WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Online church services, Farmers’ Market, Camp 2nd Chance CAC meeting, and what else is happening today

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jim Spraker)

Welcome to Sunday! Again this week, our list of what’s happening starts with West Seattle churches’ online services

ADMIRAL UCC: The video service is here. Also – coffee hour via Zoom at 11:30 am.

ALKI UCC: 10 am online service, via Zoom – info and link on church’s home page.

ALL SOULS SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): Online worship will be linked here at 10 am.

ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 10 am.

BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 7 pm.

CALVARY CHAPEL: Service is viewable here, plus 11 am fellowship via Zoom, 6 pm all-church prayer and 7 pm evening worship (info on home page).

EASTRIDGE CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 9 am and 11 am.

FAUNTLEROY UCC: Livestreaming on the church’s YouTube channel at 10 am.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE: Today’s online liturgy is here.

GRACE CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10:30 am.

HALLOWS CHURCH: Streaming at 10 am via the church’s YouTube channel.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming in English at 8:30 am, en Español at 10 am, all here.

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 9:30 am here.

HOPE LUTHERAN: Today’s worship service and children’s story are viewable here.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 10 am, both here.

PEACE LUTHERAN: Livestreaming at 10:30 am on YouTube.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Viewable on YouTube: All Ages Sunday School at 10 am, Morning Prayer at 10:15 am (here’s the bulletin), Kids’ Club at 11:30 am.

TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (WSB sponsor): The video service for today will be viewable here.

TRINITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10 am.

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: The video service is viewable here.

WEST SEATTLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE: Livestreaming here, 11 am.

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN Livestreaming at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.

WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION: Livestreaming via Zoom, 10:30 am.

WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Online worship at 11 am; info here.

Any other churches to add? Please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Also today:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the first market in almost two months – but very different; read up before you go. See the list of expected vendors here. Enter at California/Alaska.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2 pm, the advisory committee for West Seattle’s city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment is meeting via Zoom/phone, community members welcome.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85855234269?pwd=aG1yeDkzTWtmS0MyVENLUzRsYXNBQT09

Meeting ID: 858 5523 4269
Password: 9701
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,85855234269#,,1#,9701# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 858 5523 4269
Password: 9701

FREE TO-GO DINNER: High Point Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 8 more views

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to everyone for the continued contributions of West Seattle bird photos! That’s an Osprey above, Pacific-slope Flycatcher below, both photographed by Mark Wangerin:

In the big group below are Surf Scoters, photographed by James Tilley:

The next two photos are by Mark MacDonald – first, Sanderlings:

Next, a Horned Grebe:

You’ll of course recognize the Bald Eagle, photographed by Raul Baron:

Hans A. sent the photo of American Goldfinches (our state bird):

And adorable baby waterfowl by Jim Clark:

P.S. Seems birdwatching is booming these days.

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CORONAVIRUS: Saturday 5/2 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Starting the 10th week of the COVID-19 outbreak in King County, here’s our Saturday night roundup:

ONE MORE LOCAL DEATH: We’re continuing to check the by-zip-code breakdown on the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard. Today, the 98146 zip code – which includes Arbor Heights and The Arroyos as well as parts of Burien and unincorporated North Highline – added another death. The totals for the five zip codes that are all or partly within West Seattle:

98116 – 0
98136 – 1
98106 – 2
98146 – 4
98126 – 8

COUNTYWIDE TOTALS: Also from today’s SKCPH data dashboard update:

*6,507 people have tested positive, up 100 from yesterday

*456 people have died, up 7 from yesterday

One week ago, the totals were 5,811 and 399.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

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

FARMERS’ MARKET REOPENS TOMORROW: The hours are the same (10 am-2 pm) but otherwise, lots of changes. The entrance will be at California/Alaska, and you’ll move north from there. The rest of how it will work is in the announcement we published Wednesday. Take the Shoppers’ Oath before you go! Here’s the list of vendors expected tomorrow…

NEIGHBOR DAY, PANDEMIC EDITION: Today was Neighbor Day! Since events are still not allowed, that meant neighbors doing acts of kindness for others. Example: Tamsen Spengler of the West Seattle Timebank reports, “West Seattle Timebank member Alice made 9 face masks for member Rachel’s family. Happy Neighbor Day exchange!” Tamsen also sent this photo of two of the recipients wearing the new masks:

SPEAKING OF MASKS … they were the hot topic in our weekly update on local grocery shopping.

