COVID CRACKDOWN: Governor to announce new restrictions Sunday

AlexC November 14, 2020 (5:16 pm)

Do we know what 25% of capacity is for the grocery stores? Trader Joe’s was already very good about limiting how many people were inside but I haven’t seen any attempt to limit at the other grocery stores.

Mj November 14, 2020 (5:28 pm)

In today’s Seattle Times there is an article identifying hot spots West Seattle IS NOT a hot spot and in fact has one of the lowest positivity rates, thus begging the question why the blanket restrictions?

WSB November 14, 2020 (5:43 pm)

Don’t know what they wrote (paywalled), but you can check the stats for any area, any time you want by going to the King County site we link each and every night. Problem is that there are no physical borders between areas. Check “geography” on the dashboard. Choose ‘health reporting areas.” Burien, for example, has twice the rate of the WS HRA (western WS). North Highline (White Center) has three times the rate. Some people who live here work and/or shop there and vice versa. Some WS businesses also have South King County outlets. Many people don’t or even can’t limit their lives to just one neighborhood, even with so much WFH and school-at-home. If we were going to do that – literally not allow people from outside WS to come in, and vice versa, for example – maybe then hyperlocal restrictions would make sense somehow. Otherwise, they don’t. – TR
- DEF November 14, 2020 (7:44 pm)
  
  I’m unsure that’s right. NYC targeted hot spot areas, apparently at the advice of epidemiologist and public health experts who believed that some measures would be effective despite the points you’ve raised. And targeting more narrowly than the county level lessens the burden on other neighborhoods with lower rates, makes the whole effort more sustainable. All that said I don’t know if that really applies here anyway, since even if WS’s numbers are better than some other places transmission rates seem to be going up everywhere.
  - BBILL November 15, 2020 (8:59 am)
    
    I’d like to see the methodology behind establishing the various areas in the “targeted hot spot areas.” What I’m specifically looking for is how it was established the established areas are most efficient. King County has various areas, but it’s not entirely clear why city boundaries are the best way to establish an area for the purposes of COVID-19 transmission. Sure King County also presents by Zipcode, but like the pre-pandemic city boundaries, what evidence and justification is there that tracking the virus by Zipcode is best? Sure I understand that using established boundaries is “easy” in that the information systems are already setup with the boundaries, and drawing new boundaries has the difficulty of justification.
AMD November 15, 2020 (9:11 am)

White Center’s numbers are terrible and it’s literally across the street from West Seattle. That’s the reason for blanket restrictions. It doesn’t make sense to restrict the Bartell’s at 15th & Roxbury but not the Walgreen’s. They have the same level of risk and require the same level of caution, despite being in different health reporting areas.
Steve November 15, 2020 (10:45 am)

You don’t wait for something to get out of hand before you do something about it. I wish more people were smart enough to realize this.

Jimmy November 14, 2020 (5:34 pm)

Your guess is as good as mine, sounds like a nightmare we are going to deal with along with winter time when it gets dark out before 5:00 pm. It’s going to be a long cold winter.

Grant t November 14, 2020 (5:39 pm)

Hopefully gyms are closing as well.

Alki resident November 14, 2020 (6:28 pm)

Why hopefully? My friends own gyms and they’ve taken the steps to make them safe.
- Elton November 14, 2020 (10:08 pm)
  
  I don’t wish ill on any small business, but the surge is alarming. No matter how you slice it, a gym is naturally a place where you’re at a higher risk of spreading covid. I say this as someone who loves going to the gym and misses it dearly. It sounds like they’re going to be pretty measured in the response here, but I expect that if things don’t improve soon gyms will close temporarily again. I hope people who have the means to help support locally owned gyms struggling rather than cancel their memberships do.
  - BBILL November 15, 2020 (9:01 am)
    
    NATURALLY: “No matter how you slice it, a gym is naturally a place where you’re at a higher risk of spreading covid.” I’d like to see your scientific data to support the claim about what’s “natural” about the COVID-19 virus.
Amy November 14, 2020 (6:30 pm)

Why?
Kelley November 14, 2020 (9:58 pm)

I am a member at two gyms and they are both going above and beyond most other types of businesses to be safe. The gyms are doing a great job. I feel quite safe at the gym and the health benefits during this stressful time have been so important and valuable.

Small biz November 14, 2020 (5:43 pm)

Retail at 30% occupancy is about 200 sq ft per person. Average Safeway is 46,000 sq ft, sales floor roughly 35,000 sq ft, about 175 people (not including employees)All of that is my best guess, but probably decently close.

Pdxmark77 November 14, 2020 (6:11 pm)

I wonder if they 25% capacity will include the employees as well. Let’s say you can only have 50 people inside your store (with the restriction) with 10 employees working, that means only 40 customers can be in at a time.Although, I would imagine most stores will do what Trader Joe’s has done and just have a set # they allow in.
- WSB November 14, 2020 (6:21 pm)
  
  According to the WFIA memo, 25 percent of capacity NOT including employees.

