West Seattle, Washington
02 Monday
Locally, the pandemic has now spanned a full season – here’s the roundup for the first night of summer:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative numbers from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:
*9,165 people have tested positive, 69 more than yesterday
*585 people have died, 1 more than yesterday
*1,540 people have been hospitalized, no change from yesterday
*140,894 people have been tested, 3,582 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 8,700/574/1,518/117,097.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: More than 8.7 million people have tested positive. Most cases: U.S., Brazil, Russia, India, United Kingdom. See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: On again tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm. The market-management organization’s new website means a new format for the vendor list, plus a map – scroll down this page to find both.
FOOD DRIVE: If you can donate, Alki UCC is collecting food and more outside the church 10 am-4 pm tomorrow.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
That’s a photo of community generosity as received during one of Alki UCC’s food-and-more drives this spring. If you can give, tomorrow’s your next chance. Here’s the reminder:
Thanks to our community’s generosity, Alki United Church of Christ (Alki UCC) is once again accepting donations outside our building for an In-Person, Socially-Distanced Food Drive at 6115 SW Hinds this Sunday, June 21 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Contributions of non-perishable food and other items will be distributed via the White Center Food Bank; top requests include Canned Meat/Soup/Fruit (pop‐top cans preferred), Rice, Noodles, Peanut Butter, Oats, Toilet Paper, Diapers, Similac Formula, Cleaning Supplies, Hand Sanitizer and Baby Wipes.
The drive benefits our vulnerable neighbors in need, those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID 19. Check alkiucc.org for updates.
Before the school year ended Friday, one more farewell “paade” – this time, at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point.
Thanks to administration secretary Barb Mote for sharing the photos!
One Pathfinder year-end tradition is yet to come – retired PE teacher Lou Cutler‘s annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser. While he and the students weren’t able to run around the school track as usual – one lap for every year of his age (69 this year!) – Lou plans a fundraising walk in West Seattle next week – more on that later this weekend.
While the Phase 2 announcement first thing this morning was cause for celebration, a top health official offered cause for caution hours later, and that’s part of our nightly roundup.
PHASE 2: The week began with the county applying for permission to move to Phase 2, and four days later, the state announced its approval this morning. That means – as listed by the county – more businesses can open, and many that are already open can do so more widely.
…BUT FOR HOW LONG? In a midafternoon media briefing, county health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin warned that new data – just in last night – shows an uptick in cases, warning that the trend could even force the reopening into reverse. The past week saw 47 percent more cases than the week before, he said. The reason that didn’t put the brakes on the reopening, for now, he explained, is that the number isn’t huge – 100+ – but he stressed that it’s crucial people take simple steps, wearing face coverings and continuing distancing, or else things could get out of hand quickly. The new cases aren’t attributable to any particular area or any particular means of transmission, he added – there’s “no single smoking gun.” Overall, his message was that stepping ahead in reopening is the wrong time to step back in personal protective measures.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: The aforementioned spike was for the week of June 12-18. Here’s the first daily summary since then:
*9,096 people have tested positive, 109 more than yesterday
*584 people have died, 2 more than yesterday
*1,540 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday
*137,312 people have been tested, 2,309 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 8,644/571/1,517/115,016.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ FALL PLAN: It’s out and it’s complicated.
CONFUSED ABOUT WEDDINGS/FUNERALS? The governor issued “additional guidance” today.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
As promised, Seattle Public Schools‘ hybrid year has wrapped up with an announcement of the plan for next year, so far. As published on the district website:
As we wrap up this school year, we have been planning for 2020-21. We hope that at the start of the new school year, King County is in Phase 4 of the Governor Inslee’s reopening plan\. If we are, in alignment with public-health agency recommendations and the governor’s plan, school will resume as normal and students, who choose to, will return to face-to-face classroom instruction. Unfortunately, we don’t know what will happen over these next few months, so a contingency plan is needed, including how we will address a potential resurgence of COVID-19 in our community.
Four engagement teams of just over 100 participants that included students, parents, educators, school leaders, community partners, and central office administrators have been meeting to develop priorities for school in the fall — responsive to safety measures required for each phase of re-opening and the experiences of our students and families furthest from educational justice.
