Whatcom County coronavirus updates: Charities unite to raise funds, free WTA bus rides
Coronavirus donations
Four organizations have come together to provide emergency response, relief and recovery funds to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 in Whatcom County.
Chuckanut Health Foundation, Lhaq’temish Foundation, United Way of Whatcom County and the Whatcom Community Foundation are mobilizing their philanthropic resources.
“While the scope and scale of needs – financial and otherwise – resulting from COVID-19 are still unclear, we know that they will be significant,” said Peter Theisen, CEO of United Way of Whatcom County.
“That’s why the local philanthropic community has come together to allocate and raise funds so that the many organizations working tirelessly to serve and support local communities have the resources they need in these extraordinary circumstances,” Theisen said in a news release on Thursday, March 19.
The money that’s raised will help ensure that people can get nutritious food, child care, mental health support, safe housing and many other essentials, according to the release.
Donations are tax-deductible.
Find more information about the effort, including how to donate, online at whatcomcenterforphilanthropy.org. — Kie Relyea
Food Bank suspends distribution
The Bellingham Food Bank is suspending food distribution at all three of its locations effective immediately, according to a press release sent Wednesday evening, March 18.
The food bank had previously started distributing pre-packaged boxes of groceries on Friday, March 13 in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. While the step was an attempt at following social distancing guidelines, it did not work, as volunteers and those needing food were still congregating while waiting at the food bank, the Wednesday release states.
Several staff and volunteers have also chosen to self-isolate due to age, health conditions and the age and compromised health of people they live with, according to the release.
Food bank staff want a coordinated effort between existing hunger relief agencies and trained emergency responders in order to better operate during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The food bank is recommending that multiple neighborhood pop-up sites begin, rather than having those who need food come to one distribution location in Bellingham, the release states.
Operations will remain suspended until a plan is created and safely implemented, the release states.
Administrative functions will still take place, and monetary donations are still being accepted. No food donations will be collected during the suspension of operations, the release states.
Approximately one in five Bellingham households uses the food bank on a regular basis, according to the release. The organization, which has been in operation since 1972, has more than 18,000 visits per month. — Denver Pratt
WTA offers fare-free rides
The Whatcom Transportation Authority is offering free rides on all fixed routes and paratransit transportation, according to a WTA tweet Wednesday morning.
WTA asked riders to make sure they observe social distancing while on the bus, sitting a few rows behind drivers and with 6 feet between other riders. A follow-up tweet also reminded riders to remembers to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve and to stay home if they feel sick.— David Rasbach
Blaine police close lobby
The Blaine Police Department lobby has been closed to in-person visits, but the department is still available and continues to provide public safety services, according to a department release.
The police station has a public phone outside the door that connects to 911 and the non-emergency police dispatch, the release said, asking community members call for service.
Non-emergency calls can also be placed at 360-676-6911. Records and concealed pistol license applications are available by emailing pdrecords@cityof blaine.com, while evidence questions can be emailed to evidence@cityofblaine.com. — David Rasbach
Ferndale levy postponed
The Ferndale School District is postponing the levy request going before voters in April because of the COVID-19 outbreak, officials announced on Wednesday, March 18.
Voters in the school district were being asked to approve the operations levy going before them in an April 28 special election.
“Our school board came together via a video conference call on Tuesday night. We made the decision to delay the levy, likely until the August election, Ferndale School Board President Andrew McLaurin said Wednesday in a statement.
“As we continue to monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and focus on helping students and families deal with the effects of closing schools, we see this as the right decision for our community while we are in the midst of a public health crisis,” McLaurin said.
Ferndale voters turned down the original levy request that went before them in February.
All seven school districts in Whatcom County asked their voters to approve four-year levies in the Feb. 11 special election.
Officials said the levies were critical to their efforts to educate children and pay for technology, and they helped bridge the gap between what the state provides for education and what it actually costs.
Ferndale’s was the only levy request to fail in Whatcom County. — Kie Relyea
Marijuana sales increase
One area that is seeing a big boost of sales during the coronavirus outbreak is cannabis.
2020 Cannabis Solutions is reporting that sales at all three of its Bellingham stores are up about 30% than is usual for this time of year.
