News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on April 10th, 2022
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for April 11, 2022
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – Gala Tickets are available!
JUNE 04, 2022, 6:00pm – Don’t miss out on an evening of fun and good food with friends! Tickets are $75 per person or a table of 8 for $600. Please join us at the SWINOMISH CASINO for a wonderfully delicious buffet dinner and silent and live auctions. The proceeds will help us support our local candidates in the upcoming elections as well as ongoing expenses.
The theme for this year is: “Ensuring our Democracy Together.” The Meet and Greet is from 4:00pm until 6:00pm.
To secure your tickets please make a donation using this link. Please indicate “Gala” and the number of tickets in the “Purpose” box. We appreciate your continued support.
2. NEW – Call for Auction Items
As we have done in the past, we appeal to you to help us with Silent and Live Auction donations for our annual Gala. These items, provide a significant amount of revenue.
In addition to silent auction items, you also have been very generous in providing us with Live Auction valuables like Vacation Weeks, Event Tickets, Boat Trips and the like. We totally appreciate these and count on the revenue they generate.
We need to collect all donation items no later than Friday, May 20. Items may be brought to our Headquarters Office, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104. You can also call 360-336-1555 and we can arrange to pick them up. Feel free to email any questions to staff@skagitdemocrats.org.
3. NEW – Fidalgo Democrats next meets Tuesday, Apr 12, 7:00pm via Zoom
“Rep Debra Lekanoff, Rep Alex Ramel, and Rep. Dave Paul, the Democratic Legislators from the 40th and 10th districts, will report on the legislative session and answer your questions. What bills were passed? How will they benefit the people of Washington State? What does the future of the state look like? This is your opportunity to talk to your representatives and to have your questions answered. Barbara Cooper, Chair, 360 293 4123.”
4. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Apr 16, 10:00am via Zoom
Email chair@10thlddemocrats.org for connection information.
5. NEW – Bill Pfeifer Celebration of Life, Sunday, May 1, 1:30pm, Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete
It has been almost a year (May 4, 2021) since Bill left us. A Celebration of Life is now planned. “A memorial video will be show at 1:30pm, Doors open at 1:00pm. Light refreshments and a no-host ice cream bar will be served. Come to share your memories of this wonderful man.”
6. Skagit County Democrats will continue to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office
While the Statewide mask mandate has been lifted for many situations, we will continue to require facemasks at our Headquarters until further notice.
7. 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 Fantasy of the Free World – Are Democracies Really United Against Russia?
- Individual Differences in Resistance to Truth Decay – Exploring the Role of Reasoning and Cognitive Biases
- What Archaeologists Are Learning About the Lives of the Chinese Immigrants Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad
- Why People Are Acting So Weird
- Why U.S. Population Growth Is Collapsing
Editor’s Note: For those who missed the newsletter last week, my sincere apologies. There was no problem with your email or your server. I simply did not get one out. I was down with a rather nasty bug for several days last week. It was not COVID – we tested. However, it was debilitating and I was not together enough to figure out an alternative. Again, my sincere apologies for the lapse.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Marcha Campesina, Sunday, May 1, 9:00am, Edgewater Park, Mt Vernon
March in solidarity with farmworkers and their families. After gathering at Edgewater Park the march will proceed through Mount Vernon to Burlington and end with a food and community celebration at Horseshoe Park. Skagit Democrats signed up to provide water and snacks so donations through our Headquarters Office would be appreciated. Click Here for more information.
2. NEW – Tulip Festival Street Fair, Friday – Sunday, Apr 15 – 17, 10:00am – 5:00pm, downtown Mount Vernon
Click Here for more information.
3. No More Bombs will be protesting using our “NO NUKES” banner on the Blackburn I-5 overpass in South Mount Vernon Friday, Apr 15, 3:00pm
“Park along Blackburn Road. Bring a sign or simply wave at motorists. . . If there is too much rain or wind we will cancel.”
4. NEW – Anacortes Shred-A-Thon, Saturday, Apr 16, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Walgreen’s Parking Lot, 909 17th Street, Anacortes
“Bring your old documents to shred and support the Anacortes Family Center, Anacortes’ own homeless shelter for women, children and families in crisis. All donations are tax-deductible! . . . Suggested Donation $20 per box, $10 minimum.”
5. NEW – The Climb in Concrete: A Presentation & Fundraiser, Saturday, Apr 16, 5:30pm, Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete
“New business owners Jeremy and Lisa Akers, along with their two kids, are establishing a climbing wall on the cement silos . . . At this free presentation, you’ll learn why and how they’re making this happen. Jeremy and his daughter, Gwyneth, — a passionate climber — will answer your questions, show you a few videos of outdoor structure climbing in other towns, and give you the opportunity to get in “on the ground floor” of this brand-new project.”
6. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Apr 6
Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
Skagit County’s 7-day case rate has increase by 10 percent since last week. Our 7-day hospitalization rate decreased by 35 percent. This week, 4 new COVID-related deaths were reported. Skagit County remains at a “Moderate” disease transmission level.
We’ve seen a slight uptick in cases over the last week, which is something that experts expected as we monitor the situation with omicron BA.2 subvariant. It is still too early to say if trends will continue to increase, or if things will level off again. In the meantime, now is a great time to go and get your booster dose if you haven’t already or get your 2nd booster dose if you are 50 years and older or immunocompromised. As always, stay home when you’re not feeling well and get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed.
COVID-19 Treatment Options
Thousands of doses of a potentially lifesaving COVID-19 drug are available in the state of Washington and could potentially benefit those at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Evusheld is a monoclonal antibody treatment that can provide protection against COVID-19. Provided via injection, it can be given to adults and children 12 years and older before infection with COVID-19. At present, those eligible to receive Evusheld include people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or have had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals interested in this treatment should talk to their health care provider to determine if they are eligible for Evusheld. If they are, they can work with their providers to find a facility where they can receive the injection.
People at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19 who are not eligible for Evusheld should ask their health care provider about other antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 that are available by prescription only and must be given within the first few days of COVID-19 symptoms to be effective.
The Test to Treat program can provide faster, easier access to lifesaving COVID-19 treatments. If you test positive, you can see a health care provider, and if eligible, get a prescription for an oral COVID-19 treatment and have that prescription filled—all at one location.
Visit the Test to Treat locator or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages. More information on COVID-19 therapeutics can also be found at Washington State Department of Health’s website here.
Vaccine Booster Update
People age 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals can now get a second booster dose of an mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after receiving their initial booster dose.
- Read the full news release for further details.
- Read the CDC media statement.
COVID-19 prime, pediatric, and booster vaccinations are available at the Public Health office in downtown Mount Vernon at 700 S 2nd Street. The clinic is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, go to www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccineor call (360) 416-1500. Walk-ins are also available.
Available appointments include:
- Wednesday 4/13 –click here
- Thursday 4/14 –click here
- Friday 4/15 –click here
COVID-19 Testing Site at Cascade Mall
Free antigen COVID-19 testing is available at our Cascade Mall location at 150 Cascade Mall Drive in Burlington. Please come to the east side of the mall parking lot near the old Johnny Carino’s restaurant. Services are available on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For information about our site or for a full list of testing providers in Skagit County: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthDiseases/coronavirusTESTsites.htm.
At-home COVID-19 Testing
Free at-home test kits can now be ordered online through the following sites:
- sayyescovidhometest.org (two order per month per household)
- covidtest.gov (second orders now available)