Mourning together, virtually: How our Muslim community adapted using technology
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Authors: Mohamed Ali, Ayan Abshir and Equity Response Team
Death is a universal experience, no matter what race or religion one identifies with. In Islam, Muslims are taught to overcome tragic circumstances with containment (Rida), gratitude (Hamd), patience (Sabr), and firm belief in destiny (Qadr). Although, death is a fact of life, it is never easy to lay a loved one to rest.
The local Somali community in Seattle was recently devastated by the first COVID-19 death. This death has brought to the surface the stress our community already deals with as Black immigrant Muslims. Yet, the resilience of our community is astonishing. Even while abiding by public health advisories, our community maintains a strong commitment to honoring cultural practices and religious rituals to honor the dead and we continue our strong tradition of comforting bereaved families.
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Metro creates passenger limits to support social distancing
Crossposted from Metro Matters
To support the health of passengers, drivers, and community members, King County Metro has instituted new passenger limits to promote social distancing. Metro is also developing additional mobility options for customers taking essential trips.
To better help each person maintain six feet of separation from others as guided by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the optimal number of passengers is 12 on a 40-foot bus and 18 on a 60-foot bus.
Read more from Metro Matters
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Learning about your benefits: Dependents
Our third video in this short series of benefits videos focuses on dependents. It helps employees learn which of your family members are benefits-eligible, and when you can add them to your health plans.
These videos have been created to help employees make informed choices about their options, and better understand their employee benefits package. View all the videos here, and get more information and resources on the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement website.
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Mental health: Tips and resources for navigating uncertain times
It is okay to not feel okay right now. This pandemic is traumatic. Many of us are struggling.
Our minds and bodies tend to shift into a state of hyper-vigilance when faced with trauma. Hyper-vigilance helps keep us safe and alive; it’s the mechanism in our brain that reminds us to wash our hands, wear masks, and social distance. This state, while important, can also take a long-term toll on our mental and physical health.
There are steps you can take to improve your mental health and resiliency during this time. Read the Balanced You blog for tips and resources.
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Featured job: Emergency Site Worker IV
As King County continues to take an aggressive approach to fighting the effects of COVID-19, we are asking for your help. There is a significant need for additional staffing assistance during this emergency. These roles do NOT require a medical background but will provide critical assistance to our healthcare providers who are caring for these patients. We are reaching out to the community to see who might be available and interested in serving as a Site Manager. This is a facility role that will have no interaction with symptomatic/COVID positive clients.
Below are several of the main duties:
- Plan, organize, schedule and coordinate work activities.
- Provide guidance and technical assistance to staff.
- Monitor budget expenditures and authorize purchases.
- Recommend changes to procedures and guidelines affecting the facility
Work Schedule: This is a 24/7 staffing need, so we are looking especially for people who can serve a variety of shifts.
Who may apply: Any individual able and willing to perform the job duties.
Locations: We are seeking individuals to work in both existing and new King County facilities. All locations are located within King County.
Learn more about this position and view all available emergency deployment positions at www.kingcounty.gov/emergency-deployment.
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Emergency Deployment Program has immediate need for temporary assignment
As King County continues to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there is an immediate need to fill emergency-related roles through temporary assignment. This program has been created to address an urgent need for employees to be deployed to 50 known vacant positions. This number grows every day as programs grow or change. These deployments are intended to last for one to three months and are full-time positions. This includes managers and administrative staff.
Most roles do not have patient contact, and those that do will have that information communicated before the assignment begins, as well as receive appropriate training.
If you are a King County employee interested in one these roles, and have capacity to help, please follow these instructions:
- Receive permission from your supervisor to apply for this redeployment, and
- Understand deployments are for a minimum of one week in duration and may be at a location that is a COVID response site, and
- Once approved, email the Employee Questionnaire to EmergencyStaffing@kingcounty.gov and CC your supervisor.
For questions or for more information, contact EmergencyStaffing@kingcounty.gov. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/emergency-deployment.
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My Secure Advantage: Tips for navigating the COVID-19 financial crisis
As the number of businesses impacted by COVID-19 continues to rise, so does the number of unemployed and furloughed workers in our community. Members of your household may have been impacted by reduced work hours or lay-offs. An unexpected change in one earner’s income can greatly impact household budgets.
Fortunately, there are ways that you may be able to get financial help. Balanced You partners with My Secure Advantage to provide free financial wellness resources to King County employees. Resources include webinars with the latest fiscal information on coronavirus, budgeting spreadsheets and calculators, and personalized Money Coaches. Read the Balanced You blog for more information on My Secure Advantage, including their recommendations for steps you can take if your household income is impacted by COVID-19.
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Metro is redeploying security personnel for safety and social distancing support
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro is redeploying transit security staff to help promote an atmosphere of safety and equity for all. Officers will help ensure King County Metro’s code of conduct is upheld and encourage riders to heed Public Health – Seattle & King County’s guidance for riding transit safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Monday, April 20, transit security staff will be monitoring coaches and terminals that are experiencing crowding, defined as when it is difficult to maintain six feet of distance among riders and Metro staff.
