CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 12/8 roundup

An extension for the latest restrictions tops tonight’s roundup of pandemic news:

THREE EXTRA WEEKS: Gov. Inslee opened his media briefing this morning with news that he would extend the newest restrictions – no indoor dining, movies, fitness, and more – until January 4th. But he also said there’s a chance he could end them earlier, depending on how the next few weeks go. The restrictions were originally set to expire in about a week. He also announced more money for business-assistance grants. Here’s his news release; here’s our coverage, with video.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Now, on to the numbers, as shown in today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*50,326 people have tested positive, 587 more than yesterday’s total

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

*3,486 people have been hospitalized, 37 more than yesterday’s total

*662,486 people have been tested, 4,483 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 45,138/868/3,235/627,813.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 68.2 million cases worldwide, 15.1 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

BRIEFING TOMORROW: State health experts continur their weekly Wednesday afternoon briefings. You can watch at 2 pm tomorrow – here’s the link.

SAFETY GRANTS: SDOT is reminding nonprofit organizations, Seattle schools, and school-oriented community organizations that they can apply for $1,000 grants to help kids get around safely.

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

Elyse December 9, 2020 (1:02 am)

I think your one week ago numbers may be off. Looks like you might have used the numbers from two weeks ago by accident. Thanks for the continued daily reporting on cases, I really appreciate it.

WSB December 9, 2020 (1:11 am)

Fixed, thanks.

anonyme December 9, 2020 (7:14 am)

Medical establishments are being very lax with Covid precautions. I recently had surgery, and after I checked in, both receptionists removed their masks. I waited about 10 minutes to ask why they weren’t wearing them, and they put them back on. One said, “I was drinking coffee”. After surgery, I was placed in a room that had obviously not been cleaned. There was rumpled bedding on a bench where someone had been sleeping, and an old hospital robe across a chair. There was a lot of chaos, and I couldn’t wait to get out of there. When I returned for a post-op visit, two of the receptionists were not wearing masks, pulling them up only when approached. If this sketchy behavior is prevalent in hospitals, no wonder we’re in trouble. Partial compliance with no oversight or enforcement is worthless.

flimflam December 9, 2020 (7:49 am)

maybe he just wants to sound hopeful, but i can’t imagine restrictions being ended in janruary let alone eased up early – it would be great if the numbers allow it but doesn’t seem realistic.

AMD December 9, 2020 (8:28 am)

I think people are more likely to follow the guidelines (not gathering with friends, etc.) if they can see an end date, and it’s not too far away. I’m hopeful that people seeing that their “oh, I quarantined, I’m just doing Thanksgiving with the 20 people in my bubble” plans didn’t make the situation any better and give serious thought to sucking it up and not doing a big event for Christmas or New Year’s.

Smittytheclown December 9, 2020 (9:11 am)

Since the numbers continue grow is he saying things would be even worse if not for the restrictions? How do you prove that? Looks to me like the two states with the strictest rules have the highest 2- week % increase in cases…. WA and CA.

BBILL December 9, 2020 (3:03 pm)

“Looks to me like the two states with the strictest rules have the highest 2- week % increase in cases…. WA and CA.” Percent increases, ratio data… When I was a new salesperson I finally made a sale, while everyone else was made 20 (+/-) sales. Then the next week I made 2 sales. Yes, roughly 90% less than the others, and someone made about 30 sales that week, but guess who got the “most improved from last week” award? Yup, I was a 100% increase in sales, while the person who went from about 20 to about 30 was a 50% increase in sales. Absurd! Fortunately I no longer have that loony manager, as I’d never be able to compete with the new people who have so few sales. To put this in the context of COVID-19–yes, it’s ‘easy’ to increase in large percentage when the numbers are relatively low, and they’re relatively low because of the measures taken to keep them low, but compliance with the measures to reduce the spread is yet another issue.
AMD December 9, 2020 (3:53 pm)

Washington is 46 out of 51 in per capita infections. California is 41 of 51 (includes District of Columbia). Here’s the link. Sort by cases per million. Your claim is not supported by data: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

Phil December 9, 2020 (9:27 am)

Roughly 10 months of data showing government interventions around the world have had little to no effect on the spread of the virus. So why not double down on more restrictions? I wish the data was at least being consulted when making these life destroying decisions.

West Seattle since 1979 December 9, 2020 (9:57 am)

So, no restrictions then? Is that what you’re suggesting?
KBear December 9, 2020 (10:13 am)

That’s actually not what the data show, Phil, but thanks for the misinformation. Our federal government’s lack of intervention has been the real “life-destroying decision”.
- Lina December 9, 2020 (11:16 am)
  
  yup. The disinformation and lack of any sort of cohesive message and response at the National level has severely hurt us and hurt states that are trying to do the right thing in responding by limiting interactions that have potential to spread the virus. The problem is not the restrictions per say – but the fact that at the highest level – Americans are being told that the restrictions at the state level are hurting the economy and are unnecessary. Also – I believe (would have to double check the data) but I believe that states that had few restrictions early or, or backed off them too soon are worse off right now.

Matt December 9, 2020 (12:07 pm)

Just a reminder by comparison I think our community is doing great. Spokane County posted a higher number than King County. That shows that the majority of us are following guidelines by comparison.

AdmiralE December 9, 2020 (4:14 pm)

>700 cases in Spokane County are at the Airway Heights jail/prison
AdmiralE December 9, 2020 (4:43 pm)

740 cases in Spokane County are at the Airway Heights Correctional Facility so your conclusion is suspect.

Maskup December 9, 2020 (2:58 pm)

https://www.propublica.org/article/states-with-few-coronavirus-restrictions-are-spreading-the-virus-beyond-their-borders?fbclid=IwAR3h1FdovmwxXGmLQ4UXFki4r2a-eeXFyWUModWaWZjlmjISjs8KeFriF2s

ScubaFrog December 9, 2020 (5:54 pm)

WA needs a lockdown. If the ultra right wing/non-compliant LEA in the rest of the state won’t comply, then the Greater Seattle/Tacoma area/Spokane. We need extreme life-saving measures NOW. Trump failed America on an incomprehensible scale.

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