— from State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —
Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 12, there are 10,538 cases of COVID-19 in Washington state. Visit the Department of Health’s website for cases by county, demographics, and more.
Western States Pact: Today, Gov. Jay Inslee, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced an agreement on a shared vision for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future. Read the joint statement.
Protection for high-risk workers: Gov. Inslee issued a proclamation today giving high-risk workers the right to protect themselves from COVID-19 without jeopardizing their employment status or loss of income. The proclamation provides older workers and those with underlying health conditions a series of rights and protections. Read the proclamation.
Protecting people who are incarcerated: Gov. Inslee announced strategies for reducing the number of individuals incarcerated to address COVID-19 in the Department of Corrections system. The Department of Corrections also announced plans for the limited transfer of incarcerated individuals back to their counties of conviction, after weeks of planning and preparation.
Farmers’ market season is back, but physical distance is still required. Farmers’ markets are a popular and important place for communities across the state to buy fresh, healthy and locally-grown foods. Farmers’ markets and produce stands are considered essential businesses, which means they’re ok to operate as long as proper measures are in place to keep workers and customers safe. DOH has issued advice for grocery stores that also can help farmers’ market operators, and a blog post on safely shopping for groceries. The bottom line: shopping for food at the farmers’ market or local fruit stand isn’t any different than shopping at the grocery store – stay physically distant from other shoppers, wear a face mask or covering, and only stay as long as is necessary to purchase essential items.
Forever young, and also over 60: In Washington, 92 percent of the deaths from COVID-19 have occurred in people age 60 and over. People of any age can get COVID-19. In fact, 65 percent of the people who have tested positive in Washington are younger than 60. Most cases are mild, but, people age 60 and older are at higher risk of getting very sick or dying if they get COVID-19. If you are age 60 or older, it is very important that you stay home and take care of yourself. Read more in the Department of Health’s daily blog.
Washington 211 COVID-19 Call Center: Do you need information or answers to your questions and concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You can call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.
This is helpful, but….I woke up stuffy this AM and looking out the window at the cherry blossoms realized my nasal discomfort was the result of tree pollen, not COVID.
An antigen test, when it arrives will become de’ regieur for travel in the future.
As the late great Marilyn Monroe once put it, “If I’m going to be alone I would rather be by myself.”
It is unclear whether she said that before or after her marriage to Arthur Miller.