28 days ago, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in King County. I have worked with Governor Inslee and King County Executive Constantine to deploy measures that will save lives and protect our health care system. As the rest of our region comes together to flatten the curve, I?m continuing to fight for increased testing and working to provide our health care professionals with the vital safety equipment they need to stay healthy as they work to keep the rest of us healthy. The work first responders and health care workers have done to respond to COVID-19 is nothing short of heroic. They are fighting hard for all of us during this challenging time and we need to do everything we can to make their jobs easier. Let?s continue to #MakeaJoyfulNoise.

At the Governor and my request, the US Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA agreed to deploy a military field hospital at Seattle?s CenturyLink Field Event Center to assist the region?s hospitals. 300 soldiers from the 627th Army Hospital from Fort Carson, Colorado have deployed to our City to staff the hospital, which is expected to create at least 150 hospital beds for non-COVID-19 cases. We will work quickly with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to ensure that this field hospital is set up and ready to receive patients soon.

Since my last update earlier this week on the Governor?s ?Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order,? the City of Seattle has launched a series of addition actions:

Emergency Child Care for 700 Children of essential workers including health care professionals, first responders and grocery store workers. Eligible families can access care by visiting http://www.seattle.gov/education on Monday with classrooms expected to begin to open next week.
On-Street Parking Options for Health Care Workers
Collection of PPE Equipment for Our First Responders and Health Care Workers. Fire, emergency medical services, police, and medical facilities in the region are in critical need of PPE supplies for their personnel. Members of the Seattle community who have supplies available can also fill out this survey.
1,900 New Spaces Created for Emergency Shelter and Housing. King County and the City of Seattle are working with partners across the region to create additional shelter space and a range of temporary housing options for people who are unable to isolate and recover in their own homes, or do not have a home.
New Hygiene Facilities for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

This builds on our series of actions that support artists, nonprofits, small businesses, and workers, including:?

Deferring utility payments for customers impacted by COVID-19;
Implementing a temporary moratorium on residential, small business, and nonprofit evictions to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19;
Announcing a small business relief package that included deferred business taxes and a stabilization fund;
Creating a new Arts Recovery Package to provide immediate financial relief to artists and cultural organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19;
Providing 6,250 Seattle families with $800 in grocery vouchers; and
Providing rent relief to tenants of City-owned facilities.

Remember you can visit the City of Seattle?s COVID-19 resources page, which is regularly updated for find the city, county, state and federal resources available.

Every resident needs to continue to do their part: stay home and limit their interactions. The Governor?s ?Stay Home, Stay Healthy? order requires all Washingtonians to stay home unless they are engaging in an essential activity. I know the measures are tough, and greatly affect the day-to-day lives of so many, but they will save lives.

Please know that I am so grateful to everyone in our city during these unprecedented circumstances. We will come through this largely because of our city?s kindness and compassion. Thank you for everything you?re doing. And please stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

$2 Trillion Congressional COVID-19 Plan That Centers Workers, Small Businesses, and Most Vulnerable Communities

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan commended the passage of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Mayor had previously urged Congressional leaders to pass a comprehensive and unprecedented relief plan that centered workers, small businesses, and other vulnerable communities. You can read more about the package here.

Extending the Census Deadline

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan?today sent a letter?to the United States Census Bureau requesting that the Bureau extend the 2020 Census deadline from August 14, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The letter to the Census Bureau was co-led by Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City, Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, and Mayor Sam Liccardo of San Jose. In total, 40 bipartisan mayors from across the country signed onto the letter calling on the Census Bureau to extend the Census deadline.

From March 12-20, households received the first of several invitations to participate in the 2020 Census. This invitation included a unique ID code that can be used to complete the Census online. Seattle residents can go online today, with or without that code, and fill out their Census form at?www.my2020census.gov.

The mayors? letter says that the COVID-19 pandemic has jeopardized cities? ability to secure a complete, safe, and accurate count of their population. With the mandated cessation of all large gatherings and the imposition of social distancing practices, cities and partner organizations, including the Census Bureau, have had to cancel meetings, workshops, community and neighborhood events, as well as a variety of door-to-door canvassing operations.?You can read the full letter here.

West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Closed for Repairs

Even in the midst of a pandemic, the Seattle Department of Transportation has been closely monitoring our critical infrastructure. Out of an abundance of caution, Seattle Department of Transportation closed the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge on Monday to all traffic due to accelerated concrete cracking that was identified during a regular bridge inspection.

All vehicles will be prohibited from crossing the high-rise span of the bridge between I-5 and Fauntleroy Way SW. Buses, freight and emergency vehicles will be moved to Spokane Street Bridge, which is also called the ?low bridge.? Motorists should use the First Ave or South Park bridges. A comprehensive assessment has already begun with a team of experts to determine the extent of the cracking and put together a plan for a near-term repair.