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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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Yesterday, Governor Inslee issued a Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, requiring everyone in the state to stay home for the next two weeks. The order:
- Requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity, such as grocery shopping, doctor visits, or trips to the pharmacy.
- Bans all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes.
- Closes all businesses except essential businesses.
Staying home now will help us save lives as we work to contain the spread of the coronavirus in our community.
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It is still safe for people to go outside as long as they remain at least six feet from each other. Grocery stores, doctor's offices and other essential businesses will remain open. Restaurants can continue to offer take-out and delivery service. People can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening, and dog walking - as long as they follow social distancing rules. Food banks and food pantries will remain open. You can read more about the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order here.
Constantly juggling everything from home is a lot, I know, but we can do this together Seattle. Staying home will save lives.
Thanks to Reuters and Lindsey Wasson for beautifully capturing this new balancing act:
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Renters make up over 50% of residents in the city, and due to the COVID-19 layoffs we know that many Seattle residents will not be able to make their rent payments on time. To ease some of the pressure, the City issued an order on March 14, 2020 placing a 60-day moratorium on residential evictions for non-payment of rent. Landlords are not allowed to charge any late fees during the moratorium. Tenants are encourage to workout a reasonable payment plan if possible. The City has the ability to extend the moratorium after 60 days.
For additional information on the City of Seattle Eviction Moratorium click here. And for resources on rent assistance please follow the links below:
If your employer has shut down operations or closed, or you have been laid off due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Visit the Washington Employment Security Department’s website for workers affected by COVID-19 for more information on what to do if your work has changed because of the pandemic.
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West Seattle Bridge Closure
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Due to accelerated concrete cracking discovered on the West Seattle Bridge during a regular inspection, the high-rise span of the bridge between I-5 and Fauntleroy Way SW has been closed to all vehicles. The Seattle Department of Transportation is working to assess the needed repairs, cost, and timeline. At this time, it is not safe for vehicles to use the upper or lower levels of the bridge, however, the lower level will remain open for bicycles, people walking, emergency vehicles, freight, and buses.
You can read more about the West Seattle Bridge closure here.
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As we implement Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, the American Red Cross has provided the following information about the safety and importance of donating blood.
Blood drives are not considered “mass gatherings.” Blood drives are controlled events with trained staff and appropriate safety measures to protect donors and recipients. Like a hospital, grocery store, or pharmacy, a blood drive is essential to ensuring the health of the community.
Maintaining an adequate blood supply is a challenge under normal circumstances. It's even more challenging in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
As of March 23, about 7,000 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in more than 200,000 fewer blood donations.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Make an appointment to donate blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The need for appointments and that blood donations will be needed not only today and tomorrow, but throughout this pandemic.
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The Mount Baker Meaningful Movies Project is shifting to online film screenings and discussions for the community to participate in while we’re hunkered down. Their latest feature is Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, which was to have been shown in person this coming Thursday, 3/26, and will now be screened online for folks to join at home.
Cooked examines the deadly impact of structural racism during the Chicago heat wave of 1995. The film is relevant to the current crisis we’re facing with the coronavirus pandemic, raising critical questions about equitable disaster preparedness planning and the need to provide adequate housing, healthcare, and access to resources so that our communities remain resilient when we’re faced with crisis. Tune in to view this film and to join the virtual discussion—here’s how:
Free online access to Cooked: Survival by Zipcode
1. Go to: https://vimeo.com/322363562
2. Enter password: HeatWAVE19
Virtual meeting for Mt Baker Meaningful Movies discussion of Cooked: Survival by Zipcode
- Time: Mar 26, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 187 551 935
Join by Zoom (video conference)
https://zoom.us/j/187551935
- Join by One tap mobile
+16699006833,187551935# US (San Jose)
- Join by local dial-in
1 253 215 8782
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Teresa Mosqueda
Seattle City Council Councilmember, Position 8
teresa.mosqueda@seattle.gov
206-684-8806
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