CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 4/19 roundup

Tomorrow marks two weeks until the scheduled expiration of the governor’s stay-home order. Will it be extended? That question remains unanswered as we begin our nightly roundup of virus-crisis news:

‘RE-OPENING’ PROTEST: Gov. Inslee‘s big statement today was a reaction to the Olympia protest demanding he re-open the state sooner rather than later. He said in part, “This isn’t about politics. It can only be about doing what is best for the health of all Washingtonians.”

RE-CLOSING: The only signs of protest here were at local parks – vandalism to some of the newest city signage, including at Lincoln Park, where someone also managed to open one gate to the south parking lot, which held dozens of cars by midday. Troy sent this photo:

When we inquired with the city, they told us they had sent crews to handle both situations, and by early evening, the lot was empty and re-closed.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:

*5,172 people have tested positive, up 109 from yesterday

*346 people have died, up 6 from yesterday

One week ago, those numbers were 4,426 and 292.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

SETBACK FOR TESTING: Not good news since more testing is desperately needed: The state Health Department has “recalled approximately 12,000 kits sent to local health jurisdictions, tribal nations, and state agency partners across the state,” according to a news release today. They “were procured by UW Medicine and donated to DOH from Lingen Precision Medical Products.” They don’t have immediate replacements but are expecting a “large shipment” later this week.

ANOTHER CANCELLATION: The next West Seattle Grand Parade won’t be until July 24, 2021.

ICYMI AFTER LAST NIGHT’S ROUNDUP: Here’s your neighbor Eddie Vedder singing to raise money for the virus crisis.

SEEN IN UPPER MORGAN: Missing someone these days? You’re not alone. Thanks to Tamsen Spengler for the photo:

GOT A PHOTO? INFO? TIP? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice our hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!

27 Replies to "CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 4/19 roundup"

  • Anne April 19, 2020 (10:00 pm)

    Watching news on tv tonight-video of a mother with her children at the protest in Olympia “ the virus doesn’t kill healthy people” . Sad.

    • Elton April 20, 2020 (1:06 am)

      Yeah, I audible scoffed at that one, too. I can empathize with people’s frustration (I’m pretty sure everyone is frustrated that we’re in the situation we’re in), but it’s quite ironic that they themselves may delay the re-opening if any of them had covid and spread it unknowingly, perhaps messing up with the modeling right now that puts us able to start re-opening things in about a month. Though I think the argument that we should just let this run its course is insane because it means so many more deaths, I can at least understand that argument more than the “healthy people will be ok” line – hundreds of people under the age of 50 have died from it in the U.S. alone. Maybe my news feed is the only one bombarded with disturbing footage in NYC hospitals of non-elderly individuals becoming seriously ill from covid.

    • Sunflower April 20, 2020 (7:22 am)

      :(
      The selfishness and ignorance of some is very sad and disconcerting, especially in a time like this.

      • Sunflower April 20, 2020 (7:36 am)

        I so appreciate these healthcare workers.  How upsetting this protesting must be for them, after all they are seeing and experiencing, in their efforts to help save lives. If ‘normalcy’ returns too quickly, it will be anything but normal. It will be devastating. We need to have patience and stay the course.

    • Kravitz April 20, 2020 (8:07 am)

      I wonder what her kids would think if they lost their mother to COVID after her actions? Or if the mother lost one of her children because of her decision to protest? I would never wish that on any family, but posing that question is the thing we should all truly think about before we rail against those that have made difficult decisions for our collective safety and well-being. I am unemployed because of this. I live alone and have a mortgage. I feel fine and have been practicing social distancing. But the very thought of being asymptomatic and hurting someone else – my mother, my sister, my friends or complete strangers – keeps me home for everything other than groceries every two weeks. Do I want to get back to work? Absolutely. Am I scared about being unable to pay my bills. Hell yes. Am I bored out of my mind and desperate for normalcy? YES. Do I want to potentially lose those I care about to this virus because of all these horrible inconveniences? No. 