The engagement teams worked together to understand the operational and budget constraints, public health and safety guidelines, and feedback gathered in a recent staff, family, and leadership survey. Common values and priorities emerged from the four groups and leadership team, you can view them on our Planning for Re-Entry announcement webpage.
These values and priorities resulted in a model framework. If King County is in Phase 2 or 3 this fall, some type of in-person, part-time instruction will be provided for all K-12 students with the option of 100% online, remote learning for families who aren’t ready to send their students back to school buildings. Regular in-person instruction will resume when we are in Phase 4.
100% online learning will be provided as an opt-in option for any family that does not want to return in person. This option will also be available in the event buildings remain closed through fall or close abruptly due to a resurgence of COVID-19. Online learning will be high-quality and consistently provided with clearer expectations and accountability for instruction and assignments. Online learning will be provided on a reliable schedule that includes live instruction, video lessons, and small group supports, etc. Over the summer months, educators, school leaders, and a digital learning task force will prepare for delivery of these enhanced supports.
A blended model with some in-person learning for all K-12 students and some remote, online instruction. This scenario is highly dependent on public health guidelines and if we are in Phase 2 or 3 in the fall. It was determined by the Reopening Leadership Team with input from the engagement teams that while the hope is to provide in-person class time for everyone, social distancing guidelines may require a phased in approach or starting with smaller student numbers. In doing that, priority would be given to students of color furthest from educational justice, students who require in-person therapy, students who receive Special Education services or IEP supports that can’t be delivered online, students who receive services as English Learners, and students supported by McKinney Vento – students experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. Teams also expressed interest in providing additional in-person instruction for K-3 students and students in transition years – sixth grade and ninth grade. The schedule for a blended model, part-time in person and part-time remote learning, is yet to be determined. The in-person schedule is dependent on the physical capacity of our buildings. We are exploring partnerships with community organizations to increase space capacity.
A full return to in-person classes. A full return to regular instruction will require we are in Phase 4 and that we follow guidelines of Public Health. While we are hopeful, this scenario is unlikely in Fall 2020.
Next week, families will need to complete an Intent to Enroll questionnaire to hold a place in their program selection. Families will be asked to indicate if they plan to enroll in the 100% online learning option for the fall or want the in-person option program. Depending on responses, in-person K-12 instruction frequency will be determined. Please look for an email early next week from Public Affairs with more details. This information will be critical in helping us finalize plans for next year.
We know the uncertainty for next school year is stressful and there are still a lot of unknowns. Staff and the Seattle School Board will be working diligently to provide additional answers and details in collaboration with educators and school leaders over these next few weeks.
Next steps: On June 30, a detailed Fall Reopening Plan will be presented to the School Board during a public work session. The plan will reflect the values and priorities surfaced during the recent engagement, the model framework outlined above, an analysis of our buildings’ physical capacity, and adherence to Public Health guidelines.
Feedback? Here’s how to send it.
9:01 AM: Just in: The state says King County can move to Phase 2. More info to come…
9:29 AM: Still awaiting King County’s followup announcement. Basics of Phase 2 include 50 percent capacity for indoor dining – see more here.
11:46 AM: For more on what Phase 2 enables, here’s a more-detailed list on the King County Public Health website.
12:33 PM: King County’s own announcement has just arrived. Before that same list, it begins:
Following approval by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, King County has officially entered Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start recovery plan to allow limited business re-opening. Phase 2 allows for twice the capacity in retail, restaurants, and other businesses previously allowed in King County’s modified Phase 1 and goes into effect immediately.
“Moving to Phase 2 is another step toward economic recovery for our region, but it must go hand-in-hand with even more careful adherence to precautions from our public health experts,” said Executive Constantine. “Wearing face coverings, washing hands, and avoiding crowds and unnecessary contact can help make ours a one-way trip back to prosperity, and prevent the need to go back to stay-at-home orders.”
While there are no additional categories of businesses included in moving from modified Phase 1 to Phase 2, the operating capacity has doubled for those able to reopen. For example, restaurants can now operate with 50% of indoor capacity, and retail with 30% capacity. Businesses with questions on how to safely reopen under the state’s guidance are encouraged to call Public Health’s Business Compliance Line at 206-296-1608.
