West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
Local businesses are hosting the West Seattle Art Walk tonight:
GET NOSTALGIC AT CLICK! At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor): Featured artist Rick Moreno is there until 8 pm. He says, “When you do something that resonates with you personally, it’s a real joy to do it.” His “1973” and “The ’70s” collections are now at Click!. (4540 California SW)
JEWELRY POP-UP AT VAIN: West Seattle jewelry artist Nani O. Pratt is at VAIN (WSB sponsor) – which is a boutique as well as a salon – until 8 pm. (4513 California SW)
More highlights on the Art Walk website, here.
We have updates today from West Seattle’s independent local bookstores:
PEGASUS BOOK EXCHANGE: This Junction bookstore is now offering delivery, within 3 miles of the store, on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. They’ll take orders via email – pegasusbookexchange (at) gmail.com – and get back to you with a cost. Delivery fee is $5 but will be waived for purchases over $50. Here’s an image of the full announcement. Pegasus’s store is still open, too – 4553 California SW (and they have an online shop here).
PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS: This Morgan Junction bookstore also working on delivery. Meantime, some other changes. From co-proprietor Desirae:
We will be reducing our hours temporarily starting tomorrow 3/13. For right now, we feel that this is necessary due to school closures as well as the health and safety of our team and our customers. We will find every way we can to get books into the hands of those who need them!!! We are working on our online store right now and plan to deliver to those who can’t make it in – more details to come… Family reading time is canceled for the remainder of the month! Still happening: Classic Novels Book Club this Sunday at 2:00! As always – feel free to call or email us with questions and to place your book orders. We love you, West Seattle, and we will work together to create a stronger, more healthy community by supporting each other as best we can!
Paper Boat is at 6040 California SW.
Also closing because advised “social distancing” would not be possible – The Little Gym of West Seattle. From their announcement:
After very careful consideration following yesterday’s announcements by Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Public Schools, we have made the difficult decision that we must close the Little Gym of West Seattle for a minimum of 14 days, effective Friday, March 13th due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). We are basing this decision on recommendations issued by Governor Jay Inslee, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
As of this time, we would plan to reopen Friday, March 27th, however as this is a rapidly-changing situation, we will continue to monitor and assess, and take into account any recommendations or mandates from government agencies.
We know there will be many questions about what this means for you. We are working through this and are prepared to take your questions and concerns as best as we can. Thank you for your patience and graciousness during this unprecedented event.
As we have mentioned in classes, our goal was to keep our doors open as long as possible in order to support our students and families. Our incredible teachers and TLG families / students have been diligent in our commitment to enhanced cleaning and illness protocols, and we appreciate everyone’s effort. Closing is in no way because of a failure in those practices. Despite our best efforts to remain open, we cannot continue to do so and still be in compliance with social distancing regulations. We have a responsibility, as a company who works with all your children, to comply with these guidelines in order to ensure a safer and healthier community for all.
We realize no decision we could make would satisfy every person that attends TLG. We know that we are a respite for many of our students and families, and we have heard from many of you that you were thankful we remained open. We are saddened to take a two-week break from our work that we are so passionate about, and more importantly, from the students that are like family to us.
However, we know that if our community is to stop the spread of this virus, that we have an obligation to adhere to the same actions. Even though we fall well below the 250-person regulation, we cannot safely adhere to social distancing. It is impossible to conduct progressive and safe gymnastics if we are unable to spot our kids, and keep everyone separated by at least six feet at all times. We also worry about putting our vulnerable populations at greater risk by continuing the spread of this virus so feel the most responsible thing we can do.
What does this mean for families enrolled in classes and paying tuition?
This schedule of makeup classes will take some time for us to put together logistically, but please know we will work on a solution to try and accommodate all our members. …
We’ll continue to publish business announcements – what IS continuing/staying open/happening, as well as closures/cancellations – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction says it has to cancel its new production “Saint Joan” – planned to open tonight, after a preview performance last night – because it’s “unable to meet the [new Public Health] requirements, especially those of social distancing.” They’ll be “working over the next few weeks to determine if we can offer ‘Saint Joan’ later in our season schedule.” And AW adds it will email ticketholders with info when they have it. The announcement on the AW website also notes that this will hurt, as they’re a nonprofit dependent on ticket revenue; here’s how to donate if you can.
