by Valentina Warner, MD
Last week, a nationwide poll found that nearly 1 in 5 US workers have either lost their jobs or reduced work hours as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States. This impact was even greater in respondents earning less than $50,000 per year (1 in 4). I imagine these rates can only be higher in the Seattle area as the pandemic has been affecting our area longer. Continue reading OPINION: Rainier Beach Doctor Urges Economic Relief
Why Trump’s description of it as the “China” virus validates racial hatred.
by Sam Louie, LMHC, S-PSB
(This article was originally published in Psychology Today and has been reprinted with permission)
This past week, President Trump doubled down on his description of the coronavirus by calling it the “Chinese” virus for two days at the White House coronavirus task force’s daily news briefing. Trump defended the term by saying, “It’s not racist at all. No, not at all. It comes from China, that’s why. It comes from China. I want to be accurate.”
As an Asian-American psychotherapist and workshop facilitator on multicultural issues, what Trump may not understand is that his terminology is indirectly blaming the virus on the Chinese by targeting its geographic and cultural origin. It puts a face, a culture, and a country as the ones to blame for this pandemic. Continue reading Opinion: Racializing the Coronavirus
by Susan Fried
Like many people who live alone, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my elderly cat, Nikki lately. We’ve been together since she was seven-and-a-half weeks old. I named her after one of my favorite poets, Nikki Giovanni. Needless to say we have a very special relationship.
In an odd way, staying home is perfect timing for me. Nikki’s health is declining and I don’t know how much longer she’ll be around. She’s on two different medications and I’m not sure if she’ll make it to April 7, her 18th birthday. As a result, I’m in frequent contact with her veterinarian. The other day I received an email from their office outlining their Covid-19 protocols. Continue reading Perspective: Caring for Your Beloved Pet Amid Uncertain Times
by the COVID-19 Mutual Aid Solidarity Network (Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Awareness Group, Creative Justice, No New Youth Jail, Pacific Rim Solidarity Network)
We are a coalition of community members, non-profit organizations, criminal legal systems reform advocates, and abolitionists. We are writing to express our grave concerns regarding the continued confinement of the 2000 adults and 40 youth community members in the King County Jail (KJC), the Kent Regional Justice Center (RJC) and the King County Juvenile Detention. Continue reading Op-Ed: Open Letter to King County Council
by the COVID-19 Mutual Aid Solidarity Network (Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Awareness Group, Creative Justice, No New Youth Jail, Pacific Rim Solidarity Network)
The city is entering a pandemic and a state of emergency with COVID 19. In light of this urgent public health emergency, we are recommending that the city does the following:
1) Repurposing of the city’s budget dedicated to law enforcement toward other public health efforts
The city’s efforts to maintain public safety is most adequately addressed in this time by diverting resources and money previously allocated to law enforcement into crucial needs such as housing, hiring of cleaning and maintenance crews, provision of food and basic resources for our most vulnerable communities and aggressive community health education. Continue reading Op-Ed: Open Letter to Mayor Durkan During the Covid-19 Crisis
by Erin Okuno, columnist
Just a few days ago, Governor Jay Inslee announced schools were closing for weeks to help contain and keep Coronavirus from impacting more of our family and friends. The first thought on many people’s minds was “how would kids get food?” Along with the academic and social-emotional lessons it provides, many students rely upon school for a nutritious breakfast and lunch during the week. As colleagues and friends processed the sudden change in the lives of our students, many started to think about how to keep their kids fed. Continue reading Local Businesses Band With Organizers to “Feed the Beach” During Shutdowns
by the COVID-19 Mutual Aid Solidarity Network (Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Awareness Group, Creative Justice, No New Youth Jail, Pacific Rim Solidarity Network)
Dear Governor Jay Inslee,
We call on you to act immediately to protect the lives of Washington State citizens confined in our prisons and jails. As the coronavirus presently threatens the health and lives of people across the country, those imprisoned in Washington State could quickly be subject to a death sentence. Even before the coronavirus, the Washington Office of the Corrections Ombuds identified that our state institutions are vulnerable to a pandemic. As noted, “OCO’s largest area of concern with regard to conditions of confinement for persons incarcerated in DOC is in health services. Over 20% of complaints pertain to allegations of poor quality of health care or inability to access health care.” Continue reading Op-Ed: An Open Letter to Governor Inslee to Protect Our Detained and Incarcerated Loved Ones
by Marcus Harrison Green
Every day brings a batch of fresh hells.
Ruminating on crisis ignites a tailspin of horror.
Required to be alone, you fear loneliness.
Stress, anxiety, and depression stalk you, as much as the march of what seems like an inevitable pandemic.
Before being treated for bipolar disorder that was once my every day, It now seems like the world’s. Continue reading Opinion: Coping With Mental Health Challenges and COVID-19
by Dae Shik Kim and Guy Oron
What justified the sweep that happened to Alex, a Black man facing homelessness who documented two police officers and one city worker destroying his belongings under I-5 and I-90 bridge near Airport Way on Thursday, March 12? Continue reading Opinion: Why is Seattle Sweeping Homeless Encampments During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
by Robin Boland
True confession time. I’ve lived in Seattle my entire life and I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never explored Skyway. The lovely editor of this publication asked my embarrassed self to write an article about living in the Skyway area from a newbie perspective. So here goes (confession is good for the soul, right?).
I came to live in Skyway following a life change that necessitated renting near Seattle. Since I can’t curse here there’s no way to truly and accurately express the horror I felt, looking for an affordable rental in Seattle. I couldn’t afford to live anywhere near my previous neighborhood (Brighton) unless I was looking to live in a tiny, musty basement with my 6ft tall teenager for 2k a month.
Enter Skyway. Continue reading Starting Over In Skyway
