Join me for a Telephone Mini Town Hall!

Listening to you and being available to help those in our community is important to me, especially in these uncertain times. That’s why I’m hosting a telephone mini town hall on Friday, April 17 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Rather than in-person chats, each participant will sign up for a 15-minute time slot in which they’ll have a personal call with me. How to sign up: Please email my legislative aide, Syd Locke, at syd.locke@leg.wa.gov or call the office at 360-786-7862.

If you have things to say but can’t participate in the telephone mini town halls, please feel free to email me at steve.bergquist@leg.wa.gov. I try to respond to every call, email and letter from a citizen in the 11^th District.

It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your representative, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Stay Home, Stay Healthy Extended

The good news is that our efforts at social distancing appear to be working. Modeling by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) shows that these early steps have likely saved lives. The bad news is that we are not out of the woods yet. The Stay Home, Stay Healthy order has been extended through May 4 and it is going to take us all doing our part to keep flattening the curve and slowing the spread of infections.

As we enter into April and rents and mortgages come due, the economic pain that this virus has caused will only be amplified. The Governor announced a moratorium on evictions due to non-payment of rent that will last until at least April 17. The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is taking steps to assist homeowners who are unable to make their mortgage payments and calling for mortgage servicers to work with homeowners to find a solution. If you need assistance, please call DFI at 877-RING-DFI to get assistance.

King County has also delayed property tax payments until June 1 for individual property taxpayers.

In addition, several organizations in Seattle have teamed up to support restaurant workers who are suffering financially due the COVID-19 crisis. Local restaurant workers who need financial assistance and meet certain criteria can apply online for a $500 no-strings, “immediate” emergency relief grant from The Plate Fund. Find out how to apply and more in this recent article in The Seattle Times.

School Closures

During this unprecedented time, state officials have been monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in Washington to plan accordingly to keep students and families safe.

The decision to close schools has been made with painstaking care to protect public health while prioritizing the needs of students, families, teachers, and school workers who are all impacted by school closures. Our state public health authorities have been in close communication with OSPI, county and local officials, and the Governor’s office to best meet the needs of Washington students.

We know that students are at low risk for infection, but we must consider their vulnerable family members who may be at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Many students and families rely on critical school services. With each student facing vastly different family and home situations in this crisis, we expect districts to actively develop plans to accommodate nutrition, childcare, and students experiencing homelessness. We also expect OSPI to offer technical support to districts as they work to reach students in different ways than ever before.

I know that this will be very difficult for families, and that parents are struggling to balance their own work schedules – whether they work in essential industries or are working from home – with the new demands of providing home instruction. The school closures are especially difficult for students who receive special education services and English language learners. In efforts to reduce barriers to distance learning, Washington state is working to provide better access to internet and devices to more students.

This decision was not made lightly, but we are following the guidance of health officials to help mitigate the number of cases and save lives. Our goal is to continue supporting districts, students, and families in finding flexible ways to achieve and learn.

The situation is rapidly evolving, and information is changing quickly. We recommend that you stay up-to-date by checking with the Department of Health and OSPI. You can also check Washington state’s official coronavirus website.

Please continue following public health guidelines to keep yourselves and your families healthy.

Resources:

OSPI will continue to be your best resource for updated information about schools. Check their website or follow them on Twitter and Facebook. You can also find a list of school closure resources at housedemocrats.wa.gov/covid-19.

• School Closures Q&A
• COVID-19 in Schools: A Parent Guide (English) (Spanish)
• OSPI COVID-19 Guidance for School Districts
• Information from OSPI about school meals
• Resources for Continuous Learning During School Closures
• Special Education Guidance for COVID-19

Special Enrollment Period for Washington Healthplanfinder Extended to May 8

Responding to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange is giving families more time to find the right plan for them if they find themselves suddenly uninsured due to a change in status, such as losing a job that provided health insurance coverage. Originally this special enrollment period was set to end on April 8, but is now extended another month. If you or a loved one is in sudden need of coverage, please visit WaHealthPlanFinder.org.

Social Distancing Saves Lives

Social distancing is one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19, as the virus is transferred from person to person.  Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you could be a carrier and should practice social distancing.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING IS TO STAY SIX FEET APART FROM OTHERS WHEN YOU’RE AT A PUBLIC PLACE, THE BANK OR THE STORE.

Sincerely,

Rep. Steve Bergquist