The military community is invited to meet with recruiters from 75 businesses and government employers at the Seahawks Military Hiring and Resource Fair — powered by Boeing.

The event is open to members and families in all branches of the military: active duty, National Guard, Reserves and Veterans, as well as Department of Defense employees.

Full-time and part-time jobs will be available. Participating employers are YesVets members – those recognized for hiring Veterans.

“Veterans make up around 15% of Boeing’s workforce, and we know they make our company better,” said Devon Rumsey, a Veteran with Boeing’s Workforce Development Team. “We’ll be at the Seahawks Military Hiring and Resource Fair to help connect Veterans and their families with meaningful work in our community.”

More than two dozen Veterans-service organizations, including Task Force 12, will also be on hand to offer a variety of support services. Task Force 12 comprises the Seattle Seahawks and local grassroots nonprofits that support military service members, veterans and their families.

Job-search experts from WorkSource will be available to help job seekers improve their resumes and interviewing skills.

• WHAT: Seahawks Military Hiring and Resource Fair
  
• WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023
  
• WHERE: Lumen Field, Seattle

“With amazing support from our friends at Boeing, the Seattle Seahawks are teaming up with the YesVets organization to hold our second annual Military Hiring and Resource Fair, dedicated to our military community,” said Seahawks Community Engagement Manager Nino Gray Jr. “Dedicated Pacific Northwest employers and resource organizations will stand ready to help service members, Veterans and their families find jobs and support. Veteran-owned food trucks will entice attendees and military vehicles will be on display.”

Registration and instructions for attendees:

Register online or at the door. When you register online, you can sign the required form, get a door entry code and receive event reminders. If you register at the door, you might need to wait in line to get your door entry code and sign the required form.

Get prepared. Practice your pitch to summarize your skills, experience and career goals. Have your resume available. You can print it on-site.

Register for the Hilton Honors Military Program if you live more than 50 miles from Lumen Field and you would like to stay in a nearby hotel. You can earn points that are good for free or reduced-price hotel stays. Go to your closest WorkSource center to register.

Park for free. The event will be in West Field Plaza at Lumen Field. Park in the north lot at 221 S. King St., Seattle. Enter Lumen Field at the northwest gate, adjacent to the north parking lot. Learn how to get to Lumen Field by bus or light rail.

Additional benefits

Eligible attendees can sign up to get a free laptop and cellphone. Stop by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs booth to see if you qualify.

All pre-registered job seekers will be automatically entered in a drawing to win two free tickets to the Seahawks Salute to Service game with two pregame sideline passes.

Questions? For more information about the hiring and resource fair, contact the Employment Security Department at the following link.

More information

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industry has announced a grant that will allow Latino Educational Training Institute of Lynnwood (LETI) to continue its efforts on the issue of security for another year.

LETI will use the money to expand the site and develop new forms of dissemination, including electronic and printed materials and support for employers in the training of their workers.

The first products of the new series will begin to appear in the summer of 2023. Look at these pages!

Original article:

LETI recibe subvención para proyecto nuevo

El Departamento de Trabajo e Industria del Estado de Washington ha anunciado una subvención que permitirá a LETI continuar sus esfuerzos en el tema de la seguridad durante un año más.

LETI utilizará el dinero para ampliar el sitio y desarrollar nuevas formas de difusión, incluidos materiales electrónicos e impresos y apoyo a los empleadores en la capacitación de sus trabajadores.

Los primeros productos de la nueva serie comenzarán a aparecer en el verano de 2023. ¡Mira estas páginas!

One hundred and thirty million Russians can be wrong. But they're not blind or deaf or stupid. Perhaps we can help them understand what's going on in Ukraine. It might cost a few cents per minute, but it just might work. Call or text a new Russian friend today. Some possible messages follow.

To call a Russian phone from the USA, first dial 01 for for international numbers, then one for calls from the USA, then 7 for Russia, then add a 3 or 4 digit city (area) code (NOT beginning with 6 or 7, because those are in Kazakhstan, go figure!), then add the individual phone number, which will have either 3 or four numbers, making a total of ten after the country code 7. Area codes beginning with 9 are for mobile phones.

E.g., to call Ivan Ivanovich Ivanetz in Irkutsk,

Continues...

TextForFree

In Washington, 4,892,508 people or 64% of the state has received at least one dose. Overall, 4,403,203 people or 57% of Washington's population has been fully vaccinated.

