Four things we can all do to keep our forward momentum

Public Health Essentials! A blog by the Snohomish Health District.

Public Health Essentials! (Snohomish Health District)

By Kari Bray / Snohomish Health District

Case rates have been declining in Snohomish County, this week reaching fewer than 100 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population for the first time in two and a half months. In fact, we’re at the lowest case rate since October 2020 — that was nearly eight months ago.

Restrictions are lifting or are expected to lift soon. More activities and businesses are opening or expanding. Vaccinations have been steadily progressing and we are seeing the results as spread of the virus slows and life begins to look more like what we were accustomed to before the pandemic began.

These changes have many people looking to the future with anticipation. It’s exciting, but we also want to make sure we’re taking our next steps with respect, compassion and some caution.

The reality is that COVID is not gone and will continue to impact our lives, at least to some degree. That doesn’t mean we can’t get back to more of our normal activities, but it does mean that we need to be mindful as we do so to keep our community as safe as possible.

Here are four ways everyone can help us keep that forward momentum.

1. Vax up. Yes, we know you are sick of hearing it from us. Still, it’s got to be No. 1 on this list. The COVID-19 vaccines have been crucial for decreasing case rates. Widespread vaccination is our best bet for keeping those cases down and, more importantly, preventing hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID. In the past, we’ve seen lulls in virus activity followed by surges, forcing us to step back just when we felt like we were going forward. This time, though, we have readily available vaccine, and hundreds of thousands of people in our community already have been vaccinated. This is a turning point. If you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, please consider doing so. If you have questions or concerns, talk through them with a medical professional.

2. Keep up good habits like handwashing, staying home when you don’t feel well, and being respectful of others’ space in group settings, particularly if you or others in the group are unvaccinated or if the group includes children too young to be vaccinated. Many of the practices we’ve picked up during the pandemic are important habits to prevent the spread of other diseases, too, like the flu or a common cold. If you’ve got a 20-second song clip you hum while scrubbing your hands, keep on humming even after you get vaccinated. All of those tips to keep you and others healthy still apply.

3. Stay informed. Ever since the first case of COVID-19, things have been changing and more information has been shared as we learn and adapt. Keep up with new information from healthcare providers, public health professionals and other reliable sources. Expect that there will be updates in the coming months or even years. For example, there are discussions underway now about topics like booster shots, vaccinations for younger ages, and illness prevention during winters where COVID, flu and seasonal illnesses are more likely to circulate. Know who your trusted sources are and share reliable information.

4. Be kind. Everyone’s “normal” looks different, and the return to pre-pandemic activities may happen at different speeds for the people in your life. You may not feel comfortable yet in a group setting, or you may want to keep your mask on even when it’s not required. That’s OK. You might also be on the other end, where you’re the one inviting a friend to a birthday or to go out to dinner, but your invite is declined because they just aren’t ready yet. That’s OK, too. We don’t all have to take the same steps at the same time. Respect the rules of the room. Extend some grace and allow your friends, family and others around you to have the time and space they need. Pandemic fatigue and re-entry anxiety, along with differences in opinion on when is the right time to resume certain activities, can be a lot to tackle. Kindness makes a huge difference.

The Public Health Essentials! blog highlights the work of the Snohomish Health District and shares health-related information and tips.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

The Everett City Council on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett City Council approves apprenticeship ordinance

The new ordinance builds upon state law, requiring many city public works contracts to use at least 15% apprentice labor.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood nears completion of deployable floodwall

The new floodwall will provide quick protection to the downtown area during flood conditions.

Steven M. Falk / The Philadelphia Inquirer / Tribune News Service
James Taylor plays Sunday and Monday at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.
A&E Calendar for May 22

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Members of Washington State patrol salute the casket of slain trooper Chris Gadd during a memorial cremony on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Opening statements begin in trial of man charged in crash of WSP trooper

Deputy prosecutor described to jurors what began as a routine patrol for Christopher Gadd — “until it wasn’t.”

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.