Here’s what happened today, 22 days after the first King County case of COVID-19 was announced:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From today’s Seattle-King County Public Health news release:

Public Health—Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/20/20.

934 confirmed cases (up 141 from yesterday)*
74 confirmed deaths (up 8 from yesterday)*

These additional deaths include:

A woman in her 80s, who died on 3/19
A woman in her 100s, who on died 3/15
A man in his 80s, who died on 3/20 at Swedish Ballard
A woman in her 70s, who died on 3/20 at Northwest Hospital
A man in his 70s, who died on 3/20 at Northwest Hospital
A woman in her 70s, who died on 3/20 at Highline Medical Center
A man in his 60s, who died on 3/20 at Swedish Issaquah
A man in his 80s, who died on 3/20 at Valley Medical Center

Of the 74 deaths reported, 35 are confirmed to be associated with Life Care Center of Kirkland.

*After case investigation, one previously reported death was confirmed to be a resident of a different jurisdiction. We have removed this person from our overall confirmed case and death counts.

For comparison – the totals one week ago were 388 King County cases, 35 deaths.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: 1,793 cases, 94 deaths; other state stats here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.

WEST SEATTLE COVID-19 DEATH: One of the three diagnosed Bridge Park residents has died.

MASK SALES SCRAPPED: Given that just yesterday the mask (and other protective equipment) shortage was announced as so grave that people were being recruited to make them and/or donate them, some were shocked today to discover masks for sale at Westwood Village Target. Some who saw them offered to buy them all and donate them, but reported being rejected. The situation was solved by day’s end:

We heard reports that a @target in Seattle was selling n95 masks.

My staff and others stepped in.

Those masks are now on their way to the health care workers who desperately need them. https://t.co/7sCM5kqyfs

— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) March 21, 2020

Today in select Seattle stores, N95 masks were available for purchase in error. We’re removing & donating them to the WA State Dept. of Health. We’re also reviewing inventory for additional masks to be donated. Target’s commitment to communities is unwavering & we apologize.

— Target (@Target) March 21, 2020

Meantime, as for the mask-sewing campaign, the organizers at Providence told volunteers via email, “Your response, and the response of so many others, actually served as a catalyst for a local business to step up and offer their equipment and facilities to produce large numbers of face masks.”

GOOD THING THE RAIN’S RETURNING: Despite Gov. Jay Inslee‘s Friday plea for more social distancing and less park crowding, Alki drew a big turnout again this afternoon. That in turn led to a summer-style traffic jam after sunset – Kersti Muul photographed it:

Seattle Parks said earlier in the day they would send employees to parks to reinforce the new rules about no playground/sport-court use; we also heard via scanner that at least one Seattle Police precinct was dispatching officers to “directed patrol” and issuing “dispersal orders” at parks. We didn’t see any sign of that when we drove past Alki just after 6 pm, though.

WIDE-OPEN SPACES: By contrast, the lack of a crowd early this afternoon in The Junction was a reminder of the dramatic hit most small independent local businesses are taking because of the health orders.

About that same time, city leaders were announcing that they’ve decided to roll back some types of parking enforcement.

SPEAKING OF GETTING AROUND – METRO UPDATE: Still awaiting full details on the Metro service cuts that take effect Monday, but we noticed something that’s changed since the Friday announcement of which routes will be affected – now Metro plans to temporarily ax TWO West Seattle routes, the 125 as previously announced, plus the 37. (added) And remember – Metro and the Water Taxi are free TFN.

RESTAURANT/BEVERAGE LIST REMINDER: Still updating and adding to our list of 110+ local restaurants and coffee/wine/beer/etc. establishments – see it here and if you can, help them keep their doors open!

GROCERY-STORE HOURS (ETC.) LIST: We’re continuing to update that list too, since things keep changing..

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Thanks to the two readers who’ve sent a pic of this sighting at West Seattle Nursery:

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT: westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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COVID-19 DEATH: Bridge Park tells families a resident has died

March 21, 2020 8:16 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | Health | High Point | West Seattle news

Another update provided to families of residents at High Point senior-living complex Bridge Park: One of the three residents with confirmed cases of COVID-19 has died. Thanks again to the people who have shared this news, including the person who sent this image of the notification letter:

The third case was reported three days ago. The residents have been asked to stay in isolation in their apartments since the first case was reported nine days ago. That has led to a community effort to show support from outside – like the chalk art we showed earlier today.