UPDATE 20 August — In Washington, 5,037,448 people or 66% of the state has received at least one dose. Overall, 4,497,187 people or 59% of Washington's population has been fully vaccinated.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 22,700 jobs in July and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate dropped slightly to 5.1 percent from June to July, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

The peak level of unemployment during the coronavirus emergency was 16.3 percent in April of 2020. The June 2021 level was 5.2 percent.

“The state’s job market recovery has gathered considerable momentum this summer” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “But while additional progress over the next month is a reasonable expectation, the rise of the Delta variant could mute some of the rebound.”

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that June’s previously reported unemployment rate of 5.2 percent was confirmed. June’s preliminary estimated gain of 24,100 jobs was revised upward to a gain of 25,600 jobs.

The national unemployment rate dropped from 5.9 percent in June to 5.4 percent in July. In July 2020, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 10.2 percent.

ESD paid unemployment insurance benefits to 316,343 people in July, a decrease of 43,623 over the previous month.

Labor supply constraints are easing

The state’s labor force in July was 3,905,900 – an increase of 18,800 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force increased by 3,400 over the same period.

From July 2020 to July 2021, the state’s labor force decreased by 14,500 while the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region increased by 27,100.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.

From June to July, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased from 201,600 to 199,200. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed decreased from 89,700 to 89,200 over the same period.

Nine industry sectors expanded, three industry sectors contracted and one industry sector remained constant in July

Private sector employment increased by 21,300 jobs while government employment increased by 1,400 jobs. Provided below is a summary of the job gains and losses in all thirteen industry sectors.

Industrial sectors leading the hiring gains are Leisure and hospitality, Education and health services, and Wholesale trade.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 24,100 jobs in June and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate stayed constant 5.2 percent from May to June, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

*Revised from previous preliminary estimates. Preliminary monthly estimates for jobs losses or gains are based on a small Bureau of Labor Statistics payroll survey while actual figures reported the following month are based on a more complete survey.

“The labor market recovery picked up some speed this month after slowing over the previous two months” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Job opportunities are rising as the economy reopens over the summer.”

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that May’s previously reported unemployment rate of 5.3 percent was revised to 5.2 percent. May’s preliminary estimated gain of 8,300 jobs was revised upward to a gain of 9,100 jobs.

The national unemployment rate rose slightly from 5.8 percent in May to 5.9 percent in June. In June 2020, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 11.1 percent.

ESD paid unemployment insurance benefits to 359,966 people in June, a decrease of 34,254 over the previous month.

Employers luring more workers back to the job market

The state’s labor force in June was 3,889,100 – an increase of 15,600 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force increased by 300 over the same period.

From June 2020 to June 2021, the state’s labor force increased by 11,500 while the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region increased by 30,400.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.

From May to June, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased slightly from 203,200 to 203,000. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed increased from 89,400 to 90,100 over the same period.

Nine industry sectors expanded, three industry sectors contracted and one industry sector remained constant in June

Private sector employment increased by 20,000 jobs while government employment increased by 4,100 jobs. Provided below is a summary of the job gains and losses in leading and trailing thirteen industry sectors.

Industry sector Job gains/losses
Education and health services + 8,200
Professional and business services + 5,600
Leisure and hospitality + 4,100


Declining sectors were 0
Other services - 200
Manufacturing - 400
Financial activities - 700


Leisure and hospitality jobs are in high demand

Washington gained an estimated 197,000 jobs from June 2020 – June 2021, not seasonally adjusted. Private sector employment rose by 6.9 percent, up an estimated 181,600 jobs, while public sector employment rose by 2.8 percent, up an estimated 15,400 jobs.

From June 2020 – June 2021, twelve major industry sectors expanded while one industry sector contracted.

The three industry sectors with the largest employment gains year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Leisure and hospitality up 56,500 jobs
Education and health services up 42,100 jobs
Retail trade up 31,000 jobs

The one industry sector which contracted year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, was manufacturing, down 13,200 jobs

Note: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently updated its “alternative measures of labor underutilization” for states to include annual averages for 2020. One such alternative measure is the U-6 rate, which considers not only the unemployed population in the official “U-3” unemployment rate, but also marginally attached workers and those employed part time for economic reasons. The U-6 rate is defined by BLS as the “total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.” This U-6 measure measures the “unemployed, underemployed, and those who are not looking but who want a job.”

The U-6 unemployment rate for the second quarter 2020 through the first quarter 2021 for Washington state was 15.8 percent. This was higher compared to the 14.8 percent U-6 unemployment annual 2020 rate. The U.S. U-6 unemployment rate for the second quarter 2020 through the first quarter 2021 was 14.5 percent.

