Kitsap COVID-19 Response

Question 1

Information on COVID-19

Answer

City resources and information: Bainbridge Island's COVID-19 Info Bremerton's COVID-19 Info Port Orchard's COVID-19 Info Poulsbo's COVID-19 Info
Kitsap Public Health COVID-19 Resources Printable Infographic COVID Near You Geo Tracker Washington State Coronavirus Response Washington State Department of Health
Report Businesses in Violation IMHE COVID-19 Projections CDC Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Global Cases Geo Tracker WHO World Health Organization Mythbusters
ASL Video Series on COVID-19 Kitsap COVID-19 Testing Sites

Question 2

My health

Kitsap COVID-19 testing sites

CHI COVID-19 Testing Triage Centers A temporary isolation and quarantine care facility is ready in South Kitsap for people who have been exposed or tested positive for COVID-19. The center will accept patients referred by healthcare providers or public health officials in Kitsap County. In Pilgrim Firs, separate cabins are used to separate the isolated from the quarantined. To be admitted to the temporary care center, patients must:

Have a referral from a healthcare provider or public health official;
Accept a series of conditions that include non-weapons, alcohol or illicit drugs;
Understand if those who do not follow the rules of the facility will be asked to leave; and
Please understand that if you leave these voluntary facilities on your own, you will not be reinstated.

Peninsula Community Health Services offers low-cost care for the uninsured.

Washington Health Plan Finder has information about health insurance coverage.

Dealing with COVID
Most of us have experienced some level of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak, whether due to concern for the health of our families or disruption of work and school routines. Here are some tips and resources to deal with during this difficult time:

Crisis lines
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a disaster relief helpline specifically for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters like this. Get to the helpline at 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

The local crisis line is also available at 1-888-910-0416 and by chat.

Online resources

The Centers for Disease Control provides some tips for managing stress and anxiety
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers tips for dealing with stress during an infectious disease outbreak
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a resource and information guide COVID-19
La Washington state chapter of NAMI has a COVID-19 resource page

Some advice

Moderate Your News Consumption: It is very important to be well informed, but spending too much time looking at or reading information about the outbreak can increase your level of anxiety. Try taking breaks, even from social media.
Take care of your body: make sure you exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and avoid alcohol and drug use.
Stay connected: social distancing doesn't have to mean social isolation. Talk to people you trust about your concerns and how you feel.
Make time to unwind: When you can, do things that you enjoy and that help you relax – whether that means reading, planting a garden, or joining an online class.

The YMCA has emotional support groups for those recovering from COVID-19, click here to contact them and get more information.

Answer

Washington Department of Health operates a coronavirus hotline, with assistance in multiple languages, from 6 AM to 10 PM daily at 1-800-525-0127. Read Governor Jay Inslee's Stay Home, Stay Healthy Proclamation, intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Washington state. You can also see his announcement on You Tube. Read Dr. Susan Turner's Local Health Officer Directives on the importance of stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Kitsap. Ask your healthcare provider about the options available to you for the COVID-19 test.

Question 3

My security

Kitsap Mental Health offers crisis support and other services.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who experience a crisis or just need to talk can text 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Coffee Oasis Text Line: 360-377-5560. The Coffee Oasis Youth Drop-In Centers will be changing to Summer hours on June 15, 2020. Call or text 24/7 Volunteers of America Crisis Line for help: 1-888-910-0416 if you are in crisis and / or are considering suicide. Call 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 There are also options for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or hard of hearing. National Suicide Prevention: 1-888-628-9454 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 and live chat is available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. All calls are free and confidential. Call 24/7 YWCA Crisis Line if you experience domestic violence while taking refuge in your home: 1-800-500-5513 Send a text message 24/7 to the YMCA Crisis Line if you experience domestic violence: 360-277-7607 Calm.com offers free meditations online.

Answer

Emergencies: call 911 Kitsap County Report a Crime

Question 4

Activities to do while staying home

Bloedel Reserve has a virtual tour available.

Kitsap Regional Library allows you to download e-books for free.

Live Music Project has a virtual concert schedule. The Henry Art Gallery has its collection online. The Museum of Flight has online tours. Calm.com offers free meditations online. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has live performances. The Met Opera has live performances. Visit a museum virtually.
You have children? Check out these ideas!

