46th LD Blog

My thoughts go out to all of you as you work to keep your families healthy and to deal with the economic uncertainty that this pandemic is creating individually and collectively.  I am confident, however, that we will get through this together and come out stronger on the other side

As we fight this coronavirus outbreak in Washington state, I know that many of you are searching for the newest, most accurate information about our current situation. Last week, I shared the state's coronavirus website, which continues to be the best source for comprehensive information.

Today, I'm encouraging you to sign up for regular updates from the state's Joint Information Center. To sign up, click here and follow these directions:

• Enter your email and hit "submit."
• On the new page, confirm your email, and choose a delivery preference. You can create a password for your account if you would like. Remember to check the privacy policy box before hitting "submit."
• On the new page, you'll find a section labeled "subscription topics." Hit the + sign next to "emergency preparedness and response." Check the box next to "2019 Novel Coronavirus." Hit submit, and you're done.

Today's email from the Joint Information Center is below:

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Biweekly phone briefing: The JIC held our first biweekly phone briefing for media this afternoon. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono provided an overview of her role and priorities as Governor Inslee’s new Washington state director for COVID-19 Health System Response Management. Keep an eye out for a media advisory for our next briefing, which will take place Thursday afternoon.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): We continue to receive PPE from our federal Strategic National Stockpile, donations and commercial supply chain purchases. However, due to the global demand we still are not able to receive enough PPE to meet 100% of the needs of our local and state partners. We are working diligently with our statewide distribution process partners and utilizing the best medical data available to make informed decision on where to distribute this PPE. 

This week our distribution includes: 

• Tribal requests: Utilizing 10% of the warehouse inventory, we provided supplies to 100% of the tribes requesting supplies. We met the majority of the requests, which served the next 7-10 days for the tribes. We did substitute and adjust requests based on inventory to meet need. 
• County allocation: Based on the counties which had active confirmed cases, we allocated 80% of the supplies according to what was requested. We did substitute items to fill as much of their requests as possible. This allowed us to reach ten of our impacted counties with PPE. 
• State agencies: Reviewing requests of state agencies, we filled the remaining 10% of inventory based on best available option. Substituting was required. 

The Department of Enterprise Services has posted photos and videos of PPE distribution. 

Hospital beds: State officials have been seeking out additional resources to bolster hospital capacity. We are expecting federal officials to deliver several mobile hospitals during the next couple weeks. At this time, we expect to receive two 150-bed hospitals and six 40-bed hospitals from the Department of Defense. State officials cannot confirm exact locations but it is anticipated that the facilities will be located in Pierce County, Snohomish and Seattle/King County. The facilities are equipped with supplies and arrive with personnel to staff them and will provide care for non COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the state has purchased 1000 beds that are ready to be positioned within Washington’s state hospital system, including 250 beds in Yakima. It’s important to note that hospitals still have adequate capacity to treat patients. 

Stay Home, Stay Healthy: We continue to get questions about what's open and closed under the Governor's new order. 

State agency updates:

• Health Care Authority has taken several steps to support expanded use of telehealth, including: providing services through telephone interaction; online digital interaction through a patient portal; and video-based evaluation and management health services. 
• Department of Commerce and Employment Security Department leaders are partnering on economic resilience and recovery efforts during the outbreak. 
• Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a second emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers. 
• Parks and Recreation Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlifeannounced the temporary closure of all state-managed parks, wildlife areas and water access areas for at least two weeks starting Wednesday, March 25.
• Department of Agriculture will close all offices statewide to the public, effective Wednesday, March 25.
• Employment Security Department announced the job search requirement to receive Unemployment Insurance benefits is now optional.
• Department of Health continues to post new resources and information, including
  • Daily Medium blog: Coronavirus Is Not Fair
  • Daily case counts and test numbers (delayed publication today due to technical issues)
  • Updated guidance on temporary worker housing and transient accommodations (hotels, motels, B&Bs, etc.

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.

Sincerely,

David Frockt

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.