July 16 COVID-19 update

Here at the City, we’re busy planning for our 2021 budget. This work is especially challenging this year, given the significant toll that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on our economy. As I’ve shared, the City has been dealing with a structural deficit for many years. Although we’ve made significant progress in the past two years to reduce spending, our revenues simply have not kept up with the expenses. COVID-19 and its economic impact has only exacerbated this challenge. We currently face a deficit upwards of $16 million for 2021.

As a city government, we have a fiduciary responsibility to live within our means. That means we will need to take further actions to balance our budget. Our City is already very lean, so this is going to be difficult.

The choices we need to make affect everyone’s quality of life, so I am asking you to be a part of this process. Get involved. Share your thoughts with me and our City Council as we do our best to protect core services under extremely challenging conditions. You can tune into a council meeting, submit a comment or question to me and/or the Council, or attend a virtual meeting. In the coming months, I will host several virtual meetings to share information with you, answer your questions and hear your feedback. Our next budget briefing to Council will be July 22. Additional information will be posted to our website as it becomes available.

Please know that the best interests of our city, and everyone who calls Everett home, are at the core of every decision I make. I care deeply for our community and am working hard to protect our quality of life and get us on more stable and sustainable financial footing as we continue to deal with the most serious global health crisis of our generation.

Everett Public Library book club goes virtual

Have a laugh and join the conversation with the Everett Public Library as their virtual book club dives into “Dear Committee Members” by Julie Schumacher. Reading at your own pace, journey with a disgruntled English professor who pours out his hopes, affections and frustrations in an interconnected series of hilarious recommendation letters, each one of which is a small masterpiece of high dudgeon, low spirits, and passive-aggressive strategies. Then, join the online discussion on Saturday, July 25 at 11 a.m. If your literary tastes crave something different, browse the wide selection of books and materials available for download or curbside pick at both the Main and Evergreen Branch at epls.org.

New Healthy Streets program encourages active transportation

The City of Everett is increasing opportunities for people to get out, get fresh air and get moving by designating select streets "local access only.” The Healthy Streets program is intended to provide additional social distancing space for pedestrians and bicycles, limit through-traffic on these streets, and continue access for local traffic. The program aligns with the continuing implementation of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan and other planned transportation improvements. This program will be in place through phase three of Washington’s Safe Start plan, or until otherwise announced. Learn more

Phase two for Snohomish County through at least July 28

Governor Inslee announced Tuesday counties will not be moving to new phases of reopening until at least July 28 due to rising COVID-19 cases across the state. Snohomish County can expect to remain in phase two of the Safe Start plan through the end of the month, at least. Data shows transmission rates of COVID-19 are increasing throughout most of the state and there’s a growing percentage of new cases among young adults. Inslee and Washington state’s health officials are watching COVID-19 activity closely to determine if restoring certain restrictions will be necessary.

COVID-19 infection continues to accelerate across Washington

The state Department of Health released the latest statewide situation report, which shows COVID-19 transmission is still accelerating across most of the state as of the end of June. The report highlights concerning COVID-19 trends in Snohomish County and elsewhere in the state including hospitalization trends, new cases by age in six counties and the estimated percentage of the population actively infected with COVID-19. In the Puget Sound area, the percentage of the population with COVID-19 has reached levels comparable to those seen in late March and is increasing. More COVID-19 data can be found on the DOH website and in the state’s risk assessment dashboard.

New report on safely reopening schools

The state Department of Health (DOH), Public Health – Seattle & King County and Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) released a new report that shows reopening schools without taking preventative measures may lead to a significant increase of COVID-19 in the population. Simulating different scenarios for the first three months of school, the report found King County schools may be able to reopen without sustained epidemic growth, but only with several countermeasures in place and if community-wide COVID-19 transmission is low. The report also identifies a collection of countermeasures for use inside and outside classrooms. Read the release here or watch the media briefing on TVW.

COVID-19 cases in Snohomish County

Visit the Snohomish Health District’s website for up-to-date information on COVID-19, including updated case count information like the chart below that illustrates the number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Snohomish County by date.

NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY BY DATE

New COVID-19 cases by date graph for Snohomish County

Snohomish Health District addresses COVID-19 misinformation
There is a lot of information out there and it is easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you throw misinformation into the mix. When it comes to COVID-19, misinformation can have a significant impact on health, safety and the community’s effort in coming together to stop the spread of this deadly disease. The Snohomish Health District is here to help address some of the questions, speculations and falsehoods around COVID-19 and wants to remind people to carefully consider the information you are sharing and the source of that information before you spread it further via your own social media or social circles. Read their latest blog to get the facts and bust those myths.

Resources to grow your skills or your business
Google is launching the Grow with Google initiative to help people get the skills to get a job or grow their business through a new suite of Google Career Certificates to help Americans get qualifications in high-paying, high-growth job fields (no college degree required). They are also funding 100,000 need-based scholarships and committing $10 million in job training Google.org grants for communities across America. Learn more about you how this program can help you or your small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. In case you missed it, the Everett Public Library hosted a Grow with Google video series in June. Learn more about you how this program can help you or your small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

Microsoft launches initiative to help people acquire digital skills
Microsoft is launching a global skills initiative to expand access and bring more digital skills to people, especially for those hardest hit by job losses, including those with lower incomes, women and underrepresented minorities. This initiative includes using data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them; free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills these positions require; and low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools to help people who develop these skills pursue new jobs. Learn more and find resources.

Free face covers available in Snohomish County
If you are in need of a face cover and don’t know where to go, Snohomish County Coronavirus Response & Community Resource Hub now has an interactive map with free face covers distribution across the county. Many face covers are being distributed through area food banks, local cities and during special distribution events. Operating hours and locations are subject to change, so check with the distribution location before you go.

Get tested

Anyone and everyone with any COVID-19 symptoms should get tested. Testing is an important part of the public health response to this virus and allows health officials to identify people who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive and prevent them spreading the virus to others before they get symptoms. This important step can stop the virus from spreading in communities. Learn more about the importance of testing for COVID-19 and find local drive-thru testing sites.

Have a safe summer

Summer is usually the time for cookouts, traveling and gatherings with friends and family, but the usual summer fun can put you and others at risk of illness. The CDC offers safe advice on a variety of activities, including strategies for reducing COVID-19 risk when visiting restaurants, traveling overnight, or hosting the occasional, small backyard gathering. A common theme: stay home if you’re sick, wear a face cover, practice social distancing and wash your hands. They also have specific guidance for summer gatherings, such as limiting the size of your gatherings per state guidelines and considering keeping a list of guests who attend a cook-out to aid with potential future contract tracing needs.

Support local businesses and treat yourself
Take the night off from cooking or give yourself a little something – you deserve it! Everett businesses continue to offer safe options for take out, dining and shopping. EverettforEverett.com is your safe reopening guide to Everett food, drink, shopping, services and more. Browse around online, grab your face cover and treat yourself (safely, of course)!