September Update

Dear Friend, 

I wanted to give you a quick update on what I have been up to recently while out and about in our district. 

In August, I has the pleasure of meeting with small business owners in Wilkeson and Kent to discuss the challenges of operating a small business in the midst of a pandemic. Small businesses have been hit hard and it was great to speak with owners about how programs put in place by Congress kept their businesses afloat and how I can help them build back better. My office stands ready to assist small businesses as they navigate federal agencies and the federal and local aid that is available to them.

In Enumclaw, I loved our visit to the Van Wieringen dairy farm! Their farm is part of the Organic Valley co-op and the owners are leaders in green agricultural practices that optimize the health of their cows, cut methane emissions, enrich soil, and protect riparian habitat for migrating salmon in Boise Creek, which runs through the farm. Family-owned since 1936, this farm received the Green Globe Award in April for operating a dairy that is committed to conservation through climate-smart farming techniques and practices. We discussed how they are currently working with King County on the restoration of the Boise Creek, and also how USDA programs support these efforts. 

Earlier this month, U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Graves and I visited Snoqualmie Library & Snoqualmie Valley Hospital to talk about the importance of reliable high-speed internet for library patrons and how reliable internet can make the difference between a stroke patient getting time sensitive care they need or not. We also "met" the robots and doctors who come right to the bedside through cutting edge telemedicine. This year, I announced that my bill to help states build and improve broadband infrastructure will be implemented by the Department of Commerce. The pandemic has laid bare the vast disparities in internet access across the 8th district and the country and it’s time we close this digital divide. 

I was also glad to be able to administer COVID vaccines at an event with Medical Teams International and El Centro de la Raza in Federal Way. With our children back in school, it’s crucial that children ages 12 and up are vaccinated. Even my own son, Sam, was extremely excited to get his vaccine before returning to school. You can learn more about the COVID vaccine & even make an appointment at: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/. Walk in vaccination is also widely available at local pharmacies.

Finally, I listened to the stories of doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists at Kittitas Valley Health’s COVID clinic and Confluence Health's Wenatchee Valley Hospital. With the Delta variant, we've seen a spike in cases and when I visited last month, KVH’s hospital had been full for more than a week, and Confluence's is nearly full. More and more beds are being taken up by patients with COVID whose hospitalizations could have been prevented by vaccination. These health care workers have fought tirelessly for the last 18 months to provide COVID testing, vaccinations and treatments to their community. In return, they are pleading with residents: If you haven’t already, get vaccinated now. Again, I strongly urge everyone who can get vaccinated to do so as soon as possible for the health and well being of yourself, your loved ones, and our heroic health care professionals who themselves and their families at risk every day. 

It is always a pleasure to visit every corner of our district, and an honor to advocate for the issues you care about when back in Washington, D.C. 

Please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Kim Schrier, M.D.
Member of Congress