Vaccine eligibility is expanding March 31
On Wednesday, March 31, Washington is expected to open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those who qualify under Phases 1B tier 3 and/or 1B tier 4. This includes all people age 60 and older, people 16 years or older with two or more co-morbidities or underlying conditions, people, staff and volunteers in certain congregate living settings, and additional high-risk critical workers in certain congregate settings. You can see who is eligible for the vaccine when in this Department of Health chart. You’ll find a helpful list of everyone who’s currently eligible in Washington under… Read More
Getting vaccinated in King County: Who can get vaccine now?
From Public Health – Seattle & King County As of March 17, 2021, the Washington State Department of Health has opened vaccine distribution through Phase 1b2. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) determines the distribution of vaccine for our state and eligibility for vaccination in phases. King County is currently in the state’s Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1 and Tier 2 for vaccine distribution. Vaccination is available for the groups listed below regardless of insurance, citizenship, or immigration status. You will not be billed or charged for vaccination. The vaccine will be… Read More
Keeping you informed on vaccination eligibility and scheduling
from Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer Leaders in Public Health tell us that the next month or two will be especially important in determining the course of the coronavirus outbreak, with the threat from new variants increasing while we work to get more people protected through vaccination. I’m so grateful to all who are taking steps to get vaccinated when it’s your turn, and to all who are learning more and getting your questions answered about COVID-19 vaccines. King County is currently in the state’s Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1… Read More
Washington state in Phase 3, mandatory telework guidance remains in place
Washington state is now in Phase 3 of Governor Inslee’s Roadmap to Recovery and more activities and gatherings with increased capacity are now permitted. King County employees remain under mandatory telecommuting through July 5, 2021, for all Executive Branch employees who are currently telecommuting, except where there is an operational need to physically return to the workplace. This also applies to King County Council, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Department of Assessments, and King County Elections employees, where appropriate. King County department leaders have been working with the Future of Work Committee on operational… Read More
Updates on telework, return-to-work plans, and COVID-19 vaccines
from Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer On Monday, March 22, Washington state will enter Phase 3 of Governor Inslee’s Roadmap to Recovery when more activities and gatherings with increased capacity will be permitted as long as social distancing, face mask, and hygiene guidance is followed. While this is good news, we must continue to be vigilant against the virus which is still spreading in our community and its more contagious new variants. We need to continue to wear masks, stay at least six feet apart, washing our hands, and limit gatherings to… Read More
What to know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Our state is now in Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1 and Tier 2 for vaccine distribution and many King County employees who have been on the front lines during the pandemic are now eligible, including staff working in congregate settings in public transit, corrections, courts, and first responders not covered under earlier phases. If you are eligible for a vaccine, you are encouraged to look for open appointments across all current options available to you, and not wait: Call your doctor’s office or health care provider to see if they have… Read More
Standing against racism, discrimination, and violence
by Dow Constantine, King County Executive As we work to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we stand together against the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and the rise of aggression, racism, and violence aimed at Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. We are always stronger together. That is the promise of our diversity and shared future. We are again witnessing how racist rhetoric locally and nationally is fueling fear, separation, and blame, and harming individuals, children, and communities. These incidents of hate and bias are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated…. Read More
Updates on COVID-19 vaccines
by Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer Starting March 17, eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine will expand to include residents eligible under Phase 1B2, including critical workers in certain industries and people 16+ who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high risk. I am delighted that so many more of our King County employees who have been on the front lines during the pandemic will now become eligible, including staff working in congregate settings in public transit, corrections, courts, and first responders not covered under earlier phases. While this is… Read More
Have your say in the 2021 Employee Survey
As of Thursday morning, March 25, about 60% of all eligible employees have completed the 2021 Employee Engagement Survey and let County leaders know about their experiences at King County. The deadline to participate is Friday, March 26. You can see a complete breakdown of participation rates here. If you haven’t completed the survey, look in your King County inbox for an email from KC Employee Survey (kcemployeesurvey@us.confirmit.com) with the subject line “Welcome to the King County 2021 Employee Survey.” All employees are eligible for the employee survey, except the following: Employees… Read More
Ways to Increase Mask Protection: Improve Fit and Filtration
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Improve fit to help prevent air (potentially with respiratory droplets containing the virus) from flowing freely around the edges of the mask and instead forcing air to flow through the mask. Improve filtration to cause more respiratory droplets containing the virus to be captured by the mask. How to Improve Fit COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when people breathe, cough, sneeze, talk, shout, or sing. These respiratory droplets travel in the air and can then… Read More
Employee News 