CORONAVIRUS; Monday 3/23 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

As of Wednesday, we’re all under a “stay-home order” statewide for at least two weeks. It tops tonight’s quick recap of the day’s developments:

‘STAY-HOME’ ORDER: Gov. Inslee, in a 5:30 pm address (WSB coverage here), took pains to say it wasn’t a “shelter-in-place” order. The three main points:

Require every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity.

Ban all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes.

Close all businesses except essential businesses.

So what IS an “essential business,” you ask? Here’s the list. And as for activities – going out for a walk or a run is “essential,” he stressed, but stay with members of your own household; the “stay-home order” does NOT mean you can’t leave your home, but the more time you spend there, the governor says, the safer you and others are.

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 3/22/20.

1170 confirmed cases (up 130 from yesterday)
87 confirmed deaths (up 12 from yesterday)
These additional deaths include:

A woman in his 70s, who died on 3/21
A man in his 70s, who died on 3/21 at EvergreenHealth
A man in his 80s who died on 3/22 at EvergreenHealth
A man in his 80s, who died on 3/22 at Swedish Issaquah
A woman in her 70s, who died on 3/22
A woman in her 90s. who died on 3/22
A man in his 70s, who died on 3/22
A woman in her 90s, who died on 3/22
A woman in her 60s, who died on 3/22 at Swedish Cherry Hill
A man in his 60s, who died on 3/21 at Swedish Cherry Hill
A man in his 60s who died on 3/22 at University of Washington Medical Center
A man in his 60s who died on 3/22 at Virginia Mason

Of the 87 deaths reported, 37 are confirmed to be associated with Life Care Center of Kirkland.

One week ago today, King County had 488 cases and 43 deaths.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

BOEING SUSPENDS PRODUCTION: Hours before the governor’s order, Boeing announced all Puget Sound production would be suspended for two weeks starting Wednesday; workers will be paid.

CONFUSED ABOUT PARKS? The city has a list of what’s open/what’s closed. Meantime, crews keep making the rounds:

Randy sent that photo (thank you!) of a crew picking up the stray toys at little-kid favorite Ercolini Park.

POSTAL DISTANCING: We share a letter carrier’s plea.

SOCIAL DISTANCING: We also shared what a reader came up with to ensure she’s far enough away.

MOTIVATIONAL ART: Thanks to Sheri for tonight’s parting pic:

INFO TO SHARE? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

Ercolini Fan March 23, 2020 (9:44 pm)

I noticed the toys gone from Ercolini today. Any indication on when/if they’ll come back?

hj March 23, 2020 (11:36 pm)

Sounds like you need to speak to COVID-19’s manager.
- momosmom March 24, 2020 (8:17 am)
  
  HJ< I know right!???
Wsres March 24, 2020 (8:23 am)

Good, maybe it will make people stop letting their kids play on them. Covid stay on plastic for up to 5 days. In some of those cruise ships they found that it stayed in the rooms for up to 17 days. Kids can get asymptomatic covid. It was probably to help stop the spread.

Melinda March 23, 2020 (10:02 pm)

West Seattle Blog: As I understand it, the stay at home order is effective immediately. Non essential businesses have 48 hours to cease operations. I’ve read the press release several times. What do you think?

Jethro Marx March 23, 2020 (10:21 pm)

I’m guessing most religious organizations are on board with Governor Inslee’s order, but just because I’m a curious sort, are you aware of any resistance? I think it would be an interesting court case, at any rate. Could he, letter-of-the-state-constitution-wise, also restrict speech, possession of firearms, et cetera?

Catey March 24, 2020 (7:54 am)

Practically every religious institution I’m aware of stopped holding live services awhile ago. Safety to elderly and other vulnerable members.

Ws guy March 23, 2020 (11:00 pm)

So it seems like the “essential” are basically the underpaid in the service industry. Are restaurants really essential? Can that many people not cook from home??

John March 24, 2020 (1:31 am)

I think they are I’m not only trying to support local businesses but pad out the food I have at home. Stuff is still getting snapped up pretty quick in stores and people are limited to what they can take. If you want to talk about non-essential stuff being open marijuana and liquor stores are still open. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the tax revenue
- M March 24, 2020 (7:52 am)
  
  Re: marijuana businesses – many people use their products for health issues just as they use prescription meds.
- flimflam March 24, 2020 (9:04 am)
  
  its a lovely sentiment to want to “support local businesses” – what you are really doing is making the people that work in restaurants go to work while everyone else is (or should be) staying away from each other. thanks?
  - Jethro Marx March 24, 2020 (9:42 am)
    
    This is roughly the tenth comment you have left complaining that your employer still expects/allows you to show up for work- you may want to take some more direct action to change your job situation than commenting on the blog about it.
    - flimflam March 24, 2020 (10:51 am)
      
      we are closed for now – where did i mention myself in this post? thanks for your input though!
  - I hear you March 24, 2020 (2:10 pm)
    
    Flimflam, I hear you and your concerns. Unfortunately, you work in the food industry and that is deemed essential to society. Imagine if all restaurants closed at once, the load that would put on grocery stores, and the workers who are stepping up and continuing to work. At least you are in good company, with emergency and medical workers, and many other under appreciated essential workers out there. You are not the only one in a job that is continuing operations.
    