“We’ve been significantly busier than usual since March 12 and broke our record for Mondays by mid-afternoon,” said Aaron Nelson, spokesman for the company, in a news release.
He attributed some of the increase to fears legal marijuana sales might temporarily stop during the outbreak. He added that so far supply has kept up with demand.
However, all three 2020 Cannabis Solutions stores in Bellingham will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, and remain closed for about two weeks in consideration of the safety of customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic. — Dave Gallagher
Macy’s closes three Whatcom stores
Macy’s announced on its website on Tuesday, March 17, that it is temporarily closing all its stores as the nation deals with the coronavirus outbreak.
The stores will remain closed through at least Tuesday, March 21.
“We will work with government and health officials to assess when we will reopen our stores and safely bring our colleagues back to work,” said Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc., in a news release. “During this closure, we will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites.”
Bellingham has three Macy’s stores: The anchor department store at Bellis Fair, the Macy’s Home Store near Kohl’s and the Macy’s Furniture Gallery near Best Buy. — Dave Gallagher
Death Cab livestream
Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard said he will livestream daily concerts from his home studio, starting 4 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, March 17, for the next few weeks as people stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“I know you are all really freaked out right now. I am too. And while I’m proud that we’re all doing the necessary things at the moment to help flatten the curve, I know it has left us all incredibly isolated,” Gibbard said via Twitter.
“But because we’re all going through this nightmare together, we are quite literally NOT alone,” Gibbard said.
Death Cab for Cutie got its start in Bellingham, when Gibbard and bass player Nick Harmer were students at Western Washington University.
He thanked fans for traveling great distances, paying a lot of money and gathering en masse to see them play. “So in this crazy and unprecedented time, I’d like to return the favor by coming to YOU.”
The link to the daily concerts is at http://found.ee/BenGibbard-LiveFromHome. — Kie Relyea
City, county offices closed
Bellingham officials have closed the public-service counters at several city departments to follow social-distancing guidelines as the new coronavirus spreads.
Departments include fire, police, parks and recreation, permit center, and public works, Mayor Seth Fleetwood wrote at the city’s website Monday.
“Closing the front counter does not mean stopping the provision of services,” Fleetwood wrote.
Fleetwood said signs are posted to show customers how to contact the appropriate department to conduct city business remotely — including telephone communication and online services.
Email addresses and phone numbers for all city departments are on the city website, cob.org.
These departments will continue to provide normal services, even though in-person access is restricted, Fleetwood told The Bellingham Herald on Monday.
Ferndale is also closing city facilities to the public.
Whatcom County’s response is being handled by emergency managers under a “unified command” used in times of natural disaster.
Health Department officials are the lead agency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information is available at whatcomcounty.us/covid.
Whatcom County is taking similar measures to restrict in-person visits to its offices starting Wednesday, March 18, County Executive Satpal Sidhu said in an emailed statement.
“As we transition to this type of access for county services, please plan and prepare accordingly if you were anticipating a visit, Sidhu said. “We recognize this is a challenging time for all, and we remain deeply committed to the safety of our customers, teams, and communities.”
Offices closed to public access include Council Clerk’s Office, County Executive’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, human resources, front counter at the Public Works Department in the Civic Building, and Planning and Development Services Office at the Northwest Annex.
County officials will be posting public service hours and contact information, he said.
In addition, offices for the county auditor, assessor and treasurer will close this week.
Staff members are working from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., even if doors are not open to the public, Sidhu said. — Robert Mittendorf
Nooksack Tribe help
On Monday, March 16, the Nooksack Tribal Council announced that it had approved a one-time emergency distribution to help tribal members deal with COVID-19.
Each tribal member 18 years and older will get a $250 check, the council announced on Facebook.
The administration will try to get checks out to tribal members by Wednesday, March 25. — Kie Relyea
Ferndale emergency declaration
On Monday, March 16, Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.
“We have been operating under a state of emergency at various levels for over two weeks. Issuing this proclamation now is really an administrative step to allow the city to be more responsive and effective at meeting this crisis,” Hansen said in a release.
“This declaration will allow the city to expedite the purchase of needed supplies, change rules related to the use of sick leave, utilize online options for public meetings, change hours of operation at City Hall, or institute flexible work schedules for employees who need it,” he said.