  • 22blades April 20, 2020 (3:13 am)

    We, Washington State, were doing so well on the Social Distancing Scorecard based on cellphone activity, consistently scoring B’s & even A’s for weeks at a time. But now, we’ve been stuck at C for awhile now, It’s a little disappointing, especially with the anti-closure protests.   https://www.unacast.com/covid19/social-distancing-scoreboard

  • flimflam April 20, 2020 (6:59 am)

    the footage of some of the “protesters” here in WA as well as other states is pretty freaky – lots of unhinged screaming and some of the weirdest American flag designed clothing i’ve ever seen.as far as the parking lot that was broken into, why not write a ticket for each and every car that was parked there?

  • ruckus April 20, 2020 (10:39 am)

    OK, start the clock: three to seven days from Sunday, a percentage of the those at the Olympia protest will develop Covid symptoms. And if the disease follows its course, I doubt the patients will connect the dots. Poor deluded souls.

  • Anna April 20, 2020 (10:55 am)

    I sympathize with everyone, including the protestors. I get why they are protesting, because the effects of a prolonged shelter in place will also be disastrous, in ways that we can’t completely predict right now. There are really no good options, and having the opinion that we should open up parts of the state is an opinion that people should be able to express. Some people can’t live like this for more months or years. We can’t just sit inside and continue to feed ourselves and keep ourselves healthy. I would be interested in seeing a real figure for how much more dangerous it is now to leave your house than it was pre-virus. Even without covid, we were putting ourselves and the community in danger every time we left the house. People are talking as if it were 100% safe to leave the house and now it is 100% dangerous, and I know that’s not the case. 

    • Wendell April 20, 2020 (11:27 am)

      So why are they  bringing their AR-15s to these demonstrations? If they’re not afraid of a little runny nose, dry cough and death by asphyxiation,  just what are they afraid of… Ze Germans?

    • JES April 20, 2020 (11:40 am)

      That’s not the point, I don’t think anyone is pretending it’s 100% dangerous to leave the house now. Social distancing works- it is the only thing we’ve been able to do to get this to a manageable level. But social distancing only works if we all do it. We will not be living like this for years, we have to do this while we get testing to an acceptable level, until we have a vaccine developed, and until we have antibody tests so we understand immunity. If we abandon social distancing too soon, we set all of this back which will be much worse in the long run.This is a temporary sacrifice. It is for the good of our whole community. 

      • Um, No! April 20, 2020 (12:54 pm)

        Unfortunately,  vaccines are at least year out assuming they even find one that works.  And that’s still not a definite by any means.At some point,  we’re going to have to make a choice of health over financial ruin.  I’m not advocating one over the other.   I just don’t think anyone can say when we will get to that point?  But be certain,  we will at some point have to make that decision personally and as a society.  I can understand both sides.   I can understand the frustration  (not their acts) from the protesters and I can understand the frustration from people who think we should “stay at home” as long as it takes.   But, at some point in the not to distant future,   we will make a choice.  At some point,  people will get to the point they will choose financial well being over the potential risk of getting the virus.   At some point,  the governor will make a financial choice.  He can say all he wants it’s about our health first and foremost but don’t kid yourself into thinking that won’t change.  Once popular opinion starts shifting more toward financial stability over health,  so will he.  In the end, he’s a politician.  Again, I don’t know where that line is and I’m not condoning  either side.  It’s just going to be the reality of it. At some point we’ll  have the rip the bandaid off and see how things go.   

        • Have patience, stay well April 20, 2020 (4:27 pm)

          Those of us demonstrating more patience with the stay at home order and taking other recommended measures, are doing so with the understanding that this will not go on indefinitely. We seem to have an understanding that this is a necessity right now, and appreciate the work of leaders and experts to slow this down, to save lives, to buy time while more work can be done to manage and mitigate this health crisis.

          We do not need to just rip the band-aid off and see how things go. We can be smart, prepare, and try to manage the situation in a somewhat controlled way. But it will require our patience and cooperation.

          This podcast session (NY Times ‘ The Daily’) might be of interest:

          https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cLwK0qe8onitDnydNCMvv?si=6xJidk4_SQihWmGAMOVdDw

          • Um, No! April 20, 2020 (5:12 pm)

            I don’t disagree but at some point the bandaid will come off and I suspect it will be sooner than later.  It’s easy for people (not saying you) to just say it will take as long as it takes. Especially if they have jobs or don’t need one for whatever reason.    Tell that to small business owners who have a lifetime invested in their business or the waiter who can’t pay rent.  Opinions are getting ready to change. It’s coming. Again, I not saying I agree with it but what’s happening in some states right now with the push to reopen will be coming here soon. It’s been “doable” for most so far.  That won’t last much longer.  If the Governor extends the stay at home past 5/4,  I suspect we will see some pushback. Again,  just me being realistic and seeing what’s coming. 

