Crossposted from Metro Matters  To support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, King County Metro is offering essential workers the opportunity to form temporary vanpools with as few as two riders.  Metro Vanpool is a commuter service using Metro vans for small groups of people – normally five or more coworkers, friends, or neighbors – with a similar origin or destination.  Read more from Metro Matters

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  Grandparents miss cuddling their grandbabies. Teens miss hangouts and deep talks with their closest friends. We miss seeing our siblings and cousins, best friends, barbers, co-workers, teachers, and gym buddies. Everyone is feeling the strain from the lack of in-person interaction that makes life rich and full. COVID-19 is taking a toll, and we all want life to get back to normal and to spend time together face-to-face.  As much as we yearn to see our loved ones, there’s a lot at stake if we let go of… Read More

COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we work, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that we are stewards of the public’s records. As such, we must maintain both good records management practices and provide timely responses to requests for public records, whether those come from the public directly, or through a public records officer (PRO) or coordinator. King County’s Executive Branch has received over 100 public records requests specific to COVID-19. The PROs coordinating these requests are working to collect responsive records as efficiently as possible while trying to minimize disruptions to the… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters  To support the health of passengers, drivers, and community members, King County Metro has instituted new passenger limits to promote social distancing. Metro is also developing additional mobility options for customers taking essential trips.  To better help each person maintain six feet of separation from others as guided by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the optimal number of passengers is 12 on a 40-foot bus and 18 on a 60-foot bus.  Read more from Metro Matters

It is okay to not feel okay right now. This pandemic is traumatic. Many of us are struggling.  Our minds and bodies tend to shift into a state of hyper-vigilance when faced with trauma. Hyper-vigilance helps keep us safe and alive; it’s the mechanism in our brain that reminds us to wash our hands, wear masks, and social distance. This state, while important, can also take a long-term toll on our mental and physical health.  There are steps you can take to improve your mental health and resiliency during this time. Read… Read More

As King County continues to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there is an immediate need to fill emergency-related roles through temporary assignment. This program has been created to address an urgent need for employees to be deployed to 50 known vacant positions. This number grows every day as programs grow or change. These deployments are intended to last for one to three months and are full-time positions. This includes managers and administrative staff. Most roles do not have patient contact, and those that do will have that information communicated before the assignment begins, as… Read More

As the number of businesses impacted by COVID-19 continues to rise, so does the number of unemployed and furloughed workers in our community. Members of your household may have been impacted by reduced work hours or lay-offs. An unexpected change in one earner’s income can greatly impact household budgets.  Fortunately, there are ways that you may be able to get financial help. Balanced You partners with My Secure Advantage to provide free financial wellness resources to King County employees. Resources include webinars with the latest fiscal information on coronavirus, budgeting spreadsheets and… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters  King County Metro is redeploying transit security staff to help promote an atmosphere of safety and equity for all. Officers will help ensure King County Metro’s code of conduct is upheld and encourage riders to heed Public Health – Seattle & King County’s guidance for riding transit safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Monday, April 20, transit security staff will be monitoring coaches and terminals that are experiencing crowding, defined as when it is difficult to maintain six feet of distance among riders and Metro staff.  We are… Read More