News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for November 8, 2021

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. Fidalgo Democrats next meet Tuesday, Nov 9, 7:00pm – 9:00pm via Zoom
“Fidalgo Democrats welcome Dr. Justin Irish, the Superintendent of the Anacortes School District and Daniel Williams, the Anacortes High School Principal. They will give us an update on the District’s Strategic Plan and discuss how the schools are working to support all learners. The misinformation about Critical Race Theory and Comprehensive Sexual Health will be addressed. There will be a COVID update. Questions are welcome. For more information and the zoom link contact Barbara Cooper, 360 293-41234.”

Their YouTube recording of “Fully Contained Communities” from their last meeting of Tuesday, Oct 12 can be found HERE.

2. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Central Committee meets Saturday, Nov 13, 1:00pm, via Zoom
“Although the agenda is long, we will have very brief committee reports, with the goal of having Bennett Massey Helber speak about funding available to us through the Ag/Rural Caucus by 11:00 a.m. We are hoping to have a brainstorming session of the specific needs in Skagit County and ways to address those needs.” If you have not received an invitation to this meeting and wish to attend, please email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

3. The 10th Legislative District Democrats meet Saturday, Nov 20, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Further information to follow.

4. Applications are open for Emerge Washington‘s 2022 cohort
“Applications are open for Emerge WA’s 2022 Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland Cohort! Are you a Democratic woman who’s a leader in your community? Emerge needs YOU to step up and apply. Classes start in January and meet one weekend a month until May. Emerge provides you with the training you need to run for office and win, including a powerful network of Emerge alums. Read about the application process on Emerge’s website and apply today.

To learn more about the Emerge WA signature training program, please visit their website and attend an upcoming information session via Zoom, some of which are regionally based. Upcoming virtual info sessions: RSVP to Emily@EmergeWA.org. November 7th @7pm: General session.”

Applications close November 12th.

5. New Headquarters Staffing Schedule
We are slowly working on returning our new headquarters to regular hours. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! Shifts are in two-hour blocks. Please email staff@skagitdemocrats.org to let us know your interest and availability. OR you can simply click on and fill out this form and we will contact you and set you up with everything you need. For those concerned about COVID safety, please note that the office is not open to the public at this time, and masks are required whenever more than one person is present. Staffing hours are:

• Monday – 12:00pm – 4:00pm
• Tuesday – 10:00pm – 4:00pm
• Wednesday – 12:00am – 4:00pm
• Thursday – 12:00pm – 4:00pm
• Friday – Closed

6. Redistricting News
The four Commissioners’ maps for Congressional and Legislative Districts have been updated and released. They can be viewed here and commented on. Click Here for the Congressional District maps. Click Here for the Legislative District maps. Monday, November 15, is the deadline for Commission to submit final maps to the Legislature.

2021 Skagit County Redistricting – In Skagit County information on the redistricting of County Commissioner Districts can be found HERE, including proposed maps. One more public hearing is scheduled for County redistricting: November 22, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (public hearing for a final redistricting plan). If you have questions or need additional information, please visit https://www.publicinput.com/skagitcountyredistricting. You can also email redistricting@co.skagit.wa.us or call 360-416-1700 for more information.”

7. Follow-up Election Dates
The following is from the Skagit County Auditor’s Office:

• November 2 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
• November 2 – 2021 General Election Day – Closes 8:00 PM
• November 16 – Canvassing Board Meeting – 1:30 PM*
• November 23 – General Election Certification – 1:30 PM*

*Times may change if a scheduling conflict arises. Changes will be posted on the Auditor’s web site.

8. NEW – Links of the Week
The Links of the Week provide in-depth pieces and resources the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

• A third of humanity could be on the move if climate change isn’t curbed, scientists say
• 2020 Census: Big cities grew and became more diverse, especially among their youth
• Market Prophets – The Path to a New Economics
• ‘The Great Resignation’ Misses the Point

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – No More Bombs will present a slide show on the worldwide Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons, Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the US Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review, Wednesday, Nov 7, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
“No More Bombs founder, Tracy Powell, will present a slide show on the TPNW and review the UN Non-Proliferation Treaty as well as the US Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review since its inception 27 years ago. Contact Tracy at tracy@nomorebombs.org or 360-840-3826 for more information.”

2. NEW – Skagit County Veterans Day Parade, Activities & Heritage Plane Flyover, Saturday, Nov 13, 11:00am – 12:30pm, East Fairhaven Avenue, Burlington
“Join us for the 25th Annual Skagit County Veterans Day Parade & Heritage Plane Flyover! There are a variety of activities before and after the parade to honor our Veterans. We hope you join us! Parade Route: Fairhaven Avenue from Walnut Street to Skagit Street in Downtown Burlington.”

