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How many COVID-19 vaccines has Washington administered?
How many COVID-19 vaccines has Washington administered?

In Washington, 4,892,508 people or 64% of the state has received at least one dose. Overall, 4,403,203 people or 57% of Washington's population has been fully vaccinated.

UPDATE 10 February 2024 — In Washington, 6,517,326 people or 86% of the state has received at least one dose. Overall, 5,814,062 people or 76% of Washington's population are considered fully vaccinated. Additionally, people or <1% of Washington's population have recieved a booster dose. https://usafacts.org/visualizations/covid-vaccine-tracker-states/state/washington/

UPDATE 20 August 2022 — In Washington, 5,037,448 people or 66% of the state has received at least one dose. Overall, 4,497,187 people or 59% of Washington's population has been fully vaccinated.
International Women's Day 2024, Lynnwood March 8

The theme of this years gathering is Accelerating Inclusion.

All are welcome. Join your neighbors at Spruce Elementary 17405 42nd Ave W, Lynnwood from 5:30 to 7:30 PM March 8.

Sponsored by Edmonds Schools, City of Lynnwood, LETI.
United Way Offers Free Summer Meals for School-Aged Children Launched Statewide

United Way of King County, in partnership with Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, has launched the Free Summer Meals program for school-aged children to help families meet their nutritional needs. (En español)

Sara Seelmeyer, food security program manager at United Way of King County, said hunger was an issue before COVID-19, but the pandemic exacerbated the food insecurity that continues today. The crisis has disproportionately increased food insecurity of Black, Indigenous and other people of color.

"Kids in low-income families benefit from and rely on free and reduced-price school meals program during the school year," said Seelmeyer. "Summer can be an uncertain time for low-income families who rely on these programs because that resource isn't available. The Free Summer Meals program is designed to help ensure kids have the fuel they need during the summer months. It brings nutrition into the communities where kids are living and playing in the summer."

Seelmeyer said families end up spending over $300 extra per month in groceries during the summer to feed their children.

The program is an underutilized resource across Washington. Historically, less than 15% of school-aged youth who access free and reduced-price meals during the school year also access summer meals statewide. Last summer, just 19% of all youth in the state who qualified for free and reduced-price meals accessed Free Summer Meals.

Over 10,000 children and adolescents receive free meals over the summer in King County in a typical year. In 2020, during one of the peaks of the pandemic, that number tripled to 30,000 students.

The Free Summer Meals sites are located at community centers, public parks, schools and other locations. In King County, they are operated by a team of dedicated AmeriCorps VISTAS, some of whom also provide home delivery services to families at affordable housing complexes. Delivery service will be provided at more than 25 King County housing locations.

To find the closest meal site, families can access United Way's Free Summer Meals page. They can also text the word SUMMER (or VERANO for Spanish), to 97779.

Funding for Free Summer Meals comes from OSPI, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, No Kid Hungry, and the Kellogg Company.

Additional information: Cesar Canizales; (206) 461 8414; ccanizales@uwkc.org.

Details





Comidas De Verano Gratuitas Para Niños En Edad Escolar Lanzadas En Todo El Estado

United Way del Condado de King está lanzando el servicio de Comidas Gratuitas de Verano (Free Summer Meals) para niños y jóvenes en todo el Condado de King. Además, este año, United Way se está asociando estrechamente con la Oficina del Superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Washington (OSPI) para apoyar a los proveedores de Comidas Gratuitas de Verano en todo el estado para maximizar el impacto de los programas en sus comunidades.

Sara Seelmeyer, gerente del Programa de Seguridad Alimentaria de United Way del Condado de King, dijo que el hambre era un problema antes del COVID-19, pero que la pandemia exacerbó la inseguridad alimentaria que continúa hoy. La crisis ha aumentado de manera desproporcionada la inseguridad alimentaria de las personas de raza negra, indígenas y de color.

“Los niños de familias de bajos ingresos se benefician y dependen del programa de comidas escolares gratuitas y de precio reducido durante el año escolar”, dijo Seelmeyer. “El verano puede ser una época incierta para las familias de bajos ingresos que dependen de estos programas porque ese recurso no está disponible. El programa Free Summer Meals está diseñado para ayudar a garantizar que los niños tengan el combustible que necesitan durante los meses de verano. Trae nutrición a las comunidades donde los niños viven y juegan en el verano ".

Seelmeyer añadió que las familias gastan más de $300 adicionales por mes en comestibles durante el verano para alimentar a sus hijos. Si usan este programa, las familias podrían ahorrar esta cantidad.

El programa es un recurso infrautilizado en todo Washington. Históricamente, menos del 15% de los jóvenes en edad escolar que acceden a comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido durante el año escolar también acceden a las comidas de verano en todo el estado. El verano pasado, solo el 19% de todos los jóvenes del estado que calificaron para recibir comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido tuvieron acceso a las Comidas Gratuitas de Verano.

