Metro health ambassadors promote masks, community spirit
Some former Metro employees are helping people safely get where they are going in a different way. “I usually drive a Metro bus, but today I’m giving out masks to try and make sure everyone is masking up and being safe,” Jena, a Metro bus operator and Health Ambassador, said. After King County Metro Transit was forced to lay off some part-time employees due to COVID-19, the agency came up with an innovative solution: they allowed drivers facing layoff to opt into the Department of Community and Human Services’ (DCHS) Health Ambassadors… Read More
Happy Holidays, to you our employees!
Happy Holidays to all our employees! Stay safe and warm during this busy season. Know we value you and all you bring to King County!
Give the gift of safety this winter season
Crossposted from Public Health Insider As winter approaches, you may find yourself driving in the snow, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, or giving gifts this season. Here are some tips for giving the gift of safety for the holidays: If you are giving a bike, scooter, skateboard, snowboard or skis, remember to give a helmet too! If you are giving a toy to a child, check the warning labels and instructions to make sure it’s age-appropriate. If you have a friend or loved one who owns a gun and want to give them… Read More
First doses of vaccine arrive in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider It’s a remarkable milestone that the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are on the ground in our community. Public Health – Seattle & King County is one of several healthcare providers receiving limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccine this week. Hospital systems in King County will receive approximately 17,000 doses of vaccine in this first distribution, with Public Health scheduled to receive 3,900 doses. Across the state, the vaccine will be offered to workers in high-risk healthcare settings and residents and staff in long-term care facilities. In addition… Read More
Planning for COVID-19 vaccine access at King County
Message from Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer, & Brenda Bauer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer Dear employee, The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Washington state this week. This is an exciting development in the pandemic response, and the county, particularly Public Health staff, are working hard on plans, preparations, and communications to ensure equitable access to the vaccine in King County. Who will receive the early doses? Initial doses of the vaccine have strict “ultracold” storage requirements with special freezers that are typically found only in certain hospitals…. Read More
COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities webinar series, December 16, January and February 2021
The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation presents the COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities webinar series. The following dates and topics are available for employees to register for: Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. Register here for “A Closer Look: Mental Health and Resilience within the Disability Community During COVID-19” – explore the mental health and resilience of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and ways service providers can access relevant resources Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon. Register here for “Making Social Media Accessible for… Read More
Testing and traveling during the holiday season
Crossposted from Public Health Insider The holiday season has arrived as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout our communities. Two major ways to help protect our communities is by limiting our travel and testing for the coronavirus. We’re sharing some of the questions we’ve been fielding about testing and traveling to help with your decisions to have a safer holiday season. Read more.
Roads Services Division receives Public Employer of the Year Award
On Oct. 27, the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE) held their 28th annual Governor’s Awards, which recognizes outstanding employers in the public and private sector who recruit, retain and advance individuals with disabilities and demonstrate best practices in the workplace. The Public Employer of the Year Award went to King County Roads Services Division for their dedication and support of Matt Everson, an employee in King County’s Supported Employment Program. This is the first time King County has received the Public Employer of the Year Award and the second… Read More
Mask usage up to 88%; Dispensers added to 200 more buses
Crossposted from Metro Matters Thank you for wearing a mask! Mask usage among bus and shuttle passengers increased to 88% during the week of Nov. 23. Our mask counters observed the following usage among bus and shuttle passengers in recent weeks: 88% – Week of Nov. 23., 2020 85% – Week of Nov. 16, 2020 83% – Week of Nov. 9, 2020 84% – Week of Nov. 2, 2020 Read more.
Video: Dr. Jeff Duchin on COVID-19 trends in King County and vaccine planning
Crossposted from Public Health Insider With COVID-19 continuing to spread rapidly in King County, Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin shared the latest data and took questions from reporters during a media briefing on Friday, December 4, 2020. Dr. Duchin also offered advice on flattening the curve going into the December holidays, and discussed what we know about vaccine planning. For more on COVID-19 data trends, visit our data dashboards. For more on COVID-19 vaccine planning in King County, visit www.kingcounty.gov/covid/vaccine
Employee News 