United Way of King County, in partnership with Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, has launched the Free Summer Meals program for school-aged children to help families meet their nutritional needs. ESPAÑOL

Sara Seelmeyer, food security program manager at United Way of King County, said hunger was an issue before COVID-19, but the pandemic exacerbated the food insecurity that continues today. The crisis has disproportionately increased food insecurity of Black, Indigenous and other people of color.

"Kids in low-income families benefit from and rely on free and reduced-price school meals program during the school year," said Seelmeyer. "Summer can be an uncertain time for low-income families who rely on these programs because that resource isn't available. The Free Summer Meals program is designed to help ensure kids have the fuel they need during the summer months. It brings nutrition into the communities where kids are living and playing in the summer."

Seelmeyer said families end up spending over $300 extra per month in groceries during the summer to feed their children.

The program is an underutilized resource across Washington. Historically, less than 15% of school-aged youth who access free and reduced-price meals during the school year also access summer meals statewide. Last summer, just 19% of all youth in the state who qualified for free and reduced-price meals accessed Free Summer Meals.

Over 10,000 children and adolescents receive free meals over the summer in King County in a typical year. In 2020, during one of the peaks of the pandemic, that number tripled to 30,000 students.

The Free Summer Meals sites are located at community centers, public parks, schools and other locations. In King County, they are operated by a team of dedicated AmeriCorps VISTAS, some of whom also provide home delivery services to families at affordable housing complexes. Delivery service will be provided at more than 25 King County housing locations.

To find the closest meal site, families can access United Way's Free Summer Meals page. They can also text the word SUMMER (or VERANO for Spanish), to 97779.

Funding for Free Summer Meals comes from OSPI, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, No Kid Hungry, and the Kellogg Company.

Additional information: Cesar Canizales; (206) 461 8414; ccanizales@uwkc.org.

Details







Comidas De Verano Gratuitas Para Niños En Edad Escolar Lanzadas En Todo El Estado

(SEATTLE) - United Way del Condado de King está lanzando el servicio de Comidas Gratuitas de Verano (Free Summer Meals) para niños y jóvenes en todo el Condado de King. Además, este año, United Way se está asociando estrechamente con la Oficina del Superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Washington (OSPI) para apoyar a los proveedores de Comidas Gratuitas de Verano en todo el estado para maximizar el impacto de los programas en sus comunidades.

Sara Seelmeyer, gerente del Programa de Seguridad Alimentaria de United Way del Condado de King, dijo que el hambre era un problema antes del COVID-19, pero que la pandemia exacerbó la inseguridad alimentaria que continúa hoy. La crisis ha aumentado de manera desproporcionada la inseguridad alimentaria de las personas de raza negra, indígenas y de color.

“Los niños de familias de bajos ingresos se benefician y dependen del programa de comidas escolares gratuitas y de precio reducido durante el año escolar”, dijo Seelmeyer. “El verano puede ser una época incierta para las familias de bajos ingresos que dependen de estos programas porque ese recurso no está disponible. El programa Free Summer Meals está diseñado para ayudar a garantizar que los niños tengan el combustible que necesitan durante los meses de verano. Trae nutrición a las comunidades donde los niños viven y juegan en el verano ".

Seelmeyer añadió que las familias gastan más de $300 adicionales por mes en comestibles durante el verano para alimentar a sus hijos. Si usan este programa, las familias podrían ahorrar esta cantidad.

El programa es un recurso infrautilizado en todo Washington. Históricamente, menos del 15% de los jóvenes en edad escolar que acceden a comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido durante el año escolar también acceden a las comidas de verano en todo el estado. El verano pasado, solo el 19% de todos los jóvenes del estado que calificaron para recibir comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido tuvieron acceso a las Comidas Gratuitas de Verano.

Más de 10,000 niños y adolescentes reciben comidas gratis durante el verano en el Condado de King en un año típico. En 2020, durante uno de los picos de la pandemia, ese número se triplicó a 30.000 estudiantes.

Los sitios de Comidas Gratuitas de Verano están ubicados en centros comunitarios, parques públicos, escuelas y otros lugares. En el Condado de King, son operados por un equipo de AmeriCorps VISTAS dedicados, algunos de los cuales también brindan servicios de entrega a domicilio a familias en complejos de viviendas asequibles. El servicio de entrega se proporcionará en más de 25 ubicaciones de viviendas del Condado de King.

Para encontrar el sitio de comidas más cercano, las familias pueden acceder a la página Comidas Gratuitas de Verano de United Way. También pueden enviar un mensaje de texto con la palabra "VERANO" al 97779.

Los fondos para las comidas gratuitas de verano provienen de OSPI, el Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU., No Kid Hungry y Kellogg Company.