Más de 10,000 niños y adolescentes reciben comidas gratis durante el verano en el Condado de King en un año típico. En 2020, durante uno de los picos de la pandemia, ese número se triplicó a 30.000 estudiantes.

Los sitios de Comidas Gratuitas de Verano están ubicados en centros comunitarios, parques públicos, escuelas y otros lugares. En el Condado de King, son operados por un equipo de AmeriCorps VISTAS dedicados, algunos de los cuales también brindan servicios de entrega a domicilio a familias en complejos de viviendas asequibles. El servicio de entrega se proporcionará en más de 25 ubicaciones de viviendas del Condado de King.

Para encontrar el sitio de comidas más cercano, las familias pueden acceder a la página Comidas Gratuitas de Verano de United Way. También pueden enviar un mensaje de texto con la palabra "VERANO" al 97779.

Los fondos para las comidas gratuitas de verano provienen de OSPI, el Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU., No Kid Hungry y Kellogg Company.

Program Details • Detalles del Programa (inglés)

"Herd immunity" explained in OPB video
Oregon Public Broadcasting has produced an easily understood explanation of the concept and how it could help return us all to a normal routine. Follow the link to view the video.

Watch video at YouTube

Employment grows modestly in September
OLYMPIA – Washington's economy added 2,400 jobs in September and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for September decreased from 8.4 percent (adjusted) to 7.8 percent according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

"Payroll growth slowed markedly in September," said Paul Turek, economist for the department. "A shift to remote learning apparently led to less government hiring than usual this time of year, which showed up largely in local education."

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.
Washington employment grows again in June as businesses gradually reopen
OLYMPIA - July 15 2020 – Washington’s economy added 71,000 jobs in June and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for June decreased from 15.1 percent to 9.8 percent according to the Employment Security Department (ESD). This was the biggest month-to-month drop in the Washington unemployment rate (5.3%) in ESD records going back at least to 1990.

Total employment increased by 71,000, compared to an increase of 146,400 in May.

“The gain in nonfarm payroll employment coupled with the revision to May’s job gains are a welcome surprise and another step in the right direction,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “That said, the road ahead looks to be bumpy as the virus continues to spread, creating a less predictable situation for the economy reopening.”

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that May’s previously reported unemployment rate of 15.1 percent was confirmed. May’s preliminary estimated gain of 52,500 jobs was revised to a gain of 146,400 jobs.

The national unemployment rate decreased from 13.3 percent in May 2020 to 11.1 percent in June 2020. This is the first time in 70 months (since September 2014) that the Washington state unemployment rate is lower than the national rate. In June 2019, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 3.7 percent.

ESD paid unemployment insurance benefits to 565,800 people in June, a decrease of 149,742 over the previous month.

Labor force activity mostly a transfer of unemployed to employed

The state’s labor force in June was 3,951,000 – an increase of 5,500 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force increased by 75,200 over the same period.

From June 2019 through June 2020, the state’s labor force grew by 43,000 and the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region grew by 52,800.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.

From May 2020 to June 2020, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased from 593,900 to 388,400. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed decreased from 246,600 to 165,400 over the same period.

Eleven industry sectors expanded, two sectors contracted in June

Private sector employment increased by 71,700 jobs while government employment decreased by 700 jobs. Provided below is a summary of the job gains and losses in all thirteen industry sectors.

Industry sector, Job gains/losses

Retail trade; +19,400
Leisure & hospitality; +18,100
Education and health services; +14,800
Constructio;, +8,500
Professional & business services; +4,100
Other services; +3,600
Transportation, warehousing and utilities; +2,300
Financial activities; +1,800
Wholesale trade; +1,100
Manufacturing; +100
Mining & logging; +100
Government; -700
Information; -2,200

Year-over-year change in payroll employment reflecting jobs lost in March and April

Washington lost an estimated 312,400 jobs from June 2019 through June 2020, not seasonally adjusted. Private sector employment fell by 9.2 percent, down an estimated 265,700 jobs, while public sector employment fell by 7.8 percent with a net loss of 46,700 jobs.

From June 2019 through June 2020, all thirteen major industry sectors contracted.
The three industry sectors with the largest employment losses year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Leisure and hospitality down 135,800 jobs
Government down 46,700 jobs
Education and health services down 36,300 jobs
Covid-19 Update

We will be reviewing the Covid-19 status of Snohomish County and Washington State here for the foreseeable future. Graphic shows new cases daily.
DateSC CasesSC DeathsWA CasesWA Deaths
4 June2,999150 22,279 1,138
18 June3,18715926,784 1,226
Washington economy added back jobs during May
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 52,500 jobs in May and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for May decreased from 16.3 percent to 15.1 percent according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).
MonthTotal Jobs(1)2020(2)2019(2)
March 2020-25,4005.1 percent4.5 percent
April 2020-457,800*16.3 percent*4.4 percent
May 202052,50015.1 percent4.4 percent
(1)losses or gains (2)Unemployment Rate

"While the unemployment rate in Washington fell in May, it remained historically high as the state continued to navigate the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Over the past month, a small portion of the jobs lost during the first two months of the pandemic were recovered as the economy begins to re-open across the state.”