Mike R November 14, 2020 (5:47 pm)

While small businesses could use your continued support, please keep an open heart to anyone who is going to be out of a job due to the restrictions especially without any reasonable covid-19 relief in sight. There’s no winning scenario here for many, just less bad scenarios and WA elected officials have clearly chosen the less bad of the options. It doesn’t mean it’s without pain, so if someone is in need and is amenable to help, please offer it to them.

Friend O'Dinghus November 14, 2020 (6:07 pm)

Thank you Mike R. You are kind to point this out. Due to unimaginable circumstances, we will be going it pretty much alone until late January. It’s horrific, but it’s unavoidable at this point. The best we can do is to minimize the impact. This is our generations ‘finest hour’ whether we want it to be or not. History will judge the way we treat each other in this time of extreme challenge. Thank you again Mike R. for reminding us that this will require a group effort to get through. Once again into the breach, indeed.

Alki resident November 14, 2020 (5:56 pm)

Funny around election time, he said we were doing such a great job keeping the numbers down. Now this. Which is it?

Keep it moving November 14, 2020 (7:16 pm)

Compared to other states, our state has done well, up to this point. Things are now shifting quickly in a very concerning direction.
JES November 14, 2020 (7:32 pm)

Do you follow the news? It’s easy to understand if you watch what’s happening- flu season, people easing up on restrictions / being too lax, colder darker weather forcing people inside- as was predicted all along. We can control the numbers if we all do what we’re supposed to do.
- Ggc November 15, 2020 (10:03 am)
  
  Very true.
Anne November 14, 2020 (7:53 pm)

Oh please-have you seen the number of restaurants in/around WS that have closed just in the last couple of days?
- Alki resident November 14, 2020 (8:53 pm)
  
  I saw three restaurants named, the numbers in our area are low.
  - JES November 14, 2020 (11:14 pm)
    
    There have been 8-10 reported here in the last few days
TM November 14, 2020 (9:37 pm)

Funny? In the last couple weeks the weather has shifted, flu season on. This was predicted, not an election bait and switch as you infer. We’ve done better than most states, I think in a good part due to Inslee’s leadership early on.Can’t be an easy job.

Sad and angry in WS November 14, 2020 (5:59 pm)

Look in the mirror and honestly ponder whether you have been one of the careless people who have made these new restrictions necessary. So many people have been disregarding masking, distancing — and ESPECIALLY gatherings with too many people outside your household. Also ponder your holiday plans. I heard an elected official state with exasperation that if you attend a Thanksgiving gathering with family outside your household, you are pointing a loaded gun at your grandmother. This is so very sad for our neighbors who run and work at restaurants and other places of business. Successfully and safely opening our economy is up to each of us – and we absolutely do know what we need to do.

Bandana November 14, 2020 (8:21 pm)

I think too many people pick and choose when they want to adhere to the health guidelines. For example, they will wear a mask to a store but not wear one when walking in their neighborhood.
- newnative November 14, 2020 (9:03 pm)
  
  If you’re outdoors and staying more than 6 feet away from others, you shouldn’t have to wear a mask. That said, people shouldn’t be walking in groups or blocking sidewalks or holding spin class next to a busy intersection on 42nd and Admiral.
  - Gozer November 14, 2020 (9:36 pm)
    
    The spin class is held outdoors and they are following the rules. If it makes you uncomfortable couldn’t you just walk on the other side of the street?
  - Matt P November 15, 2020 (9:52 am)
    
    Droplets spread farther when running and biking yet they won’t wear masks. My wife and I have tried walking outside our house but have given up because people refuse to wear a mask and will not keep distance. It’s also impossible sometimes to see someone coming around the corner. If you’re outside your house, you should wear a mask period. It’s all these exceptions that end up spreading the virus around. Oh, if I keep 6 feet or I only see this group of people (but they also probably “only” see another group that includes a couple extra and then it just cascades from there), or my mask is only off while I eat, or …. and on and on.
    - alkiannie November 15, 2020 (10:33 am)
      
      I am equally frustrated with bikers and runners in parks who come up behind you quickly and you have no time to jump aside and ensure that you have 6 feet of distance. They are huffing and puffing and less than a couple feet away. Also, the coaches that are running kids through Lincoln Park – if you could also work with them to ensure that they give folks six feet, that would be awesome. They are breathing heavily and some are wearing low quality masks.
- HopefullyYouWearMoreThanABandana November 14, 2020 (9:13 pm)
  
  A person walking around the neighborhood can still stay distant from other people. Not sure if the bandana name refers to the personal choice in mask wear but a typical bandana is extremely ineffective as the material is not made of a tight weave and it’s usually stretched even thinner when pulled over the mouth. Unless everyone here is staying away from everyone outside of their own household (and the entire household does the same) then no one can be casting stones.
  - Mellow Kitty November 15, 2020 (6:24 am)
    
    You guys realize you just proved Bandana’s argument to be true, right?

