CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 6/6/2021 roundup, including our weekly West Seattle trend check

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Tonight’s pandemic notes:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the King County Daily Summary Dashboard page:

*110.338 people have tested positive, up 80 from one day earlier

*1,602 people have died, unchanged from one day earlier

*6,228 people have been hospitalized, up 4 from one day earlier

One week ago, those three totals were 109,658/1,592/6,159.

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Sunday is the night we check these numbers, shown in two-week increments on the “geography over time” tab of the countywide daily-summary dashboard. For WS status, we combine the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas” (HRAs): For the past two weeks, 50 positive test results; 84 in the 2 weeks before that; 156 in the two weeks before that. … We also are noting two other West Seattle stats each week. The total deaths for the entire pandemic in the two HRAs comprising West Seattle: 69, up one since last week. And a look at hospitalizations: 195 total have been attributed to people in the two peninsula HRAs since the start of the pandemic, adding one this week.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here (but again, note there was no update this weekend).

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 173.2 million cases and 3,726,000+ deaths, 597,000+ of them in the U.S. – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here

SCHOOL VACCINATION CLINICS: Three this week at which the district says students and family members are welcome, first or second shots: Chief Sealth International High School on Monday, West Seattle High School on Tuesday and Friday.

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

Jamie June 6, 2021 (11:46 pm)

Those are the kinds of trends that I like to see!

wsres June 7, 2021 (7:20 am)

Dr. Jeff Duchin, the chief health officer for Seattle and King County, told The Seattle Times that 97% of recent COVID-19 cases there have occurred in unvaccinated people. The data is pretty clear, vaccinated people are safe.

smittytheclown June 7, 2021 (9:57 am)

Great news! A bit off topic, but related. Does anyone care any more about what I call “sidewalk jockeying”? Basically over the last year – if out for a walk – it was courteous to switch to the other side of the street rather than pass within 2-3 feet on the same sidewalk if someone(s) were headed toward you. Now that we know that outside transmission is extremely unlikely – AND – the vast majority are vaccinated – is it OK to just stay the course now? If fully vaccinated there are really no concerns. I bring this up because as a middle age male I find the courteous thing is for me to switch sides. Especially when it’s either me vs 2 people or even 1 person with a dog. It just makes sense. I don;t mind the extra “mileage” just curious. Thanks!

DogLady June 7, 2021 (11:37 am)

I’m a fully vaccinated female usually walking with a dog, and I certainly don’t expect people to move to the other side of the street. I typically do at least walk on the other side of parked cars or cross the street if someone is coming toward me with a dog or small kids, but I’ve been doing that long before the pandemic. I know some dogs aren’t friendly and some people are scared of, or just don’t like dogs, so I try to avoid the situation if possible. I am thrilled to know there’s another person in West Seattle who actually cares about how their everyday actions affect others!
newnative June 7, 2021 (12:24 pm)

I don’t switch streets because that’s dangerous to jaywalk. HOwever I was making a wide berth or walking in bike paths to make space. Now that I’m vaccinated, I only do it if someone is looking nervous or it’s a group of people. I’m still surprised at the sheer numbers of people who think it’s okay to stand in groups and block a sidewalk or lane. If I’m running a short errand, i just keep my mask on the whole time.
What Do I Know June 7, 2021 (2:12 pm)

Now I stay the course when walking, i.e., staying to the right side of the sidewalk, which in my book is the right and courteous thing to do. And, I have also started to once again stand my ground when an oncoming group or dog walker spans the width of the sidewalk.
AMD June 7, 2021 (7:20 pm)

I feel like this is behavior most Seattleites have WANTED to engage in for many years. Now with the pandemic, they have the ability to avoid people at the level that is comfortable to Seattleites without appearing rude, and I expect they’ll collectively do it as long as they think they can get away with it under the guise of social distancing, lol

Flo B June 7, 2021 (12:04 pm)

Smittytheclown. As a daily walker i now rarely “swing wide” I’m really “back to normal”. Rather than stand my ground i’ll move over for those walking 2 or3 wide and aren’t inclined to share the sidewalk, which i would also do pre pandemic.

rme June 7, 2021 (1:29 pm)

Smitty, that’s a great question. I still swing wide but mostly because I’m afraid of getting yelled at! I’d love if we could all agree to just be normal outside now, given the data. Even pre-vaccination, outdoor transmission in a walk by setting was nearly impossible.

smittytheclown June 7, 2021 (2:46 pm)

Great responses and glad I am not alone! I like the idea of trying to gauge someone’s anxiety level. Obviously, if they are outside with a mask on (not judging) then I will alter course. Otherwise I am going to try and keep walking straight (on the right side, of course). When I walk my crazy dog I try to avoid people at all costs and always have. Bad trainer!

Mj June 7, 2021 (5:47 pm)

It’s time to consider foisting any medical costs associated with the Covid Virus onto those adults who choose not to get vaccinated, it’s their choice as such they need to shoulder the financial risk of their choice!

OneTimeCharley June 7, 2021 (6:52 pm)

Settle down there MJ….curb that enthusiasm…foisting….haha. Apart from the allusion, I also agree with your sentiment.
Curious June 7, 2021 (9:35 pm)

The CARES Act requires healthcare plans to cover COVID related expenses as long as a public emergency is in effect. The Health and Human Services Secretary extends the emergency for periods of 90 days at a time. So, at some point the emergency will be declared over and it’s possible the requirements for healthcare providers will cease or change. At that point perhaps we might start seeing unvaccinated people shouldering some/all of the cost of their COVID care.

Auntie June 7, 2021 (6:44 pm)

That’s like saying people who don’t wear seatbelts or text while driving should pay for their own injuries if they crash. Not gonna happen.

Mj June 7, 2021 (10:18 pm)

Auntie – why not: people want the freedom to make their own choices, including me, if you choose not to wear a seatbelt or helmet why should an adult person making a choice not to wear a seatbelt or helmet not be held financially accountable? These type of choices raise insurance premiums for everyone, how is this equitable or fair?

Auntie June 7, 2021 (11:20 pm)

I never said it was equitable or fair. Pay to play (the fool) would be a great incentive to follow the rules. Then we could start billing those skiers who hurt themselves while skiing out of bounds, the hikers who go off trail into unauthorized areas, and save insurance companies loads of money, which would hopefully trickle back down to individuals who do follow the rules. But again, I just don’t see it happening.

Sorry, comment time is over.