COVID-19 update: Considerations and recommendations as we move into spring
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
With cases slowly but steadily rising over the past month in our region, we’re taking a closer look at what we know about the state of the pandemic locally. The bottom line is that although ongoing ups and downs in COVID-19 activity are likely, it’s best not to become infected and there are effective ways to reduce our risk.
Click here for a brief look at the current COVID-19 situation in King County and recommended strategies for anyone who wants to reduce their risk for COVID-19 and long COVID, especially people at higher risk for severe infection.
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Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
As the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl has spread across King County and the rest of the nation, it has, unfortunately, become more common to encounter a person who may be experiencing an opioid overdose.
Questions arise about what to do in that situation – how to give help, and whether it’s safe to do so. Some stories in the media have raised worries about whether people who come into close contact with someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose could get exposed to the drug while trying to help.
Dr. Scott Phillips, Medical Toxicologist and Medical Director of the Washington Poison Center, addresses some of those questions, and explains the science behind them. Click here to read the full story.
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Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Sue Mason is the new Labor Equity Program Supervisor in the Finance and Business Operations Division in DES. Her job includes administering the county’s priority hire program and collaborating with unions, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, and contractors to support the hiring, retention, and training of underrepresented workers, and encouraging folks to consider construction as a career.
Click here to read the full announcement.
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Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Vanessa Chin and Kevin Nuechterlein’s proposal for a presentation on diversity and inclusion has been selected by the Northwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NWAAAE) for their fall conference.
Their presentation will be titled, “Sustainable Culture Change for a More Diverse and Inclusive Airport.” Click here to learn more.
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Balanced You Mindfulness spring schedule
Balanced You continues to partner with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. All classes are held live on Zoom.
Mindfulness is a practice that can help you quiet your mind, find focus, and reduce some of the mental strain we are all going through. Additionally, mindfulness can support you in reducing stress at work and at home.
This spring, we have classes for all employees that will teach techniques such as emotional resilience, mindful movement, and more. For class schedule and registration links, visit this Balanced You blog post.
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Recorded Teams Meetings will be deleted after 90 days
Microsoft has implemented a new policy to auto-delete recorded Teams meetings from the meeting owner’s OneDrive after 90 days. This policy will only apply to recordings created on or after April 15; previously recorded meetings will not be impacted.
Going forward, meeting owners will be notified via email when recordings are deleted and can retrieve the files from their recycle bin. This will improve file management by removing unneeded recordings from employees’ OneDrive. Employees can save and share recorded meetings using Microsoft Stream. View the quick guide to uploading Teams Meeting Recordings to Stream.
If you need help, Executive branch employees can LiveChat with the KCIT Helpdesk. Employees in separately-elected agencies should contact your department IT support.
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King County 2023-2024 Budget Lunch and Learn
Join Dwight Dively, director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, to learn more about King County’s budget. Dwight will provide an overview of King County’s budget, our financial outlook, and the upcoming 2023-2024 budget process.
Please reach out to Katie Ross at Katie-PSB.Ross@kingcounty.gov with any questions.
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Tech Tip: KCIT shares accessibility tips for Outlook, Office, and Teams
Since one out of five people has a disability, it is important to support everyone’s accessibility needs. Whether it's larger text sizes or closed captioning for online meetings, accessible technology makes a real difference.
KCIT developed this online training series with Microsoft to discuss accessibility features in Outlook, Office, and Teams. Take a look to learn how you can support this work.
For help using accessible technology, contact the KCIT HelpDesk here or at 206- 263-4357.
Security Tips: HTTPS the 's' stands for secure
If you have ever signed in to a website such as Facebook or Amazon, you will notice that on the login page, the URL will change from 'http' to 'https'. What that little 's' stands for is secure. It means that your web browser and the website have both agreed to communicate securely so that no other individuals will be able to 'listen in' on your conversation.
If you needed to communicate some sensitive information such as a password to someone else, you would not shout out in the open 'HERE IS MY PASSWORD'. Typing sensitive information into a browser when the URL does not have https, is like shouting out that information for others to hear.
Just remember to look for that little important 's' when transmitting any sensitive information through a web browser. If you have questions, please reach out to KCIT.
Pet of the Week: Frankie
HI, I'm Frankie, a six-year-old male chihuahua mix who is ready for adoption! I'm a spirited, fun-loving dog who likes to do my own thing. I respond well to treats and do well on a leash, so I would do best with a family who is willing to work with me and help me become the best dog I can be!
You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that RASKC has moved to adoptions by appointment only. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.
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Featured Job: Talent Advisor (HR Analyst)
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King County Headlines
Metro Matters: Federal grants provide a boost to coming RapidRide projects
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