    • Have patience, stay well April 20, 2020 (8:22 pm)

      @Um, No!

      I am a small business business owner who is out of work because of the pandemic and might not weather this.  I also don’t know how I’m going to pay rent next month.

      And yet… I still understand the situation and the need for the stay at home order and support all the measures being taken right now.  Lives are more important than my business, and although it’s scary to not know how to weather this, or how I’m going to keep a roof over my head, I understand we have to take this day by day, and figure out how to best get through this, together, while helping to keep each other safe. 

      Don’t assume and judge those of us who are accepting of what is needed right now, as being less impacted.  It’s not true.  Those protesting are not more impacted than the rest of us.

      • Um, No! April 20, 2020 (9:32 pm)

        I think you misunderstood me.  I believe everyone is clearly impacted to some degree. Some more than others.  I agree with what you’re saying. I just don’t think everyone’s willingness to stay at home and keep the economy essentially closed down will last to much longer.   Maybe I’m wrong?  I hope more are like you and hold on longer.  Time will surely tell. Like most things, there is always a balance.  Unfortunately in this case,  people’s health is one of the things being weighed. 

        • Have patience, stay well April 20, 2020 (9:58 pm)

          I hear you, I understand your point, and it is concerning that not everyone is on the same page, with what is happening and needs to happen right now.

          You should check out the podcast episode I linked above, you might find it interesting.

          Thanks for sharing your perspective, and stay well

  • Anna April 20, 2020 (12:32 pm)

    I think they are a little afraid of the government, and are trying to send a message to both themselves and everyone else that the gov can’t control them.A vaccine is at least a year away, right? Preliminary anti body testing seems to suggest that a lot more people had Covid then they projected, but it’s still such a small percentage of the population that social distancing will still be the appropriate response for quite some time. My point is just that social distancing may be our only available response to the virus for longer than social distancing is feasible or safe, and I get why people are protesting. I don’t know that the sacrifice any of us are making is actually temporary, either. The effects of this will last a very long time, IMO.

  • bloo April 20, 2020 (4:00 pm)

    Anna – since this is a novel virus and so much is unknown, including how many spikes or waves the virus will have, one of the most logical things people can do today is look at history and weigh the facts and not ideals, into the equation:  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/how-cities-flattened-curve-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-coronavirus/

  • bloo April 20, 2020 (4:07 pm)

    I understand why people are frustrated, and I think many of us are.  But it’s the virus who is in control, and it has its own timeline(s).  I am thankful our governor is working with Oregon’s and California’s to make a group decision.  They certainly hear people’s frustrations, but that is not going to stop them from doing what is right for the largest number of people.

  • Tim April 20, 2020 (7:40 pm)

    This seems so crazy to me.  Imagine a pandemic and imagine living in a place so reliant on your job that without it, you can’t afford food, probably not shelter, certainly can’t afford health insurance without working.  At the same time you care about your family.We need to stay home and stay healthy; the crime seems to be that people need to work to afford to take care of themselves and families.  Unemployment and $1200 won’t change the mortgage and rent bills; avoiding foreclosure and eviction won’t help on the other end.As a nurse I know people shouldn’t be out and about, they certainly shouldn’t be protesting.  however, as a country we do little to provide for our citizens. This just makes me sad.  The economy, corporations and wealth are evidently far more important than the lives of our citizens.

    • M.S. April 20, 2020 (9:58 pm)

      Yes indeed. I have been trying to compel our local and state politicians that we need to have a rent and mortgage moratorium in order for the stay-at-home order to be feasible. I am thankful that I still have a job–even though my hours were severely cut–but I am not able to stay at home for mine. As much as I would like to self-isolate, I can not afford to not work and neither can the owner of the small business for which I work. When I’m not working, I am at home or walking my dog. It is simply not a choice for most of us who live paycheck-to-paycheck because of school costs or childcare or healthcare. Until we are able to provide for our citizens better, this is hardly sustainable. And I completely agree that social distancing is the only way to improve our situation. But the only wait to maintain appropriate social distancing is to postpone all rent and mortgage until it is safe to come out from the quarantine. Only then would we be able to afford to stay at home when we do not have the facilities or the occupation which allows us to work from home. It is such a shame to be an American sometimes…

  • Chris April 20, 2020 (9:45 pm)

    Thanks Anna! I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts, and I wish more people would be willing to listen and/or speak up about doubts of the way the government is handling this and the sensationalized media coverage.Allow room for a perspective other than your own, folks.Had you heard that several ER doctors have had their hours cut because they don’t have that many emergencies with everyone “staying home?” …betting less car crashes, but I’m sure we’ll all still drive our cars after this. Just a thought. 

