CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 7/7 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Mask mandate, next level – that’s where we start tonight’s roundup:

NO MASK, NO SERVICE: As of today, businesses are not supposed to serve customers who aren’t wearing face coverings. At his media briefing this afternoon, the governor was asked about enforcement. He suggested that for example, retail stores could just refuse to ring up the unmasked customer.

MASK OUTBURST REPORTED: It’s not necessarily that simple. Reader report received via email:

Customer being asked to put on mask at WS TJs this morning proceeded to go into a frenzy and rip up all the plants in planter boxes in front of store. Staff attempted to verbally cool him down but were careful not to physically confront him.

We haven’t obtained the police report but there is a logged “property destruction” call in that block of Fauntleroy.

ONE MORE BUSINESS NOTE: From the governor’s news release, another new rule: “Employers must notify the employer’s local health jurisdiction within 24 hours if the employer suspects COVID-19 is spreading in the employer’s workplace, or if the employer is aware of 2 or more employees who develop confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within a 14-day period.” We’ll be checking with health authorities tomorrow to see what’s supposed to happen if/when they get such a notification.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s the daily summary from Public Health, with cumulative totals:

*11,206 people have tested positive, up 66 from yesterday

*596 people have died, up 5 from yesterday

*1,631 people have been hospitalized, up 8 from yesterday

*191,865 people have been tested, up 1,860 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 10,196/586/1,589/167,270.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

PARKING ALERT: Next week, the city will resume enforcement of most street-parking time limits (and will be charging again at pay stations).

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

J July 7, 2020 (10:36 pm)

Something wrong with the testing today? Only 1860 tests completed?

Dcn July 8, 2020 (12:49 am)

Ripping up plantings in flower boxes because the customer was upset about being asked to wear a mask? What a selfish baby. He threw a massive meltdown over being asked to do his part to protect others. And it’s not like this was a surprise. The mask order has been well-publicized. Seriously, what is wrong with people?

joya July 8, 2020 (9:39 am)

A 10 year old boy followed by a 7 year old sibling came up to me the other day at Lincoln Park and blatantly asked why I was wearing a mask. I was naive thinking in my head “kids &curiosity”. I answered, “so I can protect you and others”. Then he asked “don’t you want to practice your right to freedom?” That moment I realized he was baiting me so I said, “I’m practicing my freedom by wearing my mask and you are- by not.” He pressed to argue and I said, ” My business is None of your business” and he stopped. He had been asking every masked passer by and two ladies yelled at him- SO YOU DON’T DIE! I saw the kids run to their parents who were non reactive. I was shocked by the audacity of this boy when 95% of the people wore masks at Lincoln Park.
- miws July 8, 2020 (10:38 am)
  
  Joya, I’m honestly surprised that the parents were non-reactive. I would have expected them to be all offended that you yelled at their kids! —Mike
  - joya July 8, 2020 (2:46 pm)
    
    Mike, I didn’t yell at the kids. It was two other young ladies who were asked the same and they yelled at the kids- so you don’t die. That’s why we are wearing our masks. It wasn’t aggressive but the young ladies were just annoyed after being reminded about their rights to freedom by those boys.
    - miws July 8, 2020 (6:53 pm)
      
      Sorry, Joya, I misread that earlier. And, I agree with TTT below; I was thinking the kids were probably prompted by their parents to confront the masked folks. —Mike
- ttt July 8, 2020 (11:34 am)
  
  More shocking is the audacity of his parents that probably told him to ask you those questions. No kid would ask you that many questions about wearing a mask unless they were instructed to do so.
  - joya July 8, 2020 (2:51 pm)
    
    ttt, Thank You!! I felt the same. They were asking everyone passing them and I think they stopped after those young ladies yelled at them. Maybe they were 3rd candidates after me. I was glad they stopped after that. Parents were complacent.
    - sam-c July 9, 2020 (3:46 pm)
      
      Only because I am curious, and not that it matters, but how did you know their ages and that they were, in-fact, siblings ?

