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March 25, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are in the midst of a challenge unlike anything most of us have ever experienced before. The spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has wreaked havoc on people's health and financial well-being, and the daily routine of life is radically different than it was just a month ago. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this terrible disease.

In this update are links to critical information, along with resources and guidance, that I hope will be helpful to you and your family over the next several weeks. If there is information you're looking for that is not listed on this website or below, please contact me at (360) 786-7846 or Drew.Stokesbary@leg.wa.gov.

This is not a fight we wanted, but it is one we are going to win together, one day at a time. Please continue to look out for one another, help flatten the curve of infections, and support our small businesses any way you can.

It is an honor to serve you.

-Drew

General information

The federal government's official Coronavirus (COVID-19) site:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• How to Protect Yourself
• If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone
• Symptoms
• Are You at Higher Risk for Severe Illness?
• Cases & Latest Updates
• Latest news

Washington state's official COVID-19 site:

• Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19)
  • Government emergency actions
  • You & Your Family
  • Travelers & Commuters
  • Business & Workers
  • Local Health Departments
  • Childcare / K-12 / Higher Education

General guidance from the Department of Health:

• Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
  • Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
  • Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

Department of Health:

• Call center | 1-800-525-0127
• 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.
• 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19)
  • Symptoms and Testing.
  • Resources and Recommendations.
  • Current Situation in Washington – What's the current risk?
  • 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Washington.

Health Care Authority:

• Mental health crisis lines | Washington Recovery Help Line: 1-866-789-1511 (24/7)
  • County crisis line phone numbers.

Updates from the Governor's Office:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information and Updates
• Public and constituent inquiries | (360) 902-4111

Washington State Office of the Attorney General:

• Report COVID-19 scams, price gouging

Department of Children, Youth & Families:

• Coronavirus – COVID-19 Updates
• Early Learning
• ECEAP
• ESIT
• Child Care Licensing
• Early Achievers
• Home Visiting
• Child Welfare
• Foster Care Licensing

Teach with TVW:

• COVID-19 Coverage & Information (TVW coverage)

Contact information for counties and local health departments and districts

Washington Association of County Officials:

• Coronavirus News Updates
  • King County

Department of Health:

• Washington State Local Health Departments and Districts

Recent announcements and news releases

Recent announcements and news releases from the Governor's Office and Department of Health:

• Inslee announces “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order | March 23, 2020
  • In accordance with this order, the governor designated a list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” | March 23, 2020
• Inslee letter to Trump requests federal major disaster declaration | March 20, 2020
• Inslee letter requests the U.S.S. Mercy be sent to Puget Sound region | March 19, 2020
• Inslee announces relief for businesses, workers, renters and more in response to COVID-19 outbreak | March 18, 2020
• Inslee signs bill package to support state effort combating the COVID-19 outbreak | March 17, 2020
• Inslee announces statewide shutdown of restaurants, bars and expanded social gathering limits | March 16, 2020
• Inslee statement on statewide shutdown of restaurants, bars and limits on size of gatherings expanded | March 15, 2020
• Leave some for your neighbors: Don't buy more than you need | March 14, 2020
• State waives costs for COVID-19 testing | March 14, 2020
• Inslee announces statewide school closures, expansion of limits on large gatherings | March 13, 2020

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) | K-12 schools

OSPI:

• Guidance for Long-term School Closures as of March 18, 2020
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance & Resources
• Guidance for Long-term School Closures as of March 13, 2020
• School Closure FAQ
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in K–12 Schools: A Parent Guide
• Talking to your children about school closures

Universities and colleges

Washington State Council of Presidents:

• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources
  • Central Washington University
  • Eastern Washington University
  • The Evergreen State College
  • University of Washington
  • Washington State University
  • Western Washington University

Washington State Community and Technical Colleges:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information | College Coronavirus Pages

Independent Colleges of Washington:

• COVID-19 Campus Resources
  • Gonzaga University  
  • Heritage University
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Saint Martin's University
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • Seattle University
  • University of Puget Sound
  • Walla Walla University
  • Whitman College
  • Whitworth University

Employers and employees

Governor's Office | Partial list of resources to support economic retention and recovery related to COVID-19 coronavirus:

• COVID-19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers
  • Financial assistance.
  • Export assistance.
  • Employer and worker assistance.
  • Insurance assistance.

Employment Security Department:

• For workers and businesses affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus)
• COVID-19 | Scenarios & Benefits Available

U.S. Small Business Administration:

• SBA COVID19 Disaster Loan Program Open for Applications
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
  • Guidance for Businesses and Employers
  • SBA Products and Resources
  • Government Contracting
  • Local Assistance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Department of Labor:

• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Department of Revenue:

• 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) Update
  • COVID-19 Related Relief for Taxpayers.
  • Requesting Relief.
  • Temporary Business Registrations.
  • Online Filing and Call Center Assistance.

Department of Financial Institutions:

• Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19
  • Accessing Your Financial Institution.
  • Unemployment Help.
  • Trouble Paying Credit Cards.
  • Trouble Paying Your Mortgage.
  • Trouble Paying Rent.
  • Student Loans Deferment.
  • Short Term and Emergency Loans.
  • Paying Utilities.
  • Insurance Issues.
  • Avoiding Scams.
  • At Home Financial Education Resources for Students.
  • Additional Resources.