(Governor’s Office photo)
2:04 PM: Governor Inslee has just announced that ALL K-12 schools in King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties must be closed by next Tuesday, and won’t be able to reopen before April 27th. He says this is a “tipping point” if there is hope of slowing the COVID-19 outbreak. (Most, but not all, schools in our area already have closed or announced closure plans.) He says this might have to expand to other counties but right now he’s starting with these three. “Our top priority is reducing the number of infections and deaths.”
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal says that while it’s good that kids aren’t being affected as much by the virus, they can be “carriers.” Regarding the return to school on April 27th, he says they’ll be “constantly reviewing” that plan. He says King County schools’ absence rate has almost doubled recently (6% to 11%). He stresses the point that “this is not like the flu” and systems have to prepare for the possibility of longer closures, including figuring out how distance learning would work. Reykdal says everyone should think of next week as “spring break” so that substitute education, food, etc., plans can be made. He also says state funding for public schools will “keep flowing.” They’re also still figuring out what this will mean for high-school seniors. State testing, however, will likely be entirely suspended, he says.
Will these lost days have to be made up? Reykdal says they’ve advised districts that likely some days – assuming schools DO resume April 27th – will have to be made up, but there’s no “mathematical” way that ALL the lost days can or will be made up.
As for colleges, any still open need to be getting ready for potential closures, the governor says.
2:57 PM: The briefing is over so we’ve taken down the live-video window and put up a still photo. (If/when we find archived video, we’ll add it.) Here’s the governor’s news release.
5:01 PM: Here’s the video:
The Highland Park Elementary PTA is working to ensure community members stay fed. If you need help – or can offer help – here’s what Laura Olson, co-president, sent us along with the photos:
We are here at Highland Park Elementary, handing out grocery bags of food and sack lunches to our school families. We’ll be here all day, until 7 and again tomorrow.
Food is available to our community members in need; please stop by. We are taking donations of food or volunteers, and donations can be made via PayPal to hpemustang@gmail.com. Thank you for your help! The more support we receive, the more families we can help during this school closure.
HPE is at 1012 SW Trenton [map].
(Ruby-crowned Kinglet, photographed by Kersti Muul)
Our list of what’s happening today starts with the West Seattle Art Walk, with local businesses opening their doors “5 pm to late” every second Thursday to feature artists. Here’s the mzp/venue list (PDF); here’s a list of highlights via the WSAW website.
Also during the Art Walk, VAIN (4513 California SW; WSB spomsor) will feature West Seattle jewelry artist Nani O. Pratt, 5-8 pm.
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE: Libraries are open but all branches are closing at 6 tonight “because of staffing shortages.”
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Yes, it’s open. Noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Yes, it’s open. 5-8 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
OPEN MIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all genres. No cover, all ages. (5612 California SW)
Now – what’s not happening (from our full cancellations, postponements, changes list):
(update) CANCELED – “Saint Joan” at ArtsWest
CANCELED – Playspace at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene
CANCELED – Words, Writers, Southwest Stories
CANCELED – Optimum Life Wellness Fair at Brookdale West Seattle
Please continue sending in not only cancellations/changes but also announcements of what IS happening – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – business info welcome too – thank you!
Metro‘s regular “service change” is coming up March 21st, and we’ve been watching for the full list of systemwide changes. They’re now up on the Metro website. Turns out the big change for West Seattle is one we’ve already reported – bus-stop removals meant to speed up Route 50, but affecting other routes. They’re not the only ones – the service-change website says, “Twenty-seven stops will be closed along Route 50 to improve performance. Some closures will also impact routes 55, 56, 57, 128, and 775.” Here’s our February report on the West Seattle stops being removed, and why. The new timetables for all the affected routes are linked from the service-change webpage.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts so far. First day of closure for many more schools, including all Seattle Public Schools – here’s our full list of local closures announced so far.
WEEKEND REMINDER: The NB Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to be closed for maintenance, Friday at 10 pm until Saturday at 8 am.
