As our community responds to the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, I will be sending updates twice a week on new developments, available resources, and news about how people are coming together to protect the health and well-being of our community during this unprecedented situation.
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New Rules from Governor Inslee
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Statewide Shutdown of Restaurants, Bars, Entertainment and Recreational Facilities
On March 15, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee ordered a statewide shutdown of restaurants and bars, entertainment and recreational facilities. The Governor also prohibited gatherings of more than 50 people.
- Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out and delivery services but no in-person dining will be permitted.
- The ban will not apply to grocery stores and pharmacies. Other retail outlets will have reduced occupancy.
- All gatherings with over 50 participants are prohibited and all gatherings under 50 participants are prohibited unless previously announced criteria for public health and social distancing are met
The new rules are summarized in the graphic below by Governor Inslee. Click for a bigger version:
Closure of All Washington State Schools
On March 13, 2020, Governor Inslee issued an order to close all schools in the state of Washington through April 24. The Governor's order applies to K-12 public and private schools, public and private universities, colleges, community colleges, technical schools and private career schools and apprenticeships. Online classes could continue to be held.
The Governor has asked school districts to continue providing services for students who rely on school meals or experience homelessness. The Governor has also asked school districts to provide childcare for medical professionals and first responders.
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What If I Can't Pay My Rent?
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On Saturday, Mayor Durkan signed an emergency order creating a 30 day moratorium on rent-related residential evictions. And yesterday, the Council expanded the scope of the order to stop all residential evictions, including evictions that would have happened because they expired during the pandemic. The duration of the moratorium has been expanded as well, from 30 to 60 days. Landlords will be able to evict after the moratorium closes. If you're struggling, please contact your landlord to try and work out a payment plan.
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The Latest Info from Public Health
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The following information provides a list of helpful resource links and answers to questions provided by our partners at Public Health Seattle/King County (PHSKC). As a caveat, the guidance and public health directive continues to change by the day, so information will be updated as new directives and guidance is issued. PHSKC will send guidance based on new Health Officer Orders regularly. These resource links have been compiled by PHSKC in an effort to streamline information for our offices to share with the public and concerned constituents.
PHSKC continues to advise that residents call their health care provider (or a local Community Health Clinic if uninsured) if an individual is experiencing symptoms or believe they were exposed to COVID-19. There is a phone number for those who are concerned they may have been exposed, however they have received tremendous volume and they are trying to prioritize calls from first responders, EMTs, medical staff, etc.; that number is 206-477-3977 and operates 8am - 7pm. Your assistance with passing on information from these links below to concerned constituents may help reduce the non-emergent calls to these numbers, and is greatly appreciated. Additionally, there is a phone number for general questions at the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.
PHSKC Resource Links for COVID19:
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Addressing Food Insecurity
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Food Vouchers
The City understands the economic impact of COVID-19 disproportionately affects low-income families and hourly-wage workers. In order for families to remain healthy, they must be able to put food on the table. The City will issue $800 grocery store vouchers to 6,250 families. The vouchers can be used at Washington state Safeway stores to purchase food and household items. If you are currently enrolled in a City-supported child care program and food assistance program, The Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) will distribute the grocery vouchers in two $400 installments, and vouchers will be distributed by mail as early as this week.
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Free Student Lunches
Beginning Monday, March 16, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will be distributing lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every weekday at 26 school sites throughout the city. All SPS students can participate. Additional information about meal pick-up will be shared with families. These 26 sites will become central locations for family and student resource distribution. Lunch distribution sites can be found on the SPS Family Resources for COVID-19-related page. There's also a map below:
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Student Lunches in Rainier Beach
Starting Friday, March 13, WA-BLOC and FEEST Seattle are providing free hot lunch for students in the Rainier Beach Community every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rainier Beach Community Center plaza while schools remain closed. More information is at WA-BLOC's Facebook page.
Free Grocery Distribution
Northwest Harvest SODO Community Market is offering pre-bagged produce, prepared foods, and shelf-stable groceries right at the door. There is no need to enter the facility. This is open to anyone of ANY AGE. SODO Community Market is located in Seattle's SODO neighborhood at 1915 4th Ave S, near the corner of 4th Ave S & S Holgate St. More location and transportation information can be found here.
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Thank you so much to theStand.org from WSLC for daily updates on news for workers and unions. Sign up here for daily alerts. Here is an excerpt from yesterday‘s news as it relates to the impact on workers from coronavirus:
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The workers who face the greatest coronavirus risk
The New York Times
"As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States, people with jobs that put them in physical contact with many others are at the greatest risk of becoming sick. Health care workers are at the greatest risk — they can encounter diseases and infections daily and typically work in close proximity to one another and their patients."
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the coronavirus pandemic (audio)
Bloomberg Business
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka was on Bloomberg Business discussing the Coronavirus Pandemic and it’s effect on the American worker.
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Teresa Mosqueda
Seattle City Council Councilmember, Position 8
teresa.mosqueda@seattle.gov
206-684-8806
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