SeaDiscovery Center (Poulsbo) has virtual tours

The Burke Museum has online visits and activities for kids

Visit a zoo or theme park virtually.

Look at these crafts for kids.

Oceans Initiative has a virtual marine biology camp.

Hogwarts is Here was created by a group of creative and passionate Harry Potter fans who came together and created a worldwide social network of online wizards. Create a character and dive into Hogwarts and the Harry Potter universe, including "classes" in your favorite magical themes.

The new weekly PBS KIDS newsletter offers tips and activities for parents to use to help children play and learn at home. Sign up here! The PBS KIDS 24/7 channel offers anytime access to reliable educational series for children ages 2-8. The PBS KIDS Video app is available on mobile devices, tablets, and connected TV devices and offers on-demand educational videos and a live stream from the PBS KIDS channel 24/7. No subscription required. The PBS KIDS Games app offers nearly 200 educational games, which can be downloaded for offline play anytime, anywhere. Learn more.

Answer

Get active with YMCA free virtual classes Make your own PPE

Question 5

Homebound and looking for help? The city of Poulsbo has a volunteer coordinated HELP line now in service: 360-517-5037. People confined to their homes in Poulsbo can request non-emergency or non-medical help from individuals and organizations (deliveries, meals, errands). Spread the word about this number, particularly to anyone in Poulsbo who you consider vulnerable and isolated. Little Free Pantries (LFP) are free outdoor pantries where neighbors can leave non-perishable food for anyone to carry. Check out the LFP location map. If you use an LFP, add it to the map. WIC Program for Washington State is a resource for families like yours to get healthy food and much more. WIC is for pregnant women, new and lactating mothers, and children under 5 years of age.
Emergency school meal service, is available to those under 18 or up to 21 if enrolled in a special services program; No registration or registration is required; Breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday. The Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound offers free takeaway breakfast and lunch to those under 18, Monday through Friday, Noon - 1 p.m. at 3102 Wheaton Way in Bremerton. Check out this free community meal calendar for this week's times and locations. The West Side Improvement Club offers free lunches for all ages, throughout the month of April, including fries, a bottle of water, and a bologna sandwich. Go to 4019 W E Street, Bremerton, 10 a.m. at 1 p.m. Meals on Wheels Kitsap is accepting new clients who meet the program requirements. All interested persons should contact 360-377-8511, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. at 3 p.m. Current programs and basic criteria include:

Meals to Go Program – Senior community meal customers can pick up five (5) frozen meals once a week. Meal pickup is 11:45 a.m. at 12:15 p.m. on the sites and days listed below. Reservations are required by calling the office no later than 2:00 pm one business day before pickup. Eligible seniors (age 60 and over) who need it should call the office to apply.
- MONDAY:
  - Burley Community Hall, 14853 Burley Ave. SE, Burley (Must book before 2pm the previous Thursday)
  - Pinewood Manor Apartments, 280 Sylvan Way, East Bremerton (Must book before 2pm the previous Thursday)
- TUESDAY:
  - Conifer Ridge Apartments, 1721 Fricrest Dr. SE, Port Orchard
- THURSDAY:
  - Silverdale United Methodist Chursh, 9982 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale
  - Bainbridge Senior Center, 370 Brien Dr. SE
Meal delivery program – All older homebound clients will receive up to seven (7) frozen meals delivered once a week by our dedicated volunteers and staff. Contactless deliveries are based on social distancing guidelines. Eligible older adults (age 60 and over) who need it can apply for the service as resources remain available. Contact the Meals on Wheels Kitsap office at 360-377-8511 or toll free at 888-877-8511 for details.
For additional information on program services for seniors throughout Kitsap County, visit www.mealsonwheelskitsap.org.

If you suffered financial damage during the pandemic and are struggling to feed your pets, Kitsap Humane Society can help you. The Pet Food Pantry has food and supplies for cats and dogs for families in need of help, and is open from noon to 4 p.m. daily. Visit the Pet Adoption Center for help. Full Circle Meals it is a collaborative community effort to serve quarantined, marginalized frontline workers, hospital and medical workers, disabled veterans or other challenged adults AND to help 'Save' locally owned restaurants during COVID.