    Having said that, it seems to me it should be up to you to choose for yourself if it’s reasonable and safe to continue working in your job right now.
    
    It would be great if there was some kind of benefit or bonus for all ‘essential workers’ who responsibly continue to work (ie. as long as they are not symptomatic, not of hight risk, and are taking precautions)
    
    I agree with Jethro that maybe you should have a talk with your employer. Perhaps ask if you can go on a leave because of your health concerns, and if you can’t work it out with them, maybe it’s time for a job change. Many are currently out of work with no income coming in, so you won’t be alone in navigating this. Take care of yourself.

old timer March 23, 2020 (11:26 pm)

Well, the farmers markets are on the essentials list, as are the hardware stores and nurseries.

AMD March 24, 2020 (9:01 am)

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Mayor is the one that ordered the farmer’s markets to cease operation, not the Governor. The Mayor and County Executive can (and have) issued orders that go beyond what the governor has required of the entire state.
- WSB March 24, 2020 (9:19 am)
  
  Correct. This is why, for example, the farmers’ markets (as reported here Sunday) are campaigning to get that changed. Other areas’ orders (such as SF) consider them “essential.”

Chris March 24, 2020 (4:55 am)

A reminder if you have a professional pet sitter or dog walker to think of them at this time. Many have also lost all of their business due to people staying home. They also appreciate our help. They take care of our loving pets when we are at work or travel, and some may be helping our health care system employee pets right now too, or taking in pets if someone gets sick. It seems they are a forgotten part of what is going on. If you have a pet sitter or dog walker, please check on them and be sure they are okay. Thanks.

G March 24, 2020 (7:50 am)

Thank you!
JulesB March 24, 2020 (11:58 am)

Our dog walker is part of our fur family. We decided to continue pay her on a modified scale, even though visits have stopped due to us WFH, so she does not lose her business. When this is all over, we all need our fur babies caregivers to still be there to help us.

Craig March 24, 2020 (6:14 am)

I think it’s a mistake to keep the parks open. This is where the problem with crowds is happening currently.

Scubafrog March 24, 2020 (7:47 am)

I’m so grateful to our health workers. And our food workers, and anyone out there working and risking themselves. WSB thanks for what you’re doing all day, everyday, please stay safe.To my community, I’m more grateful for you now than ever. I’ve seen how selfless you are, how generous. I’d rather live here than any other place on earth in huge part due you YOU. Keep your heads up, it’s a tough time compacted by the bridge, and who knows what else. But this too, shall pass. Remember, we can’t control much, but we can control our kindness to others :)

LG March 24, 2020 (8:34 am)

Totally agree!

noodle cat March 24, 2020 (8:31 am)

So, can you or can’t you go for a walk or run?It’s all a bit confusing…

WSB March 24, 2020 (8:53 am)

Yes, you can. The governor says that explicitly, multiple times.

anonyme March 24, 2020 (9:08 am)

Whole Foods delivery has been frozen for over 24 hrs now. Scary when delivery is your only way to get food.

human March 24, 2020 (12:39 pm)

I tried all the delivery services that I could find, early in the morning you might get a spot from Safeway, and last I checked Instacart is still delivering, and Target grocery is delivering though they are out of a lot of items.

Also, if you are on Nextdoor.com there are a lot of people offering to help with getting supplies for people who can’t or shouldn’t go out.

Deb March 24, 2020 (9:39 am)

Scubafrog – Thank you so much for your ‘I’m so grateful’ post. To just say “ditto” isn’t saying enough. Right now, I’m so grateful for the simple acts of kindness I’ve seen during an early morning grocery store visit. I felt protected and appreciated, That’s what I’ll aim to give back. West Seattle – We will get through this.

Chris March 24, 2020 (12:46 pm)

Thank you JulesB for taking care of your dog walker. We already know some that have given up and moving out. Our pet sitters or dog walkers need our support just like our other small businesses and others. Thank you for caring.