COVID-19 coronavirus

Free webinar July 13 aimed at helping businesses impacted by COVID-19 quarantine

Lynnwood-based Fortuna Law is hosting a free webinar targeted at small businesses in King and Snohomish counties that need assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak. The meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, July 13,  at 2 p.m. The webinar will review COVID-19 resources for small businesses that have been affected by the quarantine. Topics…

COVID-19 information, support just a phone call away

The State of Washington has established phone lines for people looking for information about COVID-19 as well as those who need support due to pandemic-related stress. The 211 COVID-19 Call Center provides information or answers to your questions and concerns by calling 1-800-525-0127 or texting 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates…

Small business training July 9 to focus on Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness

The Washington Small Business Development Center is holding a training event Thursday, July 9 for businesses regarding Small Business Administration COVID-19 programs and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. The online program will run from 9-10:30 a.m. July 9. Representatives from the SBA and the Washington State Small Business Development Center will review the PPP Loan Forgiveness…

COVID-19 update for July 3, 2020: A closer look at the local numbers

With Snohomish County officials voicing the possibility of joining the growing number of states and local jurisdictions moving back to more restrictive protocols in an effort to slow the COVID resurgence, this report provides a closer look at the local numbers in an effort to shed light on the reasoning behind this. Drawing primarily from…

Reminder: City of Edmonds distributing free masks to low-income residents July 3

Lower-income individuals and families living in Edmonds are encouraged to come this Friday, July 3 from 3-6 p.m. for a drive-through, no-contact distribution of free masks. The location is the City of Edmonds Public Works parking lot, 7110 210th St. S.W. Attendees should be ready to show proof of Edmonds residency and state that you…

Health department: New COVID-19 reports show concerning patterns of inequity, rise in cases among younger people

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Bellevue-based Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) released two new reports analyzing COVID-19 data by age, race/ethnicity and primary language spoken. Both reports highlight the pandemic’s disproportionate and increasing impact on communities of color. The IDM report also points to recent increases in COVID-19 among younger people. DOH’s…

Health Department urges state residents to stay close to home this summer

The Washington State Department of Health is encouraging people in our state to limit summer travel plans to help slow the spread of COVID-19. First, be familiar with the Safe Start plan and how it applies to your county. Governor Jay Inslee’s initiative for a phased Safe Start plan details travel allowances for people who…

Volunteers of America offering rental assistance to families impacted by COVID-19

In partnership with Volunteers of America Western Washington, Snohomish County is offering financial to residents financially impacted by COVID-19. The Coronavirus Relief Prevention Program is offering households unable to pay rent due to coronavirus-related job loss, the household has a member who is 65 or older or the household has a member who has underlying…

COVID-19 update for June 29, 2020: A local and global perspective

The nationwide surge in COVID infections is now reaching us locally, with Snohomish County showing an uptick in cases, albeit not as severe as many areas of the United States. As additional global perspective, the following snapshot comparing the top hotspots throughout the world from Johns Hopkins University shows the United States trending sharply upward…

Reminder: 2020 Edmonds Kind of Fourth of July parade canceled

A reminder for those who didn’t get the word earlier: The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce has canceled the annual Edmonds Kind of Fourth of July celebration, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s the first time since World War II that the parade has been canceled. When announcing the cancellation in May, the chamber said that…

Sponsor spotlight: How small business can use gift card sales during COVID-19

Gift Card Sales Help Small Business Owners Maintain Business-(not quite)-As-Usual While we fully honor the impact COVID-19 is taking on the lives and families of its victims, we also honor the very real threat shelter-in-place mandates pose to small business owners worldwide. As a small business dedicated to helping other small- to midsize companies, Kaufer DMC wants to share…

State residents invited to complete Washington State Food Security survey

The University of Washington and Washington State University, with support from Tacoma Community College, have created the Washington State Food Security survey to gain a better understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic security and food access for Washington state residents. All residents who are 18 years or older are invited to participate….

Governor, health secretary announce pause on county progressions to Phase 4

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced Saturday that the Washington State Department of Health is putting a pause on counties moving to Phase 4 through the state’s Safe Start phased approach. Rising COVID-19 cases across the state and concerns about continued spread of the COVID virus have made Phase 4 —…

Free infrared thermometers available to small businesses in Snohomish County

To support the phased reopening of businesses nationwide, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has partnered with Economic Alliance Snohomish County to distribute free infrared thermometers to small businesses. If your business fits the following eligibility requirements listed below, visit www.economicalliancesc.org/thermometer and complete the application to get on the Master Thermometer Distribution List for your county….

Initial regular claims for state unemployment benefits increase slightly from the previous week

According to figures released Thursday from the Washington Employment Security Department, from June 14-20 there were 29,612 initial regular unemployment claims (up 2.0% from the prior week) and 718,615 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (up 3.3 % from the prior week) filed by Washington residents. Initial regular claims applications remain at unprecedented elevated…

Updated: Mask mandate starts Friday, and you have options to purchase locally

Updated June 25 with additional resources for masks. Starting this Friday, June 26 face coverings will be mandatory across Washington state in indoor public places such s stores, offices and restaurants. We have written stories in the past about local entrepreneurs who have been making masks for sale, and wanted to recap those options here…

Inslee releases plan to restart higher education in the fall

Gov. Jay Inslee was joined Wednesday by presidents of Washington colleges and universities to unveil the guidance for reopening in-person instruction at higher education institutions in the fall. The announcement comes with a proclamation providing specific health guidance for four-year public and private institutions, as well as two-year community and technical colleges, apprenticeships and private…

Washington State COVID-19 news and updates for June 24: Latest numbers, free face masks

Numbers. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics and more, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard. Several sections of the risk assessment dashboard page are updated on Wednesdays with new information about PPE procurement, activity in long-term care facilities, and more. Secretary of Health John Wiesman…