“We evaluated a number of factors to apply to move to phase two of reopening. Our healthcare system, perhaps the single most important factor, is currently well-prepared to care for COVID-19 cases as well as the other health needs of our community,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Public Health officials recommend that people keep 6 feet apart from one another whenever possible. Outdoors exposures are less risky than indoors, and improving indoor ventilation is recommended. In addition, people need to wear face coverings in public, wash hands frequently, and get tested at the first sign of symptoms.
“Our cases have declined significantly since the peak of the outbreak in late March, and are now hovering around our target goal,” said Duchin. “Over the past seven days, however, we have seen an uptick in the number of cases compared to the previous week. With re-opening, we anticipated more cases in the community. That is why it is now more important than ever keep 6 feet apart from one another whenever possible and minimize unnecessary activity, especially people at increased risk for COVID-19.”
“As we move into phase 2 and for the foreseeable future, our risk will be increasing, not decreasing,” said Duchin. “COVID-19 has not gone away and we must take the ongoing risk very seriously. If we are going to be successful continuing to reopen, it’s essential that we do everything we can to prevent COVID-19 spread as we have more contact in social, recreational and work-related settings.”
Still have questions? We’re planning to cover the 3 pm media briefing with Dr. Duchin.
(WSB photos)
Highland Park Elementary said goodbye to its 5th-graders tonight with a sendoff like no other. Not only did it have bananas, it also had a snake …
That’s Milo the snake, in attendance because the students wanted to see him. The ceremony was both drive-up and walk-up:
The future middle-schoolers each got a bag containing crafts, some reading, and their diploma.
And if all that wasn’t exciting enough on this sunny evening outside the school …
… they even had live music!
That’s Sundae + Mr. Goessl, with a “Curbside Concert.” Congratulations to the Mustangs!
Still no news about King County’s Phase 2 application. Here’s the rest of the virus-crisis news for today:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*8,987 people have tested positive, up 94 from yesterday
*582 people have died, up 7 from yesterday
*1,537 people have been hospitalized, up 6 from yesterday
*135,003 people have been tested, up 4,649 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 8,584/571/1,512/112,753.
ANOTHER LOCAL DEATH: One of the newly reported deaths is in the 98146 zip code – part of which is in West Seattle; 98146 now has 8 deaths.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
CITY CHANGES EXTENDED: In a long news release about a mayoral order extending some pandemic-related changes, this information was included:
The Mayor’s Executive Order extends the City’s COVID-19 relief programs, including:
*Temporary parking and/or loading zones for restaurants, health care and human services workers, and retail stores are extended until further notice;
*Flexible payment plans and shutoff policies with Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities are extended until further notice;
*The City’s small business, arts and nonprofit, food access, and housing and homelessness COVID-19 relief programs are extended until further notice; and
*The Utility Discount Program Self-Certification Pilot Program is extended until July 31, 2020.
Per the Mayor’s Executive Order, the following COVID-19 policy suspensions are extended:
*The ban on permitted events, with the exception of farmers markets, is extended until June 30, 2020;
*Enforcement of paid parking requirements on City streets; select hourly parking time limits outside of no-parking or special zones; and the 72-hour rule is suspended until further notice; and
*Booting vehicles with unpaid parking tickets is suspended until further notice.
The following City facility closures are extended by the Mayor’s Executive Order:
*All Seattle Public Library (SPL) locations are closed through June 30, 2020, however, restroom access and several SPL locations will remain open and the City is evaluating curbside library services;
*Seattle Public Utilities’ (SPU) Cedar River Watershed Education Center and Rattlesnake Ledge Trail will remain closed through June 30, 2020;
*In-person access to all City departments’ public-facing customer service counters will remain closed through June 30, 2020, with digital and telephonic access still available. The Seattle Animal Shelter in March launched a new appointment-based adoption system that enables animals to still find forever homes even while the shelter’s counters are closed; and
*Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities, such as community centers, pools, environmental learning centers, and select parking lots serving the City’s largest parks are closed until further notice.
NEED TO GET TESTED? Tomorrow’s the weekly drive-up testing day in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 10 am-3 pm.
NEED FOOD? Food Lifeline HQ is distributing free 20+-pound boxes of food again tomorrow, 2-5 pm, available to all, 815 S.96th in South Park.
ALSO TOMORROW: Seattle Public Schools, on the last day of this hybrid school year, will announce the “final recommended contingency scenario” for next school year.