Mj November 14, 2020 (6:16 pm)

Grant t – do you have any data that shows gyms are causing any issue? The gym I go to limits the number of rats at any one time, has hand sanitizer all over the place and has very high ceilings. This is a low risk situation and the benefits far out weighs the risk.

Maskup November 14, 2020 (6:30 pm)

MJ, gyms are not low risk. Think about it, no matter how many people it’s filled with there’s heavy breathing, sweating etc., High ceilings, low ceilings, its all indoors. The whole outdoors is available for stress relief, stairs, running, walking, home gym. Nobody needs data for that.
Mellow Kitty November 14, 2020 (6:37 pm)

In regards to your questioning a blanket ban earlier, and why it’s necessary – your statement claiming the gym you go to is cleaner than others places, thus your gym should stay open, is EXACTLY why there’s talk of a blanket ban.
- Anne November 14, 2020 (7:54 pm)
  
  Exactly!
Brian November 14, 2020 (7:17 pm)

You’re huffing and puffing and breathing recirculated air with a bunch of strangers you don’t live with in a confined space. It’s more dangerous than restaurants and if you don’t think so you’re deluding yourself because you’re selfish.
- Bandana November 14, 2020 (9:21 pm)
  
  It looks like gyms, bowling alleys and movie theaters are included in the closure.
  - WSB November 14, 2020 (9:34 pm)
    
    So says the Times, but without attribution to a specific source such as the WFIA (which obviously would focus on restaurants and food stores, as quoted). We’ll see in 13 1/ 2 hours…
Preventive Pause November 14, 2020 (10:51 pm)

CBS News cites Stanford/Northwestern research:

Restaurants, gyms, hotels pose highest COVID-19 risk, study says

Anecdotally, I know four people who have had COVID-19. Three of the four contracted COVID-19 from gyms (three separate gyms).

MM November 14, 2020 (6:37 pm)

Wonder if all the Turkeys will be happier on Thanksgiving day 😃

LB November 14, 2020 (7:21 pm)

Let’s hope so🙂. So many great and beautiful vegan entrees!

sassy November 14, 2020 (6:58 pm)

And hand sanitizer is going to kill a virus coming out of your lungs … how?

JES November 14, 2020 (7:35 pm)

…..Because people sneeze and cough into their hands. They touch things. Then other people touch those things.
- Sassy November 14, 2020 (9:23 pm)
  
  So, the surfaces get disinfected, sure … and the virus particles filling the air? No amount of hand sanitizing cleaning up that, JES.
  - JES November 14, 2020 (11:17 pm)
    
    Right, hand washing is only part of the equation. Mask, distance, not gathering indoors are others.
    - EdSane November 15, 2020 (2:20 am)
      
      Agreed, hand sanitizing is important. The narcissist in me believes I have an amazing immune system (I get the flu once every 10 yrs or so). My rational brain acknowledges that I always wash my hands when prepping food and before eating.

22blades November 14, 2020 (7:09 pm)

Fastest way to really help right now; MASK properly, DISTANCE properly & WASH properly. If you don’t know of someone that’s been affected, you’re on borrowed time.

JW November 14, 2020 (7:19 pm)

If West Seattle is not a “hotspot” then why have so many restaurants closed this week due to patrons and staff testing positive for covid on a totally different subject , can anybody tell me who the man and his pug dog are on the electrical box on California and Genesee.

WSB November 14, 2020 (8:34 pm)

John Bennett, preservationist, Luna Park Café owner, etc.

sgs November 14, 2020 (7:38 pm)

Example of people not really masking even with rules: I was in a Starbucks in an upscale neighborhood outside of W. Seattle and even with all the “masks required signs” there was a whole row of people not wearing masks, working on their laptops with a “cup” next to them. As I waited for my friend for 15 minutes, not one of those people took a sip. Thanks for your part in shutting everything down again.

Yma November 14, 2020 (8:09 pm)

Masks on (mouth & nose) & follow the freakin one way arrows in the store. Seriously, not that hard.Also – maybe shop for a neighbor.

Joseph November 14, 2020 (8:49 pm)

RIDICULOUS. COVID-19 isn’t spreading at Costco and Safeway and Bellevue Square. It’s spreading at house parties, between drunks at crowded nightclubs, in homes between family members, in cars and airlines full of people, etc. These restrictions will only spur panic-buying, keep customers bunched-up out in the cold, devastate business owners, etc. It won’t stop the spread.

