REOPENING: King County applies to move to Phase 2

Just in from King County:

King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci submitted an application to the state Department of Health to move King County to Phase 2 of the Safe Start recovery plan following approval of the plan by the King County Board of Health.

“After two weeks in what has been called Phase 1.5, our case counts, health care system capacity and other metrics are holding steady, and we are ready to move to Phase 2,” said Executive Constantine. “But make no mistake – successful economic recovery will depend on everyone in King County carefully following the recommendations of our Public Health experts, including wearing face coverings and avoiding unnecessary contacts, so together we can keep re-opening our community while holding the line on the pandemic.”

Under Phase 2, businesses can operate at twice the indoor capacity permitted in the modified Phase 1, provided they meet all re-opening requirements set out by the state’s guidance. Businesses with questions about their operation can also call the Public Health Business Compliance Line at 206-296-1608.

P.S. For more specifics, here’s the application.

55 Replies to "REOPENING: King County applies to move to Phase 2"

  • JDLR June 15, 2020 (7:18 pm)

    With this timeline, can we expect to hit phase 3 by July (provided there isn’t a new outbreak, of course)?

  • Mr J June 15, 2020 (7:49 pm)

    Wear your face masks, don’t be selfish or entitled. This virus isn’t done yet.

  • Anon June 15, 2020 (7:57 pm)

    This scares me. Infection control depends on social distancing and mask wearing along with isolation of the infected if we are reopening. It will take some regulation and enforcement to minimize the deaths and disability. I haven’t seen any enforcement yet. I’m afraid for us all.

    • AdmiralE June 16, 2020 (10:32 am)

      Then stay home

      • Vic June 16, 2020 (12:14 pm)

        You’re canned response to anyone who talks about being uncomfortable with the timeline is tired. Be understanding of different opinions or scroll on.

      • West Seattle since 1979 June 16, 2020 (1:13 pm)

        Most people can’t just  stay home. If the companies we work for open up or stop working from home, most of us have to go back to work. But if people take precautions, wear masks, wash hands, use sanitizer, it’ll be safer. 

      • Dunno June 16, 2020 (1:16 pm)

         I agree.  Stay home and you’ll be fine.  Isolation is the best way to beat this.  Speaking of enforcement, we need more police or covid police.  Time to fund more enforcement.

        • Seaweed June 16, 2020 (9:28 pm)

          I thought we were considering defunding? CHAZ could be the testing “zone” for Seattle’ites  rebound exuberance to comply the citizens to obey.

          • WSB June 17, 2020 (9:43 am)

            There is no formal proposal so far. There is a two-part Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee meeting today in which the 2 pm session includes hearing how several other cities are dealing with the idea, and a discussion of “alternative models of public safety.” Here’s the agenda for the full day:
            http://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=791675&GUID=147EA754-A175-477A-B1E9-65C6F55168E8

          • Dunno June 17, 2020 (11:47 am)

            At least in the CHOP shop they are all driving 25 mph or less, unlike almost all of you on 35th SW.  That’s a big plus in the eyes of our city council and mayor.

  • J June 15, 2020 (8:16 pm)

    Why are we moving forward before we see the results from the testing at our care facilities?  Or is that the point, to move forward before we see the results of the testing in our facilities? Last I heard this was supposed to be done by the end of June. Or was that plan quietly scrapped?

  • AMD June 15, 2020 (8:31 pm)

    Please wear your masks so we don’t have to go back and close everything again…

  • CarDriver June 15, 2020 (8:49 pm)

    jdlr Per the gov. Once we get to phase 2 we have to wait 21 day’s before applying for phase 3.

    • JDLR June 16, 2020 (12:04 am)

      Got it, post “4th of July” weekend then. Still going to wear my mask whenever I’m outside, not trying to throw away all of the progress we’ve made.

  • Thd3 June 15, 2020 (9:41 pm)

    Amen! Yes wear your masks or stay home if you need to. Lets get out and let’s get west seattle going safe and carefully ❤️

  • Mj June 15, 2020 (10:13 pm)

    Anon – if you haven’t heard social distancing is no longer being enforced, see for yourself by the Seattle PD’s East Princinct.  Government cannot have it both ways, thus moving to Phase 2 is the only course, and in my opinion correct one, to take.

    • AMD June 16, 2020 (6:36 am)

      MJ, social distancing was never “enforced” by arrest, tickets, or any other means.  Anywhere in Washington State.  This has been well documented and discussed ad nauseam.

      • uncle loco June 16, 2020 (2:48 pm)

        Inslee threatened to have the state issue fines, revoke business licenses and jail time for business owners for don’t comply with his mandate. They have a website set up and encourage people to file complaints.