PHOTOS? TIPS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Three more school-related reminders:
The Genesee Hill teacher parade is off, now on 47th! @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/OkVnG7wa0p
— Genesee Hill School (@GeneseeHill) June 18, 2020
As previewed here, the Genesee Hill Elementary parade is under way – headed toward the Madison MS area as of a few minutes ago.
Tonight, Highland Park Elementary is celebrating its 5th graders with a drive-up/walk-up event in front of the school 5-6:30 pm.
Also tonight, West Seattle High School‘s graduation ceremony is on YouTube and cable at 7 pm.
(WSB photos/video)
Tonight Seattle Lutheran High School gave its Class of 2020 a sendoff that was a turnabout on the usual car parade.
The grads stood – distanced – at or near the curb outside the school just north of The Junction, while well-wishers drove by to cheer them.
The school told us the graduating class numbered 26.
There were at least four times that many cars.
Lots of honking, of course:
Congratulations, Saints!
No decision yet on moving to Phase 2. Here are the other virus-crisis headlines from today:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*8,893 people have tested positive, 38 more than yesterday’s total
*575 people have died, 1 fewer than yesterday’s total++
*1,531 people have been hospitalized, 1 fewer than yesterday’s total++
*130,354 people have been tested, 2,738 more than yesterday’s total
++The county cites “data corrections” for the death/hospitalization numbers dropping
One week ago, the four totals were 8,559/570/1,505/111,291.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
‘ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE HAVE TO INCREASE MASK USAGE’: So said the governor during his briefing today, reiterating that it’s crucial to keeping the virus under control. “We have to step up our game … we’re not even at halftime yet.” Video of his briefing, covering a wide range of virus and non-virus topics, is here.
TEST-TOTALS ERROR: The state Health Department announced today that it’s been over-reporting negative test results.
DEATH-TOTALS CHANGE: Also from the DOH’s daily bulletin:
DOH announces changes in how it reports COVID-19 death data: Until now, when a death is reported as a COVID-19 death, it is because the person who passed away also tested positive for COVID-19. However, this method doesn’t reflect the number of deaths caused by COVID-19; it can include someone who may have died of other causes. DOH is changing its reporting to provide better data about deaths associated with COVID-19. Beginning today, June 17, DOH will remove deaths where COVID-19 did not contribute to death. For Phase 1, this will result in seven deaths being removed from the state’s death count, including two suicides, three homicides, and two overdose deaths. Over the next several weeks, DOH will expand their reporting to identify whether they can confirm or rule-out COVID-19 as a contributing cause of death, or if COVID-19 probably or may have contributed to death. A short Q&A about these changes is available on the DOH website.
Sound Transit is planning a July 1 resumption of fares on ST Express bus routes that have returned to front-door boarding with the installation of health barriers and other protections for operator safety. A new system-wide flat fare will align with other regional agencies, irrespective of trip distances.
That flat fare will be $3.25. ST’s announcement notes, “The Sound Transit Board approved the move to the adult flat fare in April 2018, with an implementation date of July 2020.”
THEY HELPED – CAN YOU HELP THEM? The food-truck and catering businesses based at Delridge’s KBM Seattle Commissary are grateful for community support of their free-meal program. Now they need your help – don’t let the Delridge road work keep you away from their takeout window!
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(WSB file photo)
KBM Seattle Commissary and its resident chefs have wrapped up their free-meals program, but they’re still selling their specialties via the window at 5604 Delridge Way SW, and KBM’s Keith Mathewson says they have a request for you:
Last week was our last week of our food donation program. In the several weeks that it was ongoing, the members of the kitchen collectively donated over 4,500 meals. We could not have done it without the generous momentary support of the West Seattle community. I wish to thank everyone who donated to the effort, without you it would not have been possible.
We are now facing a new challenge. Delridge Way is in full construction and getting to the walk-up window is more difficult than before; however, all the members are still selling via the window. If you enjoyed their menus in the past, I invite you to continue to come. The cooks are still working and the window, in most cases, is their only means for them to sell their food.
The vendors there were listed in this WSB report earlier this spring.