Elton November 14, 2020 (10:15 pm)

Do you have no concern for grocery store employees? I would guess that you’re right, but the bottom line is that if infection rates are high and grocery stores are busy you’re putting employees at an elevated risk for the sake of your convenience. Even with mask mandates it’s very hard to social distance at a grocery store and some people still don’t know how to wear a mask. I think we can all just be a little bit patient waiting in line to enter grocery stores for a bit.I’m all on favor of austerity if it gets us back to summer numbers faster. Better to impact businesses for hopefully a short time then bleeding them out for an extended period of time.
- Joseph November 15, 2020 (12:57 am)
  
  Grocery store employees are at ZERO increased risk from 300 customers in their store vs 200 as long as everyone is masked-up. Our local Safeway has had the same employees working full-time from the first U.S. COVID-19 case to present without even ONE of them testing positive. Same with our local QFC. Can you list any West Seattle grocery stores who have had employees contract COVID-19 at work? Can you list one 4th Avenue or Tukwila Costco employee? Fear and paranoia are at play here.
  - heartless November 15, 2020 (10:05 am)
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/29/health/grocery-workers-increased-covid-19-risk-wellness/index.html
    
    “Grocery store employees are at ZERO increased risk from 300 customers in their store vs 200 as long as everyone is masked-up.”
    
    I don’t think you understand how things work. This is just crazy-level incorrect. The increased risk from exposure to more people is small, sure, but to think that risk doesn’t increase when exposure increases is a really strange argument to embrace.
    
    And the study that can be found via my link above gives actual evidence that your other claims are incorrect as well. The study found that grocery workers have higher rates of infection than other community members–and that store employees who had direct contact with customers were 5x as likely to test positive for the virus.
    
    Joseph–why waste everyone’s time making false claims about how safe it is to be a grocery store employee? Why not spend 5 seconds looking at some actual evidence before posting?
    
    Fear and paranoia may very well be at play here–but it’s fear of science and data, and paranoia that caring for others is somehow stripping you of something important.
    - Joseph November 15, 2020 (3:10 pm)
      
      You can’t point to a single case of a grocery store worker being infected from a West Seattle location because there aren’t any. We’d have all known about it and the location(s) would’ve closed for the minimum quarantine period. The science contradicts your ENTIRE position.
    - WSB November 15, 2020 (3:34 pm)
      
      No, actually, we would not all have known about it. Again, businesses are not required to close, nor to disclose, unless it’s decreed an “outbreak” (reference, the Duke’s situation in July). We did get a tip that a grocery-store company confirmed back in June – but if we hadn’t asked, it would have gone undisclosed – they did the cleaning during the hours the store was usually closed.
      
      https://westseattleblog.com/2020/06/crew-member-at-west-seattle-trader-joes-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
    - heartless November 15, 2020 (3:46 pm)
      
      “The science contradicts your ENTIRE position.”
      
      ???
      
      Did you just equate science with your lack of knowledge of grocery store workers getting sick? Or is there some other magic science you conveniently forgot to cite? You know “science” isn’t some magic word, right?
      
      I mean, wow.
    - Joseph November 15, 2020 (9:10 pm)
      
      3 of my family members are grocery store employees in West Seattle and have been working full-time through the entire Pandemic. NONE of them have contracted COVID-19 nor have any of their coworkers. They’ve all seen thousands of customers each shift for 8.5 months. If you think you’re in danger from a trip to the grocery store when there’s 60% customer capacity instead of 25%, then you should probably opt for grocery delivery service.
  - LyndaB November 15, 2020 (10:16 am)
    
    You’re assuming they will tell you if their employee is COVID-19 positive. If they don’t have customer interactions, will they tell you? So, I wouldn’t assume.From my observations, people wear it correctly when observed at the door and then they let the mask go below their nose and sometime the kiddos have a heard time wearing it, too. If we consider this into the equation, lower numbers of people in a store will allow people to spread out more allowing for decreased encounters with these behaviors (i.e. exposures). This is helpful for workers and customers. They get to work and you get to shop. Both you and the employee gets less chance of exposure. Is there a little a inconvenience? Yes, but will it allow us to help flatten the curve faster. These measures were working so why not use them? Trader Joe’s has been doing it and I applaud them.COVID-19 is our focus but we’re also in cold and flu season. For those of us in healthcare, the rule at my facility is you’re out until your symptoms are gone. I had allergies/cold and I did a COVID-19 test. This happened to me twice. Even though I was negative I was out a week or more. The operations of a hospital is dependent on so many people as is in all of our industries. We’re all interconnected.Many of us are feeling tired from the pandemic. Imagine how the nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists etc are doing. Then think about the people who are losing their loved ones? Do you think everybody has their end of life arrangements made now? Are their families ready to deal with making funeral arrangements?I guess the more you hear or know the experiences of people going through this maybe you will take it to heart that these restrictions help us all. Thanks for reading. Peace and mask up (properly).
Anne November 14, 2020 (10:18 pm)