Jamie July 8, 2020 (1:05 am)

Thank you for publishing these daily updates.

It’s great to see the requirement that employees start reporting cases to public health agencies.

Restaurant Worker July 8, 2020 (4:09 am)

WSB- any news on the outbreak at Duke’s? Employees are now reporting 7 positives, yet Duke’s hasn’t shut down to protect the other workers. Seems like people are pretty scared

Airspace July 8, 2020 (12:53 pm)

Restaurants are dangerous because people have to remove masks to eat and sit for a long period of time in a shared indoor air space. Virus spreads from person to person in the air. Indoor dining should be level 4, but…
- Laura D July 8, 2020 (2:37 pm)
  
  I don’t care if it’s level .5, 1.5 or 100.5, I do NOT feel any safer than when this began. We are still at level 1 in our house. lol.
- LB July 8, 2020 (2:51 pm)
  
  So agree. I won’t step foot in one.

Hank L July 8, 2020 (8:07 am)

If anybody wants some hot social media footage, hang out around store entrances for the next few days with your phone running, it’s going to be a non-stop tantrum fiesta!

T Rex July 8, 2020 (8:18 am)

If I were the manager of that store I would ban this person from ever stepping foot in that store again. The self entitlement behavior is really starting to show people’s true colors with all that is going on in the country right now. In a time when we should be taking care of one another, I see much selfishness and intolerance. I felt sad about it but now I am just mad. Take care of yourself and be nice. WEAR THE DAMN MASK. Simple rules really.

wscommuter July 8, 2020 (12:13 pm)

What is pathetically ironic about the “it’s my right not to wear a mask ’cause … freedom” types is that they stupidly don’t/won’t comprehend that on private property (ie Trader Joe’s), that owner is exercising its own “freedom” by enforcing the order. These selfish morons seem incapable of grasping that other folks/businesses are “free” too … as in free to choose to follow both public health recommendations and in this case, lawful authority. It is the idea that “my freedom” should extend to imposing my selfishness on private property/other people to the exclusion of their “freedoms”.
Laura D July 8, 2020 (2:38 pm)

Comes from the topdown, eh?

Paul July 8, 2020 (8:18 am)

It would be more informative to also list the percentage of positive of total tests.

Friend O'Dinghus July 8, 2020 (9:03 am)

Hi Paul. Among the links above you will find King county numbers, state numbers, national numbers and worldwide numbers. Numbers slicing the data in every direction and by every conceivable metric. The number that you seek is readily available. I recommend the King county site. I get lost in there periodically, but the testing rate data can be viewed down to the zip code level. I applaud your curiosity. Knowledge is power.

ktrapp July 8, 2020 (8:57 am)

FYI, I’m getting a 404 page not found error on the link to Inslee’s news release. Looks like there’s an extra word on the link to the news release now: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-extends-safe-start-proclamation-issues-facial-coverings-guidance

WSB July 8, 2020 (10:18 am)

I used the same link in the first graph as well as there but for some reason one word fell out in the second use. Should be OK now, thanks.

RT July 8, 2020 (9:59 am)

Really sad to read this about the TJ’s incident. I’m an at risk person and have really appreciated the careful way staff at our local TJ’s have handled prepping carts and baskets, organized waiting lines, protected employees, and expedited check out. Locally, it’s been the best shopping experience I’ve had with any of our options. So sorry employees and other witnesses had this encounter…..and, as others have noted, increasingly bummed by folks who do not recognize the serious circumstances we are trying to survive under. The only real chance we have against this virus is to protect others as well as ourselves . Not complicated , and not “invasive” to do the right thing and cover your face. Save a friend, neighbor or family member’s life,

Lagartija Nick July 8, 2020 (10:04 am)

“Mask Outburst Reported (at TJ’s)”. Smitty, was that you? 😀

Smittytheclown July 8, 2020 (10:22 am)

Hey now! I wear my mask in all public spaces. Only place I don’t is on my walk. And, even then it’s in my pocket in case I can’t avoid people.My posts are just factual data trying to keep everyone from jumping in fear. The media overlooking the positives is my only real beef. That doesn’t preclude me from having common sense. 😉
- Stay well July 8, 2020 (5:47 pm)
  
  Fear is not exactly a bad thing during a pandemic, in fact fear is actually helpful for our survival.
  
