Coronavirus Facts and Information

School is out for the summer and education leaders are developing plans for learning to resume safely in the fall. Until there is a vaccine, education will look different than it has in the past. Schools in Washington are planning for learning in the fall using three scenarios:

• In-person education with appropriate physical distancing and masks
• A hybrid of in-person education and remote learning
• Enhanced remote learning

Individual school district reopening plans will vary based on their size and needs.

Facts about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Official sources of information are the best way to stay grounded in fact. Online resources such as coronavirus.wa.gov, the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are great resources.
• Keep six feet away from others, wear a cloth face covering, wash your hands, and cover coughs and sneezes. If you feel symptoms of COVID-19, get tested.
• Wearing a mask in public places where you are unable to maintain physical distancing is mandatory.

Resources

Free Wi-Fi Map

In response to the impact of COVID-19, drive-in Wi-Fi hotspots provide free, temporary emergency internet access for Washingtonians who don’t have broadband service at their homes. Commerce has a Wi-Fi mapping tool on its website.

Washington 211 COVID-19 Call Center

Do you need information or answers to your questions and concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You can call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

Do you need support due to stress from COVID-19?

Call Washington Listens, a line that provides nonclinical support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19. People who call Washington Listens will speak to a support specialist and receive information and connection to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous and no identifying information is maintained. People who staff Washington Listens will receive basic training needed to provide support to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reach Washington Listens, call 1-833-681-0211. Read the Washington Listens fact sheet.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Symptoms:

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19 and the best prevention is to avoid being exposed to the virus in the first place.

Prevention:

There are simple, preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Stigma Reduction:

As new information emerges from across the globe, please remember that the risk of COVID-19 is not at all connected with race, ethnicity or nationality. Seeking and sharing accurate information during a time of heightened concern is one of the best things we can do to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading. Read more >