Department of Labor & Industries:

• Paid Sick Leave and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Common Questions
• Workers' Compensation Coverage and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Common Questions
  • Can COVID-19 ever be allowed as a work-related condition?
  • When to file a claim.
  • When will a claim likely be denied?
  • How can I file a COVID-19 claim?
  • Filing a worker's compensation claim: Exposure vs. contraction of COVID-19
  • Quarantine.
  • Covered treatment and post-exposure care.
  • Additional information on COVID-19.

Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave:

• COVID-19 (coronavirus) and Paid Family and Medical Leave
  • Worker FAQ.
  • Employer FAQ.

Office of the Insurance Commissioner:

• Coronavirus
  • Health insurance.
  • For insurers and medical providers.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Other types of insurance

Health care

American Red Cross:

• Severe Blood Shortage Due To Coronavirus Outbreak
• What to Know about Coronavirus and Our Enhanced Blood Donation Safety Protocols
• Make Your Appointment
• Give Blood. Find a Drive

Housing and homelessness

Department of Commerce:

• New Covid-19 Emergency Housing Grant
• COVID-19 Housing Grant Announcement
• COVID-19 Housing Grant Amount to Each County
• COVID-19 Housing Grant Guidelines
• Guidelines Q&A

Agriculture

U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

• Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response | March 19, 2020
  • Food and Agriculture.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) | Frequently Asked Questions
  • Food Safety.
  • Access to Food.
  • Pet Safety.
  • Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
• Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Program Guidance on Human Pandemic Response
  • Automatic State Flexibilities.
  • Additional USDA Authorities.
  • Partnering to Ensure Access to Food.
  • USDA Information.
  • Federal Resources.
• FNS Actions to Respond to COVID-19
  • Child Nutrition Programs.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  • FNS Pandemic Guidance.
  • Additional Resources.
  • What's New.

Washington State Department of Agriculture:

• COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease) Information
  • Food safety and animal feed.
  • Food.
  • Farm and food businesses.
  • Livestock and pets.

Military & veterans

U.S. Department of Defense:

• Coronavirus: DOD Response

Washington Military Department:

• Emergency Management Division

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

• Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • What is VA doing?
  • What should Veterans do?
  • How to protect yourself
  • VA COVID-19 Cases

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs:

• COVID-19 updates for family members and representatives of residents

Other federal agencies

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• What You Need to Know.
  • Symptoms
  • If You Are at Higher Risk
  • How to Prepare
• Resources for the Community.
  • Travel
  • Guidance for School Settings
  • Resources for Businesses and Employers
  • Resources for Community – and Faith-Based Leaders
• COVID-19 Cases in the U.S.
• Latest Updates
• Information for Healthcare Professionals

U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • What's new
  • Fast facts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • FDA's role
  • Medical countermeasures
  • COVID-19-Related Guidance Documents
  • Health Fraud
  • Press and statements
  • Events
  • Additional resources
  • Contact FDA

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:

• National Institutes of Health | Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• What You Need to Know.
• Cases and Latest Updates.
• Healthcare Professionals & Laboratories.
• Local Mitigation Strategies.
• Schools, Workplaces & Community Locations.
• Travel.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:

• Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus

House Bill 2965

House Bill 2965:

• Concerning the state's response to the novel coronavirus.
• Bill as passed Legislature.

Powers of governor

Proclamations made by Gov. Jay Inslee:

• Summaries of all COVID-19 proclamations
• Individual proclamations by number:
  • 20-28: Waiving in-person public meetings and public records requirements (March 24)
  • 20-27: Authorizing electronic notarial acts (March 24)
  • 20-26: Waiving penalty for late filing of monthly alcohol sales taxes (March 24)
  • 20-25: Stay home, stay healthy (March 23)
  • 20-24: Prohibiting non-essential medical and dental procedures (March 19)
  • 20-23 and 20-23.1: Utility ratepayer assistance (March 18, amended March 24)
  • 20-22: Waiving restrictions on hours for truck drivers (March 18)
  • 20-21: Waiving one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance (March 18)
  • 20-20: DOR to waive penalties and interest on certain late tax payments (March 18)
  • 20-19: 30-day prohibition on evictions from residential property (March 18)
  • 20-18: DSHS eligibility and nursing home licensure changes (March 18)
  • 20-17: Restrictions on types of nursing facilities that can receive visitors (March 16)
  • 20-16: Restrictions on types of visitors to long-term care facilities (March 16)
  • 20-15: Waiving DOL requirements for driver's licenses, ID cards (March 16)
  • 20-14: Limitation on social, spiritual, recreational gatherings (March 16)
  • 20-13: Prohibition on public gathering in certain venues (March 16)
  • 20-12: Prohibiting in-person instruction at higher education institutions (March 13)
  • 20-11: Limitation on social, spiritual, recreational gatherings (March 13)
  • 20-10: Waiving certain training requirements for long-term care workers (March 13)
  • 20-09: Closure of public and private schools in all counties (March 13)
  • 20-08: Closure of schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties (March 12)
  • 20-07: Limitations on gatherings in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties (March 11)
  • 20-06: Restrictions on visitors at residential care facilities (March 10)
  • 20-05: Declaration of emergency in all Washington counties (Feb 29)

FAQ:

• FAQ on governor's authority during an emergency

RCW 43.06.220:

• State of emergency—Powers of governor pursuant to proclamation.

In the news

The Capitol Buzz | Articles from online publications from across the state on coronavirus (COVID-19):

• http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/stay-connected/capitol-buzz/
• The Capitol Buzz policy.

Global perspective

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine:

• Coronavirus Resource Center

Warmly,

Drew Stokesbary