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STILL OPEN: West Seattle Tool Library

March 21, 2020 6:07 pm

| Comments Off on STILL OPEN: West Seattle Tool Library

| Coronavirus | Delridge | West Seattle news

More at-home time = more repair/improvement/gardening time. You might need a tool you don’t have. Still open and ready to help: The West Seattle Tool Library, which is in North Delridge, on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It’s a nonprofit that’s been serving the community for more than a decade. WSTL’s Christina Hahs tells WSB, “We are open regular hours and sterilizing all the tools going out and coming in.” Open tomorrow (Sunday) 11 am-4 pm – also 5-8 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and 11 am-4 pm Saturdays.

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RESTAURANTS/BEVERAGE BUSINESSES: New additions to our ongoing list – kitchen group in Delridge

March 21, 2020 4:54 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Another category of small food/beverage businesses hit hard by restrictions required to try to slow the COVID-19 outbreak – food trucks and other vendors who use commissaries in West Seattle. We heard from the owner of one, Keith Mathewson of the KBM Seattle Commissary at 5604 Delridge Way SW. He explains:

KBM Seattle Commissary members are suffering along with the rest of the food service industry from C-19. The majority of whom have lost most if not all of their income. There is a point of sale window which previously was used exclusively by West Of Chicago Pizza. We will be expanding the number of companies which will have access to that window.

Here is a list of the companies who, at present, will be vending in the very near future (using the window)-

9th & Hennepin Organic Donuts
Cheese Steak Madness
Exotic Wingz
Roll Pod Food Truck
Taqueria La Jarochita
T’Juana Tacos
Tummy Yummy Food Truck
West of Chicago Pizza

West of Chicago and T’Juana Tacos are both on our updated restaurant/beverage-business list already and we’ll add the others when we get word of their plans.

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COFFEE: Starbucks goes drive-through only; here are the places nearest shuttered stores to get your walk-up coffee instead

March 21, 2020 4:01 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

That’s the sign on the door at the West Seattle Junction Starbucks, one of the stores now closed because the company’s gone (mostly) drive-through for at least a few weeks, as explained here. The only two drive-throughs in our area are Fauntleroy/Avalon and White Center (16th/100th). But there are other walkup coffee shops near most of the shuttered stores, such as:

MORGAN JUNCTION – Youngstown Coffee Co. (north), Caffe Ladro (south)
ALKI – Top Pot (next door), Ampersand (east)
ADMIRAL – Freshy’s (southwest), West Seattle Grounds (northwest)
THE JUNCTION – Flying Apron (west), Easy Street Café (west), Lula (northwest), Hotwire (north)

Get links/addresses to most of those coffee shops (and others that are open in other WS areas!) via our frequently updated restaurants/beverage-businesses list. (Who’s missing but open? Let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com!)

NOTE: Again, the mentions above are ONLY THE COFFEE SHOPS CLOSEST TO SHUTTERED STARBUCKS STORES – West Seattle has MANY others still open and most of them are in our food/beverage-biz list. (If they’re not, tell them to send us info ASAP!)

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GRATITUDE: Bridge Park resident’s daughter says ‘thank you’

March 21, 2020 3:11 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | High Point | West Seattle news

Residents at senior-living complex Bridge Park in West Seattle’s High Point neighborhood have been in isolation because three were diagnosed with COVID-19. So one resident’s daughter asked us to publish her request for people to consider brightening the shut-in seniors’ lives – maybe with chalk art, or (solo) music … and people responded! She sent these photos and a note: “Such a bright and beautiful response to the blog post about Bridge Park! Thanks neighbors for spreading joy during this time. – Michele Nelson (and my mom Mary Lee)”

Bridge Park is at 3204 SW Morgan, with more than 100 residents.

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PARKING: City temporarily changes rules for 3 types of enforcement

March 21, 2020 1:58 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | Transportation | West Seattle news

Not that parking is much of a problem right now, at least in business districts … we’re just back from a West Seattle Junction walkabout and the views above and below are part of what we saw.

But all the same, the city has just sent this announcement, which applies to residential areas too:

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today that the Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Police Department are implementing temporary changes to parking enforcement in the City of Seattle. As parking and transportation needs have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SDOT is adjusting its parking rules to better support residents’ and businesses’ needs during this time.

…

Rule changes will be made to the following three areas:

72-Hour Parking Rule
Booting and Towing
Temporary Restaurant Loading Zones

The following three changes will be in effect until further notice:

72-Hour Parking Rule

The City will temporarily suspend enforcement of the 72-hour parking rule. People should still follow posted signs regarding other time restrictions. Vehicles without Residential Parking Zone permits must still obey time limits in those zones. This suspension will initially last for two weeks. During this time the City will actively monitor health and safety conditions and impacts to surrounding communities. The City may extend the suspension or make additional temporary adjustments to the enforcement procedures.

