News from the Skagit County Democrats
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for February 14, 2022
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
Happy Valentine's Day!1. NEW – Skagit County Democrats has a new website!
Please check us out at
https://skagitdemocrats.orgWe have put a lot of work into this but these things are never perfect when first published. We still have some content corrections/additions to make and we are aware of these. Please help us out with final debugging by letting us know of any errors or broken links you may find by sending an email to omp@skagitdemocrats.org.
2. Fidalgo Democrats next meet Monday, Feb 14, 7:00pm, online – An evening with 2nd Congressional Representative Rick Larsen
“Please join us for a special night with our 2nd District Congressman Rick Larsen. He will update us on the activities in Washington DC and his work on local issues. He will take questions following his presentation. Note that this meeting is on Monday night, not our usual Tuesday to accommodate Rep. Larsen’s schedule. Barbara Cooper, Chair – 360-293-4123”
3. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats General Membership meeting is Saturday, Feb 19, 10:00am – 12:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here to register for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. “All our meetings are now at 10:00 instead of 10:30. We are starting an ‘every other month’ schedule, rotating between e-board and general membership.”
4. NEW – 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul will participate in a Bipartisan Virtual Town Hall, Monday, Feb 21, 6:30pm, online
Click Here to register. You will also be able to watch the livestream on Dave’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RepDavePaul/.
5. NEW – The 40th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Feb 22, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link. Please consult their website for additional information.
6. NEW – Legislative Committee Calls to Action
“We have several Bills we are following which need immediate action (Before Tuesday). Please write your Representatives showing support for the following Bills. Make sure to include your name and address at the end of each email.”
- Dear Senator,
- It’s deeply important we pass SB5843! We must prohibit public officials and candidates from knowingly making false statements regarding elections. This will preserve the integrity of our elections.
- Dear Representative,
- <dave.paul@leg.wa.gov>, <greg.gilday@leg.wa.gov>, <deborah.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov>, <alex.ramel@leg.wa.gov>, <carolyn.eslick@leg.wa.gov>, <robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov>
- I strongly support HB20158, a 3-day tax holiday to help families prepare for school opening and to support small businesses is a fantastic idea.
- Dear Representative,
- <dave.paul@leg.wa.gov>, <greg.gilday@leg.wa.gov>, <deborah.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov>, <alex.ramel@leg.wa.gov>, <carolyn.eslick@leg.wa.gov>, <robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov>
- Please help pass HB1904 to help us protect tenants from excessive rent & associated fees. It is deeply important we provide this protection for our citizens.
- Dear Representative,
- <dave.paul@leg.wa.gov>, <greg.gilday@leg.wa.gov>, <deborah.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov>, <alex.ramel@leg.wa.gov>, <carolyn.eslick@leg.wa.gov>, <robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov>
- It is time to pass HB1169 and begin to fix our sentencing structure. Please give this bill priority and get it passed.
7. Skagit County Democrats Candidate Certifications
If you are a new Candidate and have not yet been Certified as a Democrat, please fill out the application (Click Here) and return it to endorsements@skagitdemocrats.org.
8. Call for Volunteers
“We can start to defend democracy this year by working on our local level. Volunteer to work in the office and pitch in to support our elected officials and those who are planning to run. You can work at your comfort level, whether it is writing post cards or thank you cards, or making phone calls, or answering phone calls. We welcome your thoughts and ideas for the future of our county. Current Office Hours are two-hour slots, at 10am, noon, and 2pm on Mondays through Thursdays, and we have openings. As we approach the primary and then election in November, we plan to have the office open on Fridays as well. Can you help? This is a great way to get active in our county!” If you are interested, please email staff@skagitdemocrats.org.
9. 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.
