Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am pleased to share this update with you to make sure you have the latest news about COVID-19 vaccines and the recent federal economic stimulus package—including how to securely check the status of your stimulus payment. Read on for that information, plus an update on improving our state’s crisis emergency response system and the status of my legislation in the Senate.
Sincerely,
New guidance and vaccine access
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relased new guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Whether you are vaccinated or not, the CDC is still urging people to keep taking precautions in public, like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
We have moved into a new phase of vaccine eligibility and now critical workers in grocery stores, food banks, public transit, agriculture and more are now qualified for the COVID-19 vaccine, along with people over the age of 16 who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high risk.
The State Department of Health has created a new tool to make finding vaccine locations easier for those that want it. Check out the Phase Finder tool to see if you’re eligible for the vaccine. And for a list of vaccine locations across Washington state, click here.
I know that many of us are eager to get vaccinated and are frustrated by the distribution process. When we take a step back to reflect on the last year, in just 12 months, wehave come together, developed multiple vaccines and given more than 2 million doses in Washington. We are on the right track.
American Rescue Plan: What’s in it for Washington?
In March, Congress passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, a strong federal investment in communities to help us all get past the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to strong leadership at the federal level, Washington state residents will receive support in the form of economic impact payments, while state, county, city, and tribal governments will receive increased funding and access to vaccines and testing, boosts to school districts and higher education institutions, rental assistance and child care funding, and support for small business grants.
Washington state’s share of the funds is about $4.253 billion. While we do not know exactly where that money will be directed yet, we should have a better idea by the time the House and Senate approve an operating budget in late April. Like we passed in February with our Step One for Community and Economic Recovery Plan (HB 1368), I will support using these federal funds to provide assistance to Washington families and businesses who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That means direct support for struggling renters, small restaurants and other neighborhood businesses, school districts, uninsured and underinsured individuals, and Black and Brown communities, which have been disproportionately hurt during the pandemic.
How to get your stimulus payment
Find when and how you will be sent your 2021 Economic Impact Payment with the Get My Payment tool. Get My Payment updates once per day, usually overnight. Click here and then the Get My Payment Button
988—a new lifeline for crisis response and suicide prevention
For most people in our community, the only number they know for emergencies is 911. When police or the fire department is needed, that is the best number to call. But when the emergency is related to substance use, a mental health crisis, or a person at immediate risk of taking their own life, having a law enforcement officer arrive at their door may not be the most appropriate emergency response.
An improved crisis response system would reduce reliance on emergency room services and the use of law enforcement response to crises. Last year, the bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designated 988 as the new national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline number, paving the way for states to develop improved crisis response systems. The federal law requires the line be operational by July 16, 2022.
Earlier this week, I was proud to vote for HB 1477 which would establish the 988 system here in Washington state. The vision of this bill and the 988 line is to create robust call centers to support people in crisis and ensure they receive the care they need, when they need it. These enhanced 988 services will coordinate with 911, EMS and law enforcement, and behavioral health systems to create a seamless system of care for those in crisis.
Latest video update
Click here or on the video below for an update on three bills I introduced that have passed the House and are moving through the Senate.