3. NEW – County Receives additional Rental Assistance Funds; Eligibility Requirements updated
“Last week, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners and the Washington State Department of Commerce made an additional $15.4 million of eviction prevention funding available for Skagit County residents. This is the third round of funding provided by the state to address eviction prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Click Here for more information.

4. What Happened on First Street, Saturday Nov 13, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, online event
“Gen J, in community with Snohomish Education Association and Snohomish For Equity, presents a look back at the events that occurred during spring 2020 in Snohomish, Washington. In response to a peaceful protest honoring the life of George Floyd, members of the community and local Proud Boys took to First street openly consuming alcohol, carrying firearms, and creating an intimidating atmosphere on May 31, 2020. In this film, people of color in Snohomish and their allies share their truth of “America’s Favorite Town” and how we can come together to move forward as a community and country.” Click Here for more information and to sign up.

5. Highway 20 passes are scheduled to close Monday, Nov 15
“The closure points will be milepost 134/Ross Dam Trailhead on the west side and milepost 171/Silver Star Gate on the east.” Click Here for more information.

6. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Nov 3

Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data

Skagit has a total of 11,492 cases; an increase of 470 new cases since last Wednesday; Hospitalizations are at 648 total (increased by 25 since Wednesday), and 111 deaths (increased by 1). Skagit currently has a case rate of 708.3 per 100k over the last 14 days and a hospitalization rate of 17.6 COVID patients per 100k over the last seven days.

Our county is once again seeing record case highs, higher than anything we’ve seen throughout the entirety of this pandemic. A record hospitalization high is also expected in the next day or so. The staggering number of new cases we’re seeing can mostly be attributed to people who are unvaccinated—approximately 90% of all cases are in unvaccinated individuals. The best way to get our numbers down is by increasing the number of Skagitonians getting vaccinated. Second to this would be masking up when in public, keeping distance, and washing hands frequently.

Skagit’s Vaccination Status

A total of 184,290 doses have been administered in Skagit County. We are now at 74.6% partially vaccinated amongst our population 12 years and older, and 68.7% fully vaccinated amongst Skagitonians 12 and older.

Unfortunately, we know that there are folks in our community who are still reluctant to get vaccinated. Though our entire county’s population is 59 percent fully vaccinated now, this means that there is still about 40 percent of our residents, including children 11 and younger who aren’t yet eligible, who do not have protection against the virus.

Getting vaccinated not only protects you individually, but it slows spread and protects other vulnerable individuals. Despite what folks might have heard, we know that kids are getting COVID. Between September 5 and October 23, approximately 25% of our cases have been in school-age children. For our children’s sake—we are pleading with people to get vaccinated today.

Update on Vaccine for Children 5-11

Yesterday, the CDC’s Director endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. This followed the FDA’s decision to back pediatric vaccines on October 29th.

Parents and caregivers can now schedule an appointment for their child at the Fairgrounds by going to our website. Appointments will be limited at first, so parents can also check Vaccine Locator to find other providers who have availability, including local health clinics and pharmacies.

Vaccine Boosters now Available

Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson boosters are available at the Fairgrounds—by appointment only—for eligible individuals. At least six months after completing the primary Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series, the following groups of people are eligible for a booster dose:

• Those 65 and older,
• Those 18 – 64 who live in long-term care settings,
• Those 18 – 64 who have underlying medical conditions or those at increased risk of social inequities, and
• Those 18 – 64 who work or live in high-risk settings.

At least two months after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (J&J), it is recommended that everyone 18 and older receive a booster dose. As a reminder, the FDA and CDC have approved a “mix and match” approach to boosters. This means your booster shot does not have to be the same COVID-19 vaccine type your primary vaccination was. For example, someone who received the J&J vaccine can receive a booster dose of J&J, Pfizer, or Moderna. Likewise, someone who received two doses of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) can receive a Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J booster.

Appointments are limited at this time. Please check on Mondays for newly added appointments or call the Hotline for assistance: 1-833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357), then press #.

To make an appointment for a booster, go to: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/. Search for “Skagit County Public Health” under Name of Location.

Holiday Operational Changes at the Fairgrounds

The Skagit County Fairgrounds Testing and Vaccine Site at 501 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3pm to 7pm. During the months of November and December, the site will be closed on the following dates:

• Thursday, November 11th (Veteran’s Day)
• Thursday, November 25th (Thanksgiving)
• Friday, November 26th (Thanksgiving)
• Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)
• Friday, December 31st (New Year’s Day)

In lieu of these dates, the site will be open on the following days from 3pm to 7pm:

• Wednesday, November 10th
• Wednesday November 24th
• Wednesday, December 22nd
• Wednesday, December 29th

For more information about the site, go to: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthDiseases/coronavirus.htm or call (360) 416-1500.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Speak Up, Speak Out
Although Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) has not been airing new broadcasts, past broadcasts going back to March 2006 are still available for the next year at their website: http://speakupspeakoutradio.org/.