We are also coordinating with the Healthcare for the Homeless Outreach Taskforce to share information with service providers to help give non-destination riders more information about available resources during the COVID-19 public health crisis. As always, our operators are encouraged to contact the control center when there are safety concerns.
Read more from Metro Matters
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Telecommuting guidance extended through May 31
Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer, King County Executive Office
Dear employee,
Yesterday, Governor Inslee reiterated that the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 will stay in place at least until May 4, and possibly longer. These restrictions are absolutely necessary if we are to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state and our region, and our employees – especially our first responders and mission-critical employees – have been doing everything they can to continue serving our region under extremely challenging circumstances.
Regardless of when the order is lifted, our operations will not return to normal like the flick of a light switch. It will take thoughtful and prudent actions and decision-making to stop the virus from reemerging in a second wave.
As such, King County is extending mandatory telecommuting for Executive Branch employees who have been telecommuting through Sunday, May 31, 2020. Our guidance remains the same for first responders and mission-critical employees for the Executive Branch until further notice. Employees in other branches of County government (definitions below) will receive guidance from their leaders. Please see the full, updated guidance below.
Thank you for your ongoing service and commitment to our community. Please take care of yourself, your loved ones, and one another.
Sincerely,
Whitney Abrams,
Chief People Officer
Updated guidance – April 22, 2020
First responders: Employees designated as first responders have the highest duty to report to work as directed in emergency conditions. Given the unique situation of the COVID-19 emergency, employees designated as first responders may be different than those who are designated as first responders in our traditional natural disaster emergencies. First responders who have been exposed to COVID-19, but do not have symptoms, are expected to report for work rather than stay home because of their essential function. First responders who do not have symptoms, but are at high risk for severe illness are strongly encouraged to stay home. Every department needs to determine which employees should be designated as a first responder. These designations may change through the course of the COVID-19 emergency. Supervisors need to inform those employees who are designated as a first responder. There may be circumstances where the particular exposure or household risk factors affect whether a first responder can or should report to work if exposed. If a supervisor has questions about whether a first responder should report to work, they should contact the department Human Resources Manager.
Mission-critical employees: Mission-critical employees must be available to perform their duties as determined by their agency management. During the COVID-19 emergency, the majority of mission-critical employees will be able to perform their duties while telecommuting. Mission-critical employees who have been exposed, but do not have symptoms should discuss with their supervisor and Human Resources Manager whether or not the employee should stay home. Mission critical employees who do not have symptoms, but are at high risk for severe illness, are strongly encouraged to stay home. If the work must be performed in a workplace with other employees, supervisors should make a decision about whether or not an exposed mission-critical employee who does not have symptoms can effectively stay home.
For all other employees, King County is now mandating telecommuting for those employees whose work allows for it, with supervisor approval, through Sunday, May 31. Managers and supervisors must work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible and be creative to maximize telecommuting. Employees are permitted to telecommute with children in the home. The expectation of productive work remains. Please find telecommute resources here and submit a signed telecommute agreement to your supervisor. You can also get KCIT guidance here on the necessary technology tools (SharePoint). Please note that this guidance does not apply to employees designated as first responders and mission-critical employees.
Temporary reassignment: Employees who would not normally be able to telecommute but are provided a temporary reassignment or work arrangement and decline, must first use their leave accruals and then will be placed in leave without pay. Learn more about our Emergency Deployment Program.
Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy: Please see our Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy to help answer your questions, talk to your manager or supervisor, or consult your department’s Human Resources Manager.
Executive Branch departments: Department of Assessments, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Department of Executive Services, Department of Community and Human Services, Department of Human Resources, Department of Judicial Administration, Department of Local Services, Department of Metro Transit, Department of Natural Resources and Park, Department of Public Defense, Department of Public Health, Executive Department, King County Elections, King County Sheriff’s Office (The King County Sheriff’s Office is administered by the King County Sheriff).
Other branches of County government: District Court, King County Council, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Superior Court.
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Join us for a question and answer session about COVID-19, April 23 – ¡en español!
In a virtual seminar, this Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 7 p.m., we will talk about the impacts of coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) on the Latinx community. We will respond to your questions, and more If you have a specific question, we would love to hear it. You can write your questions into the comments on the Facebook event or announcement. Follow us on the Condado de King Facebook page to receive a reminder the day of the virtual seminar.
This event will feature Matias Valenzuela, Director of Equity for Public Health – Seattle & King County, and Dr. Julian Perez, family medicine physician for Sea Mar Community Health Centers.
¡Acompáñenos a una sesión de preguntas y respuestas sobre COVID-19! 23 de abril
En el seminario virtual este jueves 23 de abril a las 7 p.m., hablaremos sobre los impactos en la comunidad Latina del coronavirus, también conocido como COVID-19. Responderemos a sus preguntas ¡y más. Si tiene una pregunta específica, nos encantaría escucharla. Por favor ¡anótelo en los comentarios abajo. Síguenos en la página Condado de King para recibir un recordatiorio el día del seminario virtual.
Este evento presenta a Matias Valenzuela, Director de Equidad para Salud Pública – Seattle y Condado de King, y el Dr. Julian Perez, médico de Los Centros de Salud Comunitarios Sea Mar con una especialización en medicina familiar.
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