  It makes sense during a health crisis to focus on what isn’t going well, to help keep people informed of risks, so they can better protect themselves and others.
  
  At the start of this pandemic the media downplayed things and what quickly followed was an accelerated transmission in our communities.
  
  Maybe if they have erred on the side of caution and concern, people would have better protected themselves, and fewer would have died.
  
  You don’t seem to understand that focusing on the lower death rate just isn’t helpful. It is a reflection of a flattened curve in previous months. That cases are now spiking, is a concern and where our focus should be.
  
  I mean, unless someone doesn’t care, or has a political agenda for not wanting to focus on the issues.

Anna July 8, 2020 (10:13 am)

The customer who flipped out might have some kind of extenuating circumstances (like a disability or mental illness.) His outburst seems to indicate that something like that could be going on. Isn’t there a clause in the mask ordinance about people who fall into that category? I feel for the guy.

AMD July 8, 2020 (10:34 am)

I think everyone who has ever worked in retail has seen these kinds of melt downs over all kinds of things over the years. The flavor may be new, but the behavior has been around a long time. Customers will yell at you if you suggest they hold earrings to their ears instead of actually inserting them in ear holes to try them on and a shocking number of people refuse to wear underwear under swimsuits they’re trying on (and remove the liner because it’s uncomfortable). I had a customer throw all the tapes in an aisle at Blockbuster on the floor because the one they wanted to rent was out of stock. I’ve been spit at and mooned (separate incidents) for refusing refunds on items that were VERY used or not purchased at the store where the refund was demanded… Yes, it is possible that he has a medical condition that makes mask-wearing more challenging, but given the energy (and increased respiration and blood flow) it takes to throw that level of physical tantrum, it seems unlikely. I think the mask situation is just giving the rest of the world a glimpse into what retail and food service workers deal with all the time, and have for years.
JC July 8, 2020 (10:38 am)

Yes, per the Governor on his speech the other day, if you have a medical condition or a mental illness, you just tell them you have a medical issue and they have to let you in (per the Governor’s mandate exemptions) or provide REASONABLE accommodations. They can not ask you what that condition is. I am hard of hearing and use sign language (which requires facial and mouth expressions), plus have Asthma so I’m exempt from wearing a mask. Sadly some businesses are being very forceful and when you try to tell them what the Governor said, they get very rude at you and yell you can’t come in. Sadly I will not go to those businesses anymore and will take my money elsewhere. I’ve already filed a complaint with the ADA on a couple of businesses and one of them who refused to accommodate me, will now get a $75,000 fine.
- ScubaFrog July 8, 2020 (3:19 pm)
  
  No, and I’d love a front show to that civil suit. I’d turn away anyone who didn’t have a mask regardless of excuse. Doctors say there’s no reason not to wear a mask (COPD/Asthma et al). The countersuit will be Divine.
facepalm July 8, 2020 (11:36 am)

So quick to make excuses for bad behavior. Maybe he’s just an a**hole.
Matt P July 8, 2020 (11:42 am)

Some people may not be able to wear a mask, but the business does not have to accommodate them under the ADA because of the pandemic. If you cannot wear a mask, it’s safer for you to not go out anyway.
- Matt P July 8, 2020 (11:50 am)
  
  To clarify, it’s the choice of the business whether to allow someone in or not if they cannot wear a mask due to a disability. Businesses must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities, but only when this does not cause a direct threat to the public. The pandemic has been declared a direct threat, so the business can choose whether or not to allow a customer in without a mask.
  - WS REZ July 8, 2020 (1:57 pm)
    
    Thank you, Matt P. for explaining thoroughly!
flimflam July 8, 2020 (4:22 pm)

@anna, yeah. not feeling bad for him at all. tried to steal vodka as well. sorry not sorry.