Información adicional: César Canizales; (206) 461 8414; ccanizales@uwkc.org.

Program Details • Detalles del Programa (inglés)

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 8,300 jobs in May and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.3 percent from April to May, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

“The demand for labor is strong and more job seekers are coming back into the labor force” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “The employment gain in May is another step towards recovering the jobs lost in 2020.”

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that April’s previously reported unemployment rate of 5.5 percent was revised to 5.4 percent. April’s preliminary estimated gain of 11,200 jobs was revised upward to a gain of 13,200 jobs.

The national unemployment rate fell from 6.1 percent in April to 5.8 percent in May. In May 2020, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 13.3 percent.

ESD paid unemployment insurance benefits to 394,220 people in May, an increase of 18,156 over the previous month.

More workers are returning to the job market

The state’s labor force in May was 3,875,600 – an increase of 14,400 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force decreased by 1,800 over the same period.

From May 2020 to May 2021, the state’s labor force decreased by 29,300 while the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region increased by 36,100.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.

From April to May, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased from 209,400 to 205,200. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed decreased from 93,500 to 90,000 over the same period.

Seven industry sectors expanded, five industry sectors contracted and one industry sector remained constant in May

Private sector employment increased by 7,000 jobs while government employment increased by 1,300 jobs.

Employment is growing annually

Washington gained an estimated 248,900 jobs from May 2020 – May 2021, not seasonally adjusted. Private sector employment rose by 9.0 percent, up an estimated 229,500 jobs, while public sector employment rose by 3.5 percent with a net loss of 19,400 jobs.

From May 2020 – May 2021, twelve major industry sectors expanded while one industry sector contracted.

The three industry sectors with the largest employment gains year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Leisure and hospitality up 69,900 jobs
Retail trade up 49,100 jobs
Education and health services up 48,300 jobs

The one industry sector which contracted year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, was manufacturing, which was down 9,900 jobs.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 11,200 jobs in April and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate stayed constant at 5.5 percent from March to April, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

State Employment Dept. Report

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 23,100 jobs in March and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent in February to 5.4 percent in March, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

“Broad gains in hiring continued from February through March in response to the improving public health position,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Although employment remains below pre-pandemic levels, the state’s labor market is on track to make up the deficit relatively quickly.”

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that February’s previously reported unemployment rate of 5.6 was confirmed. February’s preliminary estimated gain of 24,500 jobs was revised to a gain of 33,200 jobs.

The national unemployment rate decreased from 6.2 percent in February to 6.0 percent in March. In March 2020, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 4.4 percent.

ESD paid unemployment insurance benefits to 428,790 people in March, an increase of 28,246 over the previous month.

<b>More workers are returning to the job market</b>

The state’s labor force in March was 3,849,500– an increase of 12,500 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force increased by 5,200 over the same period.

From March 2020 to March 2021, the state’s labor force decreased by 82,500 while the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region increased by 35,200.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.

From February to March the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased from 215,600 to 209,500. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed decreased from 95,000 to 93,600 over the same period.

Eleven industry sectors expanded, one sector contracted and one sector was unchanged in March

Private sector employment increased by 18,600 jobs while government employment increased by 4,500 jobs.

<b>Employment still down from a year ago</b>

Washington lost an estimated 166,400 jobs from March 2020 – March 2021, not seasonally adjusted. Private sector employment fell by 4.2 percent, down an estimated 121,200 jobs, while public sector employment fell by 7.5 percent with a net loss of 45,200 jobs.

From March 2020 – March 2021, nine major industry sectors contracted while four industry sectors expanded.

The three industry sectors with the largest employment losses year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Leisure and hospitality down 74,900 jobs
Government down 45,200 jobs
Manufacturing down 27,200 jobs
The four industry sectors which expanded year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Retail trade up 6,800 jobs
Information up 4,400 jobs
Construction up 3,100 jobs
Education and health services up 2,100 jobs

Oregon Public Broadcasting has produced an easily understood explanation of the concept and how it could help return us all to a normal routine. Follow the link to view the video.

Watch video at YouTube

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 1,000 jobs in October and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for October decreased from 8.3 percent (adjusted) to 6.0 percent according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

“The preliminary read on October payroll employment shows a very small increase once more,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Upward revisions to the data in recent months show a stronger recovery, but renewed restrictions on business operations in response to mounting virus risk put the recovery in jeopardy.”

ESD released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that September’s previously reported unemployment rate of 8.4 percent was revised slightly downward to 8.3 percent. September’s preliminary estimated gain of 2,400 jobs was revised to a gain of 23,800 jobs.