This was the biggest news day in the 12 days since our area’s first COVID-19 case was announced. Here are today’s many (mostly) local toplines:
CROWD BANS & BUSINESS GUIDANCE: The day began with Governor Inslee announcing that in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties – whose executives and biggest-city mayors joined him for the occasion – he’s banning gatherings of 250+ people. Here’s our coverage, including video. As for smaller gatherings – King County is banning those too, unless new rules are followed. Plus, SKC Public Health has new guidance so that retail businesses can keep operating (read about that here).
P.S> – DON’T CALL 911 … to report big crowds, the King County Sheriff’s Office says.
SCHOOLS CLOSING: The biggest announcement today came at noontime from Seattle Public Schools – closing as of tomorrow, for at least two weeks. Most independent/parochial schools have followed, and at least one other nearby public district (Vashon Island, starting Friday). We have launched a school-closure list to track them all, and will continue adding to it.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From this afternoon’s daily Seattle-King County Public Health news release:
Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/10/20
234 confirmed cases (up 44 from yesterday)
26 confirmed deaths (up 4 from yesterday)The four deaths being reported today were all among previously reported cases. These additional deaths include:
A woman in her 90s, Life Care Center resident, died on 3/3.
A man in his 90s, Life Care Center resident, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, died on 3/5.
A woman in her 60s, Life Care Center resident, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, died on 3/9.
A woman in her 90s, a resident of Redmond Care and Rehab, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, died on 3/10.Of the 26 deaths reported, 22 are associated with Life Care Center.
FOR STATEWIDE NUMBERS … go here – including not just cases and deaths by county, but also total number of tests, positive and negative.
FOR A WORLDWIDE LOOK … go here.
CHURCH CHANGES: Not only did the Archdiocese of Seattle order Catholic schools to close, the Archbishop has also suspended public Masses.
YOUTH SPORTS: The West Seattle Little League has canceled “all games, practices, clinics, and events.” School sports were already being affected – CYO sports already had been called off for this weekend, and the SPS middle-school basketball playoffs too.
AS FOR PRO SPORTS … the crowd restrictions are affecting the start of the Mariners season – here’s what the team said today. Meantime, Sounders FC has postponed its March 21st home match.
CRUISE SEASON DELAYED: Last Sunday, we reported that the first cruise ship due in Seattle this season, on April 1st, was the coronavirus-beset Grand Princess. Today the Port of Seattle announced that sailing and the second one of the season are canceled.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? We hope to publish many more answers to this question in the days ahead. Tonight, the West Seattle Food Bank says what it needs most is money.
WHAT’S CANCELED, POSTPONED, CHANGED LOCALLY: We’re continuing to update our West Seattle list – see it here. If your organization, business, church, school, group, etc. has cancellations, postponements, changes, PLEASE let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302.
WSB CONTINUING COVERAGE: All the stories published on WSB related to the COVID-19 situation are categorized so that you can find them anytime at westseattleblog.com/category/coronavirus. We’re also using Twitter (@westseattleblog) for instant bursts. Any local info you’re NOT finding, please let us know so we can try to serve you better.
Many have asked how they can help neighbors in the midst of all this. We sent that question to the West Seattle Food Bank, for starters. Here’s how executive director Fran Yeatts replied, with an update on ther operations as well as what you can do to help:
We want to keep our community healthy while still ensuring access to basic needs!
In light of the news regarding COVID-19, we are taking measures to keep our spaces safe for clients and volunteers. It is our priority to keep our community healthy while continuing to ensure all our neighbors have access to food, emergency financial assistance, diapers, and other basic needs.
Here’s how we are moving forward with our services:
· At this time, the Food Bank will remain open. We have slightly expanded hours in order to limit the number of individuals in the food bank at one time. Our lobby is closed so shoppers are waiting outside. We are continually cleaning surfaces and carts and encouraging social distancing while at the food bank.
The Clothesline will be closed until further notice.
We continue to process requests for financial assistance for eviction notices and utility shut off notices.
We will communicate with community partners to determine how to best ensure our students stay fed during school closures.
We will continue to provide Home Delivery services to those on our list and add deliveries as able for individuals unable to get to the food bank due to illness.
