January 9, 2021

Phase 1 begins on Monday, January 11^th

All regions will begin in Phase 1, because of current metrics.

Phase 1, for the most part, aligns with restrictions current in place for most counties today, with a few key exceptions. Indoor fitness and outdoor entertainment, for example, were both previously prohibited, but will now be permitted with restrictions.

Currently, all indoor fitness is entirely prohibited. DOH now believes that the state can safely allow appointment-based fitness and training where there is no more than 1 customer per room or 500 square feet for large facilities. This will allow gyms to schedule people wanting to come in to work out in a safe way to ensure activity during winter months. Masks and physical distancing are required.

Outdoor entertainment establishes will be permitted to reopen in Phase 1, including zoos, outdoor theaters and concert venues, and rodeos, among other outdoor venues. Operation must be by ticketed event only with groups of 10 maximum with a limit of 2 households. Timed ticketing is required, as well as facial coverings and physical distancing.

Indoor gatherings and indoor dining remain prohibited. Outdoor dining with a maximum of 6 and limit for 2 households per table is permitted with an 11:00 PM close.

Retail, worship services, personal services, and professional services — where remote work isn’t available—are limited to 25% capacity.

 December 28, 2020 --- by Chris Christophersen

For those veterans who utilize the Lake City VA Clinic aka the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) contracted by VA Puget Sound with Valor Healthcare, the VA Puget Sound will not be renewing their contract with Valor Healthcare.

There will be 3 new VA Micro Clinics. The Lake City VA Clinic will close on January 31, 2021. The Micro Clinic replacing the Lake City VA Clinic is the Edmonds Micro Clinic --- which will open by the end of April 2021 (no specific date was given).

If you need healthcare during that dead time, you will need to go to the VA Hospital in Seattle, or the VA offers video care appointments. You can find a full list of options at https://www.va.gov./find-locations/.

VA Micro Clinic in Edmonds

21616 76^thAve W

Edmonds, WA 98026

 It is across the street from Swedish Hospital in Edmonds.

Patients interested in seeking care at any of the VA Puget Sound sites, including VA Micro Clinics, can call (253) 582-8440 ext. 71234.

                                                                #     #    #

Posted: December 12, 2020 --- Military.com | By Richard Sisk

VA Secretary-designate Denis McDonough said his orders from President-elect Biden were simple and direct: "to fight like hell for our veterans." "Our men and women in uniform have had our country's back and when they come home we need to have their backs," said McDonough, 51, the former White House Chief of Staff and National Security Council Chief of Staff in the Obama administration.

If confirmed by the Senate to run the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a $240 billion agency and the nation's largest health care system, McDonough said he would fight to give our veterans and their families the health care, respect and dignity they deserve." He was introduced by Biden at a Wilmington, Delaware, theater along with other Cabinet choices. Among his top priorities, McDonough said, are "making our VA more welcoming to all veterans, including our women veterans, veterans of color and LGBTQ veterans," and "keeping faith with our incredible military families and caregivers."

He also appeared to address concerns voiced by some in the veteran’s community and the VA unions that he lacked the military background and experience in health care they had expected in a nominee for the post. "To the men and women of the VA, many of you veterans yourselves, to you and to the many dedicated veterans service organizations, I look forward to being your partner in delivering care and support second to none," McDonough said.

In his introduction, Biden said McDonough shared his belief that the government had many obligations, but only "one truly sacred obligation to prepare and equip our troops that we send into harm's way and then to care for them and their families when they return." He called McDonough a "fierce advocate and a relentless workhorse, and ... a world-class manager with an innate understanding of how government can and must work for our veterans."

Biden also pledged that his administration would seek to boost the VA budget to attract more doctors, psychiatrists, and health care workers to the VA from the private sector to improve VA service. Biden also introduced former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as his choice for Agriculture Secretary; U.S. House Representative Marcia Fudge for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Katherine Tai for U.S. Trade Representative; and Susan Rice for head of the White House Domestic Policy Council. "Some are familiar faces. Some are new in their roles. All are facing new circumstances and challenges. That is a good thing," Biden said.