Begging?? What a silly comment. Pretty obvious that many feel like you- they own their health & make their own decisions- maybe how we find ourselves in this position. No one said the vaccine would be the end of this & would be very surprised to see widespread access to everyone before Spring.
Mellow Kitty November 15, 2020 (6:35 am)

And you can guarantee that the people getting infected at these parties aren’t going to other places, you know since they’re already following the guidelines so well. My husband, and many friends work at grocery stores in the area. I know a lot of people who work in restaurants in the area. Your complete lack of concern for those workers is disgusting! Not everyone has the opportunity to work from the safety of their homes.
Brenda November 15, 2020 (8:41 am)

I totally agree… I think large bars/nightclubs that are not following the rules of making people be seated and not moving about with masks is the problem. I work at Costco and we have had very few… under 10 instances since this all started. All the instances we contracted out side the workplace. Most from large gatherings. Our employees are required to PROPERLY wear masks at all times in the building. And MOST members wear them… I have been out to eat atleast 2 times a week since the restaurants have opened and I feel everyplace I have been has been very safe. I think they should let small businesses/restaurants stay opened. Rather than spending all this money on unemployment, spend it on policing/monitoring large gathering, and businesses following policy. Just my opinion. Also, people need to stop being jackasses and wear a mask when you are in a business. If you can’t wear a damn mask, buy a face sheild…. it is better than nothing. I just feel so sorry for these businesses that are going to continue to suffer.

Let’s Help November 14, 2020 (8:51 pm)

This makes me worried about the load our local foodbank is going to take. Does anyone have ideas on how we, as a community, can help get more food to more people? I imagine that without federal relief in sight, demand for help with food is going to sky rocket.

waikikigirl November 15, 2020 (6:37 am)

I will not give the name of the company I work for but we have been packing daily 3k to 10k boxes of fresh fruits and produce and distributing them to the Food Banks and FoodLifeline on both sides of the mountain since the beginning of this Pandemic. I’m hoping most people are aware of this and getting much needed food for the kiddos and themselves!
Okay, idea November 15, 2020 (7:00 am)

Good thinking, thanks for sharing this concern.

One crazy idea…

How about a spreadsheet which is housed on WSB that West Seattleites can add their neighborhood and address to if they are in need of food with a small notes field where they can indicate what they need or any preferences or dietary restrictions.

The spreadsheet could be sorted by neighborhood nightly after a certain time and published in the nightly roundup, where then neighbors who want to help could then check their neighborhood to see if there are any neighbors they can help support, then they could check a box to indicate they will be making a food drop off for them the next day.

The neighbor then purchases some food for them and drops it off the next day. The person in need can re-add themselves to the list as and if they have an ongoing need. Otherwise, it would be removed the next day once someone had checked the box committing to help them.

If anyone receives supplies they cannot use, they could bring them to the food bank for others who would rather go there than have things given by neighbors.
- WSB November 15, 2020 (10:30 am)
  
  There are already others coordinating volunteer needs (Senior Center, recovers.org group …). We’re always happy to amplify if something new comes up, though.

barbara s spector November 14, 2020 (9:28 pm)

Uncle Ike’s at white center and their other locations have boxes of free food on Friday and Sat. at noon.

TJ November 14, 2020 (9:58 pm)

Inslee doesn’t make me feel safe. I own my health and make my own decisions. I honestly don’t get the opinions on begging the government to force us to hide from this. Really a strange mindset to me. Then beg the federal government for money to do it (sell our debt). The vaccine us almost here. That was supposed to be the end if this, but I doubt that will be.

Elton November 14, 2020 (10:20 pm)

End of what? The pandemic? Not quite. Despite early positive results they still have to continue validating the efficacy of this vaccine and then people have to voluntarily take it. If enough people don’t, then things won’t get better.The governor’s job isn’t to make you feel safer it’s to protect our health care infrastructure from getting overwhelmed and folding. And your choices aren’t just about your health but the whole community. Government telling you you can’t drink alcohol (and not driving) because it’s bad for you is wrong, but telling you to wear a mask is right because it is to save other people’s lives. The restrictions recently have been laxed quote a bit and obviously people can’t be trusted because our infection rate would be far lower if people were wearing masks and distancing, despite what Culp would have you believe.
Sam Kothe November 15, 2020 (1:11 am)

Masks and social distancing are mostly to protect other people if you have the virus. You can transmit the virus for up to two weeks before you show symptoms. Even if you’re sure you don’t have it, wearing a mask and social-distancing isn’t hard. It’s an easy way to save a life.