MESSAGE IN A WINDOW: Thanks to Noodle for the photos of a West Seattle business-window sighting:

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

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VIDEO: Fauntleroy Creek salmon release ‘looked a little different this year’

May 2, 2020 8:27 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

This time of year, Salmon in the Schools volunteers would be hosting hundreds of students at Fauntleroy Creek as they release salmon fry they’d been raising at school. This year, though, school closures brought an abrupt end to that project. As reported here in mid-March, teachers and volunteers scrambled to save the salmon fry. And part of that effort led to what happened at the creek on Friday. Louisa Boren STEM K-8 teacher Christina Massimino sent the video, photos, and report:

Salmon releases looked a little different this year.

Two local schools released their salmon fry today in Fauntleroy Creek. Students from Louisa Boren STEM sent in “well wishes” for the fry and they were read out loud as the fry were released. This was live streamed on Zoom so families could join in the experience. Arbor Heights had several people in attendance for their release as well and is putting together a movie for families. STEM released at 10 and Arbor Heights at 12:00.

Local volunteers Dennis and Pete were there to help.

Some schools released their salmon early due to schools being closed. Arbor Heights and STEM had teachers who brought the salmon home and have been taking care of them until they could be safely released on schedule.

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SCHOOLS: You can bid right now in Arbor Heights Elementary’s first-ever online auction!

May 2, 2020 7:05 pm

| Comments Off on SCHOOLS: You can bid right now in Arbor Heights Elementary’s first-ever online auction!

| Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The first-ever Arbor Heights Virtual Auction is happening now! From the Arbor Heights Elementary PTA:.

Our original auction was set for March 13, then postponed to May 8, and now moved online.

While we wish we could be gathering together at the Hall at Fauntleroy for our annual dinner and auction, we kick off our first-ever Arbor Heights Virtual Auction!

Choose your token, dust off your top hats, get to your computer, tablet, or smartphone and join us (now) until Friday, May 8 at 10 p.m. for Arboropoly, a week of online bidding on fun and fabulous items and experiences to support the Arbor Heights Elementary school community.

Now that we have gone virtual, we can share this experience with our extended West Seattle community of supporters through our online auction link, helping to further our efforts in raising essential funds for our students and staff.

For additional information, please visit the Arbor Heights PTA website or email our auction co-chairs at arborheightsauction@gmail.com.

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ART: #SeattleTogether signs in North Delridge

May 2, 2020 4:50 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

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

In our nightly coronavirus-response-related roundup on April 22nd, we mentioned #SeattleTogether, for which the city commissioned artists to create 1,000 signs to be displayed in neighborhoods. Michael Taylor-Judd let us know that North Delridge has more than two dozen of them, and shared photos.

So, where to see them? He also made a map of where to look:

The original announcement lists the commissioned artists: Amaranta Sandys, Asia Tail, Danielle Morsette, David Rue, Denise Emerson, Hailey Tayathy, Hugo Moro, Lauren Iida, Lin-Lin Mao, Nasrin Afrouz, Shawn Parks, and Vikram Madan.

The signs are also destined for other unspecified West Seattle neighborhoods – so please let us know if YOU see them!

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SCHOOLS: Online open houses ahead for Seattle Lutheran HS

May 2, 2020 3:46 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

While “distance learning” continues for Seattle Lutheran High School in The Junction, SLHS is also planning ahead for next school year – including inviting you to two online open houses. Here’s the announcement:

We have all been experiencing so much change in the last month and a half, including new terms that were not in our regular vocabulary. Distance learning is a concept that schools all over the country have had to adapt to. Seattle Lutheran High School, the only independent high school in West Seattle, has taken the storm head on with adapting their classroom to the online capacity. The transition took 2 days and then the teachers and students did not miss a beat with this year’s curriculum in the online/virtual transition.

