Sharp increases in COVID-19 driven by cases among younger adults
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Two weeks of sharp increases in COVID-19 cases in King County points to a concerning sign that our community is moving in the wrong direction to contain the virus. The daily average number of cases has more than doubled in the past two weeks, from an average of 40 daily cases in mid-June to 87 daily cases the week of June 21.
Our target is to have about 39 cases or fewer per day. This is the number of cases that meets the statewide target of fewer than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period. Currently, the rate in King County is 54 new cases per 100,000 residents.
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Donations Connector making a difference
Pictured: Director General Alex Fan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office brought 10,500 surgical masks from the Taiwanese government to King County Emergency Management recently. The masks will be distributed to long-term care facilities, EMS and others on the front lines working against COVID-19.
The King County Donations Connector is making a big difference in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic! As of June 19, King County had received:
- More than 47,000 N95 respirators
- More than 2,000 KN95 respirators
- More than 144,000 surgical masks
- About 105,000 gloves
- More than 1,800 gallons of hand sanitizer
- More than 37,000 face shields
- Nearly 2,400 gowns
- 200 thermometers
- More than 5,300 “ear savers”
You can still help or get help in the COVID-19 response through the King County Donations Connector! Check the Donations Connector for an updated list of current needs. If you are with an organization in need, you can also get help! Donations are distributed to first responders, health care providers and others fighting against COVID-19.
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Navigating a pandemic within a pandemic: Coping and care for Black communities
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, another crisis has been taking place for communities of color, particularly for Black individuals of all genders. We are facing ongoing racial trauma and distress that impact every aspect of daily life – including mental health. Racism is a public health emergency that affects us all. As we experience, educate, and encounter it on a systemic and institutional level, we must commit to taking care of ourselves and our communities as well. Below are several resources and ideas to consider:
Determine what amount of engagement feels healthy for you
Information, distressing stories, and media coverage are being shared more rapidly than ever. For many, these stories are not new but the level of intensity is. Everyone’s level of familiarity, experience, and response to this information will vary. Try to connect and process information in the ways that feel healthy for you. Witnessing and experiencing these scenes can bring an added layer of trauma (or re-traumatization) with it.
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BECU discount available for employees
With BECU, King County employees who apply by Sept. 30, 2020, can receive a $150 statement credit on cash back credit cards. There is also a 0% intro APR for 12 months. This offer is valid July 1 – Sept. 30, 2020. Find out more. Free financial education webinars are also available: self-paced and in-person.
View all available discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
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Featured Job: Positive Family Connections Program Manager – PPM II TLT
Salary: $37.42 – $47.44 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk
Department: DCHS – Community & Human Services
Job Number: 2020SC11822
Division: Children & Youth Services
Closing: 7/19/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Pet of the Week: Mouse
Hi! My name is Mouse and I am available for adoption. Generally, I’m a nervous kitty and I like to hide in the back of my kennel. But if you go slow and give me little scratches, I’m super duper friendly! With that being said, if you give me lots of awesome hidey spots at my new home I will be even friendlier because I will feel safer! My personality color is BLUE. I am a gentle and loving cat who likes to take things slow. I may get nervous in new situations, so I am looking for a family who understands that I might need some time to warm up. Once I get to know you, I will be a very devoted friend!
Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
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Increasing cases of COVID-19 in King County highlight the need to limit close contact
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Public Health—Seattle & King County continues to monitor cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 and has noted an increase in cases over the past two weeks. Public Health expects to see some increase in cases as we get back to work and other activities in the community because there are more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread.
It’s been one week since King County moved into Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start plan. With more re-opening of businesses, community activities and contact with one-another, Public Health—Seattle & King County is warning that the risk for infection has increased.
As more businesses re-open and people get back to work and other activities in the community, there will be more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread, leading to an increase in cases. Public Health has already noticed an increase in cases the past two weeks.
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I have Pride!
With social distancing, Pride may look and feel different this year. In our “I Have Pride” video, King County Metro riders, employees, and family members show we can still Ride with Pride! For more ways to engage with Metro and 2020 Pride, go to visit the King County Metro Matters blog.
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Webinar for employees: How are you?: A Conversation on Emotional Health, July 8
As we continue to navigate life during the COVID-19 era, our mental and emotional health is likely shifting. We may experience waves of different emotions, ranging from fear and anxiety to grief and gratitude. And, we may struggle with how to understand or regulate them.
Join Shawna Johnson, Balanced You Employee Health Specialist, and Heather Steffensen, Interim Employee Assistance Program Manager, for How are you?: A Conversation on Emotional Health. During this live, interactive webinar facilitators will share some of the feelings that may be arising during the pandemic, techniques and tools to regulate them, and benefits and resources available to support King County employees.
- How are you?: A Conversation on Emotional Health, Wednesday, July 8, from 10 – 11 a.m. Register here.
For questions or more information, contact Balanced You at BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov or call 206-263-9626.
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Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery
Dear employee:
These unprecedented times have challenged us in ways we never imagined. Throughout, you have demonstrated unfailing commitment to our community and personal and professional resilience in the face of massive change. You have proven time and again your expertise and dedication to public service, inspiring the country to follow your lead and inspiring me daily with your efforts.
We have a True North guiding vision to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our value of Racial Justice is foundational and will guide us in all that we do. We are the sole provider of many services that are the bedrock of a healthy community. The restoration of services that had to be modified or curtailed during the emergency is a milestone in our recovery and a mark of the return of stability to our community.
This milestone requires that some employees return to the worksite. This is both a moment of celebration to have reached this milestone in our recovery, and a moment that may cause some fear and anxiety. The health, safety, and emotional security of our employees and customers is our highest priority. The purpose of this “Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery” is to provide the information and resources you need to do your work more safely.
The guidance in this resource was developed based on:
- What we heard are your greatest concerns. We conducted a random sample survey of over 2,000 County employees and listening sessions with frontline workers and Affinity Groups. We heard about your fears and hopes for returning to the worksite, and developed this guidance to make your work safer, while allowing you to perform your essential work.
- The latest research on the most effective ways to stop the transmission of COVID-19. We consulted our own public health experts along with national leaders in disease transmission on guidelines that take into account the most up-to-date knowledge of stopping the spread of COVID-19.
- Best practices from around the world and across all industries. We learned from those who are slightly ahead of us in their recovery efforts about what works best and adapted it for our worksites.
This guide will be updated as we continue to listen, learn, and adapt to ensure that staff, the public, and volunteers can conduct business more safely.
Additionally, to complement this guide, some operations will require more specific safety measures.
Right now, our purpose as public servants is vastly meaningful and impactful. I am deeply grateful for your ongoing dedication to public service, and I am proud to be in this recovery effort with you.
Sending you my best, (virtually) –
Whitney Abrams,
Chief People Officer
Employee News 