West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Our nightly roundup of local pandemic-related information:
GOVERNOR’S ANNOUNCEMENT: If King County is going back to Phase 2 as the metrics would suggest, we’ll find out when Gov. Inslee has his next briefing at 11 am tomorrow. His scheduled guests include Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah and King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin. You’ll be able to watch live at this link; we expect to carry the stream here too.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health daily summary:
*99,217 people have tested positive, 276 more than yesterday’s total
*1,526 people have died, unchanged since Saturday
*5,880 people have been hospitalized, 14 more than yesterday’s total
*1,044,885 people have been tested, 2,337 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, those totals were 96,597/1,503/5,713/1,028,782.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 153.1 million cases, 3,209,000 deaths – 577,000 in the U.S. See the other stats – nation by nation – here.
VACCINATION SITUATION: The city officially announced today what we reported on Friday – no appointments needed any more at city hubs. The announcement also included hours/days of operation – including a trial run for evening hours – plus details on which vaccines are available on which dates. Meantime, the Mariners are following the Sounders‘ example and offering vaccinations at home games, starting tomorrow.
VACCINE FOR 12-15 YEAR-OLDS? The New York Times reports that the Pfizer vaccine is expected to be authorized for 12- to 15-year-olds in about a week.
SCHOOL CASE: Another local school has notified families of a COVID case – this time, West Seattle High School.
NEED FOOD? The nearest Food Lifeline distribution is 2-5 pm Friday (May 7th) at 815 S. 96th.
‘PANDEMIC PEOPLE’: A new “digital tour” offered by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society looks at two pandemics a century apart.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Those photos are from the Southwest Precinct, accompanying this alert:
On 4/25/21 at (1:20 am), the two … pictured above forced entry into the front doors of a secured residential building in the 9000 block of 20th Ave SW using a power drill. The (burglars) proceeded to steal packages from the lobby area and prowl several cars in the parking garage. There are no good face shots of the (burglars), but their clothing may be recognizable or there may be similar crimes where the suspects may be wearing similar clothing.
If you have any information about who they are, contact Detective Topacio at 206-256-6821.
Dr. Brent Jones is now officially on the job as interim Seattle Public Schools superintendent, following Denise Juneau‘s decision to depart early, after just under three years. Dr. Jones is expected to lead the district for 14 months, while a permanent superintendent is sought. As noted here in January, when the School Board began considering him for the $315,000/year interim job, Dr. Jones was the district’s Chief Equity, Partnerships and Engagement Officer for three and a half years, until June 2019 and after that worked as an assistant general manager at Metro. You can read more about him on the district website.
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director, Whitney Moore. It’s been nine months since the Chamber announced the departure of Julia Jordan, who had held the title of CEO as had her predecessors. Moore most recently worked as marketing/programs leader for the Fremont Chamber of Commerce; she is a West Seattle resident. In its announcement, the Chamber says Moore brings “talents in community engagement, leadership, innovation, and a passion for small businesses” as well as “many years of leadership, communications, event planning, and strategic marketing experience.” Moote is quoted as saying, “I plan on addressing the most pressing threats to our business community and continue working toward sustainable economic recovery and growth.” She’ll be part of this year’s online edition of the Westside Awards event, 7:30 am Tuesday, May 18th, with tickets now available.
Award-winning West Seattle author Lyanda Lynn Haupt has specialized in a subject close to our heart – the intertwining of wildlife and human life, even in the city. We first spoke with her back in 2009, after her third book, “Crow Planet,” was published. Four years later, “The Urban Bestiary” was published; “Mozart’s Starling” followed in 2017; and now, after another four-year interval, tomorrow is the official publication date for “Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit.” On her website, Haupt describes it as “a book about interconnection, healing, and creating a life of reciprocity with all beings,” and notes that she finished it after the onset of the pandemic. No reading or signing events planned on the peninsula so far (here’s one online), but she tells WSB there’s an incentive for you to buy her book through one of West Seattle’s independent bookstores: “I am happy to personalize books for people through Pegasus and Paper Boat.” Three of Haupt’s previous books have won major awards, including two Washington State Book Awards.
