The Way Forward: Answers to your biggest questions about life after COVID-19

Many Washingtonians have found themselves out of work or required to work from home because of the virus. What should employers implement to keep employees safe when we return to the workplace? We talked with experts in public health and business about what a safe re-entry to the office might look like: 

• Secretary John Wiesman, Washington State Department of Health
• Christine Gregoire, CEO, Challenge Seattle
• Steve Pemberton, Chief Human Resources Officer, Workhuman
• John Kelly, Executive V.P. of Public Affairs and Social Impact, Starbucks

READ MORE: What will safe re-entry to the workplace look like? The Way Forward

We are all wondering how businesses will manage to recover financially. Some companies big and small have been able to shift business models, while others have been forced to close permanently. These experts answered your questions on COVID-19's impact on Washington employers and employees:

• Kristin Meadows, Individual Market Director at Premera
• Michelle Hege, Association of Washington Business (AWB) Economic Recovery Task Force Co-Chair

READ MORE: What help is there for small businesses and the newly unemployed? - The Way Forward

We received thousands of questions from our viewers, many on the topic of economic recovery. We assembled a panel of experts to address as many as we could: 

• Rep. Denny Heck, Washington's 10th Congressional District
• Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County Public Health
• Kristin Meadows, Individual Market Director at Premera Blue Cross

We ask these questions and more:

• What are we doing statewide to help POC businesses that have been affected economically by the COVID-19 pandemic? 
• Is there any help for small businesses who did not get a loan the first time around? 
• How do we determine when it's safe to go to work? If someone in your household is sick, how long do we stay home?
• Is herd immunity a possibility for this illness?
• How do we prevent a second wave?
• Where is the single best place for people to find out their options if they've lost health coverage due to job loss, business closure, or furlough?
• Will all care be paid for if I'm on Medicare?

READ MORE: Ask our experts: Q&A on small business relief, health insurance, social distancing and a second wave - The Way Forward

Will we be able to return to our lives as we once knew them? How can we keep our families safe? Can we expect more outbreaks? How do we protect our children? 

• Dr. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and chief strategy officer for population health at UW
• Dr. Benjamin Danielson, Odessa Brown Children's Clinic
• Dr. Neil Kaneshiro, Associate Medical Director for Medical Policy at Premera Blue Cross

READ MORE: How do we safely navigate social interactions for ourselves and our kids? - The Way Forward

COVID-19 is changing almost every aspect of our lives -- including the way we access healthcare. If you've checked up with your doctor over the past couple of months, chances are it's been via a virtual visit. Leaders in telemedicine, mental health and senior care shared what they believe the future of healthcare will look like:

• Rick Abbott, Vice President Of Product And Market Solutions at Premera Blue Cross
• Dr. David Johnson, LMHC CEO, NAVOS
• Ramonda Sosa, Director of Social Services at Homage

READ MORE: Telehealth, safeguarding our seniors, and embracing the trauma of COVID-19 - The Way Forward

We received thousands of questions from our viewers, many about vaccines, testing, mental health, and how all of this is affecting children. We assembled a panel of experts to address as many as we could:

• Dr. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and chief strategy officer for population health at UW
• Dr. Neil Kaneshiro, Associate Medical Director for Medical Policy at Premera Blue Cross
• Dr. David Johnson, LMHC CEO, NAVOS

We ask these questions and more:

• Until we have a vaccine for everybody, will we still need to maintain social distancing?
• What's the latest on the search for a vaccine and since we don't have enough tests or a national plan for tests, how do we actually move out of the phase we're in? 
• What is the single biggest thing parents can do to protect the mental health of kids who have no school or school activities, no access to friends or grandparents?
• What are you expecting over the summer and then into fall and winter when influenza season hits and how can we be prepared?
• We're hearing of three deaths of children in NYC who had COVID and an inflammatory syndrome, can you tell us the latest about what we know on that and what parents should look for?
• Cities and states are opening up all over the country? Is it premature? And how does that affect what we do and how we fare here in our state?

READ MORE: Ask our experts: Q&A on vaccines, testing, mental health, and kids - The Way Forward

Our experts had a lot more to share than we could put in one show.  We've posted the some of the full-length interviews on our YouTube channel so you can take a deeper dive.

Recommended resources to help you get through the stay-at-home order and readjust to life as restrictions begin to lift:

• COVID-19 Projections from Dr. Mokdad and the IHME 
• Therapist tips for helping kids through quarantine
• CDC recommended vaccine schedule
• Challenge Seattle's Guidelines for reopening businesses
• Washington State Department of Health 
• Government's Paycheck Protection Program 
• Apply for unemployment at the Employment Security website 

Insurance Coverage

• Washington Health Plan Finder: If your income has changed, you may qualify for health coverage
• Lifewise.com: Free resources available for people looking into their insurance options.
• Information to apply for APPLE health care insurance
• Finding health insurance right for you

Aging and Disability Resources

• Homage: Serving Older Adults & People with Disabilities in Snohomish County for over 47 years. HelpLine: 1-425-513-1900 or 1-800-422-2024.  
• Washington State Ombudsman: Advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. 1-800-562-6028
• King County Community Living Connections: Are you facing aging or disability issues? Community Living Connections can connect you with the right kind of help, when and where you need it. 1-844-348-5464  
• Northwest Regional Council: Aging and disability resources for the people of Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties. (360) 676-6749 or (800) 585-6749 from Western WA only.
• Community Living Connections:  Washington Statewide Resources. Call Toll-Free 1-855-567-0252

Mental Health Resources

• Mental healthcare without leaving home
• Call King County's 24-hr hotline at 1-866-4274747 or 1-866-4CRISIS. "The 24-Hour Crisis Line provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis." CrisisConnections.org
• Spokane Regional Crisis Hotline: 1-877-266-1818
• National Suicide Prevention: 1-866-4CRISIS(1-866-427-4447) local 206-461-3222
• Washington Recovery Helpline: 1-866-789-151
• Teen Link: 1-866-833-6546
• Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• Elderly Mental Health
• Navos: Children, young adults, family
• National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI -Washington State
• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The virtual town hall "The Way Forward" was hosted by KING 5 and Premera Blue Cross.  All segments are available at king5.com/thewayforward.  Sponsored by Premera Blue Cross.