Vashon Emergency Operations Center COVID-19 Pandemic Situation Report

Here’s what you need to know about Nov. 17 to Nov. 20

November 26, 2020 1:30 am
COVID-19 cases have been soaring in both King and Pierce Counties. That’s dangerous for Vashon Island because over 3,000 people go off-island by ferry round trips each day to work, school, shopping and medical appointments. Although Vashon so far has a lower COVID-19 rate than the mainland, there’s a constant need for vigilance with safety measures because people traveling via the ferry could bring the infection back home to the island. On the left, the King County Case Count Map shows that Vashon, in a lighter color, has so far done a good job preventing infection. The positive test rate on Vashon has recently been about around 3%, compared to more than 6% positives among tests in King County as a whole. On the right, the case count curve graphic shows the south end ferry destination of Pierce County has been tracking sharply up, just like King County. These trends are the reason Governor Inslee recently announced new restrictions on indoor social gatherings, restaurants and more (Courtesy Photo).
COVID-19 cases have been soaring in both King and Pierce Counties. That’s dangerous for Vashon Island because over 3,000 people go off-island by ferry round trips each day to work, school, shopping and medical appointments. Although Vashon so far has a lower COVID-19 rate than the mainland, there’s a constant need for vigilance with safety measures because people traveling via the ferry could bring the infection back home to the island. On the left, the King County Case Count Map shows that Vashon, in a lighter color, has so far done a good job preventing infection. The positive test rate on Vashon has recently been about around 3%, compared to more than 6% positives among tests in King County as a whole. On the right, the case count curve graphic shows the south end ferry destination of Pierce County has been tracking sharply up, just like King County. These trends are the reason Governor Inslee recently announced new restrictions on indoor social gatherings, restaurants and more (Courtesy Photo).

Editor’s Note: Happy Thanksgiving. Due to The Beachcomber’s press schedules to accommodate the holiday, this Situation Report does not cover an entire week.

THE VIRUS

Vashon infections: At press time, one additional COVID-19 case had been added to the Vashon total since the last edition, so the tally stands at 39 since record-keeping began in March, according to statistics from Public Health — Seattle & King County (PHSKC).

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS

Vashon Community Care rolls back: Vashon Community Care residents had a brief respite from strict COVID-19 safety restrictions, but the facility has now responded to the Governor’s orders to tighten up. VCC has rolled back to Phase 1 COVID-19 control. Executive Director Wendy Kleppe said in a note to VCC families that she was announcing the rollback “with a very heavy heart.” She said: “While it feels very much like a yo-yo, we are keeping our smiles on and staying strong.” Phase 1 guidelines mean residents may still have outdoor visits with two people from the same household for an hour per day. But residents will not be able to have visitors inside the building, with some very narrow exceptions, and residents will not be able to mingle in common spaces. Meals will be taken in rooms instead of the dining area for everyone’s safety. There are more details in the notification sent to VCC families.

Ways for businesses to respond: The Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce will be running new webinars to help businesses deal with COVID-19, including the new pandemic safety measures ordered by the Governor. “Strategies to Respond to COVID in Your Business” webinars will be held on Dec. 7 and 10. The chamber of commerce, in partnership with VashonBePrepared and Dr. Mary Bergman, a retired Vashon physician, will convene the workshops to review the guidelines, discuss strategies and review real Vashon case studies to effectively manage the situation if someone gets COVID in a business. Get more info and sign up online at vashonchamber.com.

And for employees: King County offers a website of resources to help support workers during the pandemic. The recently announced rollbacks may create some employment and insurance questions for employees. Visit tinyurl.com/yyhnaccd for more information.

And more for workers: The chamber of commerce “Ask the Expert” program has a specialist for you. If you need help filing for unemployment, the “Ask the Expert” person will consult with you on how to proceed. Email deborah@vashonbeprepared.org or call (206) 200-3236.

Lonely, worried, or troubled? The Vashon Community Care Team helps islanders with the challenges of isolation, self-care, relationships, and financial hardships that have been made worse because of COVID-19. The Community Care Team Help Line offers mental health and spiritual health options. Callers to the Community Care Team Help Line get support from caring, compassionate mental and spiritual health providers. They give you someone to talk with in order to get some immediate comfort, a connection to help an anxious person settle, a way to sort out next steps for coping and linking to additional services. All assistance is treated confidentially. To learn more or participate, email vashoncct@gmail.com or call the CCT Helpline between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at (206) 701-0694 and leave a message with your contact information. Someone will call you back.

Relieve stress with tapping: The DOVE Project is hosting free workshops for the Vashon community on Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping) with Kael Balazar. Tapping is a self-healing tool that uses gentle tapping to acupressure points to help dissolve stress. If you missed the first one on the 19th, a second workshop will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. Participants can register by email at nyn@vashondoveproject.org or by calling (206) 940-6430

Finding health care: Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals and families in Washington to compare plans, enroll in health insurance coverage, and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost-sharing, and public programs such as Medicaid. The open enrollment period for qualified health and dental plans is now open and runs until Jan. 15, 2021. Visit wahealthplanfinder.org.

Even more health care: In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Free or low-cost coverage is available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched, more people have access to preventive care such as cancer screenings and treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure. Washington residents can apply and renew online at wahealthplanfinder.org.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Emergency Operations Center (EOC): The EOC activated in response to the pandemic emergency over eight and a half months ago (260 days). Incident Commander Fire Chief Charlie Krimmert and the VashonBePrepared Board of Directors have set operational priorities on health, food, housing security and economic recovery.

EOC/Situational Awareness: We continue to closely monitor the dramatic rise in cases on the mainland in hopes the island will continue to avoid the community spread that is happening on the other side of the water. The team stands ready to respond if the island cases begin sharply escalating. The rolling 7-day average in King county has doubled in just a week and now is around 530 new cases per day.

Community Engagement/Community Care Team: Planning has begun on a multi-step personal resilience campaign to help people get through the new tighter pandemic safety restrictions. An expert on dealing with change and crisis in emergency situations, and other members of the Community Care Team, are working together with the Community Engagement Team on the project.

Volunteers: In the most recent reporting week, a total of 33 volunteers contributed 359 hours of work to VashonBePrepared’s pandemic emergency response. That brings the total volunteer time since activation to more than 18,000 hours. FEMA values each volunteer hour at $31.72 and that means VashonBePrepared volunteers have contributed almost $571,000 worth of in-kind service to the island community. The total includes hours contributed by the Vashon EOC Team, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), and Community Care Team (CCT). These in-kind contributions of volunteer hours are being used to satisfy a 25% matching requirement for some of the federal emergency response grant applications being submitted in an effort to replenish the Vashon COVID Relief Fund.

ABOUT

This information is compiled from the Situation Reports produced by the EOC Situation Section and provided to The Beachcomber to help islanders stay informed and safe. To receive reports and other emergency information emails, go to VoiceOfVashon.org/AlertSignup.