11:02 AM: As previewed last night, Gov. Jay Inslee is briefing the media on new restrictions to try to stop the surge of COVID-19 – the feed (and afterward, archived video) is above. His office says he’s being joined by “Dr. George Diaz, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Health Officer Kathy Lofy, and Spokane COVID unit nurse Clint Wallace.” We’ll post notes as it goes, and will link official documents when they’re available too.

The governor says this is “the most dangerous day” in our state’s public health history, in more than a century – the “third wave” of the pandemic – and says the virus cannot be “left unchecked. … Inaction here is not an option.” He stresses that the biggest concern is that the health-care system will be overwhelmed. He then recaps the current stats, including another statewide daily record yesterday in number of cases, and another one expected today.

This is a “more dangerous” place than we were in last March, he says.

11:08 AM: He says he’s announcing executive orders “to give us reasonable hope” that the virus can be gotten back under oontrol. The restrictions will be in place until December 14th, and will take effect at midnight Monday. They include:

*Indoor social gatherings with people from outside your home are prohibited unless people have quarantined for 14 days or (added) quarantined 7 days AND received a negative test less than 48 hours ahead

(List has been updated; more info here … and here’s the complete list.)

He acknowledges that restrictions are painful for businesses and employees – but “what’s at stake here is life itself.”

He says he’s committing another $50 million in business “grants and loans” before year’s end to try to get businesses more help. “But we know that’s not enough … but it’s what we’ve been able to do so far.” He says they’re also trying “to get the federal government to step up to the plate” and send more help to people. If that doesn’t happen, he says, the state will talk to legislators about unspecified “other” possibilities.

He also says guidance for child care and education is NOT changing.

11:18 AM: Now Dr. Lofy, the state health officer, is speaking. She notes the state’s daily case numbers have doubled recently and hospitalizations are increasing too. She says the “rationale” for the governor’s announcements are based on the newest knowledge about how the virus can spread, through “aerosols,” and that indoor exposure is the biggest danger. Droplets and aerosol particles can even travel beyond 6 feet, she says. She also says it’s not easy to pinpoint where people get infected. But “if we act now, we can be successful.”

11:27 AM: After the nurse says conditions are as bad as he’s seen them, Mayor Durkan speaks. She thanks everyone for their response over the months – “I want to call out Seattle residents and businesses for taking the pandemic so seriously … their actions have saved lives.” She notes that while Seattle hospitals are not overwhelmed yet, the hospitalization rate is increasing. She says she’ll be working on more small-business relief and more flexibility for outdoor dining. “We will continue to fast-track those programs.” She also says the city needs the state and feds to do everything they can. “Please show some love for your local businesses … go and buy from local restaurants and local shops,” she adds.

Next up is Executive Constantine. “Every generation has its sacrifice … this is our moment.” For the businesses and workers that are sacrificing most, “we owe them our patronage,” he says. He also thanks people for doing what they can, saying 93 percent of people in the state are wearing masks “in the appropriate circumstances.”

11:44 AM: The governor insists “there is light at the end of the tunnel.” He also urges people not to hoard (this as we received a reader photo of a long line outside 4th Avenue Costco). He repeats that action is important now, not once things get even worse. “We make the decision about whether this pandemic is going to swallow us whole.” He says “the single most important message” is that “the single most dangerous place … is inside our own homes” if people are socializing there with people from outside their households. Then he goes to Q&A.

Why crack down further on businesses when they’re not the most dangerous place? is the first question. They’re “not doing anything wrong’ by operating, says the governor, but “we have to close this window of transmission, every window we can.”

No further limits on pro/college sports, he says, in response to a question. He says the teams already have “rigorous” precautions in place.

Why restrict grocery stores when they’re not a major outbreak source? He says it’s not a major change, as they’re currently supposed to be limited to 30 percent – dropping that to 25 percent is an issue of “equity” among retailers.

What metrics will determine if these do indeed end after four weeks? Nothing specific but “at a minimum” they hope to see a decrease in “the rate of infection.”

Though construction does not have new restrictions, the governor says they’re watching it closely and “hope we get better compliance” with existing rules.

Will there be a special legislative session for business relief? Right now the governor says they don’t believe that’s necessary, that they should be able to take action without it, but he also warns that they have to figure out a way “to finance” more help. (He later noted that they’re thinking about a “state substitute” for federal help but they’d have to be “very creative” in figuring out where the money would come from, given that there’s already a multi-billion-dollar “hole” in the budget.)

What about enforcement for businesses that don’t comply? They’ll be asked to comply, the governor says, but if they don’t, action could be taken (liquor licenses could be pulled, for example).

Why did he just loosen the restrictions for restaurants a month-plus ago, only to now crack down again? He says they were hoping the fall surge wouldn’t happen … but it did.

Are further restrictions possible? “Obviously” – but he hopes they won’t be necessary.

12:33 PM: The briefing is over. The window above will display the archived video soon; also above, we’ve updated the list of restrictions that were announced, with a link to the governor’s first online post, and will add anything more (such as detailed proclamation documents) that emerges today.

3:54 PM: Here’s the document with all the newly announced “guidance.”