We will not be taking any new orders through the Baby & Child Corner but will distribute orders on hand and diapers & supplies if they are available.
People at higher risk for COVID-19 infection and anyone in poor health are encouraged to stay home.
Here’s how you can help:
· Financial assistance allows us the flexibility of using funds for specific needs that arise from this situation. If interested in providing financial assistance, please donate here.
· This is a very fluid situation. As we identify additional ways this community can assist, we will keep you posted.
As we’ve been reporting, the West Seattle Food Bank recently merged with the West Seattle Helpline, so its mission is broader than ever, keeping people from becoming homeless, as well as fighting hunger.
The Senior Center of West Seattle serves thousands of local residents, so we’ve been publishing updates on how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting its operations and programs. The latest from interim director Amy Lee Derenthal:
March 11, 2020
The Senior Center of West Seattle (SCWS) shares your concerns about the rapidly evolving and expanding global novel coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time, there are no cases of COVID-19 at the SCWS, nor any staff with symptoms.
The SCWS will continue to be closed except for essential programs listed below through March 31st following the Seattle School Closure notice and recommendations from the King County Department of Public Health.
SCWS ESSENTIAL PROGRAM UPDATE
–Community Dining – sack lunches are available between 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
–Food Bank distributions on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
–Meals on Wheels will be delivered as normal on Wednesdays.
–Social Workers are continuing outreach and will have office hours for individuals as needed.
–Stop and Shop: We will keep the Stop and Shop open as long as we have volunteer coverage. Communications will go out as we know more and if we have to close.
Please call the Senior Center at 206-932-4044 if you have questions about these services.
With three Catholic churches in West Seattle, along with at least one chapel, this is of note – forwarded by Helen at Our Lady of Guadalupe:
Archbishop Etienne has just finished recording a message to the people of the Archdiocese. In the video, he expresses that out of abundance of caution, and despite our best efforts to slow this rapidly spreading virus down, he has suspended all public Masses effective immediately. We have not seen a contagion of this magnitude in our country for 100 years and it is important that we take it seriously. We recognize that there are many implications to this decision and there will be additional communication forthcoming as the situation unfolds. Here is the link to the Archbishop’s video.
Catholic schools in the area are also under orders to close starting Monday; we’re adding them to our newly launched school-closures list.
In addition to the Seattle Public Schools decision to close starting Thursday, more local independent schools are making their decisions as well. We have started an ongoing page to track West Seattle school closures since we’d already reported on several in recent days.
Announced today:
Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), starting Thursday 3/12 (details)
Hope Lutheran School, after Friday 3/13 (details)
Tilden School (WSB sponsor), starting Thursday
Seattle Lutheran HS, no classes after Thursday 3/12 (details)
Holy Rosary School – starting Thursday (details)
Our Lady of Guadalupe, no classes after Thursday 3/12 (details)
Holy Family, no classes after Thursday (details)
A Child Becomes Preschool (WSB sponsor) as of Thursday
The Cove School – starting Monday
West Seattle Montessori
Not West Seattle but of local relevance & announced today
(added 7:51 pm) Vashon Island School District, starting Friday 3/13 (details)
Kennedy Catholic HS – no classes after Thursday (details)
Holy Names
Bishop Blanchet
O’Dea
Any others? We’re doing our best to check around but it helps to hear directly – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – we’ll update this, and our new school-closures master-list page, with whatever more we get.
12:36 PM: Seattle Public Schools are closing, according to an announcement sent to staff.
“Together, we are facing an unprecedented health crisis in our community. In our response to COVID-19, we must depend on the wisdom of our health experts and elected officials and lean on the resolve of our strong community.
We have been following the guidance of Public Health Seattle & King County and implementing preventive and responsive strategies, but in light of Governor Inslee’s request that all citizens practice measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is now time for the district to act swiftly. Starting tomorrow, Thursday March 12, Superintendent Denise Juneau and the Seattle School Board will close Seattle Public Schools for a minimum of 14 days as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently guides. This necessary action is an effective way to disrupt widespread infection.
