CORONAVIRUS: Monday 6/1 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

First night out of the stay-home order … and instead we’re under an unrelated curfew. But the virus crisis isn’t over yet, so on with the nightly roundup:

APPLICATION DELAYED A DAY: King County says the application to reopen more businesses by entering a “modified Phase 1” will be sent to the state tomorrow:

As part of the Governor’s Safe Start reopening plan, King County anticipates submitting its application for a modified Phase 1 permit to the Washington State Department of Health on Tuesday, June 2nd. This will allow for limited re-opening of some businesses that are able to meet the State’s reopening guidance. Assuming full state approval, local businesses should prepare for modified Phase 1 activities as soon as Friday, June 5th.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*8,192 people have tested positive, up 33 from yesterday

*557 people have died, unchanged from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 7,879 and 542.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

ALL ABOUT ANTIBODIES: The state Health Department put together this mini-briefing to answer questions.

NEED FOOD? Three more chances this week to get it, free, no questions asked.

OPEN AGAIN: The parking lots at West Seattle’s Port of Seattle parks are open again.

NOT OPEN YET: Thanks to Thomas, for just pointing out this update from Seattle’s Chief Librarian Marcellus Turner.

SURVEY: You’re invited to fill out this economic-recovery survey if any of these categories applies to you:

Artists
Creatives
Cultural workers
Creative small businesses
Large arts institutions
Everybody in-between and within the arts and cultures sectors.

Background info here.

GOT INFO? PHOTOS? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

HS June 1, 2020 (9:51 pm)

I think … this is the first day we’ve not had a death.

WSB June 1, 2020 (11:21 pm)

I thought there was one earlier but haven’t found it in the archives and have to move on. Definitely good to see.
- West Seattlite June 1, 2020 (11:32 pm)
  
  May 14 had no deaths reported.
  - WSB June 2, 2020 (12:18 am)
    
    Thanks. Indeed, there it is:
    https://wsb.blackfin.biz/2020/05/coronavirus-thursday-5-14-roundup/

Confused June 2, 2020 (12:25 am)

What does Modified Phase 1 mean for actual people (not just businesses and business owners)? I have seen little clarification from King County or the State. Do we still shelter-in-place anyway? Can we travel? In my neighborhood It’s obvious people are relaxing social distancing regardless.

WSB June 2, 2020 (12:38 am)

I excerpted the key paragraph in the original announcement but here it is again:

With the limited re-opening, maintaining the safety principles that led to the success against the outbreak has never been more important. These include continuing to practice physical distancing of 6 feet or more, minimizing contact with others outside the home, frequent hand washing or sanitizer, use of cloth face coverings in public, and avoiding group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.

With testing increasingly available in King County, it’s critical that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 seek a test immediately. Testing as soon as possible after symptoms appear is important to prevent COVID-19 from spreading to family, friends, and the community.

*I should add, it’s also important to remember what’s still NOT happening. Schools are still closed. Meetings and events are still happening online, if at all.
Anna June 2, 2020 (10:33 am)

I believe in modified phase 1, we can also gather with 5 or fewer people who are outside of our household. And also it looks like some additional retail options are possible too. I think we can also get our hair cut.

RM June 2, 2020 (10:32 am)

With numbers this low, its ridiculous we are not in full Phase 2 already.

Lillet June 2, 2020 (10:58 am)

Cannot agree with you more. This has become much less about science and much more about government control.
J June 2, 2020 (10:59 am)

We have still not systematically tested our nursing homes, senior living, assisted living, and adult family homes, or other congregate living facilities in our county. These facilities likely are more impacted by the virus. Facilities do not stay isolated. We do not have any idea how much disease is left to break out until facilities are completely tested.

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