The national unemployment rate decreased from 7.9 percent in September to 6.9 percent in October 2020. In October 2019, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 3.6 percent.

ESD paid unemployment insurance benefits to 453,798 people in October, a decrease of 99,489 over the previous month.

State labor force participation increases

The state’s labor force in October was 3,989,000– an increase of 60,700 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force decreased by 12,900 over the same period.

From October 2019 through October 2020, the state’s labor force increased by 42,600 and the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region decreased by 40,700.

The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.

From September 2020 to October 2020, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased from 326,000 to 238,600. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed decreased from 117,900 to 82,000 over the same period.

Seven industry sectors expanded, five sectors contracted and one was unchanged in October

Private sector employment increased by 14,100 jobs while government employment decreased by 13,100 jobs. Provided below is a summary of the job gains and losses in all thirteen industry sectors.

US Covid-19 Rankings: Cases #1; Deaths #1; Fatality #78; Deaths/capita #12. What do these numbers mean?

Cases: WE'RE NUMBER 1, WE'RE NUMBER 1!. We are a big country. Only China and India have more people. But we have more cases than both, and both are over three times larger. Raw tallies don't tell us much.

Deaths: Size is not the answer here either. We are again #1. Our death rates per capita are eight times India's and 214 times China's. (Even if China lies about its statistics by tenfold the ratio is 140:1; no bragging rights here.)

Fatality: Here we do a little better, but we're in 78th place; scores of countries are doing better. Our world class hospitals are saving lots of lives, but the pace of infection overwhelmed the Mid-Atlantic states in April and the same is happening now across the country, notably in states that resisted so-called "lockdown" measures.

Cases/capita: Only Belgium leads the US.

Deaths/capita: Belgium, Peru, Spain, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico and the United Kingdom, in that order, have more deaths per capita. If we had our own house in order, we could help our sister republics. That would, of course, give the lie to the Administration's constant denigration of the other peoples of the hemisphere.

The clear lesson in all this is that we have been well served by our medical establishment but poorly served by our so-called system of public health, a federal-state complex that has been essentially starved by the Trump administration intellectually, financially and organizationally. The poor showing is a result of lack of concern and understanding, coupled with incompetence, and history will not be kind. (I've tried to limit the preaching to this one paragraph. 'Tain't easy. I'd have preached only to the choir, but too many are dead.)

Note: I have not compiled statistics for countries with outcomes better than the US on at least one measure or for countries with less than 10,000,000 inhabitants.

Data & statistics spreadsheet

The election may be over, but the pandemic is not, especially in the USA. It's likely we'll continue "winning" well into 2021. During the past week we have experienced over 100,000 cases five times, and a death rate of 1,000 cases per day seems to be baked into the cake.

The nationalists among us may note that India is overtaking the US in the absolute number of cases, but they should also note that they have four times our population and a fraction of our medical capability (not as a matter of talent, just as a function of wealth). Japan, on the other hand, with 38 percent of our population has just 108,151 cases and five deaths, respectively one percent as many cases and 0.0002 percent as many deaths. This is incontrovertibly a difference of policy; it is the same disease.

Continuing our current policies for another 73 days is an foolish, even insane, approach. We can project an additional death toll of 70,000 at least, plus deaths among the newly infected, at today's reduced rate, of at least (100,00 per day X 73 days = 7.3MM * .0240 = ) 175,000, totaling 412,000 attributable to the current regime.

In a parliamentary system, the current adminstration would be gone this week, which if so—coupled with changes in public health measures—could save tens of thousands of lives.

The current task force should resign forthwith, recognizing that their approach has been fruitless. There is no excuse for retaining them solely because the Founders had to travel to the capital on horseback.

To extend the trans-Pacific comparison, if the task force members do not deign to resign, they might consider what might have been expected of them during Japan's samurai era.

(Graphic: Kaiser Family Foundation; https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/fact-sheet/coronavirus-tracker/)

OLYMPIA – During the week of October 25 - 31, there were 14,681 initial regular unemployment claims (up 3.4 percent from the prior week) and 465,563 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 2.1 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD). Since the crisis began in March, ESD has paid more than $12.1 billion in benefits to over a million Washingtonians.

Initial regular claims applications remain at elevated levels and are at 113 percent above last year’s weekly new claims applications.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) initial claims, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) initial claims and continued claims for regular benefits all decreased over the week.
Slight increases in initial claims were primarily in industries where seasonal layoffs are expected this time of year, including agriculture and construction.

In the week ending October 31, ESD paid out over $143 million for 307,351 individual claims.