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Friends and neighbors,
We have heard from a number of you asking for clarity about home quarantine and testing protocols in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) emergency the state is currently facing.
The Department of Health (DOH) has some resources to help the public understand how to proceed in the event of infection.
We understand this is a major concern for our communities, our friends and families, and our neighbors. The DOH will continue to provide updates as this situation continues to develop. Please refer to the DOH’s Coronavirus web page for more information and protect yourself and your family by following these DOH recommendations:
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue and discard it immediately.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider before you go to a clinic or emergency room.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
- Do not attend large gatherings (sporting events, conferences, community events) if you are sick, don’t feel well, or someone in your home is sick.
- Show compassion and support for individuals and communities most closely impacted.
- Click here to get prepared in case there’s a COVID-19 outbreak in your community.
You can also check out and share this DOH fact sheet, which is available in eleven languages.
Additionally, if you are an employee or employer, the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) released a notice this morning with information on how the agency can help both workers and businesses as they deal with the effects of COVID-19.
Our state has numerous programs and resources but navigating through them can be confusing. At this ESD one-stop shop, workers and businesses can get answers and explore their options. There’s information on Workers’ Compensation, Paid Sick Leave, Unemployment Benefits, Paid Family and Medical Leave, SharedWork, Standby, and Partial Employment, among others.
We encourage you to take a look at that link if you or someone in your household is sick, or just to be prepared in case you need to access any of these resources in the near future. Knowing what steps to take ahead of time to help your own circumstances can save you hours of frustration trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do at the last minute.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update, we hope you found this information useful. Don’t hesitate to contact our offices with your feedback, questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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