The Employment Security Department released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that April’s previously reported unemployment rate of 15.4 percent was revised upward to 16.3 percent. April’s preliminary estimated loss of 527,000 jobs was revised to a loss of 457,800 jobs.

The national unemployment rate decreased from 14.7 percent in April 2020 to 13.3 percent in May 2020. In May 2019, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 3.6 percent.

Employment Security paid regular unemployment insurance benefits to 715,542 people in May, an increase of 145,195 over the previous month.

Labor force decreased across the state

The state’s labor force in May was 3,943,500 – a decrease of 19,800 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force decreased by 8,500 over the same period.

From May 2019 through May 2020, the state’s labor force grew by 45,300 and the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region decreased by 17,900.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16. From April 2020 to May 2020, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased from 645,100 to 594,300. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed decreased from 247,900 to 246,300 over the same period. Ten industry sectors expanded and three industry sectors contracted in May

Private sector employment increased by 72,600 and government employment decreased by 20,100. Provided below is a summary of the job gains and losses in all thirteen industry sectors.

Industry sectorJob gains/losses
Construction30,000
Leisure and hospitality22,600
Education and health services7,000
Manufacturing5,800
Professional and business services4,100
Retail trade3,500
Wholesale trade1,200
Other services1,000
Financial services500
Mining and logging100
Transportation, warehousing and utilities-600
Information-2,600
Government-20,100

Year-over-year growth in payroll employment ceases, now turns negative

Washington lost an estimated 408,200 jobs from May 2019 through May 2020, not seasonally adjusted. The private sector contracted by 12.5 percent, down an estimated 360,100 jobs, while public sector employment contracted 8.0 percent with a net loss of 48,100 jobs.

From May 2019 through May 2020, twelve major industry sectors contracted while only the information sector added (+1,400) jobs.

The three industry sectors with the largest employment losses year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Leisure and hospitality down 160,300 jobs

Education and health services down 55,900 jobs

Government down 48,100 jobs

COVID-19 impacts

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had impact on the May 2020 survey data. The household survey measures labor force status, including unemployment. The establishment survey measures nonfarm employment by industry.

Check out additional COVID-19 related information and FAQs from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Labor market information

ESD has new labor market information and tools, including interactive Tableau graphics to highlight popular information and data. Check it out!

USPS vs the Competition

Here's a useful comparison between the US Postal Service and other carriers for various items. (Click image for larger views.) This is what anti-USPS politicians want to eliminate to create "space" for corporate interests.

The reason the Founders created the Post Office was to pull the nation together, North and South, urban and rural, later East and West. It has succeeded for 250 years. It is self-sufficient if Congress doesn't demand inefficiencies designed to ruin it.

It ain't broke; don't "fix" it.
What It’s Like to Have COVID-19
These observations by University of Washington Physicians are a good summary of how to respond to possible infection.

What are the most common symptoms of COVID-19?

Experts have identified three main symptoms of this disease: fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), a newly developed dry cough and shortness of breath. These symptoms may appear individually or together. To ensure you’re getting an accurate reading, take your temperature at least 30 minutes after eating, drinking or exercising and at least six hours after taking fever-reducing medications.

What are other COVID-19 symptoms you may feel?

Along with the classic trio of COVID-19 symptoms, you may also experience body aches, fatigue, a runny nose, a sore throat, a loss of your sense of smell or taste, headaches or gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea. These symptoms don’t always occur but, if they do, they’re easy to confuse with the symptoms of a cold, flu or seasonal allergies. The main way to tell the difference between COVID-19 and these other conditions is if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve after about a week.

What does a mild or moderate case of COVID-19 feel like?

In about 80% of known COVID-19 cases, the resulting illness is mild or moderate. This can range from feeling like you just have a bad cold to feeling like you have the flu and can’t get out of bed. Although you may feel unwell, people with a mild or moderate case usually don’t need to be hospitalized and can care for themselves at home. The typical recovery time is one to two weeks.

What does a severe case of COVID-19 feel like?

A severe case of COVID-19 means you require medical attention, either because you’re having trouble breathing or because you’ve developed a complication from the disease like heart failure, pneumonia or a life-threatening bacterial infection called sepsis. A mild or moderate case can develop into a severe one over the course of a few days or hours, and it can take up to six weeks for you to recover. If you’re older than 60, are pregnant or have an existing health condition or weakened immune system, you’re at greater risk of developing a severe illness from COVID-19 — but it can happen to anyone.

