Crisis Briefing: Here’s what you should know as the pandemic begins to ease

Peninsula COVID-19 totals unchanged

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula area have not changed since last week, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

There remain 52 cases in Gig Harbor and seven in the Key Peninsula, with one recorded death in each place. St. Anthony Hospital has a number of confirmed cases, but will not say how many.

As of Monday, there had been 1,787 cases and 68 deaths in Pierce County.

Benefits for self-employed

Unemployment benefits are now available Washingtonians who have lost work because of the COVID-19 crisis—including freelancers, independent contractors and other self-employed workers. The new federal CARES Act makes this possible.

If you’re a self-employed worker who’s lost income in this crisis (real estate agents, business owners, independent contractors, photographers, freelancers), you may now qualify for unemployment benefits. The amount of financial help varies. But if your application is approved, you will be paid at least the minimum weekly benefit amount, and if that amount is at least $1 per week, you will also receive an additional $600 weekly from March 29 to July 25.

More information, visit: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/self-employed

TCC students get aid

Tacoma Community College (TCC), including its branch campus in Gig Harbor, will receive $3,835,874 from the federal government as a result of the CARES Act, which is disbursing emergency aid to help colleges deal with impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The first half of the funding arrived last week. The initial payment of almost $2 million will be distributed directly to students, who will be able to apply for funds starting this week. Students can apply for grants of up to $1,000 for spring quarter.

Students will be able to request funds through a simple online form and can use the money to pay for housing, food, childcare, transportation, and other essential needs. Because it is grant-based aid, students will not need to repay the funds.

Students are eligible to apply for funding if they are currently enrolled at TCC, if they are eligible to complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), and if they were not enrolled in all-online classes during winter quarter.

The application from will be posted to TCC’s COVID-19 student info page.

Cards for seniors

Kids bored at home? Nothing to do?

Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence is welcoming cards, letters and other paper gifts such as drawings and homemade artwork for seniors. Items will be sorted and disinfected prior to being delivered to residents.

Messages should be handwritten and in large, easy-to-read print. Keep them positive, kind and heartfelt, and sign your name and age at the bottom.

Kids can mail their masterpieces to Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence, 3025 14th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 1:02 AM.