Most Recent Situation Report

In this section we are providing a summary of the current changes in the Situation Report.  For a PDF of the full Situation Report click on the link to the right.

Summary for March 31, 2020:

Current Virus Statistics:

The State data system is down and no new data are available to update the Virus Statistics in today’s report. 

    New Developments since Last Report:

    ·         On March 30, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that in response to reports of violating the Stay-at-Home Order, authorities will take action on violations in three increasingly rigorous steps:

    1. The State and/or law enforcement will let people know that if they are violating the order, they need to comply.

    2. If violators refuse to comply, the State will take action starting with citations and potentially by revoking business licenses or other licenses.

    3. If violators are still noncompliant, local and state authorities will refer cases to the State Attorney General for legal or civil charges. These can be a gross misdemeanor; however, taking people to court is a last resort.

    The State is focusing on encouraging voluntary compliance. Citizens are discouraged from calling 9-1-1 and should instead visit coronavirus.wa.gov.

    ·         King County has postponed the payment date for individuals to pay property taxes to June 1st. However, financial institutions that pay property taxes on behalf of customers, still need to pay taxes by April 30th.

    ·         VashonBePrepared and Vashon Island Fire and Rescue will hold a webinar town hall briefing for the community on the Vashon response to the COVID-19 emergency. The briefing will open at 10:00am, Saturday, April 4th. Incident Commander Chief Charlie Krimmert will be joined by volunteers from the Emergency Operations Center. Most of the town hall time will be devoted to questions that can be submitted in writing. Directions for watching the event and submitting questions will be announced by the end of the week.  The town hall is being produced in partnership with Backbone Campaign and Voice of Vashon.

    ·         The Vashon-Maury Chamber of Commerce with the support of EOC is hosting the first in a series of webinars on Thursday April 2 from 9-9:45am.  The topic is SBA Loans & Payroll Protection Act: Overview, Options and Steps to Take for Your Business.  For more information or to register visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=sl4vwaoab&oeidk=a07eh050n9w5dfd3db2

    ·         Two scientific studies have shown the current Stay Home, Stay Safe orders work to slow the spread of COVID-19. A company making internet-connected thermometers has plotted current disease levels and trends on a map. A significant drop in the rate of increase of disease took place after the Governor's order (https://healthweather.us/). In addition, Public Health - Seattle & King County has released studies that "Staying home and limiting contact with others is helping, but must continue..." (https://bit.ly/2R1Qtdf).

    ·         Public Health Seattle-King County has put an increased priority on developing and staffing temporary Isolation & Quarantine Centers as well as Assessment/Recovery Centers. They are in need of provider volunteers (RN, NP, MD, PA & Medical Assistants) to help staff these sites. The sites are 24/7 and two shifts will be 7 to 7.  Please email Amy Curtis at amy.curtis@kingcounty.gov for more information.

    ·         The Vashon Medical Reserve Corps has activated a Spiritual Resources Group. It's part of the COVID-19 mental health support being put together by the Community Care Team. The Spiritual Resources Group will be working with faith groups, poets and others. Services to those affected will include such things as support for care providers and addressing the need for ceremony after death given the current restrictions on funerals.

    Progress on Community Support Operations:

      ·         EOC Operations: The Public Information staff and the Community Engagement Branch have begun planning and technical arrangements for the first Town Hall briefing to the community, which will take place on Saturday morning. Partners include the Backbone Campaign and Voice of Vashon.

      ·         Medical Support Branch: The Governor’s office has elevated funeral homes to Tier 1 priority status to receive scarce medical PPE supplies and the EOC Logistics Section is working with the PPE Task Force to obtain and allocate masks and other supplies to Island Funeral Home. The Community Care Team of Vashon Medical Reserve Corps has been fleshing out strategies and tactics for its objectives to augment the community’s mental health services.

      ·         Households and Neighborhoods Branch: First meeting of the Food Scale-up Committee met to set baselines and potential expansion of food and meals service to isolated households. Members of the Committee include the Food Bank, Senior Center, Backpack Pantry and the School District. EOC participants coordinating with the effort include Business Support Branch and multiple volunteers working in the Households and Neighborhoods Branch. Several social service agencies have been supplied with a standard protocol for pre-shift symptom checking as workers go on duty.

      ·         Community Engagement Branch: Pre-production has started for the Stay Safe, Stay Home campaign aimed at promoting safe distancing and other practices to mitigate spread of disease. One focus will be reducing trips to food stores.