Coronavirus response update, February 26
As we continue to respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Public Health is committed to providing up-to-date information to King County employees. Below you’ll find links to our most recent blog post, an update on the current risk in King County, travel recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and an anti-stigma social media tool kit recently developed by Public Health. What happens if coronavirus spreads here? With continuing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to more countries, it is increasingly likely that we will see a worldwide spread… Read More
King County Affinity Groups provide an opportunity for connection and impact
In July 2019, King County’s Executive Branch adopted a policy for employees to participate in Employee Resource Groups during their work time. These Employee Resource Groups, also called Affinity Groups, are led by employee volunteers, and are formed around protected categories set by local and federal anti-discrimination law. Some of the categories included are race, gender, and sexual orientation, among others. “The groups promote equity and social justice, foster employee engagement, strengthen workplace effectiveness, improve leadership abilities, and enhance personal and professional growth within King County,” said Janine Anzalota, Equity and Civil Rights… Read More
Pet of the Week: Dapper
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Who is this handsome gentleman? Why it’s Dapper, our Pet of the Week! This affectionate lovebug would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. Dapper is a young pittie mix who is full of energy and loves to play. He tends to calm down more when the people around him are calm. Because he has lots of energy, Dapper does best when he gets lots of exercise and something to keep his mind busy. Read more. View all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
Reflecting on the history of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. logo
This month during Black History Month, we are reflecting on why King County adopted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. logo, and what it means to be the only county in the United States named after the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King County changed its logo in 2007 from a gold crown to an original graphic image of civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King is an international icon for justice, equality, and peace, and the logo is symbolic of those same… Read More
Ongoing Coronavirus response, February 18
As we continue to respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Public Health is committed to providing up-to-date information to King County employees. Below you’ll find links to our most recent blog posts, as well as travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Planning for a novel coronavirus update: What you can do to prepare at home, at work and in the community – Our Public Health Insider blog features an interview with Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, about how we can prepare at home, at work and in the community… Read More
FLASH program leads the way
King County’s FLASH is a comprehensive, widely used sexual health education curriculum developed by Public Health – Seattle & King County that is designed to prevent teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and sexual violence, by utilizing a behavior change framework. “I think it’s important for people to know that FLASH is a public health intervention program, making it a very different type of curriculum,” Kari Kesler, FLASH Educator Consultant, said. The curriculum is continually updating in order to provide the most accurate information. It has been adopted in every school district… Read More
Two weeks away: Buses shift to smoother, more reliable trip when Columbia Street reopens on 2/22
With the Alaskan Way Viaduct out of the way, we’re putting the finishing touches on Columbia Street, transforming the street to connect buses between Alaskan Way and Third Avenue – one of the nation’s busiest busways. Opening Feb. 22, the new bus connection will be smoother and more reliable, bypassing previous freight train delays in SODO. (View map here.). New bus stops also will be within a block of Washington State Ferries at Colman Dock and the Metro Water Taxi at Pier 50, and buses will now carry riders from the waterfront to the… Read More
Pet of the Week: Georgie
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Don’t let the scowl fool you – our Pet of the Week Georgie is actually a sweetheart! This older tabby girl enjoys chillin’ in her human friends’ laps. Like most cats, Georgie also loves to relax, nap, purr, nap, and then repeat. She used to live in a home with another cat and a dog. She also lived with kids, but wasn’t a good fit there. Georgie can be a little shy around kids and other cats, and would prefer to be the only kitty in her new home. Read… Read More
Census 2020 coming soon
Starting March 12, people will receive letters in the mail with instructions on how to complete the 2020 Census, the results of which will be used to inform how funding is distributed for things like schools, affordable housing, hospitals, and public transportation, as well as how many representatives states will have in Congress. People will have until July 31 to complete the census online, by mail, or over the phone. The census will not ask if respondents are a citizen, and it is illegal for the census to share information with law… Read More
Addressing stigma: United response to coronavirus, February 12
On Friday, Feb. 7, Executive Dow Constantine joined public health professionals and community leaders in a strong stance against stigma and discrimination that can be exacerbated during global disease outbreaks. Watch the full press conference here. We know that protecting health and safety is not only about safety from a virus, it is also about creating communities where people support each other and we all have our basic needs met. Public Health – Seattle & King County has launched new resources for our collective community to help address stigma. Right now there are a lot of rumors… Read More
Employee News 