  • MM June 15, 2020 (11:38 pm)

    This is so ridiculous!!!  Applying for phase 2?  What for?  King County has already broken all the rules and have gone into phase 3 and beyond with all the protesting and riots that have occurred over the last few weeks almost daily basis in several locations!!!  I really feel for business owners and those that have been following all the Pandemic rules of not gathering more than 5 People, staying 6 feet apart and everyone wearing masks. Disgusted!

    • Vic June 16, 2020 (12:17 pm)

      I hear ya but let’s be real, there was 1 day of “rioting”/property damage, mostly centered downtown.

  • Anon June 16, 2020 (6:23 am)

    Mj, It’s true that one can only lead where people will follow. Even though you seem to have no fear of this deadly and debilitating disease, please wear a mask Mj. My life is in your hands.

    • anonyme June 16, 2020 (7:43 am)

      Keeping seniors permanently imprisoned doesn’t keep them or anyone else safe.  I’m sick and bloody tired of the explicit ageism expressed in such comments.  ANYONE can get Covid, no one is immune – including adults with the thought processes of children.

    • Seaweed June 16, 2020 (1:07 pm)

      If You just follow your own advice, things will be fine.  Preventative, personal hygiene practices will see you through, and give you much more control over your own health, and well being.

  • Smittytheclown June 16, 2020 (6:29 am)

    The overwhelming majority of people actually dying are 80+ or those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease.  Keep those demographics quarantined and safe.  We need to get everyone else back to work!  Open, open, open!https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/politics/cdc-coronavirus-demographics-report/index.html

    • Chuck June 16, 2020 (7:24 am)

      Yeah but people who don’t die are still getting long term organ damage and scarred lungs.

    • Mr J June 16, 2020 (7:46 am)

      You’re cherry picking data. Your lack of empathy toward our senior population is noted. Now crawl back into you troll hole.

      • Smittytheclown June 17, 2020 (6:45 am)

        What lack of empathy?  I’m saying keep them safe.  

    • heartless June 16, 2020 (3:10 pm)

      Yep.  It’ll only hurt people who are old, or those with diabetes.  Oh, or those with cardiovascular diseases.  And um, also people with chronic lung diseases.  Oh, and also those who are otherwise immunocompromised.  Er, wait wait, also people who are obese…  Yep,  yep, but NO WORRIES, that’s only 25% of our population… SO IT’LL BE FINE!  TOTALLY FINE! 

      Sigh. Please take this seriously, please wear masks, please be safe.

      https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2020/estimates-suggest-one-five-people-worldwide-have-underlying-health-condition

      • Smittytheclown June 16, 2020 (4:18 pm)

         Last time I checked 25% < 100%.  We need to get the 75% working and keeping this economy going before it’s too late.  Keep the 25% safe!

        • heartless June 16, 2020 (6:36 pm)

          Yes!  MONEY! Who cares if 1 in 4 are vulnerable to a pandemic! Let’s ignore 25% of the population and get the 50% back to work!

          Actually no.  Let’s be careful and save lives. I think you and me just have fundamentally different priorities.

          • Smittytheclown June 17, 2020 (6:25 am)

            What you fail to understand  is that the next depression – which we are headed toward- can do much more damage to lives  and livelihood.  Depression, suicide, malnutrition, etc.  Do you realize that on average 7500 people die in America every single day?  COVID killed 300.  All death is horrible, but when the solution is worse than the disease you need to draw the line.  Keep the vulnerable safe.  I keep repeating that because you fail to acknowledge I am saying it.

      • Stay well June 16, 2020 (5:45 pm)

        …And also numerous people who were seemingly healthy, before covid-19.

        https://www.today.com/video/broadway-star-nick-cordero-has-setback-in-his-covid-19-battle-83734085850

        Thank you to everyone who expresses concern for yourself and others. You give me hope.

        • Stay well June 16, 2020 (7:46 pm)

          … This message from Nick Cordero’s wife:

          “I never thought Nick or I would get COVID and we both thought if we did we would be able to stay at home and recover. Nick is 41 years old, in shape and had no preexisting health conditions. He is going on day 75 in the ICU. My heart breaks for him everyday. Please be safe”

          Please everyone, let’s look out for one another, including the smaller percentage of seemingly healthy adults, as well as kids, seniors, those with pre-existing conditions, yourself, and everyone else.

          As we slowly open things back up and adjust to this altered world, let’s do what we reasonably can to avoid spreading this to others.

          • ScubaFrog June 16, 2020 (10:35 pm)

            Hear Hear, Stay Well.  This can affect anyone, and does.  This truly is a community effort.  I’m so sad to see trump’s narcissism and selfishness propagated through his supporters.  We can beat this by wearing masks, adhering to social distancing, and keeping with what most of us have been doing.

  • M June 16, 2020 (7:00 am)

    Please please. When can we open back up child care? 