Answer

The following food assistance programs are open. Most programs are now preparing boxes of food to pick up. Some offer delivery. Check your local food bank for instructions:

Question 6

Invoice, Utility and Connectivity Services

Will not suspend service to residential or small business customers due to their inability to pay their bills due to interruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
Waive any late fees incurred by residential or small business customers due to their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
Open your Wi-Fi access points to any American who needs them.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is providing Washington residents who do not have broadband service in their homes with emergency temporary wireless Internet access. Access is available to all residents with a specific emphasis on remote learning for students. In addition, this service can be used for job searches, telehealth, telework, unemployment filing, and census participation. Click here to see the access point location finder.

Answer

On March 18, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced a statewide arrest of residential tenant evictions for the next 30 days. Click here for more information. The City of Bremerton is offering temporary rental support for loss of income or loss of jobs caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Residents must live within the Bremerton limits to be eligible. More information here. The Federal Housing Finance Agency has guidance on the assistance programs available for mortgages. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Cascade Natural Gas will maintain public services. PSE is waiving the surcharges. PSE has launched a Crisis Affected Customer Assistance Program (CACAP) to help pay energy bills for those affected by the coronavirus. Eligible households can receive up to $ 1,000 if members are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to COVID-19. To learn about income and eligibility requirements, visit the PSE bill payment page. City of Bremerton water and sewer service will not be closed. City of Poulsbo will not shut down utilities due to non-payment and will not assess late fees for March and April. City of Bainbridge Island will not shut off water and sewer for non-payment and will not assess late fees. Comcast offers 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers and is pausing data plans for 60 days to provide unlimited data to all customers at no additional charge. Xfinity offers free WiFi hotspots to anyone in the community who needs them, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. During the COVID-19 emergency, the Health Care Authority offers cell phones and free minutes to low-income people through a federal program called Lifeline. Get information about telephone services and operators. Apply now. New Horizons has a limited number of Windows 10 Pro desktops and laptops available to distribute to families or individuals who cannot afford a computer. New Horizons is a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher under the auspices of Kitsap Computing Seniors. Learn more. AT&T waives surcharges for the national wireless data, voice, or text plan for residential or small business wireless customers incurred due to economic hardships related to the coronavirus pandemic. All AT&T consumer Internet fixed line customers, as well as fixed wireless Internet, can use unlimited Internet data. AT&T is offering Internet access to low-income households that qualify for $ 10 a month through the Access from AT&T program. Learn more. Verizon to exempt surplus fees and late payment charges to help customers who may be financially affected by the COVID-19 Crisis, offers two month internet and voice service fee waiver for existing Lifeline customers, and a new affordable internet option for low-income households. They're also adding 15GB of high-speed data for wireless consumers and small business customers automatically without the need for customer action. Learn more. Chairman Pai launched the engagement Keep Americans Connected on March 13, 2020. This stipulates that for the following 60 days, participating broadband and telephone providers:

Question 7

My finances

Answer

Apply for unemployment to obtain temporary income if you lose your job through no fault of your own. The money partly replaces your lost earnings and helps you pay for expenses as you look for a new job.
Artist Trust is offering grants of $ 500- $ 5,000. If you are a needy artist, please apply The COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund, is a rapid response grant for Washington state artists affected by COVID-19.
Kitsap Credit Union is offering loans of up to $5,000 for an APR as low as 0% for 12 months. BECU is offering income interruption loans from $500 - $1000. La CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) will provide economic stimulus payments in mid-April. This is the largest financial aid bill in US history. USA And it will allocate $ 2.2 billion in support to individuals and businesses affected by the economic and pandemic recession. See more.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary cash for needy families. Some families participate in the WorkFirst program. The WorkFirst program helps participants find and keep jobs. The COVID-19 Temporary Relief Fund has been created by Kitsap Community Resources to address the needs of eligible individuals, families, and small business owners in Bremerton and Kitsap County facing financial difficulties due to the impacts of the coronavirus. The temporary program can provide short-term funds to feed a family, pay for housing, among other aids. Learn more and request now: COVID-19 Temporary Relief Fund. Assistance is available for veterans and their families to provide emergency funds for basic needs such as housing, utilities, recipes, and food. The Veterans Assistance Fund, administered through Kitsap Community Resources, also provides additional funds.