Beginning Thursday, March 12, all school building activities including school day instruction, childcare, health services, enrichment, etc. are canceled until further notice. Today, March 11, childcare and extended day supports will continue as planned. We have an emergency food plan which will be put into place on Monday, March 16. More information will be provided directly to families by Friday, March 13.”
12:51 PM: A letter has now been sent to families too. (Thanks for the forwards!) It’s now on the SPS website. The district is having a media briefing at 2:30 pm.
1:36 PM: The district tells us it will stream the briefing here.The news release we just received (see it here, PDF) clarifies that the closure will be for a minimum of 14 CALENDAR DAYS.
2:35 PM: The news conference is under way – watch here – and we will add any notes of interest. Superintendent Denise Juneau reiterates that not offering online instruction is a matter of equity. … School Board president Zachary DeWolf addresses students directly, both asking them to do their part, and saying the district is working to address questions such as how this lost time will affect on-time graduation. … Also speaking, Seattle Council PTSA president Manuela Slye, a West Seattleite, asking families to reach out to her organization t help coordinate volunteer help – president@scptsa.org .
2:59 PM: They’ve clarified that 14 calendar days means not the school calendar, but the actual calendar, two weeks.
(11:20 AM NOTE: Video now available for playback – you may have to advance a while to get to the start)
10:17 AM: Click “watch” (and then “play”) to see live video from the news conference Gov. Jay Inslee is having in downtown Seattle right now with county executives and mayors from the metro area “to announce new community strategies and social distancing plans to contain COVID-19.” We’ll publish as-it-happens notes below.
10:23 AM: Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan introduced the governor: “This will be hard … we’ll get through it.” Inslee thanks everyone for following guidelines on social distancing and cleanliness. “It is clear our state needs a more vigorous, comprehensive position” to stop COVID-19. “This is not your ordinary flu … this is a virus … at least 10 times more potentially fatal than the flu.” Starting today, he says, “certain events in King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties with more than 250 people are prohibited by order of the governor” – civic, recreational, faith-based, with more than 250 people. “This prohibition could be expanded in the days to come.” He says this will be an “effective tactic.” He says the “world scientific community” was consulted as well as “the experience of other communities.” The prohibition is in effect “through March” but “could be extended.”
10:32 AM: Inslee reiterates that he’s asking as many employers as possible to have workers telecommute. He’s also asking businesses to implement “social distancing … in a way that can … allow you to continue. This is key to success.” He’s asking public transit “to follow King County’s lead” in expanded cleaning measures. He also says you may need to talk with your health-care providers about delaying elective surgery.
About schools, he says: “The good news is that our children are relatively free of serious disease (with this) …” but can spread it. So he’s asking all schools “to begin contingency plans” for potential closures, including figuring out how to keep kids fed and cared for. “It is expected I will give more guidance in the next few days” and he will be talking to district superintendents in the three counties later today.
King County Executive Dow Constantine says Public Health will issue an order canceling SMALLER (than 250 people) events unless very specific health guidelines are followed. But he adds, “Business can and must continue … if they are able to meet these criteria.” If unstopped, the number can double “every 5 to 7 days,” he says. He thanks the business community for “finding ways … to make their workforce and the public safer.”
10:43 AM: Constantine makes way for Seattle-King County Public Health’s Dr. Jeff Duchin.”I want to fully acknowledge the disruption these actions will cause in people’s lives.” He adds, “We expect a large-scale outbreak in weeks” and says this is like “a major earthquake that will shake us for weeks and weeks.” He says the social-distancing measures will “delay the spread” of the illness and adds that while most who get sick will have only “mild illness,” this is vital because those at high-risk will be much sicker. “Minimizing the number of people who become ill” will lessen the strain on the health-care system. “This outbreak will go on for weeks and likely for months.”
He says his order (the “fewer than 250” one) is NOT intended to apply to “grocery or other retail establishments” or to “family events.” He urges everyone to look at new CDC recommendations on “community mitigation.”
Duchin introduces Pierce Co. Executive Bruce Dammeier, who in turn is followed by Snohomish Co. Executive Dave Somers. Dammeier makes a point of note for all – this will affect many nonprofits that have fundraisers this time of year; please keep supporting them.