  • BMCC June 16, 2020 (7:32 am)

    Plenty of folks not wearing masks at Admiral Safeway – I’d say 20% the other day. Wassup with that?    

  • BMCC June 16, 2020 (7:48 am)

    And some predictions estimate US deaths from Covid to nearly double by October…    https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/06/16/sanjay-gupta-model-coronavirus-deaths-october-newday-sot-vpx.cnn

  • Al June 16, 2020 (8:41 am)

    Amazing that the data is looking this good, considering King County hasn’t updated their key indicators data dashboard since 6/8! I guess we get to just imagine that the data looks good without seeing it…

    • WSB June 16, 2020 (9:07 am)

      I don’t know which dashboard you’re referring to, I just check a few routinely, but as mentioned there are TONS of stats and updates in the application, linked above. I read through the whole thing last night. If you want specifics on where King County authorities say the outbreak stands and how they say this area is qualified to move forward, I recommend at least skimming through it. – TR

  • Drew June 16, 2020 (9:26 am)

    Interesting.  There’s already been at least one barbershop open in West Seattle … and the barber isn’t bothering with a mask, either.  Perhaps the regulators are just trying to keep up with what the public is already doing.

    • WSB June 16, 2020 (10:34 am)

      In “modified phase 1,” hair salons/barbershops were allowed to open, at lower capacity, so there are more than a few of them open already. (Somebody messaged us last weekend about a long line outside one – apparently appointmentless?)

  • ScubaFrog June 16, 2020 (11:29 am)

    We were only at 20+ cases for a few days, then went back to 60+, then 50+, now 46.  Inslee may take a gamble like Newsome, but we’ve seen what’s happened to California’s numbers, and Texas, and every other state that’s relaxed their guidelines.  NY is stable for now, which is the outlier.We finally have a mode of treatment, a steroid called Dexamethasone that will potentially save 1/3 of the lives in the sickest patients that would’ve been lost otherwise.  It’s cheap and readily available.  So that’s good news.

    • Cool Rick June 16, 2020 (2:13 pm)

      Increasing case numbers are being driven by expanded testing. Our % of positive tests is pretty flat over the past week or so while increasing our testing capacity by almost 2x. We also haven’t seen any uptick in hospitalizations or deaths since entering modified phase 1. I’d be careful before jumping to conclusions that reopening slowly is having a negative impact.

      http://depts.washington.edu/labmed/covid19/

      • heartless June 16, 2020 (6:44 pm)

          “Increasing case numbers are being driven by expanded testing”  – Rick

        And “If we stop testing right now we’d have very few cases, if any!” – Trump

        “Vice President Mike Pence encouraged governors on Monday to adopt the administration’s explanation that a rise in testing was a reason behind new coronavirus outbreaks, even though testing data has shown that such a claim is misleading.”  – NY Times

        Now y’all, who you gonna believe?

        https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/15/us/politics/pence-coronavirus-governors.html

  • West Seattle Hipster June 16, 2020 (11:38 am)

    Any news on when libraries will open?

  • David June 16, 2020 (1:14 pm)

    What he’s leaving out: Yes, King County has been holding steady for a few weeks – at 2.5x the Phase 2 benchmark for new infections. The benchmark is no more than 10 per 100k over the last 14 days, and King County has been wobbling between 24-26.

    But watch Inslee do it anyway, even though it’s like a referee claiming a football team scored a touchdown at their own 40-yard-line.

  • Gemma June 16, 2020 (6:40 pm)

    The two couples outside Starbucks on Admiral yesterday without masks, blocking the stairs and forcing people to walk between them would do good to put some masks on also. The rest of us would also like to go places without you breathing all over them. 

    • Seaweed June 16, 2020 (9:33 pm)

      Protect Yourself, it’s quite easy to do.

      • heartless June 16, 2020 (10:07 pm)

        You encourage people to protect themselves?  Wouldn’t you say encouraging others to wear masks and work on social distancing is doing just that?  The more that people are careful and kind, the safer we will all be.

        Remind me, again, your rationale for being so unkind?  

    • Speak up June 18, 2020 (2:21 am)

      At this stage in the game, with significantly more people out and about enjoying the gorgeous weather…. I will not be shy about politely asking someone in that position to step a few (maybe 6…) feet aside for a moment so I may walk by. I hate wearing a hot stuffy mask as much as the next person, but this community is so much more socially/environmentally responsible than any other city or state I have lived in, and it really makes me want to do my part, so I wear it every time I leave my home… Out of respect and caution for my community. I would like to think that some polite encouragement may help others to follow suit…. (I say polite encouragement because ordering, scolding, insulting etc do not typically elicit a complicant response, and no benefit is gained, only more anger..) 

Sorry, comment time is over.