While our current situation seems frustrating as we are not able to connect with family, friends, and classmates – we are excited about the future. Seattle Lutheran is a comprehensive high school that includes sports programs, a variety of clubs, a drama program, as well as honors and AP classes. As the only independent high school in West Seattle we want to provide the best opportunity for our community to grow in knowledge, confidence, and faith. We want to welcome you to join one or both of our Zoom Open Houses coming up, hosted by Dave Meyer, the Executive Director. This is an opportunity to learn about the current state of education at Seattle Lutheran High School and our plans for the fall. We are excited to share this with you all.

Wednesday, May 6th at 2 pm
Virtual Open House – Seattle Lutheran High School
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 450 904 7819
Password: 552915

Wednesday, May 13th at 6 pm
Virtual Open House- SLHS
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 450 904 7819
Password: 552915

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen wheels; car prowl; diaper theft

May 2, 2020 2:04 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Even if you’re not going anywhere these days, check on your car from time to time, as criminals are still at work. ~~Two~~ Three reader reports:

STOLEN WHEELS: From Patrick:

Sometime between Wednesday late evening and Thursday morning, someone(s) decided they wanted the tires AND wheels off my car. It was parked on 38th SW between Findlay and Juneau. Police report sent in online. A real pain, as they made off with two of my wheels and left my car on blocks. Times are tough but…

CAR PROWL: A resident in Hansen View (just south of Providence Mount St. Vincent) reports her car was prowled early Friday: “Nothing was taken or damaged”; this too has been reported to police.

ADDED 3:18 PM – DIAPER THEFT: From Christine:

We live on a busy street near Westwood Village and had a box of Pampers Diapers size 4 stolen less than 20 minutes after it was delivered. It was even behind our locked gate, but still close to the sidewalk. Filed a police report and will now have to go to the store (what I was trying to avoid!) and get more diapers. I just hope whoever stole it needed the diapers for their own child more than I did.

Got a report for Crime Watch? Once it’s been reported to police, let us know so we can alert your West Seattle neighbors. We don’t publish full names or addresses. westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on NB 99 by 1st Ave. South Bridge

May 2, 2020 1:09 pm

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on NB 99 by 1st Ave. South Bridge

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:09 PM: Thanks for the tip – WSDOT says a crash on northbound Highway 99 at/by the 1st Avenue South Bridge is blocking 2 lanes, so if you have to head that way, you might want to wait a while, or head for the South Park Bridge instead.

1:40 PM: WSDOT says all lanes have reopened.

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REOPENING: C & P Coffee’s comeback

May 2, 2020 11:26 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(WSB file photo)

After temporarily closing for a month, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) proprietors Cameron and Pete Moores have announced they’re reopening:

We are very excited to announce that we are opening our doors – well, windows – on Monday, May 4th. Our new hours of operation will be 8 am to 4pm.

We will be offering delicious espresso drinks and whole bean coffee from Lighthouse Roasters as well as to-go Beer and Wine selections (21 and older).

To reinforce social distancing, we are operating through the back window of the coffee shop, for take-away only. There is easy access in the alley between Juneau and Findlay streets.

While we were closed, we took some extra measures, and a lot of elbow grease, to improve our methods of operation to keep us all healthy and to ensure the safety of our friends and our employees.

We can’t wait to see all of our neighbors and friends over the coming weeks as we reconnect with our amazing community.

C & P is at 5612 California SW; its alley entrance is just south of Findlay.

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GROCERY SHOPPING: Weekly West Seattle check-in

May 2, 2020 8:41 am

| 89 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This is the seventh consecutive Saturday for our weekly check-in on grocery shopping at West Seattle’s standalone supermarkets. No big changes this week – but at least one is coming up next week: As we reported Thursday, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is going to require face coverings for shoppers starting Monday (May 4th). Don’t want to wear one? Thriftway also has curbside pickup – see how it works via the store’s website.

Let us know if you’ve seen anything new in your shopping! (Here’s how last week’s discussion went.) And if you need to check hours, our original list of those is still up to date.

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HAPPENING TODAY: 4 events, online and off

May 2, 2020 6:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday sunrise from Seacrest, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Four notes as we start May’s first Saturday:

YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY: 9:30 am-12:30 pm online, it’s a special edition of the annual free fun event presented by the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – our preview has details, including the schedule; go here to connect.

FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH: 11 am -12:15 pm online, the Seattle Public Library‘s monthlong focus continues by teaching you how to plan for retirement. Here’s how to watch.

FAMILY READING TIME: Paper Boat Booksellers continues to host this, now online, 11-11:30 am every Saturday morning. Registration link is on the event page – sign up and you’ll get the link for participating.

FREE MEALS: If you need food, two companies at KBM Commissary are providing 1,000 free meals today, 4 pm-6 pm curbside pickup – please read our preview carefully for what’s available and how it works. (5604 Delridge Way SW)

With another month of staying home ahead, we’re working on our calendar this weekend to reflect more of what’s going on online – and the few things happening in person, like meal distribution – please let us know if you have something to list!

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CORONAVIRUS: Friday 5/1 roundup

May 1, 2020 9:49 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The suspense is over; a new expiration date is attached to the stay-home order, and that starts tonight’s roundup:

MAY 31ST: That’s the extended end date Gov. Inslee announced this afternoon, two days after he said the order would be extended without saying until when. That’s four added weeks, if you’ve lost track. He also detailed the four phases in which the state’s economy would reopen, without attaching dates aside from saying each phase would be in place at least three weeks before a move to the next one would be considered:

See a full-size version here; see video of the announcement (and media Q&A) in our coverage.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Exactly nine weeks after the announcement of King County’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, here’s today’s update from the Public Health data dashboard:

*6,407 people have tested positive, up 99 from yesterday

*449 people have died, up 3 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 5,689 and 387.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

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

PARK PARKING CHANGES AHEAD: More than a month after Seattle Parks closed the parking lots at Lincoln Park (and elsewhere), something new showed up in the south lot:

The blocks in the background are three of a half-dozen-plus placed around the lot by the city, which responded to our inquiry by saying they’re part of a test to see how they might partly reopen the lot for ADA access.

MORE ‘STAY HEALTHY STREETS’: The day began with SDOT‘s announcement that the next expansion of this program closing certain streets to through traffic (residents and deliveries are OK) would include another east West Seattle stretch. See the map and list in our coverage.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – AND SPRAY: Tonight, the morale-boosting hour of Seattle Fire crews tourine neighborhoods included this sight off Alki:

Thanks to those who sent photos! That one is by Raul Baron.

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

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: 4 updates from Councilmember Herbold’s newsletter

May 1, 2020 8:10 pm

| 69 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(Photo by Jim Edwards)

Four more West Seattle Bridge updates tonight, this time from West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. They’re in her weekly newsletter (which is also online here); she begins with the stabilization-contractor announcement, reported here last night, and continues:

Bridge Monitoring

SDOT’s instrumentation consultant, BDI, measured crack depths on the sides of the box girders where they meet the deck and also used ultra-sonic pulse echo imaging and ground penetrating radar to help in understanding if there is any weakness in the steel rope that holds the bridge in compression.

On April 22, SDOT’s design consultant, WSP, provided an estimate of rate of crack growth as well as a critical failure projection. WSP also continues work on a decision tree to inform the question of whether or not to replace or repair the bridge.

SDOT also is installing additional structural health instrumentation (such as crack-width gauges, strain gauges and high-resolution cameras). This is mostly complete and will allow for a clearer definition of the condition of the bridge, and which path to pursue.

I’ve asked how the rate of crack growth informs the question of whether or not to replace or repair the bridge, and about the critical failure projection.

Road/Traffic Update

SDOT paved and reconfigured the 5-way intersection below the West Seattle Bridge last weekend; average daily traffic on the low bridge is down to 6,480 vehicles per day, approximately the same as the baseline. Here is the most recent traffic data we’ve received, with West Marginal and Idaho, and Highland Park and Marginal showing significantly higher than usual volumes:

SDOT has installed new controllers, added communications to signals, and tweaked signal timing in both the Roxbury and 35th corridors, and has upgraded these intersections over the past two weeks:

Chelan 5-Way Intersection
17th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
16th Ave SW/Delridge & SW Roxbury St
15th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
35th Ave SW & SW Thistle St

SDOT also noted they are planning to improve operations at the following intersections over the next few weeks:

30th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
26th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
20th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
8th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
35th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
35th Ave SW & SW Barton St
35th Ave SW & SW Henderson St
35th Ave SW & SW Trenton St
16th Ave SW & SW Austin St
16th Ave SW & SW Holden St
35th Ave SW & SW Kenyon St
35th Ave SW & SW Holden St
35th Ave SW & SW Webster St
35th Ave SW & SW Myrtle St
35th Ave SW & SW Holly St
35th Ave SW & SW Morgan St
35th Ave SW & SW Raymond St
35th Ave SW & SW Findlay St

Changes include allowing SDOT to manage signals from a central location, rather than needing to go to the signal to manually make changes.

