Crossposted from Public Health Insider  Public Health – Seattle & King County provides tips to minimize risk when travelling to necessary medical appointments – including for people who have symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, Public Health reported 202 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the official case count in King County to 3688. Fourteen new deaths were reported, bringing the total of COVID-19 deaths in King County to 244.  Story: Tips for safer transportation to necessary medical care  Even with the Governor’s Stay at Home order in place, people may need to travel… Read More

Crossposted from Balanced You  The coronavirus outbreak has radically changed our sense of security and daily routines. Everyone will experience this situational trauma uniquely based on past experience and current context, but there is a predictable arc in the human response to crisis we can use to afford ourselves grace and build resilience.  The following information on the emotional phases you may experience during this pandemic is based on research by the NeuroLeadership Institute. Following the review of emotional phases, you will find an overview of additional resources. Remember, what you are feeling… Read More

The courage, professionalism and service of public health and healthcare professionals deserves our deepest gratitude and admiration.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice as we face the COVID-19 pandemic together.  April 6-12 is National Public Health Week. Over the last several weeks, we’ve all seen firsthand why public health matters to our community and around the world.  We’re grateful for the work you do every day, and especially now. 

Crossposted from KC Employee Giving  Here at the program, we believe in the strong power of philanthropy and know that our nonprofit organizations are on the front lines of this work. This is a long haul issue and we need our nonprofit organizations to make it through to the other side.  Philanthropy is a huge act of community and builds resilience. It is also a powerful tool in our toolbox in combating this pandemic.  Read more from KC Employee Giving

Crossposted from Metro Matters  As the effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt across our community, King County Metro will further reduce bus service on Monday, April 6, to focus operations on a core 115 Metro and Sound Transit routes, and reduced water taxi and Link light rail service.  The revised Reduced Schedule identifies routes that will operate with fewer trips and hours. This updated schedule will maintain vital lifelines for access to critical supplies, services, and worksites across the region.  Overall, Metro will operate with approximately 37% fewer buses, 30% fewer transit… Read More

King County supports employees who may choose to wear a cloth face mask while they are working. If you voluntarily choose to wear a cloth face mask, please carefully review and follow this guidance: Cloth face mask should— Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face Be secured with ties or ear loops Include multiple layers of fabric Allow for breathing without restriction Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape While wearing your cloth face mask – Avoid touching the mask to make… Read More

On Friday, additional guidance on cloth face masks was provided by federal and local public health authorities, and King County quickly moved to identify a supplier and put in an order for cloth masks for front line, non-medical workers. The cloth face masks recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. The county is continuing efforts to identify suppliers and obtain medical masks for healthcare workers and medical first… Read More