- Revenge of the Patriarchs – Why Autocrats Fear Women
- How to Want Less
- For the first time, the government published monthly unemployment data on Native Americans, and the picture is stark
- There Is Nothing Normal about One Million People Dead from COVID
- Major breakthrough on nuclear fusion energy
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Mardi Gras in Concrete, Saturday, Feb 26, Parade at 3:00pm, Downtown Concrete
“This is the only Mardi Gras event in Western Washington that’s not just for grown-ups, doesn’t encourage alcohol, and doesn’t require a cover charge. Everyone is welcome to be in the parade or just watch from the side. The only rule is to keep it fun and family-friendly.”
2. February is National Black History Month – This year’s theme is “Black Health and Wellness”
Here are some sites you can visit:
3. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Feb 9
Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
Skagit County is continuing to see a decline in new cases, though our hospitalization rates are still quite high.
Skagit has a total of 21,028 cases, which increased by 673 since last Wednesday. Skagit reports 1,022 total hospitalizations, which increased by 51 this week, and 174 deaths, which increased by 7.
Our current case rate is 2,280.6 per 100k over the last 14 days, and our hospitalization rate is now 32.2 per 100k over the last seven days. Skagit County is now 74.7% partially vaccinated amongst residents 5+, and 68.1% fully vaccinated amongst this same group.
For more data like this, go to: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/DataDashboard
Other important data
Based on recent data from the state, we can see that those who are unvaccinated are still at an increased risk for severe illness due to COVID-19, even with the Omicron variant. From the state’s COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths by Vaccination Status Report:
Unvaccinated 12-34 year-olds are:
- 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 12-34 year-olds.
- 5 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 12-34 year-olds.
Unvaccinated 35-64 year-olds are:
- 4 times more likely to get COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 35-64 year-olds.
- 7 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 35-64 year-olds.
Unvaccinated 65+ year-olds are:
- 5 times more likely to get COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 65+ year-olds.
- 8 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 65+ year-olds.
- 9 times more likely to die of COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated 65+ year-olds.
Vaccine at the Public Health Office
COVID-19 prime, pediatric, and booster vaccinations are available at the Public Health office in downtown Mount Vernon at 700 S 2nd Street. To make an appointment, go to www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine or call (360) 416-1500. Walk-ins are also available, though appointments are preferred.
Available appointments include:
Monday 2/14 –click here
Tuesday 2/15 –click here
Wednesday 2/16 –click here
Thursday 2/17 –click here
For a full list of vaccination providers available in Skagit County, go to Vaccine Locator or call the Hotline at 1-800-525-0127.
Antigen Testing at the Fairgrounds
Antigen testing hours at the Fairgrounds are now Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from noon to 4pm. Testing is free and available to anyone 5 years and older who lives, works, or goes to school in Skagit County. Individuals must be symptomatic or have had recent exposure to COVID-19 to qualify for service at the site.
For information about our site or for a full list of testing providers in Skagit County: https://skagitcounty.net/departments/healthdiseases/coronavirusTESTsites.htm.
At-home COVID-19 Testing
The state’s Say Yes! COVID Test ordering portal has reopened. If you have not yet ordered your free kits through Say Yes, now is the time to do so! Go to https://sayyescovidhometest.org/ to order. Limited to one order per household.
If you have not yet ordered through the federal program, please go to www.covidtests.gov to place your order for 4 free at-home tests. Limited to one order per household.
If testing at home and you receive a positive test result, please call the state’s COVID-19 Hotline as soon as possible at 1–800–525–0127 or the Skagit County Public Health office at (360) 416-1500.
If you cannot get access to testing, please refer to the CDC’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidance found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The League of Women Voters of Washington has a 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). Attend as your interest in a topic and schedule allows. Each session will be recorded for viewing anytime. The continuing Zoom connection link is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82841749719?pwd=K3cweWNUbkg0bkM0ZzRML2U1TXVBdz09 – Meeting ID: 828 4174 9719. Passcode: 619917.
This week’s session – Democracy Issues: Cindy Black, Fix Democracy First and Housing/Homelessness: Cynthia Stewart, LWV Issue Chair
Next week’s session – Redistricting Update: Alison McCaffree, LWV Issue Chair