Town Hall Question Totals

For the Town Hall held last week, over 1000 questions and comments were submitted: 133 on the use of the lower bridge, 156 on traffic management, 212 on transit (including ferries), 63 on whether to repair or replace, 209 on process and oversight, and 254 on multiple subjects, or other items. My office is continuing to organize the suggestions.

Letter to Washington State Ferries

I sent a letter to Washington State Ferries, linked here, asking that they consider re-directing some of the ferry traffic from Vashon and/or Southworth, that usually travels to the Fauntleroy ferry dock, to Downtown Seattle instead; and that they consider trips from Fauntleroy to Downtown, and options suggested by the public.

The letter notes that during some previous years, for example 1981, 1993 and 2002, eastbound ferry traffic has been diverted to Downtown on a temporary basis. Thanks to the community members who assisted with this research.

SDOT info, meantime, is on the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Safety Project website; our coverage since the bridge closure March 23rd is all archived here.

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YOU CAN HELP! West Seattle Food Bank’s online ‘Instruments of Change’ gets closer

May 1, 2020 7:05 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! West Seattle Food Bank’s online ‘Instruments of Change’ gets closer

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

The need is greater than ever – for helping prevent hunger and homelessness. The West Seattle Food Bank does both. If you can help, you’re invited to register for the WSFB’s virtual “Instruments of Change,” now a little more than one week away – here’s a reminder:

Every year we celebrate our community and raise money to support our neighbors through our annual Instruments of Change Dinner/Auction. While we cannot gather together in person this year, we are adapting this event for the virtual world!

Join us on Saturday, May 9th at 5:30pm for our virtual Instruments of Change. We will celebrate our community, the merge between the West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline, and raise funds to support our neighbors. This interactive event will include exciting auction items, fun activities, and a compelling program about the West Seattle Food Bank services.

You can join for free — just register here! And for those who want to get a head start, the event’s online auction will be open at 10:00 am on Monday, 5/4. All who register and attend are automatically entered into a drawing to win 2 round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines!

We want this to be a party, so invite your friends!

Can’t wait to spend time with you celebrating and supporting our community!

WSB is an Instruments of Change co-sponsor.

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TONIGHT: Highland Park Improvement Club Corner Bar online; Friday Night Lights #3

May 1, 2020 5:29 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Two things coming up tonight:

CORNER BAR, ONLINE: First Friday means the Highland Park Improvement Club Corner Bar. Still can’t do it in person, so tonight they’re presenting an hour of live music online, 8-9 pm:

Come join us for an hour this Friday evening. We missed April’s event and who knows when we are all going to get together again. This one will be from the comfort of your own home.
Evan Flory-Barnes will livestream us some songs and we can all sit around at home, have a drink, and dance along.

[The livestream will be via HPIC’s Facebook page]

These are difficult times for a lot of us. Please feel free to tip Evan at your favorite sites – Venmo @Evan- Flory-Barnes PayPal evflorybarnes@gmail.com or the Cash App. $EvanFloryBarnes

Also, there are no events at the club since the stay at home order has been in effect – feel free to join the HPIC as a member, and help us chart our course for the future.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, #3: If you missed the mention in last night’s roundup – look for SFD trucks/engines driving through neighborhoods, with flashing lights and maybe even siren bursts, 6:30-7:30 pm tonight.

It’s set to happen in the highlighted areas on this map.

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UPDATE: Governor extends ‘Stay Home’ order through May 31st, outlines ‘phases’ of reopening

May 1, 2020 2:34 pm

| 190 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

2:34 PM: Just under way in Olympia, Gov. Inslee‘s briefing, with health officials, at which he’s expected to talk about “phases” of reopening more of the state’s economy. We’ll be updating as it goes.