Waiting for the Phase 2 decision is where we start tonight’s roundup:
NO DECISION YET: It’s only been a day since King County applied for state permission to move to Phase 2 of reopening, but the “modified Phase 1” decision only took a day and a half, so you can be forgiven some impatience.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s the daily summary from Public Health, with cumulative totals:
*8,855 people have tested positive, up 58 from yesterday
*576 people have died, up 2 from yesterday
*1,532 people have been hospitalized, up 11 from yesterday
*127,616 people have been tested, up 2,293 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 8,536/570/1,499/109,813.
ANOTHER LOCAL DEATH: One of those newly reported deaths is in the 98146 zip code – part of which is in West Seattle; 98146 has lost 7 people.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
STATE COVID-19 RESPONSE BRIEFING: Nothing from the governor today, as he was in Yakima, but the weekly media telebriefing featured Lacy Fehrenbach, who holds the newly position of state Deputy Secretary of Health for COVID-19 Response. You can listen to it here.
CANCELED: Two more major West Seattle summer events won’t happen this year because of the pandemic – the Morgan Junction Community Festival (which usually happens on a Saturday in June) and the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (usually 6 free performances on Thursday nights in July and August).
HAPPENING: Though COVID-19 is keeping them from having traditional ceremonies, local high schools celebrate graduations this week – Chief Sealth International HS and Seattle Lutheran HS on Wednesday, West Seattle HS on Thursday.
NEED FOOD? Big boxes of it – 20+ pounds per box – will be available free at Food Lifeline again tomorrow in nearby South Park; just drive up or walk up.
GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
We’ve already mentioned that Chief Sealth International High School‘s virtual graduation will be online/on cable tomorrow night. Two more coming up this week:
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Drive-by event, starting at 5 pm Wednesday in front of the school at 4100 SW Genesee.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: Like other Seattle Public Schools graduations, this one will be shown on SPS-TV via YouTube and cable. It starts at 7 pm Thursday.
Two summer traditions that are presented by West Seattle neighborhood councils will not be happening this year because of the pandemic. The announcements:
(WSB photo, Bubbleman @ 2019 Morgan Junction Community Festival)
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Sent by Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker:
It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that cancellation of the 2020 Morgan Junction Community Festival.
The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) has been sponsoring this unique one day festival in Morgan Junction for over 15 years. The 2009 opening of Morgan Junction Park gave us a permanent home to experience the live festival music and watch the Bubbleman make BIG bubbles, while businesses Beveridge Place Pub, Zeeks Pizza, and Whisky West have welcomed vendor booths and food trucks to their parking lots. It’s always been a lot of fun.
But the Coronavirus pandemic has shut down the safe gathering ability of the Festival-loving public. MoCA wants to keep our community safe. So we’re canceling the 2020 festival and scheduling the 2021 Festival date for Saturday June 19, 2021. We’d like to share this reply we got from the City of Seattle Special Event staff when they learned of the cancellation:
“Thank you so much for letting us know. Each time we hear that another event is cancelled, it makes me emotional too. Special events like the Morgan Junction Festival celebrate the health and vibrancy of our community. Cancelling them in some ways feels like a defeat at the hands of COVID. Please know that you are doing the right thing, the prudent thing, the safe thing by cancelling the event. We are all going to come back stronger.”
Thank you, everyone. Stay Safe!! We Will Come Back Stronger!
-Morgan Junction Community Festival Planning Committee
(Caspar Babypants at Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha, August 2019)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: From Stephanie Jordan, who coordinates the series for the Admiral Neighborhood Association:
After many weeks of hoping for better circumstances, we’ve made the sad decision to cancel the 2020 Summer Concerts at Hiawatha. During these uncertain times, it’s become clear that gatherings of this size will be difficult to manage in a way that ensures the safety and enjoyment of our community and guests. These events are very important to us, but your health and safety will always be our top priority.
I will truly miss the community that these concerts create – neighbors meeting neighbors, old friends catching up, kids at their first live performances. They represent a true collaboration between the ANA, our sponsors, city partners (Seattle Parks and ARC) and the wonderful team at Hiawatha Community Center. It’s been my pleasure to connect you with some of the best musicians in the region.
To the extent to which you are able, I hope you will continue to support our local music community in other ways. Many artists are being impacted by cancellations like this. I encourage you to see who is performing on social media, releasing new work, or rescheduling shows. Even kinds words can make a difference. Please also consider contributing to any of the several artist relief funds that have been set up in response to COVID-19. A quick Google search for “Seattle artist fund” will bring these up.
