Coronavirus updates: Scams target stimulus payments, National Guard expected in Washington
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Tuesday, March 31.
Updated at 3:55 p.m.
The Pierce County Housing Authority (PCHA) offices have been closed to the public. They will remain closed to the public in accord with Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home Healthy” Proclamation. PCHA offices will reopen to the public when the Governor’s proclamation is ended.
PCHA will continue to serve landlords and provide housing assistance by phone and email. Please see the Housing Specialist contact sheet or refer to the notice provided by your property manager for contact information. Contact information for each property is also located under the apartments tab on the PCHA website.
Pierce County reports 26 new cases
Updated at 3:50 p.m.
Pierce County reported 26 new cases of coronavirus COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, for a total of 377 cases for the county and six deaths, with 5,299 tested so far.
The testing number has not changed for a few days, but the county health department said in its update that testing is continuing, with a lag on reporting data.
Both the state and county’s health department’s website noted Monday that the state’s Disease Reporting System was experiencing technical difficulties because of a high volume of data. Tuesday morning, both sites still listed numbers from March 28.
On Tuesday, the state Department of Health issued an update on the numbers reporting that it was still seeking solutions in its reporting data.
Pierce County case number totals announced Tuesday by geographic location within the county are listed below with the last reported totals from March 28 in parentheses. Numbers may be higher/lower because of continued redistribution of totals as case investigations continue.
▪ Bonney Lake: 12 (9)
▪ Central Pierce County: 19 (12)
▪ East Pierce County: 6 (12)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 14 (no change)
▪ Frederickson: 9 (8)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 27 (30)
▪ Graham: 12 (14)
▪ JBLM: 4 (3)
▪ Key Peninsula: 2 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 11 (9)
▪ Lakewood: 23 (15)
▪ Parkland: 13 (20)
▪ Puyallup: 24 (31)
▪ South Hill: 18 (16)
▪ South Pierce County: 8 (4)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 6 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 18 (10)
▪ Tacoma: 139 (114)
▪ University Place: 12 (10)
National Guard expected to deploy ‘very soon’
Updated at 2:40 p.m.
The National Guard is expected to be deployed “very soon” to respond to the new coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Jay Inslee’s chief of staff said Tuesday.
“We should have more on that in a day or so,” David Postman told reporters at a 1 p.m. briefing. “I expect they will be deployed in a supportive way very soon.”
Postman said he doesn’t expect the National Guard to be fulfilling any law enforcement role or being involved in matters like road closures.
Postman said the governor’s office has discussed deployment of the National Guard regularly over the past several weeks and the Guard responds to requests from local communities for assistance.
AG Ferguson warning sellers who significantly raise prices
Updated at 11:20 a.m.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson is warning Amazon sellers who significantly raised prices on coronavirus-related products like hand sanitizer and N95 masks that continuing their conduct could result in a lawsuit under the state Consumer Protection Act.
Ferguson has sent letters to five Washington-based independent sellers who significantly raised prices on coronavirus-related items, in one case by more than 600%. These are the first letters Ferguson has sent out, but he expects to send more. The letters warn sellers to cease and desist charging unreasonably excessive prices, or face a lawsuit.
“Price-gouging during an emergency is morally wrong, and a violation of the Consumer Protection Act,” Ferguson said. “These businesses are charging exorbitant prices on products that are essential for the health and well-being of Washingtonians. We will use all of the tools at our disposal to prevent price-gouging during this public health emergency.”
The letters were sent based on information provided by Amazon.com, detailing Washington-based retailers who significantly raised prices on coronavirus-related products between January and February.
In the letters, Ferguson calls on the sellers to “immediately stop selling N95 masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes or any other product necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Washingtonians at an unreasonably excessive price.” Failing to do so, Ferguson warns, could result in a lawsuit filed by his office under the state Consumer Protection Act, which allows for a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per individual violation.
While Washington does not have a specific statue addressing price-gouging, it would be considered an unfair or deceptive practice under the Consumer Protection Act. Ferguson is committed to proposing legislation specific to price-gouging in the next legislative session.
The Attorney General’s Office is continuing to investigate reports of price-gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. To file a complaint about price-gouging, visit the Attorney General’s website at www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint.
Scammers targeting stimulus payments, Washington residents warned
Updated at 8:20 a.m.
Ferguson warned Washington residents about scams related to stimulus payments from the federal government to help people get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government will not ask anyone to confirm personal or banking details by email, phone or text message. It also won’t demand a “processing fee” to obtain or expedite your stimulus payment. Do not click on links in email or text messages relating to the stimulus checks and do not provide your personal information.
“Many Washingtonians are hurting financially as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and urgently need the relief promised by the federal government,” Ferguson said. “Scammers are seeing this news as well, and will take advantage of the opportunity to try to get your personal information. Don’t fall for it.”
