With COVID-19 cases surging at an alarming rate in our community and across the nation, we need to pull together like never before to try and slow its spread. I know this isn’t easy with the holidays around the corner. I love this time of year. I love holiday decorations, the festive lights and even the tacky holiday sweaters (especially for puppies)! And I love gathering with my family and friends. But it’s going to be a difficult year, and we need to do things differently.

We can still find that holiday spirit, but we have to find new ways of celebrating, connecting and spreading cheer with those we love safely. Please talk with your families about COVID-19 safety. Have those frank conversations with those close to you, so that however you celebrate, you are protecting the ones you love, as well as our dedicated health care workers.

The recent new restrictions are especially devastating for our restaurants, athletic facilities, favorite breweries, etc. They need our support. Please show them some love by ordering take-out, buying gift certificates for friends and shopping local for your holiday gifts (curbside is often available)! We have many amazing nonprofits in our community, too, who always welcome your donations and support.

I know the holidays won’t be same this year, but I do know that by working together as One Everett, and continuing to focus on keeping each other safe, we will get through this.

Be safe. Be well. Happy Thanksgiving!

Free face covers available

Everett Public Library’s main and Evergreen branches have free adult and youth size face covers available for pick up during their curbside pick up hours. Anyone can receive a free face cover; just stop by and call the number posted outside for curbside service and the Library’s friendly staff will be glad to supply you and your household face covers. Everett’s Emergency Management team also continues to distribute face covers to anyone who needs them. Contact Rachael Doniger at rdoniger@everettwa.gov or 425-257-8111 to request face covers.

 
Wintertide season is almost here

Wintertide is returning with an all new format and there's a ho-ho-whole bunch of safe and socially-distanced holiday happenings in Everett this season, featuring all kinds of festivities including shopping, sweet deals, holiday light displays, crafts for kids and adults, Santa cruising around Everett on an awesome fire truck, and so much more. Check out all the ways Everett's Wintertide season can bring you some holiday cheer at visiteverett.com/wintertide.

Housing for All directive & forum

Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a mayoral directive on affordable housing for all with the goal of addressing homelessness and supporting housing stability. The directive builds and expands upon efforts to encourage an increase in housing and shelter for all community members to address the shortage of housing at all price points, particularly for lower-income residents, which has worsened due the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19. Community members are invited to learn more at the virtual Housing for All forum on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. with keynote speaker former Governor Christine Gregoire. Attendees will learn about current housing needs, the importance of addressing this community issue, and the impact COVID-19 has had on housing in the region.

Follow the City of Everett to stay up to date

Statewide restrictions for four weeks and travel advisory for Washington

Governor Jay Inslee announced a new set of restrictions in response to the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in Washington and across the country. The restrictions are statewide and remain in effect until Monday, Dec. 14. The new restrictions focus on indoor gatherings and indoor service places where COVID-19 is spread more easily, such as social gatherings, restaurants, bars, retail, religious services, and entertainment and fitness facilities. Data suggest indoor interactions between those who don’t share a home is contributing most to the spread of new cases. Inslee also issued a travel advisory for Washington, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel and asked residents to stay close to home.

 
Snohomish County COVID-19 update

Snohomish County is seeing what health officials are calling “explosive” growth in new COVID-19 cases that are boosting local hospitalizations and raising worries about overwhelming the health care system. Earlier this month, COVID-19 cases hit an all-time high and are increasing 50% per week. In a COVID-19 briefing, Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters said the community is “at a critical point where we still have the opportunity to reduce or prevent an overwhelming surge of demand on our hospitals, which are already under stress.” We can do this if we do it together! Mask up. Stay home. No indoor gatherings, and only small (5 or fewer) outdoor gatherings with everyone masked and distanced.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan update

The Washington State Department of Health continues to make progress with COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts, and are hopeful a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 will be available before the end of the year. Learn more about the COVID-19 distribution plan update.

