At-home COVID-19 tests now covered by your medical plan

Federal guidelines were released last week that require all health plans to pay for FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 tests purchased on or after Jan. 15, 2022.

If you’re covered by a King County employee medical plan, see the information below about how to get reimbursed. The processes are still being worked out by the health plans, and plans are working to obtain adequate supplies as soon as possible. For now, be sure to save your receipts for at-home COVID-19 tests purchased on or after Jan. 15, 2022.

For more information about at-home COVID-19 tests for King County employees, click here.

Changes to Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently shortened the recommended time for isolation of the public when infected with COVID-19. It is now recommended that people with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days (instead of 10) if they are asymptomatic. Additionally, the guidance has changed for those who are exposed to COVID-19 and must quarantine.

Based on the new guidance, the county has updated the Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy for Executive branch employees to clarify which employees must be out of the workplace during this time and has reduced the required time away from 10 to 5 days. 

View the full announcement here.

Flood control to Major Tom: River and Floodplain Management Section keep King County high and dry

The heavy rains and melting snows have brought upon King County its annual river flooding season. As the most common winter weather occurrence, flooding is a danger in both rural and urban areas.

King County’s River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) within the Water and Land Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) works to overcome these flooding challenges and educate the public about safety. Click here to read more about this important work. 

ARWAG meeting discusses new option to remove unlawful restrictive covenants

Do you know if there’s an unlawful restrictive covenant on your property? Many homes in King County have them. Even though they haven’t been enforceable for years, they once prohibited people of certain races or religions from owning property.

Everyone is invited to the January meeting of the Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG), where we will hear about unlawful restrictive covenants and a new option property owners have to remove the covenant from their property’s chain of title. Also learn about other anti-racist work underway.

• Tuesday, Jan. 25 at noon. Join via Zoom.

To join ARWAG, receive the meeting notice series, or get more information, please email ARWAG@kingcounty.gov

Balanced You webinar: Starting Off the New Year with Hope & Joy!

Join Balanced You and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) experts for an hour of uplifting conversation on how to approach this new year with practices to help you find hope and joy in 2022.

•  Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Register here.

Upcoming Mindfulness classes

Balanced You is partnering once again with Mindfulness Northwest to bring King County employees free, virtual mindfulness classes. Mindfulness is a practice that can help you quiet your mind, find focus and reduce some of the mental strain we are all going through. Register for an upcoming class below or review the full mindfulness schedule here.

Mindful Leadership - Learn how mindfulness can help you become a more effective and compassionate leader. 

• Thursday, Jan. 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. Register here.

Mindful Parenting - We'll bring the lens of mindfulness to bear on what some say is the "world's hardest job," helping you meet the joys and challenges of parenting.

• Monday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here.

Featured Job: Metro Transit Journey-Level Electrician