KIAC has established an Emergency Assistance Program, to help its most vulnerable clients who have no other options. Their focus is to provide answers, resources, and referrals when possible. But, when hunger or homelessness is imminent, KIAC will be there to help, with food and rental assistance. The Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board also offers resources for veterans and their families in need. You can also contact Andy Sargent. Scholarship Junkies is providing COVID-19 Relief Fund for WA Undocumented Folks. Our undocumented community is one of the most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington state. They seek to provide direct financial support to our undocumented community during the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. Here is a database listing all known private relief funds of COVID-19 in Washington state. You can search by geographic area or keywords. La Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers affected by the coronavirus. Federal Student Loan Relief - The CARES Act suspended interest rates and monthly payments on most federal student loans through September 30. The IRS is committed to helping you obtain your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. Payments, also known to some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. Taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees need no further action. If you don't have direct deposit set up with the IRS,
you can configure it online. See if you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment. Learn more.

Question 8

Helping others

Answer

How can you help our community? Find out now!

Question 9

Caring for children or elderly

Kitsap County Aging and Long-Term Care and Senior Assistance Phone Line: (360) 337-5700 or 1-800-562-6418.

Catholic Community Services's Volunteer Services assists low-income seniors and disabled adults. Volunteers can take clients to medical appointments; run errands and go shopping; helping out with housework, yard work, pet care, car and home maintenance, computers and phones helps you find benefits and employment; and provide socialization. Call 1-844-851-9380. Many Safeway stores have “Seniors Only” shopping hours on certain days, please contact your local store for details. Find your local Safeway. Until further notice, Costco locations will open from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for members age 60 and older, and for those with physical disabilities. The pharmacy will be open, but the Costco Food Court will be closed during these hours. AARP has a new series of information programs with the Washington State COVID-19 Joint Information Center and TVW called "Spread the Facts". The program will focus on tips and resources for older adults and their families to stay home and stay healthy. Tune in every Thursday and watch previous episodes here.

Answer

Children and teenageers Haselwood YMCA in Silverdale is providing priority child care to first responders and health care providers. In Belfair, the Boys and Girls Club/North Mason School District offers day camp for K-5 students of health workers, first responders, and essential workers. Call 360-362-1855 for information. Kindercare in Silverdale is serving families in our community who work in healthcare and other essential care roles, with open enrollment. Email them today for information. Child Care Aware of Washington helps you find high-quality licensed child care near you. Use the online search tool or call the Family Center, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. at 4:30 p.m. They serve families in over 250 languages at no cost to families. Visit the website or call 800-446-1114 to connect with a team that will help you find alternative child care. The Covid-19 24/7 Parenting website has parenting tips in multiple languages. The states Families, Friends, and Neighbor program includes grandparents, uncles and aunts, the elderly, older siblings, friends, neighbors, and others who help families through child care. Visit the website or call 866-482-4325 for more information. The Coffee Oasis Crisis Intervention is available online or text "HELP" at 360-377-5560. Kitsap Mental Health Services includes pages for older and younger people.
Crisis Center of the Peninsula Kitsap Community Suicide Prevention Coalition
Child and family therapist April Luman offers advice to parents on how to talk to their children about COVID-19, watch video. There are additional topics from the same therapist to help parents deal with children's problems during Stay Home, click here for more information. Mental Health America Suicide Prevention Resource Center National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 Older Adults Asian-Pacific Center on Aging offers specific language resources for older adults.
Family Caregiver Alliance has a page with resources and articles related to the coronavirus that will be of interest to caregivers and those in charge.
The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 phone line, 1-800-272-3900, for families caring for someone with memory problems during COVID-19 and beyond.

Question 10

Benefits for front-line responders

Answer

Costco is temporarily allowing priority access to our warehouses for Costco members who are health care workers and first responders, such as police officers, emergency medical technicians, and firefighters. Healthcare workers and first responders who present a Costco membership card and official ID of their role will be able to come to the front of any line to enter the warehouse. Crocs announced that it will donate 10,000 pairs of shoes per day to health workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. In an attempt to alleviate the stress of healthcare workers, Headspace, a popular meditation app, it offers free subscriptions to anyone who works in a public health setting. Medical professionals receive 1 month free of Talkspace's Unlimited Messaging Plus plan, which includes online therapy in the form of text, audio, and video calls with a licensed therapist. Access this offer on their website or download the application from the App Store or Google Play. Barco Uniforms will donate scrubs to frontline medical professionals during the COVID-19 crisis. Submit a request For those on the front line, Care.com offers a month of free premium access to their site to support you. Access the largest online support site to find help for your children, parents and pets. Start here.