It was one year ago this week that the first known case of COVID-19 was reported right here in our community. I remember vividly the moment when I received the news, and when I reflect back on this past year and how much our world has changed since then, it can feel overwhelming. We couldn’t have imagined the extent to which this disease would affect the health and well-being of our residents, completely upend our economy and radically alter our way of life. It’s been a really rough year, and as we know, we are not through it all yet. However, it’s in these challenging times that our community truly comes together to support each other. We’ve had to adapt, we’ve had to get creative, we’ve had to shore up every ounce of resilience we could muster. Working together, we prevail. When we share kindness and compassion with each other, we heal. Thank you.

One Everett One Book

The Everett Public Library teamed up with Everett Public Schools, Everett Community College and WSU Everett for an exciting new citywide reading program: One Everett One Book. The Everett community is invited to read “STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi and join in a conversation around race and social justice through a series of programs, including a virtual author talk featuring both authors on Feb. 22. The book is available for checkout in book, eBook and eAudiobook formats. Visit epls.org/onebook to learn more.

State of the City: join us Jan. 28

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and Economic Alliance Snohomish County invite community members to tune in to the 2021 State of Everett virtual event on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. (originally Jan. 14), live on Zoom. Mayor Franklin will discuss her vision for Everett in 2021 and ways the City will continue to support businesses and the community as we recover from the pandemic. The event is free and open to all. RSVP at economicalliancesc.org/events/state-everett.

 
Rethink Housing forum on addressing homelessness

Community members are invited to the second Rethink Housing forum: Everett gains a national perspective to address homelessness on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Join us and keynote speaker Nan Roman, President & CEO of National Alliance to End Homelessness, to learn about the national landscape of homelessness and the continuum of housing needed for the homeless population, including effects of COVID-19. Information will be presented about national best practices and how those strategies can respond locally to help address homelessness here in Everett.

Follow the City of Everett to stay up to date

Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery

Washington is now in the first phase of the state's new reopening plan, Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery. The plan follows metrics in health systems across eight regions of the state, and each region's ability to move to the next phase of reopening will be based on data updated weekly. The Puget Sound region includes Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. Every Friday, the state Department of Health will analyze data and generate a report showing Washington State's progress across four key metrics to determine each region's phase for the following week. As the state sees improvement in COVID activity, each of the eight regions, which are organized based on health system resources, will have the opportunity to open more activities.

State plan for vaccine distribution and administration

Governor Jay Inslee announced an updated statewide vaccine distribution and administration plan to increase the number of Washingtonians vaccinated and establish infrastructure capable of mass vaccinations in the coming months. With the expanded vaccine distribution system, the state set a goal of vaccinating 45,000 Washington residents per day. Included in the plan is the Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center, a new statewide public-private partnership to boost vaccine distribution efforts. The collaboration includes Washington corporations, labor unions, health care groups and government entities.

COVID-19 vaccination update

• People 65 or older.
• People 50 and older who live in multigenerational households. Specifically, older adults or elders who cannot live independently and are being cared for by a relative, an in-home caregiver, or someone who works outside the home, including older adults who are living with and taking care of family.
• Anyone who was eligible in phase 1A can still get vaccinated.

New vaccine dashboard to share progress

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

Parent Leadership Training Institutes go virtual

The Parent Leadership Training Institute is an 11-week, online college course that teaches parents, community members and professionals working with families to understand systems and develop civic, leadership and public speaking skills. The course offers five college credits to those wishing to start or continue their higher education. As a graduation requirement, participants develop a community project to benefit their schools, neighborhoods and other families. Classes begin Feb. 27 and end May 22, held via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.- noon. This program is free. Space is limited. Register here.

EL Instituto de Liderazgo de Padres en Español es un curso en línea gratuito de 11 semanas, que enseña a los padres, miembros de la comunidad y profesionales que trabajan con las familias a comprender sistemas, desarrollar habilidades liderazgo civico, comunitario y para hablar en público. El curso ofrece cinco créditos universitarios a quienes deseen empezar o continuar su educación superior. Como requisito de graduación, los participantes desarrollan un proyecto comunitario para beneficiar a sus escuelas, vecindarios y otras familias. Las clases comienzan el sábado 20 de febrero de 2021 y terminan el sábado 15 de mayo de 2021. Las clases son en línea a través de Zoom los martes por la noche de 6 PM a 9 PM y los sábados de 9 AM a 12 PM. Este curso es gratuito. Espacio es limitado. Registrese aqui.

 
Third round of small business relief grants from Snohomish County

Applications for round three of Snohomish County's Small Business Relief, Recovery, and Resiliency (R3) Grant Program are now open to Snohomish County businesses. Businesses that previously applied to the R3 program in 2020 but have not yet received an award will automatically be considered in this round and do not need to reapply. Grants in amounts up to $25,000 will be awarded to qualifying businesses. Learn more and apply at workforcesnohomish.org/snocogrant.

SBA reopens Paycheck Protection Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for first and second draw applications. All participating PPP lenders can submit first and second draw loan applications. First draw PPP loans are for borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before Aug. 8, 2020. Second draw PPP loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a first draw PPP loan and will use or have used the full amount for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. Learn more at sba.gov/ppp

Give blood

January is the perfect month to donate because it’s National Blood Donor Month! Blood donors help save lives every day and help keep the community healthy. If you are healthy and can donate blood, make an appointment with Bloodworks Northwest to help ensure our area hospitals have the lifesaving blood they need: call 800-398-7888 or schedule an appointment online.

 
Complete the Washington State Food Security Survey

The University of Washington, Washington State University and Tacoma Community College created the Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD) to monitor how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic security and food access for Washington residents. Help state and community partners to identify needs and support resource allocation for Washington residents by completing the quick online survey. This survey is anonymous and will ask questions about your health, food access and economic needs. Washington State residents who are 18 years or older may participate. Once complete, participants will have the option to provide an email address to enter a drawing for a $50 grocery store gift card.

 
Learn about the COVID-19 vaccine

There’s a lot of information out there and it's important to stay current on the latest, most accurate news! Vaccine information, eligibility, FAQs, information on how/where to get vaccinated, and so much more is regularly updated on Snohomish Health District’s website: snohd.org/covidvaccine.

There will eventually be enough vaccine for everyone, but it will take time to manufacture and distribute enough for everyone who wants one. If we work together and follow vaccine phase guidance, we can help make sure those who are at the highest risk of illness get it first. Not sure when you’ll be eligible for the vaccine? Check out the state’s phase finder website to learn what phase you are in and get notified when you are eligible: findyourphasewa.org.

Remember: it’s important to keep up with the public health measures like wearing masks, physical distancing, and staying home if they feel ill, even as more people are vaccinated. It will take time to vaccinate all those who are eligible and who want to be vaccinated.