10:55 AM: Governor returns to the microphone and reads a message from Italy saying people shouldn’t underestimate this. It’s not the flu, the person in Italy told him – “people can’t breathe.” Following him, Dr. Duchin shows a chart from an expert showing what could happen in terms of the outbreak growing if social distancing is NOT implemented.
11 AM: Now Q&A with reporters – Inslee says his order is legally binding but “we don’t expect enforcement to be (necessary)” because he expects people to want to save lives. (“You might be killing your granddad if you don’t do it.” But there are steps that could be taken if needed. He’s then asked for the rationale behind choosing 250 as a threshold. “What we did after long consideration … this was a level (at which you can control crowds, social distancing).” He also repeated that the federal government is expected to issue some similar guidelines.
Will he use the National Guard? “As necessary … to supplement, where we need logistical help … (and) potential medical assistance” if hospitals become overloaded.
Asked again about enforcement, Constantine says “we’re not going to have public-health police running around.”
Asked for details on his forthcoming order re: smaller-than-250 gatherings, Duchin says people at higher risk will be asked not to attend, that employees are to be screened for symptoms each day, that sanitizer (etc.) be readily available for attendees/customers. “We realize we can’t stop all people from getting together in the community, and we don’t want to, life goes on …” they’re just trying to reduce the risk.
He also says, “If you don’t NEED to be in a health-care setting, don’t go.” That would include visiting people, non-essential medical services, etc. … Meantime, Inslee stresses that he’s asking people to do everything possible. And he says for decisionmakers, “This is not easy work.” In response to another Q, he says they are trying to avoid having to shut down cities (etc.) as has happened in other nations.
(Governor’s Office photo)
11:12 AM: News conference is over. We will add any related links we get – we’ve already added the governor’s proclamation above – and note that the video IS available for playback (above and here).
–Governor’s summary here (including the chart mentioned above)
11:47 AM: Here’s more on the county health officer’s order.
12:40 PM: As we’ve reported separately, Seattle Public Schools is closing for at least two weeks starting tomorrow.
(Seals at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, photographed by Stewart L.)
Again today and TFN, our daily list is in two parts. First, what IS happening today/tonight:
‘EARLY DESIGN’ SITE WALK: We verified this morning that this IS still happening at 6056 41st SW- it’s an outdoor event: 11 am “early design outreach” site walk, at this location proposed for two small apartment buildings, as previewed here. (41st/Graham)
COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE: Second day for this ride, all welcome – meet at 4 pm on the Les Schwab corner. (Fauntleroy/Alaska)
PING-PONG: 7 pm at Admiral Pub, weekly tournament. 21+. (2306 California SW)
‘SAINT JOAN’: Pay-what-you-can preview night, 7:30 pm at ArtsWest. (4711 California SW)
ONLINE ‘CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT GROUP’: Counselor Eileen Dey Wurst is starting this twice weekly, 7:30 pm Wednesdays and 6 pm Sundays:
Let’s join online with Zoom and spend some time in a safe and supportive space checking in about our experience of the last week followed by a calming meditation for ourselves, our community and the globe.
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: 9 pm, live music with Joe Doria’s McTuff featuring Esshan Karimi and Cole Schuster. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(Tuesday afternoon clouds over the Olympics, photographed by Lynn Hall)
What’s NOT happening – from our changes, cancellations, postponements list:
(added) CANCELED – Talarico’s Trivia Night
CANCELED – Running Start info session at West Seattle High School
CANCELED – 34th District Democrats‘ meeting
CANCELED – Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting
CANCELED – Poetry/Storytelling @ C & P Coffee
CANCELED – American Legion Post 160 meeting
CANCELED – Seattle Public Library events – here’s SPL’s current plan
CANCELED – Senior Center of West Seattle programs/events (except what’s specified in the newest update)
CANCELED – Some Seattle Parks programs – most recent update here
Please continue sending in not only cancellations/changes but also announcements of what IS happening – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:04 AM: Good morning! We just checked around – no incidents or alerts so far.
WEEKEND REMINDER: Northbound Highway 99 Tunnel is scheduled to be closed for maintenance, Friday (March 13) 10 pm-Saturday (March 14) 8 am.
