Dear Friends,

Mother Nature slammed the door on summer and fall is here with a vengeance.  Our blustery weather reminds us of the looming threat of swine flu, flooding in the Green River Valley and if and how our state's struggling economy could be affected.

BUSINESSES WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE FLOODING

The King County Flood Control District has released a survey of businesses in the Green River Valley about the prospect of flooding this winter and how that would affect them.

82 percent said their business could not afford to be shut down for more than a week and 46 percent said they could not be shut down for more than a day and without suffering major financial losses after a flooding event.

• 47 percent said flooding presented a “high” risk to their business and 49 percent said they are already prepared or are planning for flooding.
• A quarter of the participants didn’t know if they had flood insurance, 46 percent said they have such insurance and 29 percent said they don’t. Of those without, 25 percent said flood insurance is too expensive.
• Almost all participants — 95 percent — were aware of flood risks associated with the Howard Hanson Dam.
• 60 percent said they knew what to do in the event of flooding but only 39 percent said they believed their co-workers knew what to do.
• Only 28 percent were aware of King County’s flood warning information line and website.  You can find the website here.  To talk to someone about flood preparedness, call (206) 296-8372.  In case you’re interested, it’s not too late to participate in the survey.
• The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is preparing evacuation route information and will share as it becomes available.

ECONOMY STILL SLUGGISH

Many economists contend the national recession has ended and our state is in better shape than most.  However, there continues to be a series of indicators that Washington is not quite over the hump. 

New figures released this week indicate unemployment has reached 9.3 percent statewide and 8.8 percent in King County. It’s interesting to note that government far outpaced every other sector in terms of jobs lost in September. The recession has now cost one out of every 20 Washingtonian their job. So it’s not a surprise that with increased unemployment, tax collections are $32 million lower than expected.  This confirms the Legislature is in for a very difficult re-write of the budget in the 2010 Legislative Session beginning Monday, January 11, 2010.

PREPARING FOR THE FLU SEASON

This DOH website (http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_vaccine.htm) answers many frequently asked questions and more.

What types of H1N1 vaccines are being produced?

• A 2009 H1N1 "flu shot" — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot are the same as for seasonal flu shots. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. The same manufacturers who produce seasonal flu shots are producing 2009 H1N1 flu shots for use in the United States this season. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is being made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made.
• The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine"). The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are the same as for seasonal nasal spray vaccine. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The nasal spray vaccine for use in the United States is being made by MedImmune, the same company that makes the seasonal nasal spray vaccine called “FluMist®.” The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine.

Does the 2009 H1N1 flu shot have mercury in it?

There is no evidence that thimerosal (a mercury preservative in vaccine that comes in multi-dose vials) is harmful to a pregnant woman or a fetus. However, because some women are concerned about thimerosal during pregnancy, vaccine companies are making preservative-free seasonal flu vaccine and 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine in single dose syringes for pregnant women and small children. CDC advises pregnant women to get flu shots either with or without thimerosal.

Who will get vaccinated first?

Although there will eventually be enough vaccine for everyone, these initial supplies will be limited at first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people most likely to become ill and those most threatened by H1N1 be the first to get vaccine. They include:

• Pregnant women.
• People who live with or care for children younger than six months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical services workers.
• Everyone from six months to 24 years of age. Those from 25 to 64 years of age with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the flu.

SOME GOOD NEWS – TAXPAYERS OPTING IN FOR PARKS!!

The state Parks and Recreation Commission is reporting that, so far, taxpayers are choosing to pay the optional $5 fee on their vehicle license renewals in sufficient numbers to prevent any near term parks closures.

You may recall the Legislature added the optional fee this spring as a way to offset budget cuts. The tricky piece for the agency to make budget, enough taxpayers have to agree to pay the fee. And so far, that’s happening.  Of course, that participation rate will have to continue in order to prevent future park closures.

KEEP IN TOUCH.

Thank you for your emails, phone calls and letters  - they are essential to my representing our district. Of course, you are always welcome to contact me on these and any other issues of interest so that accurate information can be provided to you. 

Sincerely,

Margarita Prentice