Mar 4, 2020 | Vol. 15 | No. 10
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 Coronavirus Update
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Click to visit the City's new
Coronavirus webpage
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Earlier this week, King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an Emergency Declaration, enabling County government to take extra steps to fight COVID-19.
The City of Mercer Island continues to closely monitor the situation and has already taken a number of actions. Note that in these matters, the City is following guidance and taking direction from Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC).
- The City's Police and Fire Departments have reviewed and updated protocols to reduce risk of exposure to first responders
- Senior City staff met to review continuity of operations plans in the event of extended illness
- Emergency Management personnel have reached out to community partners to establish communications and coordinate advance planning
- The City's pandemic plan is in place
- A new webpage has been developed dedicated to coronavirus information at www.mercergov.org/coronavirus
- Regular communication to the community and staff is ongoing via various channels, including news releases on the City homepage, and various social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter, and NextDoor.
- The City will consider canceling some meetings in order to avoid larger gatherings per Public Health guidance; check the homepage calendar for current details.
How you can help slow the spread of the Coronavirus - advice from the PHSKC:
- Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
- Stay home and self-quarantine when sick.
- Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth; do not shake hands.
- Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
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New City Website Sneak Peek!
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| Stay tuned for further details! |
The City's new website will launch soon; check out the screenshot of our clean, new homepage design above.
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50 Days to Earth Day's 50th Anniversary
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Click to learn more about what you can do
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Fifty years ago, Earth Day was launched with 20 million participants from coast to coast taking to the streets demonstrating for a healthy and sustainable environment. April 22nd, 1970, is considered by many as the beginning of the modern environmental movement and it
sparked landmark legislation to protect air, water and endangered species. It also catalyzed the creation of the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Today, Earth Day Northwest 2020 is leading efforts to deliver the biggest, highest-impact Earth Day that Puget Sound, Washington State, and the Pacific Northwest have ever witnessed. Earth Day Northwest 2020 seizes the opportunity of the 50th anniversary, challenging everyone to take collective action founded on environmental protection, equity, and safe, livable and healthy cities.
You can learn more about making a difference through your everyday choices in five major categories:
- Clean Energy
- Clean and Equitable Transportation
- Zero Waste
- Healthy and Sustainable Food
- Clean Air & Water
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King County Sewer Upgrade Info
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Click to visit the online open house
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King County's
Wastewater Treatment Division is upgrading three miles of sewer pipeline across north Mercer Island and south Bellevue. This large project has been many years in the making and will involve several years of construction, scheduled to begin in early 2021.
Some of the work will be in heavily used public spaces, such as the I-90 (aka Mountains to Sound) Trail, some along streets, and some will be in residential areas. King County has conducted significant outreach to affected communities and residents, and is currently holding an online informational open house, through March 31.
Learn more and view maps and images here.
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Change Your Clocks on Sunday
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Move clocks AHEAD one hour this Sunday;
click for related history
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This Sunday, March 8, at 2:00am, Washington State reverts to Daylight Saving Time, meaning that clocks must be moved one hour AHEAD. Most modern digital devices will switch automatically.
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