    • Have patience, stay well April 21, 2020 (8:30 am)

      Your comparing car crashes with coronavirus (covid-19) is a false equivalency. For one thing, car crashes, thankfully are not highly contagious.

      Regarding some ER doctors seeing fewer patients, this totally makes sense. Hospitals in denser and more central areas, and near a more significant outbreak, will be feeling the overwhelming impact of the pandemic. Whereas hospitals in more distant areas will be having a different experience, and will be seeing fewer patients because of the stay at home order.  Ideally the healthcare workers at those hospitals could be helping at other facilities in other areas where the help is needed, or accepting transfers.  This sounds like a system failure that should be addressed.

  • Anna April 21, 2020 (10:24 am)

    Chris, I am totally with you on the media thing. It seems now more than ever they are really selling fear. Bill Maher had an interesting segment on it. It felt refreshing to hear someone say some of the things I have been thinking—namely that I am tired of being told how to feel about this. It is bad—I don’t doubt that. I strongly feel that I don’t want anyone to die. But I don’t know that the way we are operating now is safe either, especially longer term. Thank you everyone else for your thoughts! I always appreciate the respectful debate on here! The one thing I want to add is that I think for some people economic health is physical health, especially as this continues. Do people know that some jurisdictions have stopped spay and neuter surgeries as a response to the virus? This hits me hard. This particular side effect of social distancing will not have any bearing on human health or life, but in the animal community, it has the potential to be devastating. Not so much in Seattle, but in other counties, where shelters still euthanize for space. I appreciate everyone’s perspectives!

  • Have patience, stay well April 21, 2020 (11:28 am)

    Or perhaps the media is sharing the reality and latest relevant information so people are well informed, and have an understanding of what is happening, and why certain measures are necessary?

    Yes, there are aspects of the media that are about ratings and drawing you in, but, if you look past that, the facts and data and information coming out of hospitals and by doctors and epidemiologists is real, nonetheless. These are not paid actors. There is not a grand global conspiracy happening. This is a serious pandemic.

    If people don’t recognize how serious this is, more and more people will die.  Without this level of media coverage, people would be ignorantly unafraid and out actively spreading this virus.

    This is not a political matter. Please do not simply listen to your politician of choice. Listen to the epidemiologists, scientists, doctors, and overwhelming majority of leaders, around the world.

    ‘For some people economic health is physical health…’Economic health can only matter if you stay alive.  If people prioritize the economy, many more people will die. Some of those will be people that think they are healthy enough and go back to work too soon.

    I’m not telling you how to feel. I’m sharing information, passionately, because I want to help. 

    Thank you for speaking up and sharing your perspective and concerns as well.

    If there are repercussions happening with animal needs, please speak up more about that. Gather more info and please share, so as a community we can try to solve the issue.

  • Anna April 22, 2020 (10:16 am)

    Yes, I appreciate the facts and data, but it still feels to me like there is an emphasis on fear that I do not appreciate. It’s bad, but also most people will be fine. I keep reminding myself of that. Fear isn’t great for immune health, from what I understand. That is a good point-economic health only matters if you are alive! I guess I was talking more about personal economic health, and the issues that people who don’t have credit or savings will face, and the impact that will have on their health. It just seems that on this blog people—not necessarily you—are speaking about the economy from a place of privilege, and some people really cannot afford to have the patience to wait this out. Seattle will be fine on the animal front. Our city shelter doesn’t euthanize for space. We have more animal foster parents than animals in need right now, which is amazing! I worry more about other communities where the city shelters do euthanize for space. I don’t know which counties in the US are pausing s/n surgeries and which aren’t. Either way, the effects prob won’t be apparent for a while.

Sorry, comment time is over.