CORONAVIRUS: Monday 11/2 roundup

On Election Eve, here’s our nightly roundup of pandemic-related notes:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:

*28,262 people have tested positive, 295 more than yesterday’s total

*806 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total

*2,594 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday’s total

*545,651 people have been tested, 549 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 26,521/791/2,545/530,879.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here … but with this caveat.

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

NEED FOOD? Again this week, Food Lifeline will distribute free emergency boxes of food to anyone who shows up, 2-5 pm Friday (November 6th) at its South Park HQ, 815 S. 96th.

CITY BUDGET CRUNCH LESSENS: New economic forecasting shows the city won’t be as short on revenue as feared, despite the pandemic’s effects. Here’s how the mayor’s office reports this; here’s the City Council budget chair’s view.

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Spend your money where it matters most – your small independent local businesses, still fighting to survive and thrive, with both online and in-person shopping. The Junction, for starters, is getting ready to kick off Hometown Holidays. Stay tuned for more.

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

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy November 2, 2020 (10:26 pm)

Your link for here’s how the mayor’s office reports this links to the west seattle food bank.

WSB November 2, 2020 (11:17 pm)

It was a rerun of the Food Lifeline link from the preceding paragraph. Fixed – thanks.

Mj November 3, 2020 (8:45 am)

Budget revenue $40 to 50 million more. Repairing the WSB is estimated at $47 million and needs to be the #1 priority for the funds!

N November 3, 2020 (9:04 am)

Cases still trending at all time highs. Interesting time for businesses to remove all COVID precautions. QFC – no more one way aisles. Trader Joe’s – “We no longer wipe down your carts” and “You can bring your own bags now”

newnative November 3, 2020 (9:45 am)

Safeway reinstated their one way aisles and they and PCC are still sanitizing carts and baskets. I’ve been bringing my own bags but we just can’t set them down on their counters.
- WSB November 3, 2020 (10:03 am)
  
  We can confirm from our just-completed weekly grocery trip that West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) has NOT dialed back on anything – all safety measures still in place.
WSREZ November 3, 2020 (10:31 am)

Except TJs does in fact wipe down all carts… just witnessed it.

drewn November 3, 2020 (11:35 am)

I went to Trader Joe’s last night for the first time since before lockdown last March. There was a worker out front declaring that they are no longer wiping down carts or hand held baskets but they are offering wipes if you want to do it yourself. I was waived on in after the worker sort of glanced into the store and it didn’t seem like they were counting people but was definitely not impressed and didn’t feel that comfortable once inside. Quickly grabbed a few items while attempting social distancing but it was not easy, other shoppers werent exactly accomadating and workers were clustered together stocking shelves, whizzing by in close proximity, etc. They didn’t have one-way aisles but that store is so small so I guess I understand that. Anyway, for me it was way too close for comfort and too stressful. I won’t be going back anytime soon especially with numbers spiking. Place is too freaking small to properly distance even just from their workers.

Barb Z November 3, 2020 (12:54 pm)

Sorry to hear about TJ’s. Their safety procedures were the best, along with Met Market who are still cleaning carts & providing wipes, plus have good distancing measures while waiting in line. But both Met Market & PCC have reinstated their hot food self-serve bars, which seems unsanitary at this time. I’ve seen handles of the serving spoons lying in the food. Ugh!

anonyme November 3, 2020 (3:04 pm)

It used to be that PCC was the only place I’d shop, but I never go there anymore. It’s changed so much, and they’ve done very little to be accommodating during this pandemic, aside from a senior hour. I called once to ask if they’d consider doing pickups, and they were downright rude about it. Self-serve food bars seem crazy right now, and not just because of the handles. If you can reach the food with a utensil, you can cough on it. Reasonable, respectful distancing is disappearing everywhere I go.

j November 3, 2020 (3:09 pm)

TJs yesterday told me that they weren’t wiping down carts because they were short on staff. Hope that was/is a one time problem.

flimflam November 3, 2020 (3:49 pm)

Very surprised indoor dining is permitted still. The germs don’t magically disappear once someone sits down and removes their mask…seems like the recent increase in numbers warrants a roll back in restrictions.

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