Even if someone doesn’t die of COVID (3-4% chance acc. to WHO), they have about a 20% chance of hospitalization, and a mild infection is still awful. (Source: WHO, https://www.who.int/indonesia/news/detail/08-03-2020-knowing-the-risk-for-covid-19)

A friend’s dad had to relearn how to walk after being infected. 3 members of my Spanish teacher’s family died, as well as a friend of a friend. Yet my PE teacher (who has heart disease, a major risk factor) got COVID and had no symptoms. It’s a scary, inconsistent disease. Don’t make others suffer for your temporary freedom.
AMD November 15, 2020 (9:22 am)

Government rules give businesses the teeth to enforce rules they want in place anyway. The melt downs over stores requiring masks were lessened when the employees can say “state law” instead of trying to debate store policy with customers. If you are out of work because of a government-mandated shut down, you are eligible for unemployment or other benefits. If you don’t go to work because you’re making your own decisions about your health separate from a government mandate, you are not eligible for these things. Government-provided rules also tell businesses what to expect from other businesses since everyone is operating from the same playbook. I work in a business that requires coordination with companies all over the US. The lack of cohesive guidelines is MADDENING. Companies in states that are fully open expect us to be able to do more than we can here, but we’re partially shut down due to local restrictions, and partially because we rely on a vendor on the east coast who is fully shut down due to THEIR restrictions. It’s a nightmare and is costing us money we don’t have. Inslee can’t affect what’s happening in New England, but he can make sure that a restauranteur in Seattle knows what to expect from their warehouse in Kent, who knows what to expect from their supplier in Spokane. I’m sorry that Inslee doesn’t make you feel safe, but hopefully the masks you see everyone around you wearing will.

HP family November 14, 2020 (10:20 pm)

Remember to support any local small business if you can…..Highlighting a favorite:GreenBridge Cafe

Trickycoolj November 14, 2020 (10:48 pm)

It’s going to be like this for a long time. People get lax cases go up, shut down rules apply back to phase 1. Get cases back down, make sure our hospitals aren’t overrun considering we’re taking on people from states that can’t be bothered with taking any precautions (looking at you Idaho) and maybe we can ease up a bit *if* people wear masks and use appropriate precautions. Get too lax and we’ll lock down again and start over. It sucks for businesses that can’t operate in this environment. But none of this is new now. We’ve been warned of the possibility of fall surges ever since summer. Save your pennies and reduce spending as much as possible to prepare for the next lockdown. This is the new normal until a vaccine is widely distributed.

A November 14, 2020 (11:44 pm)

This is the new normal because you allow it to be the new normal. Why are you so eager to let government run your life? My guess is you don’t work in the hospitality industry. What are you going to say to the single mother who’s a waitress who is going to lose her job when Inslee shuts her restaurant down again? The virus has been here long enough. We know what it is and who it affects and how to deal with it. When a worker at a restaurant tests positive, the restaurant closes for a couple days, they disinfect the restaurant, test employees and then open up when no one tests positive. This is a good practice and should be the way it works. Why should Inslee close everything down? Let people decide for themselves. The only reason you give government the power to think for you is because you don’t know how to think for yourself. Keep letting Inslee be your daddy but I don’t want to hear a damn word out of your mouth when your favorite restaurant closes permanently because of it
Anne November 15, 2020 (12:00 am)

You know- you’re exactly right- we had been warned about a Fall surge- but I think many just ignored the warning- became lax as things started to open up.

Scott Collins November 14, 2020 (11:14 pm)

Can I ask a stupid question? Does inside social gatherings include at home? Ie Christmas (cue grinch jokes here). I’m careful about all of these things anyway but if I’m reading that right that seems difficult to enforce at best.

Sam Kothe November 15, 2020 (1:16 am)

Social gatherings with your family living at home is obviously fine, but having multiple households visit for Christmas is risky. Have everyone who wants to come, and you, quarantine for 2 weeks without going anywhere. Use Amazon Fresh for food, or stock up before your quarantine.
Keep it moving November 15, 2020 (5:14 am)

I think it means no social gatherings at home or elsewhere with people outside of your households.

And you’re right about enforcement, we are at the mercy of an honor code, with much of this situation.

If social gatherings aren’t cancelled this holiday season, sadly many won’t survive for next years or future social gatherings. Seems worth doing something different for one year to me.

shawn November 14, 2020 (11:22 pm)

None of this stuff should have been open in the first place. Our numbers never justified the lax approach we have been taking, and now we are paying the price. That anyone would be eating indoors in public in the middle of a pandemic is insanity. Hopefully this will be a lesson learned not to open things up without justification.Thankfully this terrible situation will end soon, we are a few month out from a vaccine being widely available. So please just do what you can to slow it. Stay home. Do not go out. If you have to go get groceries, wear your masks and stay as far from people as possible. Wash your hands. If you feel sick, get tested.