Auto theft continues to run higher than usual in West Seattle, according to what Southwest Precinct operatisns commander Lt. Steve Strand told the Fauntleroy Community Association board tonight. (More on the meeting tomorrow.) Here’s a reader report we received tonight from NJ:
I’m on the hunt for my 1993 Subaru Impreza Wagon, teal blue, license plate AIN2495. It was stolen sometime between 9 pm March 9 and 6 am March 10, from the 4700 block of 48th Ave SW. It is likely parked/abandoned in West Seattle, as the transmission was in need of repair and probably wasn’t much fun to drive around. I am hoping someone will spot the car in their neighborhood. It has been reported to the police.
If you see it, call 911 ASAP. (And then let us know so we can get word to NJ!)
We start tonight’s roundup with a look ahead to tomorrow:
GOVERNOR PLANS ANNOUNCEMENT: According to a media advisory we received, Gov. Jay Inslee will be in Seattle tomorrow for a 10:15 am announcement with the King, Snohomish, and Pierce County executives and Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett mayors. The advisory says they’ll “announce new community strategies and social distancing plans to contain COVID-19.” It will be streamed at this link (we’ll also embed that for live coverage here on WSB). Regional outlets say the announcement will include a ban on events bringing 250+ people together.
TODAY’S KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the daily Seattle-King County Public Health news release:
Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/9/20
190 confirmed cases (up 74 from yesterday)
22 confirmed deaths (up 2 from yesterday)The two deaths being reported today include:
A woman in her 80s, a resident of Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, was hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah, and died on 3/8/20. (This case was previously reported as a positive case on 3/7/20, in an earlier case count.)
A male in his 80s, a resident of Ida Culver House, was hospitalized at University of Washington Medical Center, and died on 3/9/20. (This case was previously reported as a positive case on 3/6/20, in an earlier case count.)
Of the 22 deaths reported, 19 are associated with Life Care Center.
FOR STATEWIDE NUMBERS … go here.
FOR A WORLDWIDE LOOK … go here.
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: First SPS school with a confirmed case is Aki Kurose Middle School (not in West Seattle). Here’s the SPS news release (PDF), which notes, “There are no other known cases of positive test results at Aki Kurose Middle School or any other SPS school or facility.” Meantime, a parent tipped us that the inTandem program at the old Roxhill building (30th/Roxbury) will be closed tomorrow – here’s the notice (PDF), which says, “Today almost half of our students and twenty-percent of our staff were absent or presenting with cold and influenza. For these reasons we have decided to close the program tomorrow, March 11.” We asked SPS if any other programs in that building are affected; no word yet.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL CLOSING AS A PRECAUTION: The first major independent-school closure announced in West Seattle is Westside School (WSB sponsor) in Arbor Heights, which will close its campus starting Thursday – here’s how that was announced today.
LITTLE PILGRIM PRESCHOOL CLOSED AS A PRECAUTION: The preschool at Fauntleroy UCC has closed as a precaution, too; here’s that announcement.
THE KENNEY RESTRICTS VISITORS: This too is a precautionary move, announced today
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES: Here’s our story about how businesses in The Junction are responding. Meantime, the city has announced an “initial package” it hopes will help small businesses stay afloat despite the loss of revenue.
NO UTILITY SHUTOFFS: The city also has announced it won’t shut off electricity, water, or sewer services during the civil emergency – details here.
BIKE-RIDE FOLLOWUP: As noted Monday, West Seattleite Kevin Freitas is launching a daily 4 pm bike ride. He tweeted from the first one:
Had fun with some neighbor friends I knew and some new on a bike “commute” ride this afternoon for those of us in West #Seattle working from home. #seabikes #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/9CLQxsL06E
— Kevin Freitas (@kevinfreitas) March 11, 2020
WHAT’S CANCELED, POSTPONED, CHANGED LOCALLY: We’re continuing to update our West Seattle list – see it here. If your organization, business, church, school, group, etc. has cancellations, postponements, changes, PLEASE let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302.
WSB CONTINUING COVERAGE: Everything we publish related to the COVID-19 situation is categorized so that you can find it anytime at westseattleblog.com/category/coronavirus. We’re also using Twitter (@westseattleblog) for instant bursts..
