11/23/2020 COVID19 updates for Muslims

Asalamu Alikum Brothers and Sisters, 

This email contains the following information:

• New this week

1. COVID 19 updated graph and new guidance update by King County. 

2. Public Health Seattle & King County is providing one-time cash stipends to qualifying workers in King County to Isolate and Quarantine (SWIQ) program

3. Mental Health training – 8 hours. Free with a coupon. 

4. Registration is now recommended prior to testing for COVID19.

• From last week in case you missed it

5. Free and reduced flu vaccine clinics

6. Grants to families in WA State from $1000 to $3000 per family.

7. Islamic Centers are required by law to follow the governor’s guidance. 

8. WA State Quarantine for interstate and international travel.

9. Support for workers during COVID-19 outbreak

10. Free prayer pocket mat, disposable and reusable face masks.

1. COVID 19 Positive cases in WA and King County

(Above image is the COVID19 cases in King County)

Please check the COVID 19 Outbreak Summary and the King County Indicator. Below is the graph for the first two weeks of Nov. 

2. Stipends for Workers to Isolate and Quarantine (SWIQ) program

• Program did not start yet
• Tested positive for COVID-19 and/or
• Are a close contact of a positive case
• More details 

3. Mental Health training – 8 hours. Free with a coupon. More information will be emailed soon. 

4. Due to high demand at King County test sites, we encourage everyone to register before going to the test site. To register for a test, select the highlighted “Make reservation online” link below your preferred testing location at KingCounty.gov/covid/sites. Online registration is available in English and Spanish. For other languages, or if you have difficulty registering, call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977 (open daily from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM). If you need an interpreter, please tell us in English what language you need.

4. Free prayer pocket mat, disposable and reusable face masks

MCNA & Tarteel School are distributing free prayer pocket mats and face masks, please use this form to order for your Muslim Community center. No need to order if you need it for your family, but you will need to call ahead of time to make sure face masks are available in the pickup location: Zebra Printing, in Bellevue. Thank you Zebra printing for the help. 

5. Free flu vaccine clinics. Free and reduced-cost flu vaccination and other vaccines:

6. Grants to families in WA State from $1000 to $3000 per family

Please consider applying to Washington State COVID-19 Relief Funds. Eligible recipients will receive $1,000, with a limit of $3,000 per household.   For the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, applications are open at immigrantreliefwa.org from Oct. 21 through Dec. 6. Benefits will be disbursed by Dec. 28.

7. Gov Inslee Guidance to religious based organizations. Many Islamic Centers had not been following the Governor guidelines, especially for the 6 feet distance and wearing face masks. Please share this document with the Muslim leaders, and let them know it is ileagal not to follow the Governor guidence. Gov. Jay Inslee announced a few weeks ago an updated guidance for religious and faith based organizations as part of Washington’s Safe Start phased reopening plan. The religious and faith-based guidance is updated to: “Clarify that physical distancing between non-household members must be 6 feet in all directions;” Islamic center members must follow the 6 feet distance, wear face masks and must have a floor/ground mark for each member that is 6 feet apart. Here is the King County guideline poster for Muslims. 

8. WA Travel advisory. With COVID-19 cases doubling in Washington over the last two weeks, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel. Please stay close to home to slow the spread.

9. Public Health Seattle & King County is providing one-time cash stipends to qualifying workers in King County so you can isolate or quarantine. This stipend can help cover 2-3 weeks of a family’s expenses and varies by household size. The program is not yet launched, more information can be found here. 

10. Support for workers during COVID-19 outbreak:

• Return to work letter. Public Health — Seattle & King County strongly discourages employers from requiring workers to get tested after they have completed isolation or quarantine. We have drafted a letter that you can share with your employer explaining the rationale for this policy.

Please feel free to share your feedback.

Thanks