The specific details of when and how the federal government will provide the stimulus payment are not yet available. Generally, the government will use the tax information they have on file from the past two years to either provide the funds via direct deposit, or mail people checks.
Ferguson also warned that it will likely take the Treasury Department several weeks to begin mailing checks. Any checks arriving now, especially those requiring verification, are scams.
If you are contacted by a scammer, do not engage. Email addresses and phone numbers that are confirmed to be active are more valuable when selling to other scammers. If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam, contact local law enforcement.
See a business violating COVID-19 order? Inslee says you can take action
Updated at 8:20 a.m.
Washington residents who are concerned that non-essential businesses are violating Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to shut down can now file an online complaint.
Inslee said at a press conference Monday that the “vast majority” of Washington businesses and residents have complied with emergency proclamation, which also required that many people stay at home for at least two weeks as the state tries to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Also, Ferguson said Monday that his office has received complaints that some landlords are attempting to evict tenants in violation of a statewide moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent. Inslee on March 18 announced the 30-day moratorium, which can be extended.
Ferguson said some landlords have tried to add fees, that if not paid, could lead to evictions since the grounds wouldn’t be for nonpayment of rent.
The emergency proclamation that Inslee signed on March 23 bans all public and private gatherings of people until 12:01 a.m. April 7. The closure of all non-essential businesses expires at 12:01 a.m. April 9. Inslee has said the proclamation likely will be extended.
The long list of businesses that are considered essential include day care centers, gas stations and firms in which people can telecommute.
Inslee said the state’s enforcement approach has three tiers:
▪ if state or local authorities receive complaints about non-essential business violating the closure order, those firms will be told to comply.
▪ if the firms don’t comply, the state will take action, starting with citations and suspension notices for a variety of permits including revoking business licenses if that’s necessary to bring businesses into compliance.
▪ if they still don’t comply, local and state authorities will refer complaints to the Attorney General’s office for civil or criminal charges.
Willfully violating the emergency proclamation is a gross misdemeanor, which carries a sentence up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The online form is solely for reporting businesses and can be found here.
The governor’s office said reporting individuals who allegedly are violating the stay-at-home order should go directly to local law enforcement and not via 911 to keep the lines open for emergencies. People should call 911 only if there is an “immediate threat to safety,” the governor said.
All driver licensing offices will temporarily close to the public
Updated at 8:20 a.m.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) is temporarily closing all driver licensing lobbies starting Tuesday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All appointments are being canceled and no appointments will be made until further notice.
“The safety and health of both employees and customers is paramount. Sanitation products continue to be difficult to purchase and ensuring appropriate social distancing during in-person transactions is difficult,” Teresa Berntsen, Director of the Department of Licensing, said in a statement.
Most Washington residents are now eligible to renew their licenses, identification cards, or vehicle registration online. Many rules have been relaxed to accommodate online services. Persons under age 24 and older than 70 may renew online for the next 30 days, or longer if deemed necessary. DOL is also suspending the requirement to visit a licensing office every other renewal.
Mail-in options are available for vehicle registration, original title transactions, and driver’s license renewal.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that the REAL ID enforcement date has been extended to Oct. 1, 2021. Customers who want a REAL ID will have an opportunity to apply at a later date.
Department of Social and Health Services purchases Paramount Rehabilitation and Nursing
Updated at 8:20 a.m.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has purchased Paramount Rehabilitation and Nursing, a skilled nursing facility in Seattle that closed in February, for $13.5 million.
The facility will house up to 165 residents who are currently in area hospitals, test negative for COVID-19 and could receive the level of care they require at a nursing home instead of a hospital.
Paramount will create an estimated 100 new jobs.
DSHS is working to find a provider to operate the facility and hopes to have it reopened by early May. DSHS has already moved nearly 400 patients out of hospitals throughout the state and into long-term care facilities in an effort to free up hospital beds.
Sheriff Paul Pastor withdraws his planned retirement
Updated at 8:20 a.m.
The longest serving sheriff in Pierce County has rescinded his retirement amid the world health crisis.
Paul Pastor, who planned to step down from his post April 3, said Monday he is withdrawing his retirement “for the foreseeable future.”
“The COVID-19 epidemic has brought tremendous challenges and costs to our nation, to Washington State and to Pierce County. These challenges and costs will require all of us in this agency to step up and do all that we can to resist and reverse the damage,” Pastor said in a statement. “Essential services provided by local law enforcement in general and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department in particular will need to help lead this effort.”
After 19 years at the helm of the 800-person department, Pastor announced his retirement in October and said he planned to leave before his term ends in December 2020.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 8:24 AM.
