11/14/2020 COVID19 Updates for Muslims

Asalamu Alikum Brothers and Sisters, 

This email contains the following information:

1. COVID 19 reached 2,233 cases on Sat 11/14/2020,  in one day in WA, source Komo News

2. Governor Inslee Nov 15, 2020, restrictions affect all social gatherings, restaurants, retail, gyms, and religious services.

3. Support for workers during COVID-19 outbreak

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

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 to follow the governor’s guidance. 

8. WA State Quarantine for interstate and international travel.

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

1. COVID 19 Positive cases in WA and King County

(Above image is a King County graph)

Washington recorded more than 2,233 new coronavirus cases on Saturday 11/14/2020, reaching a new daily high not since COVID19 outbreak, and double the number 14 days ago of 1000 cases, according to the state Department of Health. Please check the COVID 19 Outbreak Summary and the King County Indicator. Below is the graph for the first two weeks of Nov. 

2. Gov Inslee issued new guidelines today with restrictions to affect all social gatherings, restaurants, retail, gyms, and religious services. Restaurants serve only outdoor and delivery, and reduce houses of worship to 25% capacity.  Please check Komo news summary and details, and for full details, please check the governor announcement. 

3.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.

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

• Program starts on Monday, 11/16/20
• Tested positive for COVID-19 and/or
• Are a close contact of a positive case
• More details