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 

Disability Employment Etiquette, December 11 

The Council of State Governments (CSG) and the State Exchange on Employment and Disability will present a webinar on “Disability Employment Etiquette” as part of CSG’s 2020 National Conference. The webinar will focus on interacting with people with disabilities and creating inclusive workplaces.  Friday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.  Additionally, the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology has released “Making Documents Accessible,” a resource to ensure documents are designed so people with and without disabilities can easily access and edit them. View “Making Documents Accessible” here. 

Pet of the Week: Grace 

I was nominated as the Pet of the Week on December 3, 2020. This means that my adoption fee has been waived. I am a sweet, elegant lady who is looking for a quiet home where I can be given space to do my own thing, and solicit attention on my terms–I am very affectionate once I warm up to new humans, and my purr is loud and true! I also make excellent biscuits, and I have the prettiest eyes in all of the cattery. My personality color is RED. I am a spirited… Read More

Kent Isolation and Quarantine Facility to re-open as local case counts increase 

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections  With COVID-19 case counts rising throughout the region, King County is preparing to re-open the Kent Isolation and Quarantine Facility located on Central Avenue in Kent on Nov. 30.  The Kent facility has been temporarily deactivated since earlier this summer.  The I/Q facilities currently open in Issaquah and Aurora (Seattle) are still accepting admissions, but are serving more guests than normal. Current guests include individuals and several families. With the addition of the Kent hotel, total room availability will increase to 200.  King County is opening the Kent Facility… Read More

Where is COVID-19 transmitted in King County? Report shows most common exposure settings are homes, workplaces, community, and social gatherings 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  The dramatic recent increase in COVID-19 cases in King County reflects a wide range of activities and settings where people may be getting exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. Instead of a few “hotspots,” COVID-19 risk is dispersed across homes, businesses, and other places where people gather. Currently, with a case-rate above 380 cases per 100,000 residents – more than five times what it was in early October – the virus is widespread in King County. It’s fair to assume at this time that… Read More

Pet of the Week: Indy 

Hi! My name is Indy and I am available for adoption. I was brought in as a transfer from another shelter on November 12, 2020. I’m a wiggly and active guy with a ton of energy. I love running zoomies! My personality color is RED. I am a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality! I am still working on my manners, so I would do best with a family who is willing to work with me and help me become the best dog I can be!  Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have… Read More

Getting a flu shot this season is even more important due to COVID-19

Winter brings with it darker days and cooler temperatures, but also an increase in respiratory illnesses, like the flu. With the risk of COVID-19 increasing as people head indoors, it is recommended to get a flu vaccine to reduce the risk of getting the flu, severe illness, and hospitalization. This helps minimize the need for medical attention and ensures hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices can care for COVID-19 patients and their health needs. Getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Not only does it prevent flu medical visits, but since… Read More