He says he’ll “issue a new extension of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order on Monday, and that businesses will be allowed to reopen “in four phases.” Monday’s order will extend Stay Home, Stay Healthy “through May 31st.”

But “what we’re doing is working,” he insists. He says he’s making “good, data-based decisions (about) reopening at the right pace.” He notes that 800+ Washington residents have died so far and rebukes those who claim the threat is “exaggerated.”

2:40 PM: The four phases, he says, are:

Phase 1 – “Essentially where we are right now” with recent partial reopenings of construction, recreation, etc. Plus: Retail curbside pickups, drive-in spiritual services, car sales, car washes will be allowed. A ban on “large gatherings” will remain in place.

Phase 2 – More recreation, including camping, small gatherings, in-store purchases, barber shops & salons, some offices, pet care services, restaurants with reduced capacity.

Phase 3: 75 percent capacity for restaurants, 25 percent for bars, movie theaters and gyms with partial capacity, nonessential travel, more

Phase 4: “Resuming the majority of public interaction.”

He says cities and counties would be free to keep tighter restrictions in place.

Now – how will those phases be triggered? By “data,” Inslee says. He’s going through a variety of charts. (PS – We keep losing the video feed but are monitoring audio via the media call-in line. The details should be available via the governor’s website later, too.) No specific dates have been mentioned for anything beyond the 5/31 extension of the stay-home order. One of the key metrics, as he’s said before: Increased testing. Also: Contact tracing; protecting those most at risk; health-care readiness in case there’s a case spike. “We will be looking at all these metrics … on a regular basis … to determine whether we can move to the next phase. … We’ll have three weeks, at least, between phases, to determine whether (changes have) worked or not.”

10 counties with smaller outbreaks (none in the urban area) may be able to move to Phase 2 sooner than others, he says. “What we learn from those counties can help (other) counties as well.” Other counties “may be able to apply for a variance” depending on data, he says. But “this remains a precarious situation,” he warns.

2:56 PM: On to Q&A. He’s asked what kind of testing numbers he’s looking for. He says that depends on the status of the outbreak when more test kits – he says the feds have promised 1 million – arrive.

Then: So realistically, restaurants and salons (etc.) won’t be reopening before June – how are you going to deal with people about that? The government insists “the vast majority of Washingtonians” understand this is necessary. “We don’t want to do this twice – it’s hard enough to do this once. … The hard-headed science tells us we have one decision here if we want to continue on the road to recovery.”

Also: What are the repercussions if a county reopens without state permission? He didn’t answer.

And: Looking at the three-week gaps (at least) suggested between phases, “does this take us to mid-July”? Would he have to extend this again? Inslee says that’s a realistic assessment for returning to large gatherings but it’s “possible …we’d get a large break” such as a cure/treatment.

Next: What if there’s a “great uprising”? Inslee says that “hasn’t happened” and he doesn’t expect it to, citing again indications of widespread public support and saying people in this state “are willing to make temporary sacrifices” to stop the outbreak. He adds, “I feel good about the course we’re on” and feels he has given people “hope” by outlining these phases.

Also: Amazon is allowing some to work from home through much of the fall. Reaction? Inslee says he suspects more people might do that permanently. “I want to thank the enlighened business leadership in our state” for adopting telecommuting early on.

Another Q: By mid-May, if Phase 1 is fully implemented, could restaurants, hair salons, etc. reasonably hope to reopen under Phase 2 by June 1st? A little “deeper in June,” the governor says, “but that depends on the course of the virus.”

Then: What’s the prospect of in-person school reopening in fall? He sees a “good probability” but says that what happens in the weeks ahead will have a major bearing on that.

Also: Is it reasonable to expect restaurants can survive with restricted capacity? Inslee says he was talking with a Starbucks executive who said they’re “adapting” so he believes that’s what everyone needs to do.

He ends by thanking everyone “who has helped us design this Reopening Washington plan,” and wraps up at 3:21 pm. Links with details should appear before long at governor.wa.gov.

4:53 PM: Here’s the chart the governor showed, showing what’s included in each “phase.”

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