To help others, the mayor is urging Ferndale residents to check on their neighbors, donate blood and support businesses in the city, including by going to cityofferndale.org/takeout to find a developing list of Ferndale restaurants that are doing takeout. Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered the temporary closure of restaurants, bars and other places where people gather in order to slow the spread of the virus that has caused a global pandemic. — Kie Relyea
WWU buildings close
In response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement Monday, March 16, Western Washington University announced it will be closing several buildings on its Bellingham campus through March 31, including:
▪ The Carver Academic Facility, including the gyms and fitness center.
▪ The Lakewood Watersports Facility.
▪ The Viking Union, including the bookstore and Outdoor Center.
▪ The Wade King Student Recreation Center.
The school also announced Western Libraries will be closed to patrons through April 5, and the Performing Arts Center will close March 21 through April 5.
Employees will still have access to those buildings as necessary, the school release said. — David Rasbach
St. Patrick’s Day with social distance
Robert Sarazin Blake and The Dublin Letters will host their annual concert in a live-streaming event from The Boundary Bay “Sehome Hill Room,” according to a release.
The concert will run from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, and will feature music of The Dubliners, The Clancy Brother and The Pogues.
The concert will streak at facebook.com/robertsarazinblake/, and a $10 suggested donation is requested at paypal.me/RobertSarazinBlake or at Venmo (@RobertSarazinBlake). — David Rasbach
Whatcom County libraries
The Whatcom County Library System announced in a news release Saturday, March 14, that it will close all locations Monday, March 16 through April 24 to help control the spread of coronavirus.
While the library buildings are closed, cardholders can still access digital content and you can apply for a library card online at wcls.org/getacard.
Staff will be available to help customers via online chat, email or phone.
The library has also extended holds and due dates. There are no overdue fines.
Bellingham facilities close
Bellingham will close government facilities on Monday, March 16, until further notice, according to a news release, to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
All outdoor parks and open spaces will remain available.
Closing are:
▪ Bellingham Public Library. Check bellinghampubliclibrary.org for regular updates about services available during the closure.
▪ Whatcom Museum.
▪ Bloedel Donovan Park buildings.
▪ Arne Hanna Aquatic center.
▪ Civic Field.
▪ Joe Martin Field.
▪ Woodstock Farm.
▪ Depot Market Square.
▪ Park pavilions.
Blaine declares emergency
On Friday, March 13, the city of Blaine declared a local emergency to help it respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Issuing the proclamation (of local emergency) is a technical administrative step,” Blaine City Manager Michael Jones said on the city’s website.
“It might sound alarming because it uses the word ‘emergency,’ but really it just allows the city to be more responsive to the needs that may arise over the next few weeks,” Jones said. “Under a declaration, we can take steps such as expediting purchasing or changing rules related to the use of sick leave.”
Fake map spreading malware
The Bellevue Police Department tweeted that a copy of a John Hopkins University COVID-19 map, showing where coronavirus cases have been diagnosed and updating worldwide confirmed cases, deaths and recovery statistics, is actually a malicious website and could infect your computer with malware.
“The trojan virus will steal your info. Please do not click random maps, ads or links. Go directly to the source to find accurate information,” the Bellevue Police tweet read.
The correct John Hopkins map can be found at coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html.
Collecting aid
The United Way of Whatcom County has started a charity fund to assist “vulnerable populations” with issues resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. Its website says “100% of your donation will go to local nonprofit organizations experiencing increased demand for services and capacity due to COVID-19. These agencies are on the front lines, working to keep our community as safe and healthy as possible. Together, we can help. United, we can make a difference.”
Blood needed
The Washington State Department of Health is encouraging eligible donors to continue to give blood during the coronavirus outbreak.
“Our region’s blood stores are extremely low. We should not let fear from one health issue create another,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a news release Thursday, March 12. “I encourage everyone to donate blood and help their communities.”
Bloodworks Northwest offers information online about who can donate and how to do so.
Prison visits suspended
The Department of Corrections suspended visitations at all correctional facilities in Washington Friday, March 13.
Extended family visits are included in the suspension, according to a Thursday, March 12 press release that stated Corrections has authorized reimbursement for families scheduled for the visits.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 9:53 AM.