When should you go to the emergency room?

When you first start to feel sick, call your doctor for guidance and track your symptoms. You don’t need to go to the hospital unless you’re experiencing emergency warning signs. Things that are considered a medical emergency include having trouble breathing, feeling a persistent pain or pressure in your chest, becoming confused or disoriented, or having your face or lips turn blue. If you can, have someone call the hospital in advance so they can prepare for your visit.

Most primary care clinics remain open for in-person, medically necessary appointments. Most urgent-care are still operating. Please call in advance before traveling to any physician or clinic. To make receiving care easier, you can also choose to see your provider via a video-based telehealth appointment.


(Adapted from University of Washington Medicine.)
Governor amplifies state response to COVID-19
Governor amplifies state response to COVID-19

As every state across the country faces the spread of COVID-19, I wanted to give you an update on what we're doing in Washington state:

  • The first priority has been to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19 in our communities -- that means millions of Washingtonians are staying home to save lives.
  • WA has dramatically increased testing, and our insurance commissioner directed insurers to waive deductibles and copays. The state will also be covering the costs of tests for those without health insurance.
  • WA is enacting a statewide moratorium on evictions, and public utilities will be suspending shut-offs and waiving late fees.


This is a challenge unlike anything we've faced before. Yet like so many challenges our state and our country have faced, the solution is in our own hands. And if we have each other's backs, we will persevere.

We're coming together to support each other and to make our state safer and healthier. Our first priority has been to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19 in our communities -- that means millions of Washingtonians are staying home to save lives.

Using local health departments, universities, and private labs, we've dramatically increased testing, and our insurance commissioner directed insurers to waive deductibles and copays. The state will also be covering the costs of tests for those without health insurance.

Additionally, I recently announced unprecedented steps to give economic relief to Washingtonians -- because nobody should lose their home because they can't pay rent during this crisis. We're enacting a statewide moratorium on evictions, and public utilities will be suspending shut-offs and waiving late fees.

Washington has in place nation-leading policies like paid family and medical leave and mandated paid sick days. We're using every part of our safety net to support families right now, including continuing to provide daily meals to out-of-school kids who need them.

Our response to COVID-19 must not just be about stopping the spread of the virus and caring for the sick -- it must also be about caring for our vulnerable neighbors and citizens whose livelihoods are impacted by this crisis.

This crisis is far from over. This challenge is unlike anything we've experienced before, but together, we'll meet this challenge with the seriousness and compassion it deserves.

You can see more here of what we're doing in Washington to respond to COVID-19 -- take care, and be safe.

More information about WA response to C-19

Peace Medals to be Awarded
The Ambassador for Peace Medal and Certificate will be presented to more than 15 eligible veterans, or family members on behalf of veterans, as an expression of appreciation from the Korean government to American service men and women.

The medals will be presented during a ceremony at 1:30pm on May 27, 2019 at Edmonds Veterans Plaza, 250 5th Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020.
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Veterans eligible to receive the Ambassador of Peace Medal must have served during the Korean War from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953. It is also available for the veterans who participated in UN peacekeeping operations until the end of 1955.

For more information call 800-562-0132 option 1.

More information

Washington ready to assist federal employees with unemployment benefits
The WA employment security dept. reports as follows: OLYMPIA – Federal workers furloughed due to the partial government shutdown may apply for unemployment benefits to help them meet their financial obligations while they wait to return to their jobs.

“Washington stands ready to assist federal workers in our state,” said Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Suzi LeVine. “Just like other workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own, federal workers have the unemployment safety net to help them through this difficult time.”

Federal employees may apply for benefits at ESD.wa.gov or by phone at 800-318-6022. The day they should call depends on the last digit of their social security number.

Due to the shutdown, furloughed workers should be prepared to provide verification of their wages when requested because ESD may be unable to reach their employers to verify their wages. Valid documents could include copies of pay stubs or W-2 forms.

ESD has posted a web page with more information for federal employees affected by the shutdown.

More than 73,000 federal employees worked in Washington as of the first quarter of 2018. ESD has received unemployment benefits applications from roughly 1,000 workers since the furlough started, including those furloughed and workers who were laid off for other reasons.

As required by law, workers who receive back pay should plan to repay any benefits received.
Hazardous Weather Forecast for Dec 20
NOAA has posted the following warnings for Hazardous Weather Conditions.

High Wind Warning in effect from December 20, 07:00 AM PST until December 20, 07:00 PM PST

Coastal Flood Advisory in effect from December 20, 07:00 AM PST until December 20, 02:00 PM PST

Retrieved 1:53 PM Dec 19.
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