Booting and Towing

The City will limit towing to situations which create safety hazards, block access, or create other major issues. The City will suspend booting of vehicles with unpaid parking tickets for the duration of the Seattle Municipal Court closure.

Temporary Restaurant Loading Zones

SDOT is installing temporary loading zones at restaurants to support businesses and facilitate food pick-up. No payment is necessary for quick food pickups in the three-minute load zones. Residents can find all temporary loading zones on the COVID19 – Food Pick-Up Zone Map. Restaurants can request temporary load zones by contacting SDOT at 206-684-ROAD or 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.

All other standard parking rules will continue to be enforced, including unpermitted parking or blocking access to an existing or created zone at clinics and hospitals, fire hydrants, police precincts or other public health and safety locations, and illegal parking in a bicycle or transit lane. Payment will still be required for on-street parking at metered spaces and other parking time limits will continue to be enforced so that there will still be available parking spaces in front of businesses and other destinations. Time limits and use of special zones will still be enforced (e.g., transit zones, shuttle bus zones, taxi zones). SDOT and SPD will continue to evaluate potential additional changes to parking regulations and enforcement.

Information on changes to parking citations, fines, and adjudication can be found on SDOT’s COVID-19 parking page…..

See the full news release here.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Seaview kids create ‘a bright spot’

March 21, 2020 12:25 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Josie for tweeting the photos and reporting, “Pop-up art walk happening in Seaview on 49th between Dawson and Hudson with kid art at several houses! Bringing a little bright spot to our days.”

What are YOU and your neighbors doing for each other? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 (or via Twitter, we’re at @westseattleblog) – thank you!

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FEEL LIKE RUNNING? West Seattle Runner’s advice on how to start safely

March 21, 2020 11:31 am

| 18 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

With gyms and other fitness facilities closed, many are staying fit by going out for a run – even if they weren’t regular runners before. You want to be safe so you don’t get hurt – especially considering non-emergency medical care is not a option. So West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) offered to write up some advice on safe running:

We see lots of runners out on the streets, tracks, and trails of West Seattle these days. We have heard many say that they are taking up running since they don’t have access to their typical workout routine at this time. We hope that you will enjoy running as much as we do! We also thought it might be helpful to share a few tips on how to get started running in a way that will reduce injury, increase enjoyment and keep you running for years to come. Our best tip is to start conservatively and gradually build. Here’s how:

1) Begin by setting out for a walk/run workout. If you have never run before (or it has been a long time) but you are consistently doing walks of 30 minutes now, you can start to add in two-minute intervals of running followed by walking for an interval of time that allows your heart rate to restore to normal. Then you can add in another two minutes of running. Continue to do this until you are soon running your entire 30 minutes. *If you have been walking for 20 minutes, you can use the same protocol, just start with a 20 minute segment. If you have not been doing any aerobic activity, start with building your endurance with 20-30-minute walks and then work into the protocol described earlier.

2) If you are already able to run for 30 minutes, you can gradually add to your time every other day. You can choose to run by time or miles. But the general rule of thumb is that you don’t increase your overall volume by more than 10 percent each week.

3) We don’t recommend that you run every day. Your body does need time to recover. At first, it might be best to go every other day and allow yourself to determine how you are adjusting to the new activity.

4) Be able to hold a conversation while running. While this is going to be more of a solo sport for right now due to COVID-19, a “conversational pace” is still a great way to gauge if your pacing is right. If you are gasping for air and unable to talk, you are simply running too fast and you need to slow down. That will sometimes mean slowing to a walk. That is okay, you won’t have to do that for long. Going at a conversational pace allows you to build your aerobic base, makes for a more enjoyable experience and reduces the risk of injury.

5) Join a community where you feel supported, connected, and get your questions answered. Join our West Seattle Runner Group Page on Facebook where we’ll do FB live kickoffs to virtual group runs each Wednesday night. Our runners are also posting pictures and reports on how their runs are going. They are an encouraging group and love to answer questions and share tips.

6) Enlisting the help of a running coach can be helpful to get a program that is tailored to your specific needs. P3|Running offers coaching that can all be done virtually via online calendars, phone calls, video chatting etc.

7) Have fun! We are in love with this sport for a reason and we hope it gives to you the way it gives to us at this time. It is our bias that running is good for physical and mental health.

Sincerely,
The West Seattle Runner Team