Getting your car fixed = essential. Golfing = not so much. Governor’s latest ‘guidance’

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

This came out last night but we didn’t see it in time for the nightly roundup. Now that we’re ending the first week of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, Gov. Inslee‘s office continues to issue clarifications on what’s essential and what’s not. The original proclamation is here; the original list of essential businesses is here. The new guidance (see it here) starts with a reiteration that “Automotive repair facilities are deemed essential.” (WSB sponsors West Seattle Autoworks and Swedish Automotive both have no-contact methods of getting your car taken care of.) The guidance touches on a variety of other areas including “outdoor maintenance” – “Outdoor maintenance, including vegetation, is deemed essential only when necessary to prevent spoliation, avoid imminent damage, or address emergency repairs.” And there’s a mention of recreation, including, “Golf is not deemed essential.” (City golf courses including West Seattle are closed anyway.) As for enforcement – that’s explained here.

P.S. The governor has just scheduled a media briefing for 2 pm today. You can watch live here.

Luke April 1, 2020 (12:08 pm)

WS Auto replaced a blown gasket for me yesterday. The whole process was no contact and super easy. It’s my daily driver and my work is deemed essential so it was a relief they got it handled quickly and safely. Thanks WS Auto!

Lisa April 1, 2020 (12:20 pm)

What about bike shops? Given many West Seattleites will be relying on their bikes to take the low bridge, these shops seem essential.

James Walker April 1, 2020 (1:50 pm)

Rat City bike shop in White Center is open and following Covid 19 safety protocols.
tsurly April 1, 2020 (1:52 pm)

They are, lumped under automotive,motorcycle, bicycle and motorized wheelchair/scooter repair and maintenance facilities.Bigger question in which one have chosen to remain open.
AEH April 1, 2020 (2:24 pm)

My understanding is that they are “essential”, though most bike shops I know of in the city are operating on an appointment only basis for maintenance and repairs.
ThatOneCommenter April 1, 2020 (10:46 pm)

Westside Bicycle is open and taking bikes by appointment. They have a no touch drop off and all customers and employees must wear gloves while in the store.

Peter April 1, 2020 (1:39 pm)

Courtesy Tire in the junction also has no contact service.

Matt P April 1, 2020 (2:52 pm)

On the first day of the stay home order, the apartment building in from of me had the weekly landscaping guys there blowing off the sidewalks. I don’t know why they even do it weekly since it’s rarely dirty enough to bust out noisy polluting blowers, but they definitely shouldn’t have been doing it that week. Yesterday, there was someone at the apartments beside us pressure washing the sidewalks. Today, I can hear the construction site down the block for new townhomes going again. There are just a certain % of people who don’t care.

Vf April 1, 2020 (4:30 pm)

These are annoying during “regular” time. I wish people would think about their neighbors, who are home now more than ever, when it comes to noise pollution like constantly barking dogs, leaf blowers chasing grains of sand for an hour, etc. I see that people are more conscientious in some areas like with signs in their windows or chalk on sidewalks, letters as featured today. But I guess like you say a % of people just don’t care.
Essential April 1, 2020 (4:37 pm)

I’m not in healthcare, but I’m Essential Services. I’m in the trades. I was blowing sidewalks today. Assuming people don’t care, because they’re doing something that annoys you, while you’re at home, is presumptuous. Would any of these people rather be at home? Probably. Would they rather be on unemployment or get a paycheck? I choose the latter. Since I’m Essential Services, I have to use my sick or vacation if I want to stay at home. If you have a problem with me blowing sidewalks, can you all Ana Marie Cauce and tell her I can stay home? Here’s where I fall under and probably the people you said don’t care. This is from the list of Essential Businesses. “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service
providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the
safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.”
- Matt P April 1, 2020 (5:47 pm)
  
  I don’t agree that blowing sidewalks is essential for sanitation, but maybe you disagree. The pressure washing was certainly not essential, though.
KM April 1, 2020 (4:42 pm)

I love the “landscapers” that just blow leaves and trash into the street or parking strip, without bagging them. What a exercise in futility. Especially wonderful when it rains and creates dangerous conditions on our roadways and sidewalks. We’ve got some big problems now but hey, I’ll take a leaf blower ban any day, anytime.

Graciano April 1, 2020 (3:30 pm)

We do not need to use but Laundromats are essential business correct, just thought about this on my way home from work while driving past one?

WSB April 1, 2020 (3:39 pm)

Yes. Someone asked us recently about them and I looked that up. AFAIK this area has three – the one in Admiral, the one an 35th, the one in WC.

Essential April 1, 2020 (4:25 pm)

What does AFAIK mean? This blog provided the link for what’s an Essential Business. Yes laundromats are on the list. Its pretty easy to look up. Here it is again. https://coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business

WSB April 1, 2020 (10:02 pm)

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/afaik

Essential April 1, 2020 (4:55 pm)

What bothers me, is while I’m at work. I see people out and about being care free. Maybe I’m assuming, like Matt is above, because I’m annoyed and getting resentful. Shouldn’t people be working from home? Aren’t kids suppose to be doing online lessons? Aren’t people worried about money? If I wasn’t getting a paycheck, I sure wouldn’t be jogging or biking . Poor people don’t jog. Or maybe they do because jogging, I hear, relieves stress. Yes, I know exercise is allowed. I see signs, teddy bears, rainbows thanking Healthcare workers. I think the best way to thank and help Healthcare workers is to stay home. To any healthcare worker reading this, are you getting resentful as well? Do you want to be jogging and enjoying the nice weather as well?

WSB April 1, 2020 (6:48 pm)

We are out for a walk often at midday. I can assure you it’s not “carefree.” It’s a break in a workday that stretches across almost all our waking hours.
Healthcare worker April 2, 2020 (9:29 am)

Yes, I am a healthcare worker, I continually read online how everyone is sick and tired of people “stuck” at home. Excuse me, change your way of thinking!! You are “SAFE” at home while we, the healthcare-workers and anyone else on the front lines, fight this COVID-19 war. Stop complaining and do something positive that might a difference for anyone going to work and putting themselves and their family at risk.

OP April 1, 2020 (9:16 pm)

Out of the major sports, golf is the only one that inherently practiced social distancing. Rare are the moments when golfers come within 6 feet of each other. Sure, they can touch common objects—flagsticks, ball washers, rakes. And you can cut the giggles here, a golfer touches his ball. Moreover, there’s usually a ton of fertilizer put down this time of year—thing will live on that. High fives, etc. aside, it’s wildly easy to practice social distance in golf. Pro shops are even in less danger than the grocery store. So open the damn courses. Let golfers play. Closing them is just wild ignorance.