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 round of financial assistance for businesses coming soon

Governor Jay Inslee announced a new round of $20 million in Working Washington emergency grants to help businesses most likely to be impacted by the newest statewide restrictions. Information about eligibility and maximum grant amounts, as well as applications, will be available in the coming weeks. The Washington State Department of Commerce is also using an additional $30 million in federal CARES Act funds to leverage additional financing from private investors and create a loan program to serve as a bridge for small- and medium-size businesses toward a sustainable recovery. The state is also assessing if any additional CARES Act funding remains and could be distributed to businesses before the funds expire on Dec. 31. Additional resources may be available on the state’s website and through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

 
Help to cope with COVID-19

Dealing with COVID-19 has been difficult and more changes come with fall and winter including weather, school, holidays and more. It you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s not just you. It’s normal and there are things you can do to cope. Washington State Department of Health launched a conversation series called Coping with COVID: It’s not just you, where Kira Mauseth and Doug Dicharry talk about how disasters like pandemic affect our brains, what we can do about it, and how to be resilient. 

If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress or anxiety due to COVID-19, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211 or browse their resources and self-help tips at walistens.org.

Childcare COVID-19 grants available

Childcare is vital to supporting front line workers and families during COVID-19. That’s why the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is providing direct support to licensed child care providers to assist with reopening and staying open, to offset increased costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to incentivize providers to serve school-age children.

Additionally, Puget Sound Energy is supporting All In WA’s Child Care Initiative, providing $300,000 to help expand access to affordable child care across Washington. The Initiative provides grants to child care providers and organizations serving the child care field, with the goal of ensuring affordable, quality child care for the state’s most impacted working families. These grants are in addition to funds available through the Federal CARES Act.

 
Snohomish County supports small business with Safe Start Kits

Snohomish County launched a new Safe Start Kits program to support small businesses on the front lines of economic recovery as cases of COVID-19 rise across the region. The Safe Start Kits program will assemble and distribute 2,500 boxes of protective equipment and 300 hand sanitizer stands to Snohomish County small businesses (having approximately 20 or fewer employees) to help them safely stay open and their customers healthy during the holiday season. Each kit will include: one infrared thermometer, 50 cloth face masks (reusable), 150 disposable masks, two bottles of hand sanitizer with spray nozzles, 100 pairs disposable gloves and one two-page insert with health information and links to translations. Small businesses can learn more and sign up for a kit at snohomishcountywa.gov/SafeStartKits.

Plan for safe, socially-distanced holidays

If you haven’t checked it out yet, the state’s Safe Gatherings webpage is a great resource to help you and your loved ones plan ahead for a safe and healthy holiday season. Find ideas for different ways to celebrate, tips for safer gatherings, and ideas for talking with friends and family about establishing and following COVID-19-safe ground rules this fall and winter. We know this is difficult and we all miss gathering with our favorite people, but a traditional holiday season just isn’t safe right now and could put your loved ones at risk of illness. The safest option is to find different, safer ways to celebrate.

Support local businesses

With the latest restrictions, small businesses need our help more than ever. Support them by shopping local: plan a take-out night from your favorite restaurant and see if your favorite places offer gifts cards to give as holiday gifts. Many places offer online ordering, curbside pick up and delivery so you can stay safe while supporting the local business that make Everett special. Visit EverettforEverett.com to learn more.

Support foster children during the holidays

The Snohomish County Office of the Court Appointed Special Advocate is hosting the annual Holiday Giving Tree project to benefit kids in foster care and the juvenile dependency court system. Due to COVID-19, they are offering safe and convenient ways to participate in this magical holiday program by offering multiple giving options to ensure that everyone interested is able to participate. Companies, organizations, families, individuals and community groups can sponsor a child’s holiday wish this season. To reserve a Giving Tree, sponsor a holiday wish or for more information, contact Amanda Ingersoll at Amanda.Ingersoll@co.snohomish.wa.us or 425-388-7854.

 
Show you care by having a difficult conversation

Increasing spread of COVID-19 makes planning for the holidays difficult. No one wants to risk getting people they love sick. It’s safer to decide to celebrate Thanksgiving with just your immediate household this year, but making that decision is hard and can be even harder to tell others "no." During COVID-19, saying “no” to some events can be an act of caring. It is OK to say “no” to an invitation and accepting someone else’s “no” is important. We all need to make the best decisions we can for ourselves and for our families this year. The Washington State Department of Health published a blog on how you can say "no" to an event or get-together in a way that doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.