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Date: 5/26/2021
Subject: NNN News May/June - What Does Memorial Day Mean to YOU?
From: Northwest Neighbors Network



Hello NNN members, friends, and families,
Welcome to our latest update on keeping connected and informed as we look toward Washington State's full reopening in June.
  • Memorial Day - What Does Memorial Day mean to YOU?
  • Masks/No Masks - King County
  • Ready for Reopening 
  • NNN Committees Abuzz and Ready for YOU!
  • Internet Cost Support Plan
  • Farmer's Market Voucher Lottery

What Does Memorial Day Mean to YOU?
  • Do you have a special way to commemorate those who died while serving our country? (Wearing a red poppy?)
  • Do you have a favorite book or memory about honoring Veterans on Memorial Day that you'd like to discuss at our Monday Chats or Friday Current Events Zoom calls?
The Poppy Lady, by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh (available at Third Place Books and Snohomish County Library system to name a few places)
Here is the inspiring story behind the red poppy, a symbol that honors the service and sacrifices of our veterans. Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, wanted to remember fallen soldiers. Some of the soldiers were her students and friends. Almost single-handedly, Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today. Author Barbara Elizabeth Walsh and artist Layne Johnson worked with experts, primary documents, and Moina's great-nieces to better understand Moina's determination to honor the war veterans.
 

In Flanders Fields (Poem by John McCrae)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.

Shutterstock photo mask shopper
CDC - Washington State - King County -- To Mask or Not?
What are you ready to do? P.S. No 'mask shaming,' please
Just when you thought it was clear when to mask up or not, we're not quite there yet. If you're in most places in Washington State, and you've been fully vaccinated, here's the latest from Governor Jay Inslee's proclamation clarifying how mask requirements will be enforced in Washington going forward. Washington businesses now have several options for dealing with mask-less customers: Use the "honor system" assuming that customers without masks are fully vaccinated. Alternatively, they can demand proof of vaccination before allowing mask-less customers to enter. Or, continue to require that all customers wear facial coverings at all times.
 
AND, if you're heading indoors in King County, here's the latest this week:
With local COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates decreasing but still at elevated levels, King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin issued an updated Directive strongly urging all residents, fully vaccinated or not, to continue wearing face masks in public indoor settings. Last week, the CDC announced new guidance that people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks for most activities.  While the Washington State DOH announced guidelines consistent with the CDC, both CDC and DOH highlight that mask policies should take into account local COVID-19 circumstances and requirements.  
 
"Mask shaming" is not taking into account that some people are just more comfortable continuing to wear their masks, no matter if they're fully vaccinated or not. They may be immune compromised, they may have a cold, or they may just feel better with that extra layer for now. So, let's all give our mask-wearing friends a little room to breathe. =)
 
Did You Know? Many NNN Volunteers continue to wear masks while helping our Members. It's all about reducing risks to others!

Cruise ship
Ready to Reopen?
Ready for things to be a little more like pre-pandemic life?
What's first on your list when our state reopens in June?
 
With news stories of Washington State fully reopening by June 30, there are many things we've put off in our daily lives. Travel beyond our four walls at home now seems possible.
  • Are you ready to venture out with any of our Social Committee offerings? (Plans for garden tours and more are in the works).
  • Are you ready to book a cruise? Holland America cruise line plans ten sailings from Seattle directly to Alaska beginning in July. (Skipping Canada for now due cruise travel bans.)
Did You Know?
NNN Member services continued during the pandemic thanks to our awesome volunteers following strict COVID-19 safety protocols, and we want to get the word out to all of our members and volunteers to know we're here and ready to provide even more services. We have added additional volunteers ready to drive and help members at home. If you're a member or volunteer and have been waiting to talk to the Services team, please reach out today. 

NNN Committees All Abuzz
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our normal committee meetings were put on the backburner. We are excited to be reviving the committees, and are looking for volunteers for each committee to support us in helping our members continue to age well in their own homes. (Committee descriptions below)
  • Outreach: make connections with community partners, senior services, public agencies, and more to ensure they know what NNN offers in north King County and south Snohomish County
  • Social: collect input from our members to hear about the best ways to maximize social interactions and offer the activities and events most wanted
  • Member and Volunteer: set direction for the recruitment and ongoing care of members and volunteers, and interview prospective members and volunteers
  • Communications: this is not a committee, but one or more people to help create and update communications such as flyers and newsletters, and complete special projects such as grant applications and marketing campaigns
If you or someone you know has been interested in taking part, please contact us to learn more, and let us know which group you would most like to work with or learn more about.

FCC Internet Service Program

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

 

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly or with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. Learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311  


Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Voucher Lottery – Apply until May 31st
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides $40 worth of vouchers (one-time distribution) to be used for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.

To apply, all of the following must be true:
  • Age 60+ (or age 55+ if you are American Indian/Alaska Native) by June 30 
  •  Low income—no more than:
    • $1,986 monthly ($23,828 annually) income for one person,
    • $2,686 monthly ($32,227 annually) income for two people,
    • For larger households, add $700 per month for each additional person,
  • King County resident (check King County zip codes here)
For more information and to apply go to www.agingkingcounty.org/SFMNP  


NNN Services continue to serve our members, following all COVID-19 safety protocols. As always, if you need anything, please call our volunteer team at 253-237-2848 or email: Services@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org
 

 
 
253-237-2848