News from the Skagit County Democrats
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for December 27, 2021
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
Happy and Safe Holidays to ALL!
1. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters will be closed over the holidays from Monday, Dec 20 – Friday, Dec 31
Headquarters will reopen Monday, Jan 3, 2021.
2. Three ways to review Governor Inslee’s Salmon Strategy
3. Afghan Refugee Aid (through December)
“As colder weather approaches, there is a dire need for warm winter clothing for more than 4,000 Afghan refugee children at New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. They escaped Afghanistan on U.S. cargo planes in August with only the clothes on their backs – and they need everyone’s help. They supported the U.S. military during the war and risked everything for our service members – it’s now time for us to step up for them.
Please help by either:
- Donate online (https://gofund.me/fba4cd13) which will be used to deliver coats, jackets, and shoes directly to these children; or
- Donate winter clothing and shoes. These can be dropped off at the Skagit County Democrats Office at: 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon – Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 12:00pm – 4:00pm and Wednesday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Your coats, jackets and shoes will be picked up by Clyde Shavers who is leading this effort.”
4. Rent Request
“Fellow Democrats,
For our community’s health and safety, we cancelled the annual Gala in 2020 and 2021. Generous donors have traditionally given to our rent fund at the Gala. A year and a half ago we reached out to you to request your help in replenishing our depleted rent funds. You responded so generously that, along with the occasional rent support supplementing your membership dues, we’ve been able to meet our rent obligations up to and including November of this year.
Now, however, we are once again faced with a dwindling rent fund and the very real possibility of having to use money from the general fund to meet those same obligations. Doing so would reduce our options for supporting other priorities, such as candidate support, Get Out the Vote, and Community Outreach, which in turn would risk diminishing our effectiveness in the community.
We are optimistically looking ahead to next June in the hopes of being able to once again stage a live Gala, but in the meantime we have at least 7 months during which we need a minimum of $7,000 to fulfill the terms of our lease. Were it not for the good fortune of finding and moving into our new headquarters the amount needed would be at least $3000 more.
We welcome contributions in any amount either through our website (https://skagitdemocrats.org/) or by check to our address at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Your support is the mainstay of our party and the ability to make a positive difference in Skagit County.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our party. Respectfully, Lynn Campbell, Chair, Skagit County Democrats”
Click Here to go directly to our ActBlue donation page.
5. 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.
- The biggest Pinocchios of 2021
- New anti-protest laws cast a long shadow on First Amendment rights
- Voting Laws Roundup: December 2021
- Scientists watch giant ‘doomsday’ glacier in Antarctica with concern
- The Race to Find ‘Green’ Helium
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Guemes Ferry Replacement Project Neighborhood Meeting, Thursday, Jan 6 2022, via Zoom
“A pre-application neighborhood meeting via video teleconference has been scheduled to introduce the potential project described below. The purpose of the meeting is to inform neighbors and interested parties about the potential project at an early stage and to foster communication between the applicant and the public regarding potential project issues and opportunities for solutions.
PROJECT LOCATION: Guemes Island Ferry Terminal – located at the north end of I Avenue
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To support anticipated ridership through 2060 and to limit environmental impacts of the ferry service, Skagit County is replacing the current vessel with a battery-electric vessel. The proposed project is for the necessary terminal modifications to support the larger and heavier vessel. Terminal modifications would include: installation of charging arm & maintenance platform, upgrade (3) dolphins, replace the loading apron, and update the wingwall.”
Click Here for the connection link. Meeting ID: 854 8289 6006.
2. NEW – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility has published their 2022 Policy Agenda
Click Here for a copy of the agenda.
3. The League of Women Voters of Washington has a new group – ACT via Zoom (Action Coffee Time) – focused on topics currently being debated in Washington State Legislative session
Mondays, 10:00am – 11:00am (with optional 11-11:15 social time). Sessions begin Monday, Jan 3, and end Monday, Mar 14. Attend as your interest in a topic and schedule allows. Each session will be recorded for viewing anytime. Email facilitator, Carol Sullivan, at carolosully@yahoo.com to get the topics schedule and Zoom link. (She promises few emails.) Likely topics: Public Banking, Local Options Bill (Ranked Choice Voting), Advisory Votes, Carbon Pricing Basics, Gun Safety legislation.
4. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Dec 22
“Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
Skagit has a total of 12,462 cases; an increase of 217 new cases since last Wednesday. Skagit has a total of 787 hospitalizations (increased by 6 since Wednesday), and 148 deaths (increased by 3).
Skagit’s case rate is 312.8 per 100k over the last 14 days and our hospitalization rate is 13.0 per 100k over the last seven days.
A total of 216,777 doses have been administered in Skagit County. We are now at 77.5% partially vaccinated amongst our population 12 years and older, and 71.4% fully vaccinated amongst Skagitonians 12 and older.
Omicron Variant Update
Last Thursday, Public Health announced that three cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in Skagit County. We know that Omicron is circulating in our community, and it is expected that infections from this new variant will continue to increase over the next several weeks, causing another spike in cases.
And though a spike it expected, this does not mean that it is time to be discouraged. The CDC has stated that we have the tools to fight the spread of Omicron, including the layered protection of vaccination, boosters, masking, and testing.
For our Health Officer’s full statement: https://bit.ly/3GSLov1
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Update
Last week, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released a statement recommending that people 18 and older choose to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) instead of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.
This update follows guidance and recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Individuals who wish to receive the J&J vaccine are encouraged to reach out to their health care provider to discuss their options as J&J will still be available across the state.
For the full press release: https://bit.ly/3qiU4US
Boosters at the Public Health Office
Skagit County Public Health is providing booster doses for eligible individuals—BY APPOINTMENT—at the Skagit County Public Health Office, located at 700 S 2nd Street (3rd floor) in downtown Mount Vernon, as well as the Skagit County Fairgrounds, located at 501 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon.
Appointments can be scheduled online by going to \https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/ and searching for “Skagit County Public Health” under the Name of Location box. For assistance, call Public Health at (360) 416-1500.
Available appointments:
Daytime appointments at Downtown Mount Vernon location:
- Wednesday 12/29 – https://bit.ly/32ijVUH
- Thursday 12/30 – https://bit.ly/3pdPlVt
Evening appointments at the Fairgrounds:
- Tuesday 12/28 – https://bit.ly/3GXBIj5
- Wednesday 12/29 – https://bit.ly/3GXoxyC
- Thursday – 12/30 – https://bit.ly/3mn95nv
New appointments are added each Monday at 9:00 a.m.
Pediatric Vaccines at the Fairgrounds
Pfizer COVID-19 Pediatric vaccines continue to be available—by appointment only—for children 5-11 years old. To make an appointment for a pediatric vaccine, go to: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/. Search for “Skagit County Public Health” under Name of Location.
Available appointments:
- Monday 12/27 – https://bit.ly/3ebtnvS
- Tuesday 12/28 – https://bit.ly/3yJsCU8
- Wednesday 12/29 – https://bit.ly/3yI3rBi
- Thursday 12/30 – https://bit.ly/3H3C9bN
For more information about pediatric vaccine, go to: https://bit.ly/3Csp7BE.
At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits Available
Beginning this week, Skagit County residents can order testing kits online for free home delivery! The COVID-19 tests are authorized for use by the FDA, provided free of charge, and the entire testing process can be managed privately at home. Tests require a quick swab inside each nostril, and results can be read in just 10 minutes.
Testing on a routine basis offers the best chance of identifying COVID-19 infection and isolating early. Use your test if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who may be positive for COVID-19. You should test immediately if having symptoms, or 3-5 days after suspected exposure, even if you don’t experience any symptoms.
To order, visit SayYesCovidHomeTest.org and enter your zip code. Need assistance? Call Public Health at (360) 416-1500. Please know that orders are limited to 4 kits (or 8 tests) per household. This program will be available while supplies last.
If you receive a positive test result, please call the state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127 (press #) as soon as possible. The hotline is available Monday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Tuesday to Sunday (and observed holidays) 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Looking for a PCR test? Visit our website for a full list of testing providers in Skagit County.”