A November 14, 2020 (11:34 pm)

https://fee.org/articles/harvard-researchers-nearly-half-of-young-adults-showing-signs-of-depression-amid-pandemic/

These lockdowns are a terrible idea and the consequences are going to be long lasting and way worse than the virus itself. Time to stand up and let businesses decide if they want to stay open. We don’t need father Inslee running this state into the ground. If there are enough people who stand up against this tyrant governor he will not be able to enforce his stupid lockdown rules. If there is a way for businesses who are going to defy this lockdown bs and stay open I will be glad to patronize you and financially support you and help you feed your family. There are many more like me who are tired of government running our lives. Let’s put an end to it

Keep it moving November 15, 2020 (5:38 am)

If businesses just remain open per usual, without pandemic restrictions, that will ultimately result in more harm to businesses and people and our economy.

You need healthy (and alive) business owners, mangers, workers, delivery drivers, and customers to have a healthy business.

Also, depression being rampant in our society and especially with younger folks is not a new pandemic related thing. That has been an epidemic of it’s own for many years.

The impacts of an uncontrolled and worsening pandemic will have far greater negative impacts on all our mental health, than just having to tolerate some changes and restrictions to our way of life for awhile.

This is a time for fortitude, in the face of this pandemic and what we all have to do as our part to manage it, even though we may not like it and it’s hard. I think we can all agree that none of us like any of this and it’s hard.
Ant November 15, 2020 (7:52 am)

Your experiment is called Florida. 17,000 deaths and rising.
Nebula72 November 15, 2020 (8:20 am)

A… consequences of ignorance and stubbornness will be far deadlier, my friend. The reason we are still in this mess is because of arguments like yours – people acting like children and not wanting to be told what to do. Inslee is not trying to fun-stop you, he’s trying to save lives.Why don’t you skip a few Trump rallies, grab a book and head inside for a couple of days and with some luck we can have a Christmas with friends and family.
BBILL November 15, 2020 (9:07 am)

I’m sure the Foundation for Economic Education, and McDonald with an economics and education policy background, are not biased at all, with wholesome concerns about public health. “Kerry McDonald is a Senior Education Fellow at FEE and author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019). She is also an adjunct scholar at The Cato Institute and a regular Forbes contributor. Kerry has a B.A. in economics from Bowdoin College and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband and four children.”
JKK November 15, 2020 (11:27 am)

What lasts longer than death?
- Canton November 15, 2020 (2:17 pm)
  
  Resurrection?

TJ November 14, 2020 (11:52 pm)

Long time? I’ve seen polls saying 30% of people won’t get the vaccine, so that will knock down the demand. That is on them (me included in that). I have no faith in government on this. It’s really starting to feel like a power thing at this point. And even when the vaccine is widely taken I predict they will then say we need to take 6 months to evaluate it before getting back to normal. Calling people “selfish” and that it’s “not about them” will last only so long, even in this state. Most of the country will not go backwards at this point but I guess we are ok with accepting it and then lamenting the local economy because if it

Anne November 15, 2020 (8:21 am)

Of course it will take awhile to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccine(s) & there will no doubt be more than one. Also these vaccines won’t be a cure-more like the flu vaccine -you could still get virus-but won’t be as sick. There is so much to be considered here- not the least of which is the possibility of totally overwhelming our healthcare system & workers. I absolutely reject the idea that this is done kind of government “power thing”. What I do believe is that if someone can’t do the very simplest of things -wear a mask, wash your hands, keep some distance -they are indeed selfish & will continue to be called such-in fact going back into lockdown -will cause them to be called out even more-not less.
Junctionette November 15, 2020 (8:55 am)

When are you leaving for Arizona?
- Vic November 15, 2020 (10:39 am)
  
  I’m always wondering this when his comments pop up too 🧐
BBILL November 15, 2020 (9:15 am)

“Most of the country will not go backwards at this point but I guess we
are ok with accepting it and then lamenting the local economy because if
it” According to nearly every tracker that I’ve checked, the county (US) *IS* going backwards right now. https://www.covidexitstrategy.org/ presents a few different measures.

KT November 15, 2020 (5:43 am)

With this surge, it is VITAL that the GSA recognize the President Elect so the handoff goes smoothly, especially for those government agencies fighting the pandemic.

Rebecca Rice November 15, 2020 (6:32 am)

as a local business owner, this announcement will cut deep. we operate at a largely reduced percentage of our normal volume, and have worked tirelessly to adjust our business model in order to make up the difference. i’m tired. i’m sad. i’m exhausted trying to stay afloat while keeping up the conversation to be safe and why it’s so important. this morning i had to ask (not require) an employee to stay home because her partner was sick and unsure if it were covid related. i have to ask her to volunteer to turn away hours she desperately needs to survive in this environment because her partner is out of work with sickness. YES, the additional shutdown measures will all but shutter us for good, but they are necessary. listen to the facts and please stop with the “father inslee” rhetoric. this virus spreads because of person-to-person exposure. if everyone who was capable just wore a mask, limited contact with folks outside their households, took their health and others’ health seriously, MY BUSINESS WOULDN’T HAVE TO SHOULDER THIS BURDEN FOR YOU. i’m not alone—all of us will be harshly affected by this and i don’t pretend to be the only one worthy of a soapbox right now. but if i go running on alki and have to forcefully inhale my mask as couples walk in my path with zero masks on one more time, i might start vocalizing my concerns to their faces. from six feet or more away. please, west seattle. we are better than this. this community is vast and amazing and so supportive and kind—let’s try to work together to help stop the spread of covid-19 with respect, kindness, and support for our neighbor. please.

