46th LD Blog

My thoughts go out to you and your families as you work to keep yourselves and your families healthy during this coronavirus outbreak. We are all deeply saddened for the families who have suffered loss or who are currently suffering.

I’m sure that many of you are scared, worried and stressed as we all try to get through this unprecedented event. It can be hard in times like these to know where to turn, and where to find the most up-to-date and accurate information.

I wanted to share the website created by our state government to help keep all our communities informed. You can find it here: www.coronavirus.wa.gov

This website contains a wealth of information from Governor Jay Inslee’s office, our state agencies, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more. I’ve included a lot of the helpful information – from tools for handling stress, to resources for our out-of-work neighbors, to tips for talking to kids. But I encourage you to explore this website for yourselves, and to pass it on to others in our community who have questions.

In addition, I have heard from many people who are being laid off from their hospitality and restaurant jobs as well as the owners of these establishments who are seeking assistance to cover payroll or otherwise maintain their business.   There is information further down on the SBA and other resources that should become available, I hope very shortly.

What to do if you are ill

If you are ill with fever and a cough or non-acute shortness of breath, stay home. If you are unsure of how to care for yourself or are concerned about your condition, call your health care provider for advice. If you feel you need to visit your doctor, call them first. Keep yourself separated from other people and animals in your home. Cover your coughs and sneezes and wash your hands often.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for steps to take if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you may be infected with coronavirus 
• CDC guidance to help families, employers, schools and others stop the spread of COVID-19 (pdf) 
• Washington State Department of Health information on getting tested 

Leave some for your neighbor – don’t buy more than you need!

Washington State’s supply chains are operating normally, yet consumers are overstocking and clearing store shelves of the items that sick neighbors, doctors, dentists and emergency response personnel need to stay safe. Health experts emphasize the best way to protect yourself from infection is through washing your hands frequently and limiting contact with others, not by overstocking certain supplies. Leave some for the folks who need them most!

Supporting affected employers and workers

State agencies have been working with federal agencies, employers and workers to support businesses and workers affected by COVID-19.

• Expediated unemployment: Gov. Jay Inslee announced on March 18 a waiver of the one week waiting period to receive unemployment insurance, allowing funding to go out to workers when they most need it.
• The Employment Security Department has information for employees and employers about possible benefits such as paid family and medical leave, unemployment benefits and SharedWork. 
• The Department of Commerce is working with the federal Small Business Association to secure loan assistance and has also information for businesses experiencing trade impacts.
• The Department of Labor & Industries oversees the state’s paid sick leave law, the workers’ compensation program and workplace safety issues. The agency has FAQs on these and other topics related to coronavirus.
• The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommendations to help employers keep their workers safe with sick leave policies, cleaning routines, and more.
• The Small Business Administration will provide disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Resources for you and your family

Stopping the spread of coronavirus is an effort we all play a part in. Learn how to protect and care for yourself and your family, cope with feelings of isolation or anxiety, determine whether you or a loved one is at higher risk from COVID-19, and find resources to get the care you need. 

• Relief for renters: Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Wednesday a statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for the next 30 days.
• Coping with stress: Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for coping with COVID-19 related stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation.
• Coronavirus basics: The CDC has a helpful overview of what COVID-19 is, how it spreads, symptoms, and more.
• Keeping your home and workplace healthy: This helpful chart from the CDC provides specific actions you can take to stop the spread in the places you and your family spend the most time (pdf).  
• Financial resources: The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by the coronavirus.
• Higher risk populations: Older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from coronavirus. The CDC has advice for how to stop the spread and protect those most likely to get sick.
• Information for pregnant and nursing mothers: The CDC says there is currently no information about the susceptibility of pregnant women and young children to COVID-19. Learn more about their efforts to understand the effects of COVID-19 on women and children.
• Talking with your kids: As children cope with school closures and try to understand what is happening, parents and caregivers may struggle with how to be reassuring but honest. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has provided some helpful tips for talking to kids.
• Utilities: Cascade Natural Gas has issued a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payments related to hardships incurred from COVID-19. Puget Sound Energy will not be disconnecting customers at this time.

• Flexibility for tax collections: The Washington State Department of Revenue will have authority to waive suspend penalties and interest on certain late tax payments. 

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or phone. While my staff and I are practicing social distancing and working from home, we are monitoring calls that come into our Olympia office line: 360-786-7690.

Please keep yourselves, your families and your neighbors safe and healthy.

Donald Trump gave his 2020 State of the Union on Tuesday.

Hopefully it will be his last one.

He refused to shake the hand of the Speaker of the House, took credit for the turnaround in the economy which had been put in motion by the Obama administration.  He bragged about assassinating a foreign leader in violation of international law, and took delight in the prospect of further eliminating options for women to make their own reproductive health choices.

It was an hour and a half of lies, backward thinking, manipulative reality TV moments, and attacks on women and our Democracy.

After listening closely to his braggadocio and falsehoods, one thing is certain: Trump will continue to deceive the American people and disgrace our democracy -- while Democrats have our neighbors’ backs on the issues that matter most.

Without a doubt, the 2020 Election has begun.

We have no choice but to do all that we can to get this president out of the White House and elect Democrats up and down the ticket.

Here in the 46^th District, we are starting 2020 with a Presidential Primary outreach party next Tuesday (2/11) evening! 

On February 11^th, we will watch the New Hampshire results come in, and write postcards to our new neighbors in all of the hard-to-get-in-to-canvass apartment buildings popping up all over the district – let them know about the timeline to register to vote in the Presidential Primary and how to make sure their vote counts.

The party will be an open house at Elliott Bay Brewery from 5pm - 9pm on Tuesday - stop in early or later, for 10 minutes or for the whole time!

Come join us – come early and have dinner on us, or come later for a beverage (free non-alcoholic, or beer, wine, and cider available for purchase), write a few postcards to new voters in our neighborhoods, watch the New Hampshire returns on the big screen, and hear about how to run for delegate to the state or national Democratic conventions!

On the agenda is watching the New Hampshire Presidential Primary returns on the big screen, a brief overview of the new Presidential Primary, how to run for state or national delegate, and writing postcards to our neighbors in the new apartment buildings all over the district! 

And we will have laptops available to vote in the King Conservation District election until 8pm!

This is a tiny little election that you all can vote in, but you rarely hear about, and under state law, it is not run by the election office!  Find out more at the meeting.

All politics is local! Come gear up for victory in 2020 at our:

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY PREP PARTY!

Tuesday, February 11th*

Elliott Bay Brewery, 12537 Lake City Way NE

Meet, Eat, and Mingle 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Come for a few minutes or the whole time!

** Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the bar in the party room.

We will be gathering at the Elliott Bay Brewery, in the downstairs Cascade meeting room. (location details below).  There is an elevator to access the basement floor - staff will be able to assist you.

Meeting Location:  Elliott Bay Brewery, 12537 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Several transit routes serve the intersection of 125^th and Lake City Way, which can be found by clicking  https://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov

There is space to secure bikes and a large parking lot behind the building, with the entrance off of 30^th Ave, across from Bill Pierre Licensing.

Fully ADA Accessible, no step entrances from the parking lot, and please ask the staff for access to the elevator.

JOIN US TUESDAY!