When large gatherings are back, we will be too – and we’ll be very happy to see you again. Until then, stay safe West Seattle, and keep well!
Ready for Phase 2? King County leaders say we are, and that tops tonight’s virus-crisis local roundup:
SEEKING PHASE 2 PERMISSION: King County leaders announced this evening that they’ve asked the state for approval to move from “modified Phase 1” to Phase 2. That would mean more sit-down dining, among other things – see pages 20, 21, and 22 in the application for more details on what Phase 2 would mean. (It contains lots of information about the state of the outbreak, too, if you haven’t been sifting through the county dashboards in search of that already.) How soon could the state decide? Likely sometime this week.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary – the cumulative totals:
*8,797 people have tested positive, 46 more than yesterday
*574 people have died, unchanged for a second day
*1,521 people have been hospitalized, 1 more than yesterday
*125,323 people have been tested, 1,815 more than yesterday
One week ago, the cases/deaths totals were 8,507/567.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
MASKS MATTER: State health authorities held a “telebriefing” focusing on the importance of face coverings, especially for workers. You can hear what they had to say by going here.
PREMIUM PAY FOR FOOD DELIVERY: A bill co-sponsored by West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold passed the council unanimously today, mandating premium pay for food-delivery “gig workers,” while the pandemic continues.
BACK TO REGULAR HOURS: Transfer stations.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Three more business updates:
CHERRY CONSIGNMENT: Reopening tomorrow, hours noon-5 pm to start with, open Tuesday-Wedneday and Friday-Saturday-Sunday this week for starters, closed Thursday. (4142 California SW).
VAIN: The salon/boutique in The Junction reopened today. Check here for their policies in this phase of reopening. (4513 California SW)
LA RUSTICA: This update came in today:
La Rustica will be open for Dine-in service starting tomorrow with our patio at 50% capacity and dining room at 25%. We also have a private dining room for up to 5 which can be reserved for parties of 5.
Hours will be Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 4-9 – Friday & Sat 4-Close
We will also still be offering minimal contact take out service with online ordering only at larusticawestseattle.com
(4100 Beach Drive SW)
Just in from King County:
King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci submitted an application to the state Department of Health to move King County to Phase 2 of the Safe Start recovery plan following approval of the plan by the King County Board of Health.
“After two weeks in what has been called Phase 1.5, our case counts, health care system capacity and other metrics are holding steady, and we are ready to move to Phase 2,” said Executive Constantine. “But make no mistake – successful economic recovery will depend on everyone in King County carefully following the recommendations of our Public Health experts, including wearing face coverings and avoiding unnecessary contacts, so together we can keep re-opening our community while holding the line on the pandemic.”
Under Phase 2, businesses can operate at twice the indoor capacity permitted in the modified Phase 1, provided they meet all re-opening requirements set out by the state’s guidance. Businesses with questions about their operation can also call the Public Health Business Compliance Line at 206-296-1608.
P.S. For more specifics, here’s the application.
Again this week, Food Lifeline is offering free emergency food boxes to anyone who shows up. From the announcement:
The standard emergency food boxes each contain 22-25 lbs of shelf-stable food items like canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats, non-meat protein items, and bread and grains. There will also be fresh produce and select dairy items for those attending the distributions. (While supplies last)
Those wishing to take home boxes can receive a drive-up no-touch distribution, and there will also be walk-up distribution …
Food Lifeline – 815 South 96th Street (2 this week)
Wednesday, June 17, at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, June 19, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.FULL SCHEDULE: foodlifeline.org
ANYONE can have access to this food. This is a confidential distribution, so there will be no paperwork or qualification. Food Lifeline is only asking for zip codes to track its efforts.
Food Lifeline encourages everyone to take home this nutritious food. We are all struggling during this crisis, and no one should hesitate to accept this help.
Announced today by Seattle Public Utilities – the reduced schedule at transfer stations is over:
Seattle Public Utilities’ North and South Transfer Stations are open (as of June 15, 2020) normal operating hours, seven days a week from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. We want to thank our customers for understanding that while the stations are operating at their normal schedule, that visits to the stations should be for essential trips only (urgent and perishable waste) in an effort to reduce potential spread of COVID-19.