rme November 15, 2020 (7:50 am)

It is so exhausting to read people in the comments here repeating “Wear a mask. Wash your hands. It’s not that hard, people!” Everyone knows. 9 months in, telling people these things in a forum like this is not going to change anyone’s behavior. You think someone is going to read your comment and decide to start complying now? The transmission issues are much more insidious than people just not wearing masks, and while I understand that it feels good to tell people off when we feel powerless, it’s just not beneficial. I hate to think that we’re going to carry this vigilante culture with us when this has ended.

heartless November 15, 2020 (10:20 am)

I think there are a couple reasons why people keep saying that–some helpful, some not so helpful:

1) it’s like advertising. The more you hear it, the more likely the message is to sink in. There is a reason commercials repeat–repetition alone really can convince people. Seatbelt reminders, no smoking reminders, wear a mask reminders–they all help increase the target behavior. Everyone knows smoking is bad, yeah? We still have those labels on ’em though.

2) understanding just how much in the minority they are can do wonders to convince people to change. Peer pressure is powerful, and the more the anti-maskers (oh, and there are plenty of those around) realize they are the ostracized weirdos the less comfortable they will feel about their idiotic decisions (in general)

3) people are just being baited by commenters trying to get a rise out of them. someone can spend 2 minutes typing out “I don’t need a mask, and I have the freedom to never wear one har har har” and then 20 other people respond telling them how dumb they are.

Ann November 15, 2020 (9:11 am)

Did you know?Just yesterday I was at Costco and they are out of toilet paper. I wondered if that is a response to Inslee’s decision to have new restrictions. I wouldn’t be surprised.

sf November 15, 2020 (9:27 am)

2nd local business owner here. This announcement will cut deep. The year has already cut deep. We’ve continued to expand and vary our offerings in this new environment. We are also walking a tightrope to stay solvent until the world can be restored to some sense of normalcy.

However, we work hard to protect our guests, customers, students and staff. We work at ratios and numbers below the limits. We socially distance, we wear masks all the time. We will follow today’s guidance too.

A and TJ – we don’t want your business as some sort of misguided protest of science and ignoring extreme once a century realities to support your rugged individualism. We love our community, our neighborhoods and all of West Seattle/Seattle. We put all of your safety before ourselves.

Mj November 15, 2020 (9:42 am)

Preventive Pause – thank you for link. Gym risk of virus spread is significantly less than restaurants and bars, only 25% and I would strongly argue the benefits far out weighs the risk. Further people that are active and fit are at way lower risk of an adverse Covid event. Yes I get that they can transmit to others but I believe that those at high risk need to take appropriate precautions without unduly burdening other’s that are low risk.

Mellow Kitty November 15, 2020 (10:15 am)

Well, if that’s the case – why don’t you go on a cruise to relax a bit? Masks are optional. Most activities are outdoors. All the passengers are healthy. They test everyone before boarding and we haven’t heard of anyone getting infections on the first cruise since the start of COVID . . . Oh, wait . . . there is, infact, a cruise ship quarantined in the middle of the ocean. Probably a hoax. But I’m sure the onboard gyms are safe. So, you should be fine. Bon voyage!

alkiannie November 15, 2020 (10:57 am)

Folks against Inslee on this, please help me understand. If the virus escalates, no one is going to WANT to go stores or restaurants except people like you. You represent a small portion of the population here in Seattle. Are you going to support the economy all by yourself while everyone else is safe and scared at home?

Wsrez November 15, 2020 (2:02 pm)

All you individuals hating on Inslee… firstly, he doesn’t WANT to shut anything down. Why the heck would he ever want to do that when he has to deal with such backlash every time? He’s trying to protect Washingtonians and make sure our hospitals do not become overwhelmed. Think of the elderly individuals on ventilators breathing their last breath and you whine about restrictions. It’s disgusting behavior. Try to think of others and not just yourself. Support local businesses as much as you can.

JES November 15, 2020 (6:36 pm)

Not even just elderly individuals on ventilators- think of the younger, otherwise healthy workers / parents / nurses / students / whoever, who get it and become ‘long haulers’ with lasting symptoms and complications and are unable to work or care for their family and then have large medical bills on top of that. None of us want that for ourselves or our families, right? Is it really that difficult to use empathy in this situation when it’s not you? IT COULD EASILY BE YOU- especially if you are not taking the proper precautions. Lots of us are doing what we can and must do to protect YOU and your family. It would be so great for you to offer everyone else the same courtesy.