WS REZ July 8, 2020 (10:22 am)

wowwwwwwww…. so WSB, from what I gather, there may have been a call to police… I would love to hear any updates on what happens to this guy. I will never understand this. Why is this political at all? People wear seatbelts because it is the law. If people have weakened immune systems or asthma, etc. and cant wear a mask, why not do a delivery service? You are only risking your own safety by going out and shopping. I would gladly deliver groceries to these individuals. Plain and simple. wear a mask, if not, stay home!

OregonSt July 8, 2020 (10:25 am)

This “fine person” at Trader Joes must be related to the woman in our building who insists on riding the elevator and using common areas without a mask despite the fact that over 100 people live here. Instead we have to lug our groceries up several floors because our building manager refuses to address this and she’s so scary no one else wants to do it either. This is the country we’re living in now cowering from unstable idiots whose willful ignorance is putting our lives at risk.

curious July 8, 2020 (10:28 am)

What happens if a person is exempt from wearing a mask due to a medical condition? Are they still banned from going into a store?

WSB July 8, 2020 (10:33 am)

No. The governor and health secretary have said that repeatedly.
- JC July 8, 2020 (10:40 am)
  
  Sadly some businesses don’t care what the Governor says and won’t let you in. I have run into that a few times now and have already called the ADA and one business will get a $75,000 fine.
  - Derp July 8, 2020 (1:02 pm)
    
    Now that’s the right idea. Let’s get businesses fined 75k. Winning!
  - CAM July 8, 2020 (1:39 pm)
    
    Everything I’ve read from the ADA says that you must be offered a reasonable accommodation and the accommodations they suggest do not involve the business being required to let the person enter the store without a mask. https://www.adasoutheast.org/ada/publications/legal/ada-and-face-mask-policies.php
  - heartless July 8, 2020 (2:06 pm)
    
    What business? And, since we are all anonymous here, may I ask why your medical condition precludes you form wearing a mask?
    - newnative July 8, 2020 (5:06 pm)
      
      Heartless, jc states that they are hard of hearing and depend on using sign language and facial expressions. i know there are face masks made specifically for lip reading but I don’t if that applies to jc’s case.
    - heartless July 8, 2020 (9:59 pm)
      
      Um.
      
      Well, uh, so here’s the thing: that makes no sense whatsoever. If you read lips or other people’s facial expressions, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU WEARING A MASK! You’re not looking at your own face, you are looking at other people!
      
      And as for the other mentioned condition (earlier JC mentioned asthma)–asthma is not now nor has ever been a condition that precludes wearing a mask. No doctor worth their salt would tell someone with asthma not to wear a mask.
      
      So that is why I was curious–and I know I teased you, NewNative, but I do appreciate you trying to answer the question, even if the attempt came up short.

momosmom July 8, 2020 (11:33 am)

I know this may have been answered and or I should know this already but I do not…my question is, a couple of employees were “exposed” to the virus over the weekend and came in on Monday and told us and we immediately sent them home and we told them to go be tested before returning 1 came up positive and the other negative so the one that was exposed and was negative how long after being exposed would that test taken show you have it, is there an incubation period before you would even show you have it?

datamuse July 8, 2020 (4:38 pm)

From what I’ve read, the incubation period can be as little as two days, but as many as 14 (this is why two-week quarantines have been imposed in so many places). 4-5 days seems to be the median.

anonyme July 8, 2020 (11:44 am)

If an individual has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, then common sense would indicate that person is at risk and therefore should not be out in public – with or without one. The fact that someone would use that excuse to force entry into a public space is a pretty clear indication to me that the person is either lying about their condition and/or suffering from a severe deficiency of IQ.