Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information about expanded services by the King County Library System, facemask donations, a case update for King County, and more.

Washington Trivia

Who came up with the idea of naming our state Washington? (Answer at the bottom).



King County Library System

Effective Monday, June 8th, the King County Library System advanced to Phase 1.5 in its multiphase plan to reopen libraries after a three-month closure to help curtail the spread of COVID-19. KCLS is taking a phased approach to allow staff and the public back into KCLS buildings in a deliberate and planned way, based on guidance for materials handling, cleaning and physical distancing. While the libraries remain closed to the public in Phase 1.5, some select book returns will gradually open with strict guidelines. You can read more here.

King County Mask Donation

King County is working hard to help get cloth masks out into the community. By partnering with community organizations and leaders, the county is working to ensure that everyone has access to facemasks to help blunt the spread of COVID-19 as we begin to reopen. If you are in need of a facemask or other resources, check out the King County Regional Donations Connector.

Partnering to donate facemasks with Rose Ehl of the Federal Way Farmers Market (left) and Linda Persha of the Kiwanis Club (right) to help ensure people in South King County have access to masks.

4Culture Building for Equity Learning Circles and Capacity Building Grants

4Culture is relaunching their Building for Equity program to comply with COVID-19 Public Health guidelines. You can now apply for a capacity building grant to implement a project to advance your goals around securing and maintaining a cultural space. These grants are up to $25,000 to support a wide range of activities to increase an organization’s capacity to obtain and keep cultural space. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on July 7th. You can learn more about capacity building grants here and more about learning circle stipends and applying for the program here. If you have any questions, email buildingforequity@4culture.org or call 206-263-3223.

Health Officials Stress Continued Vigilance

As King County moves through its first week of limited reopening of some businesses and recreational activities, Public Health reminds the public to continue following physical distancing and infection control practices to help prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases. After nearly three months of stay-at-home orders and other guidelines targeted at slowing the spread of COVID-19, the gradual reopening of businesses, recreational opportunities and social activities is underway across King County. Seattle – King County Public Health encourages everyone to follow these tips to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid extremes. Protecting yourself and your community is not an “all or nothing” approach. Continue to make cautious, risk assessment decisions about interactions.

• Continue to follow safety and hygiene principles, including frequent handwashing, wearing cloth face coverings in public, staying at least six feet from others, and avoiding group gatherings.

• Get tested at the first sign of illness. You can read more about testing here and view a full list of free testing sites here.

• If you’ve attended protests or other large gatherings in recent weeks, help protect one another and reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

King County Case Update

As of today, Seattle – King County Public Health was reporting 23 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 8,559. In addition, Public Health reported 0 new deaths, keeping the total in the county at 570.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer: Representative Richard H. Stanton of Kentucky, who in 1853 argued against naming it Columbia, since there already was the District of Columbia.