
Share this:
Sharp increases in COVID-19 driven by cases among younger adults
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Two weeks of sharp increases in COVID-19 cases in King County points to a concerning sign that our community is moving in the wrong direction to contain the virus. The daily average number of cases has more than doubled in the past two weeks, from an average of 40 daily cases in mid-June to 87 daily cases the week of June 21.
Our target is to have about 39 cases or fewer per day. This is the number of cases that meets the statewide target of fewer than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period. Currently, the rate in King County is 54 new cases per 100,000 residents.
Share this:
Donations Connector making a difference
Pictured: Director General Alex Fan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office brought 10,500 surgical masks from the Taiwanese government to King County Emergency Management recently. The masks will be distributed to long-term care facilities, EMS and others on the front lines working against COVID-19.
The King County Donations Connector is making a big difference in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic! As of June 19, King County had received:
- More than 47,000 N95 respirators
- More than 2,000 KN95 respirators
- More than 144,000 surgical masks
- About 105,000 gloves
- More than 1,800 gallons of hand sanitizer
- More than 37,000 face shields
- Nearly 2,400 gowns
- 200 thermometers
- More than 5,300 “ear savers”
You can still help or get help in the COVID-19 response through the King County Donations Connector! Check the Donations Connector for an updated list of current needs. If you are with an organization in need, you can also get help! Donations are distributed to first responders, health care providers and others fighting against COVID-19.
Share this:
Navigating a pandemic within a pandemic: Coping and care for Black communities
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, another crisis has been taking place for communities of color, particularly for Black individuals of all genders. We are facing ongoing racial trauma and distress that impact every aspect of daily life – including mental health. Racism is a public health emergency that affects us all. As we experience, educate, and encounter it on a systemic and institutional level, we must commit to taking care of ourselves and our communities as well. Below are several resources and ideas to consider:
Determine what amount of engagement feels healthy for you
Information, distressing stories, and media coverage are being shared more rapidly than ever. For many, these stories are not new but the level of intensity is. Everyone’s level of familiarity, experience, and response to this information will vary. Try to connect and process information in the ways that feel healthy for you. Witnessing and experiencing these scenes can bring an added layer of trauma (or re-traumatization) with it.
Share this:
BECU discount available for employees
With BECU, King County employees who apply by Sept. 30, 2020, can receive a $150 statement credit on cash back credit cards. There is also a 0% intro APR for 12 months. This offer is valid July 1 – Sept. 30, 2020. Find out more. Free financial education webinars are also available: self-paced and in-person.
View all available discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
Share this:
Featured Job: Positive Family Connections Program Manager – PPM II TLT
Salary: $37.42 – $47.44 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk
Department: DCHS – Community & Human Services
Job Number: 2020SC11822
Division: Children & Youth Services
Closing: 7/19/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Share this:
Pet of the Week: Mouse
Hi! My name is Mouse and I am available for adoption. Generally, I’m a nervous kitty and I like to hide in the back of my kennel. But if you go slow and give me little scratches, I’m super duper friendly! With that being said, if you give me lots of awesome hidey spots at my new home I will be even friendlier because I will feel safer! My personality color is BLUE. I am a gentle and loving cat who likes to take things slow. I may get nervous in new situations, so I am looking for a family who understands that I might need some time to warm up. Once I get to know you, I will be a very devoted friend!
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:
Increasing cases of COVID-19 in King County highlight the need to limit close contact
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Public Health—Seattle & King County continues to monitor cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 and has noted an increase in cases over the past two weeks. Public Health expects to see some increase in cases as we get back to work and other activities in the community because there are more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread.
It’s been one week since King County moved into Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start plan. With more re-opening of businesses, community activities and contact with one-another, Public Health—Seattle & King County is warning that the risk for infection has increased.
As more businesses re-open and people get back to work and other activities in the community, there will be more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread, leading to an increase in cases. Public Health has already noticed an increase in cases the past two weeks.
Share this:
I have Pride!
With social distancing, Pride may look and feel different this year. In our “I Have Pride” video, King County Metro riders, employees, and family members show we can still Ride with Pride! For more ways to engage with Metro and 2020 Pride, go to visit the King County Metro Matters blog.
Share this:
Webinar for employees: How are you?: A Conversation on Emotional Health, July 8
As we continue to navigate life during the COVID-19 era, our mental and emotional health is likely shifting. We may experience waves of different emotions, ranging from fear and anxiety to grief and gratitude. And, we may struggle with how to understand or regulate them.
Join Shawna Johnson, Balanced You Employee Health Specialist, and Heather Steffensen, Interim Employee Assistance Program Manager, for How are you?: A Conversation on Emotional Health. During this live, interactive webinar facilitators will share some of the feelings that may be arising during the pandemic, techniques and tools to regulate them, and benefits and resources available to support King County employees.
- How are you?: A Conversation on Emotional Health, Wednesday, July 8, from 10 – 11 a.m. Register here.
For questions or more information, contact Balanced You at BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov or call 206-263-9626.
Employee News 