First numbers are in for the presidential primary. First, the STATEWIDE numbers (updated 9:52 pm):
Bernie Sanders – 335,498 – 32.71%
Joseph R. Biden – 333,414 – 32.51%
Elizabeth Warren – 126,093 – 12.29%
Michael Bloomberg – 113,422 – 11.06%
Pete Buttigieg – 59,868 – 5.84%
Amy Klobuchar – 31,425 – 3.06%
Tulsi Gabbard – 8,550 – 0.83%
Andrew Yang – 4,872 – 0.48%
Uncommitted Delegates – 4,828 – 0.47%
Tom Steyer – 3,098 – 0.3%
Michael Bennet – 1,561 0.15%
Write-in – 1,110 – 0.11%
Cory Booker – 1,054 – 0.1%
John Delaney – 461 – 0.04%
Deval Patrick – 393 – 0.04%
We will update those numbers as the evening goes on. Next, here are KING COUNTY numbers, and since the next release is not until tomorrow, these will NOT change tonight (10:03 pm, substituted ordered table for screengrab):
Bernie Sanders – 130,621 – 33.61%
Joseph R. Biden – 126,252 – 32.49%
Elizabeth Warren – 59,078 – 15.20%
Michael Bloomberg – 34,011 – 8.75%
Pete Buttigieg – 20,041 – 5.16%
Amy Klobuchar – 11,453 – 2.95%
Tulsi Gabbard 2,281 0.59%
Andrew Yang – 1,752 – 0.45%
Uncommitted Delegates – 1,121 – 0.29%
Tom Steyer – 729 – 0.19%
Michael Bennet – 394 – 0.10%
Cory Booker – 350 – 0.09%
Write-in – 339 – 0.09 %
Deval Patrick 112 0.03 %
John Delaney – 99 – 0.03%
The Republican primary was uncontested.
Thanks to the reader who tipped us that West Seattle’s remaining Baja Taco, on the east side of Jefferson Square, is closed, with a document titled “Default Notice” taped to the door. We went over for a look last night; the top page of the notice is a demand for rent payment. We checked court files and have not yet found anything related to rent, though the state filed an $11,000 action in late January claiming unpaid taxes. We went back this afteroon to check – still closed, with the notice still taped to the door. The restaurant briefly closed in November 2018; then reopened under new ownership. The Westwood Village BT closed permanently last August and the space is part of the soon-to-open Westwood Village MOD Pizza.
Received from The Kenney retirement complex in West Seattle:
John Cruz, The Kenney Executive Director, has announced that The Kenney, a Heritage senior living community in West Seattle, has issued a voluntary stop placement on all visitors.
The Kenney currently has NO confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, they are taking precautions.
Cruz shared, “At The Kenney, our residents and those we serve are our highest concern. The health and safety of both our residents and staff is of the utmost importance, and we are taking action to reduce the risk of exposure for all. In following Governor Inslee’s orders as of today, 3/10/2020, The Kenney is issuing a proactively voluntary stop placement. Our staff have been well trained in preparation to support our residents.”
Effectively immediately, The Kenney will restrict all visitors except for those visiting end-of-life residents. End-of-life residents may have one visitor per day, age 18 or older. All visitors will be screened for illness before being allowed to visit using a screening questionnaire. To reduce the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses, The Kenney is also restricting all visitors younger than 18 years of age until further notice.
Presently, any individuals, including vendors and employees, are being screened daily before entering a building. Ancillary services should provide and were wear personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the crisis. Those who exhibit any symptoms, have recently traveled, or have been near anyone ill with symptoms are not currently being granted entrance.
The Kenney staff have prepared extensively, and Executive Director John Cruz shared he has confidence in the team. “The Kenney and Heritage have taken a proactive approach to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19 within its communities. Heritage has formed a COVID-19 task force, including experts in the fields of nursing homes, and senior housing.”
Today’s Seattle-King County Public Health update on COVID-19 notes that 10 long-term-care facilities in the county “have reported residents and/or employees who tested positive for the virus”; none are in West Seattle.
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