Dear Neighbor,
During this time of hardships, it is so important for us to come together as a community and look out for one another. And I’m hearing so many stories of friends and family members and neighbors doing just that—while keeping a safe six feet apart!
With that in mind, I would like to send you a list of some resources that might be helpful to you or people you know. And remember, the latest information about the coronavirus pandemic and what we can all be doing to keep safe and healthy will always be at coronavirus.wa.gov.
Medical resources
The Department of Health’s coronavirus resource page has answers to questions about your health or the health of a family member. Here you can find information on testing, tips to stay healthy and much more.
You can also call the DOH coronavirus hotline at 1-800-525-0127 (press #) or email them at doh.information@doh.wa.gov.
Educational resources
Your kids are home with time on their hands. What to do?
Fortunately, our state school superintendent has a fantastic list of resources on their website.
From virtual tours of historical sites and museums to interactive math puzzles—whatever your children are interested in and would be learning in school, you can find it on their site.
Childcare resources
Parents should try to keep their children home, but this isn’t always possible, especially for moms and dads on the front line of the outbreak.
For those parents that need childcare, and for childcare providers that are open during this crisis, here are some guidelines to help keep your facility clean and, most importantly, the kids in your care healthy.
The Department of Children, Youth & Families also has information on child care you can find here.
Resources for businesses
If you’re a small business owner who has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the state has resources to help. Earlier this month, the Legislature passed $200 million funding for the coronavirus response, with $25 million allocated directly to help businesses that have been financially impacted.
The state Department of Employment Security provides help for workers whose hours are cut and businesses worried about having to lay off their employees.
The state Department of Revenue can provide tax deferrals.
The federal Small Business Administration has opened applications for low interest U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
You can find more information here. You can find this information and more at the state coronavirus response website linked to at the start of this newsletter. It is critical that our small businesses, the backbone of our community, survive this time and come out strong on the other side.
How you can help
This is a tumultuous and unpredictable time, and many of you have reached out asking what you can do to help beyond staying home and practicing social distancing.
This link has a variety of ways you can help those fighting the spread of the coronavirus. Here you can find a list of items the state needs to aid in the fight. You can also find ways to donate blood, volunteer your time and help support small businesses.
Stay Home, Stay Healthy
On Monday evening March 23, Governor Inslee signed a two-week “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation, similar to orders you may have heard about in other states. This decision is essential to our ability to control the virus and prevent the number of cases from overwhelming our healthcare system. For reference, here’s a reminder of what the order means:
Sincerely yours,
