Through our partnership with King County, we are bringing you real-time, relevant information on what is happening regarding vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taking A Deep Breath for A Most-Welcome Pause: King County Remains In Phase 3
A sigh of relief. On May 4, Gov. Jay Inslee announced King County will remain in Phase 3 of Washington’s Roadmap to Recovery plan for the next two weeks. Indoor spaces such as restaurants, gyms, museums, and others will continue to operate at up to 50% capacity.
As you know, the Chamber strongly supports following the science to determine appropriate COVID-related restrictions, and we have consistently advocated that all approaches must reflect that this is a constantly evolving situation, particularly now, as cases appear to be plateauing and the percentage of vaccinated people increases in our communities. We appreciate the Governor and the Department of Health assessing the data and staying flexible.
King County officials say it’s too early to tell if we have passed the peak of the fourth wave of high case counts. The two-week pause provides time to see whether we are at a turning point in beating the virus.
Right now, the growing number of people being vaccinated in King County is succeeding in reducing the impact and risk presented by new variants, according to the county. After several weeks of increasing case counts, numbers have begun to plateau in the last week, a sign that the recent increase may be starting to level off.
In the meantime, we must continue encouraging our proven prevention strategies. wearing a mask (especially indoors with unvaccinated people you don’t live with and in crowded places) and keeping gatherings small.
We must continue to do all we can together to both get vaccinated and continue practising infection control to beat this virus and fully reopen our economy.
Vaccinations Are The Key To A Safe, Sustained Reopening
The number of vaccine doses coming into King County continues to increase and thousands of appointments, including same-day, are now available across the region. This is a game-changer! For employees who have been waiting to sign up, tell them the time to get a vaccine is now.
- The Seattle Sounders and Mariners are teaming up with the City of Seattle to offer vaccinations at home games — clearly a win-win for everyone.
- On Monday, the county announced the expansion of its partnership with Kaiser Permanente and welcomed a new vaccination site in Federal Way. The King County Vaccination Partnership. Shoreline and the King County Vaccination Partnership. Federal Way join other partner sites in Auburn, Kent, Redmond, Renton, and Seattle.
- Last Tuesday, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined partners. UW Medicine and several north King County fire departments in announcing an additional vaccination site at the Shoreline Center. The site is also now accepting walk-in appointments in the last hour of each day.
- The Kent and Auburn vaccination sites are now open to any King County resident 16 and older. Both sites have added walk-in slots, no appointment needed.
- Three City of Seattle sites are now accepting patients without appointments.
- The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, QFC and T-Mobile hosted a vaccine clinic this week in Everett and are continuing to serve communities each week with second doses.
How-To: Improving Indoor Air Quality At Your Business
Take action today on indoor air quality. The circulation of fresh air is crucial for diluting any coronavirus droplets that may be present and preventing it from spreading between people.
Air circulation is especially important when people are inside for longer periods of time and when they are removing their masks. That includes workplaces, retail stores, and restaurants. Public Health Seattle & King County recommends business owners and building operators implement strategies to improve indoor air quality to help decrease risk of COVID-19. A new guidance pamphlet for facility managers, along with a companion fact sheet and additional resources for specific settings, has been recently created.
Two Things to Read & Watch
1) Encourage your staff members to get vaccinated
2) Quickly and easily improve air quality in your business