Public Health - COVID-19 Resources:  Mask Mandates Ending, L&I Updated Guidance, Schools and Childcare, Updated PPE Prioritization Fact Sheet, Social Media Updates and the Small Business COVID Survey

Masks will no longer be required in most indoor public spaces.  King County is ending its local indoor mask order because hospitalizations and case numbers are declining and because of changes to CDC guidance, and high vaccination rates.  Businesses may still choose to implement their own mask requirements.  Please respect people’s choices to continue to wear a mask.

1. Masks – Information and resources
   • Blog post - What King County’s mask mandate rollback means for you

Starting Saturday, March 12, King County will stop requiring masks in many indoor public spaces.  Individuals will now be able to make their own choices as to whether they want to continue wearing masks, and businesses may decide whether they want to require employees and customers to wear masks. Read our blog post to learn more about what does this mean for you.

1. • Two new mask posters have been created for businesses, schools and childcares, and other organizations that choose to have their own mask requirements after the government requirement for masks is lifted. Download the posters from the Masking Guidance page (located at bottom of page).

1. • See Masking Guidance page for updated information and an infographic explaining how mask guidance will change on March 12 as well as updated FAQ questions. Information is also in other languages.

1. Workplace Safety – Washington State Labor and Industries

• Employers must continue to assess COVID-19 hazards in their workplace because the level of hazards may change.  L&I has updated their Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19

1. Schools and childcare
   • Blog post - What’s best for your family? Considerations for masking at school and child care

As the indoor mask mandate lifts March 12, families will be making decisions about masks for their kids in schools and child care. Here is information to help inform those decisions.

1. • The Schools and child care web page has updated the Youth and Summer Camps information to include a link to new guidance from Washington Department of Health starting March 12.

1. Updated PPE prioritization fact sheet
   • Organizations can use this fact sheet, located on the Healthcare and service providers page, to determine if they are eligible to receive PPE supplies and to submit a request. Please note that the criteria for eligibility has been updated and can be found on the King County Emergency Management Resource Request site.

1. Social Media:

• Live media briefing with King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin

Dr. Duchin discusses COVID-19 trends and the next phases of the pandemic as well as the latest updates on local COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and vaccination efforts.

• Community Vaccination Event - Saturday March 12th in Renton

Join us Saturday March 12th at St. Vincent de Paul with @CityofRenton for a community vaccination event. #COVID19 vaccinations are always free, no insurance is required. Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J available for those eligible 5+. No appointment needed.

• Will the vaccine work against new variants?

Pediatrician, Dr. Ben Danielson, answers this local mother's question. If you're looking for #COVID19 vaccinations and boosters for #kids, drop-ins are welcome and appointments are available at many of our King County operated vaccination sites and partner operated sites. For more information      or to schedule an appointment, go to: kingcounty.gov/vaccine.

• Vaccine History: Learning from the past and improving our future – Here for Us

The arrival of vaccines in 2020 changed the course of #COVID, helping Washington State get one step closer to someday putting the #pandemic behind us. However, for the Black community, this story hits differently. Even though #COVID19 has disproportionately infected and impacted the

Black community, because of historical injustices, valid mistrust, and misinformation passed through social circles and media, hesitancy still runs very deep. Many people ask how do we take a vaccine from the same Medical Community that wasn’t #HereForUs? Learn More: .

• The 2022 #WomensHistoryMonth theme is 'Providing Healing, Promoting Hope’

This is a tribute both to the work of women as caregivers and frontline workers during the #COVID19 pandemic, and to the role that women have played in providing healing and hope throughout history. View the full proclamation: bit.ly/kc-whm-proclamation.

1. Small Business COVID Survey

• Public Health Seattle & King County works to support the safe operations of small businesses during the challenges of COVID.  We would like to hear from those involved with small businesses located in King County to better understand your experience during COVID-19.  Your input helps us improve our services, resources, website content so that we can better support you in the future.   The survey is anonymous, takes less than 10 minutes, and is available in multiple languages. Click on the link below and check your preferred language on the top right side of the screen.

Click here to begin survey

Contact:

Diane Agasid Bondoc, REHS/RS

Workplace Prevention Liaison

Office of Equity and Community Partnerships - COVID-19 Response

Public Health – Seattle & King County

Direct phone: (206) 263-2157 | Eastgate mainline:  (206) 477-8050

Email: diane.agasid@kingcounty.gov