For more on that, here’s the full SPU announcement. The South Transfer Station is just east of West Seattle, at 130 S. Kenyon.
It’s become a tradition by which many will remember this pandemic spring – the car “parade” for school staffers and students to see each other even though the campuses have been closed since March. Next West Seattle school planning one, Genesee Hill Elementary, which just sent the map (full-size version is here in PDF) for its Thursday plan:
Thursday, June 18th, at 11 am: Virtual Field Day and Teacher Parade
While students are completing their Field Day activities, the Genesee Hill staff will be having an end-of-the-year parade. Wear your GHES shirt or tie-dye and get ready to make some noise, play, and celebrate all of the hard work put into this school year! The parade will weave through our service area and we encourage families who are outside our service area to join us on GHES’s surrounding sidewalk, using appropriate social-distancing measures. For safety reasons, please remain on sidewalks and yards. We will end the parade with a final victory lap around the surrounding GHES block!
Neighbors are welcome to join us in celebrating our students.
Friday (June 19th) is the last day of the school year, and the day Seattle Public Schools plans to announce its plan for next year.
Midway through the fourth month of the local COVID-19 outbreak, here’s our nightly roundup:
KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*8,751 people have tested positive, 51 more than yesterday
*574 people have died, unchanged from yesterday
*1,520 people have been hospitalized, 2 more than yesterday
*123,508 people have been tested, 6,411 more than yesterday
One week ago, the cases/deaths totals were 8,465/566.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
DECISION AHEAD: Next Friday is the official last day of the school year for Seattle Public Schools, and that’s also the day the district will announce its recommended “scenario” for next school year.
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES: Even though many are now allowed to restore reduced-capacity in-person service, it’s by no means an instant remedy for the revenue losses that so many have suffered over the past three months. So fundraising efforts continue as a supplement the Small Business Relief Fund set up by the West Seattle Junction Association is one; also, a post in the WSB Community Forums links to a crowdfunding campaign for Seattle Yarn.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Don’t get complacent, warns the governor, and that tops our nightly roundup:
NOT OVER YET: First the state Health Department reported this:
Today the Washington State Department of Health released the latest statewide situation report, which shows COVID-19 transmission continued to increase in eastern Washington as of the end of May, with a possible uptick in western Washington as well. There are still significant differences in transmission from county to county.
The situation in eastern Washington is of greatest concern, particularly in Benton, Franklin, Spokane and Yakima counties. The report estimates cases and deaths in these counties will soon increase substantially if COVID-19 continues to spread at current levels. By population, these counties are in a comparable position to King County at its peak in March. They may require similar efforts to expand hospital capacity and testing, protect the people at highest risk and increase physical distancing.
Governor Inslee subsequently released a statement including:
Washingtonians have done the hard work to flatten the curve on COVID-19 and we know this has been tremendously difficult for families, businesses and communities over the past few months. But today’s report shows us there is still reason for strong concern in parts of our state. The report estimates cases and deaths will soon increase substantially if COVID-19 continues to spread at current levels. …
This is not the time to give up on efforts to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. We are still in the middle of a pandemic that is continuing to infect and kill Washingtonians.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: As for how we’re doing … here are the numbers from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:
*8,700 people have tested positive, 56 more than yesterday
*574 people have died, 3 more than yesterday
*1,518 people have been hospitalized, 1 more than yesterday
*117,097 people have been tested, 2,081 more than yesterday
One week ago, the cases/deaths were 8,422/566.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: More than 7.7 million people have tested positive. Most cases: U.S., Brazil, Russia, India, United Kingdom. See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.
SO FAR, NO PROBLEM FROM PROTESTS: Noticed this tonight on the city webpage about ongoing free testing: “To our knowledge and based on volunteered information, there is no evidence so far of people testing positive for COVID-19 from attending protests in Seattle.”
MORE ON THE CITY-PARK CHANGES: In case you missed last night’s quick mention, we published a breakdown today.
AT THE GROCERY STORES: A few changes of note in our (almost-) weekly update.
FARMERS’ MARKET UPDATES: The organization that operates the West Seattle Farmers’ Market reopened another of its markets this week, Columbia City (Wednesdays). Also, it’s launched a new website. Meantime, here’s the West Seattle vendor list for tomorrow – market entrance is still at California/Alaska, with the line going eastbound on Alaska if needed.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
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