Two pandemic notes this afternoon:
(Updated sign at SW Thistle entrance to vaccination-hub lot)
WEST SEATTLE VACCINATION HUB: As first reported here last week (thanks to reader tips), you no longer need an appointment to get vaccinated at the city-run West Seattle hub in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle). The city made an official announcement today about that status for the WS, Rainier Beach, and Lumen Field sites, including additional detail about what you can get there and when:
Today and tomorrow, Rainier Beach is offering the Pfizer vaccine, and West Seattle is offering the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Beginning Wednesday, May 5, the following vaccines will be available each day of operation going forward:
Lumen Field Event Center: Pfizer
Rainier Beach Vaccination Hub: Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer
West Seattle Vaccination Hub: Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and PfizerThe address and hours of operation at these three City vaccination sites are as follows:
Lumen Field Event Center: 330 S Royal Brougham Way; Thursday and Saturday, 11:15 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Rainier Beach Vaccination Hub: 8702 Seward Park Ave S; Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, May 4, this hub will be open until 7:30 p.m.
West Seattle Vaccination Hub: 2801 SW Thistle St.; Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. On Wednesday, May 5, this hub will be open until 7:30 p.m.
You can still make an appointment if you would prefer to; start here.
ANOTHER SCHOOL CASE: Thanks for the tips. West Seattle High School has notified its Cohort B families that “a person in (the) group” has COVID-19. The email from principal Brian Vance says in part:
Following the guidance of Public Health — Seattle & King County the person with COVID-19 will not be able to return to class until after their contagious period has passed. This period is 10 days after the start of symptoms and 24 hours after fever and symptoms improve without the use of medications.
The Seattle Public Schools COVID Central team is contacting and instructing individuals who came in close contact with this person to follow Public Health guidelines and quarantine for the entire 14 days from the date of exposure to the person with COVID-19. A close contact is anyone who has spent 15 or more minutes within 6 feet of the person with COVID-19, regardless of whether the individual and/or the person with COVID-19 were wearing a face covering. If you have not been contacted, it has been determined that your child did not have close contact with the Covid-19 positive individual. The team is involved and actively working with me to ensure the safety of our school community.
We’ve previously reported case announcements at Genesee Hill and at Lafayette Elementaries. The district’s dashboard tracks case numbers by region – West Seattle and South Park comprise the Southwest region, with 43 reported cases this school year, 35 students and 8 staff members.
(WSB file photo)
The Log House Museum hasn’t reopened yet, but its parent organization is offering another “digital tour.” Here’s the announcement:
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is pleased to announce its second digital tour experience “Pandemic People: Compare and Contrast Lived Experiences in 1918 and 2020.” Join us for an online tour to experience the enrichment that an in-person field trip experience affords, even while we can’t be together. This tour is open for student groups Grades 6 – 12, and any interested adult groups. Signups are required at least two weeks before your desired tour date. “Pandemic People” is a free experience.
“Pandemic People” compares and contrasts pandemic experiences on the Duwamish Peninsula in the age of The Spanish Flu and COVID-19. The tour invites participants to reflect on care discrepancies between communities, public safety precautions, and first-person narratives of life in the pandemic in 1918 and 2020. How have our experiences living in pandemic conditions changed over the past century? How have they stayed the same? Join us on a digital tour to find out! To register, please call 206-350-0999, or email museum@loghousemuseum.org. Tours run for approximately 40 minutes. Tour availability is based on docent availability and is subject to change.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the first time in two months, the Community Advisory Committee for West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment got an update on its operations.
Last month’s meeting had no one in attendance from camp operator LIHI or the city Human Services Department. This time, both were in attendance as the CAC met online on Sunday afternoon. The camp has been on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels on the southeast edge of West Seattle for almost five years.
(Photo by Jen Popp)
The first full week of May begins! Here’s what’s happening:
BLOOD DRIVE: 10 am-5 pm at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) – check to see if appointments remain.
PCC BOARD ELECTION: Today is the last day for PCC members to vote in the co-op’s board election. Five people are running for three seats, including two PCC employees. 5 pm is the deadline for votes.
FREE FITNESS CLASSES: In honor of Mother’s Day, FIT4MOM is offering free classes this week.
AUTHOR EVENT: 6 pm online, Seattle Public Library presents David B. Williams discussing his new book “Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound” with Mary Ann Gwinn.
READ THE KORAN IN 4 WEEKS: Rev. Ron Marshall‘s latest series of four classes starts online at 7 pm.
Event ahead, online or in-person? Email us so we can add to the calendar – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:07 AM: Good morning! Clouds are in the forecast, maybe rain later.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Delridge/Orchard work continues, and repaving expands to Delridge Way’s north end as soon as today.
35th/Graham – Work continues to remake this intersection, including a signal.
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed.
TRANSIT
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings.
Metro has increased the number of passengers allowed on buses. And now it’s rehiring laid-off drivers.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
406th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 17th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is now open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
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