Also in this edition: The City donates 45,000 face coverings, curbside pickup zones for retail, and more!



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In Washington, thanks to quick action and strong compliance to physical distancing measures, we have flattened the curve, saved lives, and prevented our health care systems from becoming overwhelmed. But we must remember that there are more cases in our community now than in early March when we began restrictions. Now is not the time to slow down on our public health efforts, or we could risk a surge of the virus.

Thats why Public Health Seattle & King County issued a Local Health Officer Directive [ [link removed] ] that instructs King County residents to wear a cloth face covering in indoor public spaces or confined spaces where it could be difficult to maintain six feet of physical distancing.

[ [link removed] ]

This Directive is critical to slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that communities cover their noses and mouths with a cloth face covering to prevent inadvertently spreading the COVID-19 virus while interacting with others outside their homes, especially in areas, like Seattle, with significant community-based transmission.

And this Directive does not substitute necessary hygiene and social distancing practices. Please continue to practice good hygiene and keep six feet between yourself and other people. Face coverings, physical distancing, and good hygiene are part of our new normal here in Seattle and King County.

At the City, we also know that accessing face coverings can be a barrier to some communities. Thats why the City is providing 45,000 free cloth face coverings [ [link removed] ] to vulnerable communities including immigrants and refugees, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness. The City will also distribute masks to food banks and meal providers including Seattle Public Schools and Meals on Wheels, and the City will distribute at the Citys hygiene centers and shelters.

Please know that you do not need to buy a face covering to comply with this directive. Cloth face coverings can include things like scarves, hijabs, and bandannas. And they can also be easily made from any cotton fabric like a t-shirt. The CDC has step-by-step instructions on how to make a cloth face covering here [ [link removed] ].

Infographic depicting many different types of face coverings and instructions for wearing them

Please know that deaf, hard of hearing, and other individuals who rely on face and mouth movements to communicate do not need to comply with this directive. And please dont purchase an N95 mask or another kind of medical-grade mask those arent necessary to comply with this directive. We need to save those materials for our first responders and health care workers on the frontlines of this pandemic.

Finally dont discriminate. There are good reasons, including medical reasons, why some people cannot wear a face covering, and that is why some people are exempted in the Directive. If you experience or witness an act of harassment or bias, please report it to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights [ [link removed] ]. And if its an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Wearing a cloth face covering is part of our new normal here in Seattle and King County. Its up to all of us to protect the health and safety of our communities.

Thank you and stay safe.

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Mayor Durkan Announces Curbside Pick-up Zones For Seattle Retail Shops

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced additional measures to help support small businesses safely. Starting tomorrow, the Seattle Department of Transportation will begin installing temporary curbside priority pick-up zones to support safe, easy, and critical access to Seattle retail businesses that are open for curbside pick-up.

We know that defeating COVID-19 and helping our economy recover will be a long process. That is why we are increasing our support to businesses in Seattle by creating priority pick up zones so residents can do their shopping remotely and pick up from our local businesses, said Mayor Jenny Durkan. During this unprecedented time, it remains the Citys top priority to keep people healthy and safe, and we will continue to explore ways to turn the dial on reopening that dont reverse the progress weve made to flatten the curve. I encourage all our Seattle residents to shop local and patronize your local shops. We will get through this together.

TheState of Washington now allows retail stores to re-open for curbside pick-up if all guidance is met. To support these businesses, the City of Seattle is installing temporary 15-minute loading zones to facilitate reliable customer access for retail pick-ups. This builds on the Citys earlier announcement of priority pick-up zones for local restaurants. The 15-minute time limit gives people a chance to quickly and safely pick up purchases, while ensuring frequent parking turnover so the locations remain reliably available for wide use.

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Following Countywide Face Covering Health Directive, Mayor Jenny Durkan Announces that Seattle Will Provide Over 45,000 Cloth Face Coverings to Most Vulnerable Seattle Residents

Following Public Health Seattle & King Countys Local Health Directive, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced that the City of Seattle will provide over 45,000 free cloth face coverings to vulnerable communities, including people experiencing homelessness, low-income older adults, and food bank staff. As one of the regions largest employers, the City will also provide cloth face coverings for every City of Seattle employee. Effective May 18, King County residents must wear cloth face coverings in indoor public settings, on King County Metro buses, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing could be difficult, such as farmers markets. Residents must continue to practice good hygiene and continue physical distancing in addition to wearing cloth face coverings.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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City Allocates Nearly $4 Million in CARES Act Funds to Rental Assistance Programs

This week, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced the allocation of nearly $4 million in federal CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funding to provide rent support. The allocation of funds is the latest in a series of measures by the City aimed at keeping Seattle residents impacted by COVID-19 from losing their housing . The City will provide equitable access to rent assistance resources through community-based organizations with strong connections to diverse communities.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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City of Seattle Invests More than $7 million in Food Access Programs for Older Adults and People Experiencing Homelessness

This week, Mayor Durkan announced that the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) will invest more than $7 million in assistance to local programs that support food access and nutrition for older adults and people experiencing homelessness throughout Seattle and King County. This funding is made possible by federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These funds provide additional support for a variety of programs, including meal delivery to older adults and meals in shelters serving people experiencing homelessness.

Learn more [ [link removed] ]
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ICYMI: QFC and Fred Meyer Announce Partnership with the City of Seattle and the Seattle Mariners for FREE COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing

QFC and Fred Meyer announced a partnership with the City of Seattle and the Seattle Mariners for free COVID-19 drive-thru testing. The first testing will be at the T-Mobile Park in Seattle, May 13-14.

Seattle area residentsMUSTregister atkrogerhealth.com/covidtesting [ [link removed] ]or call 1-888-852-2567 (select option 1, then option 3).

People seeking a test will use a virtual screening tool based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible.

Those eligible will next select a testing location and appointment time. Then, registrants will receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork to complete. When a person arrives for their test, they should have their photo ID ready and should leave their window rolled up for check-in, until a health-care practitioner comes to the car to administer the test.

Read more in the Tacoma News Tribune [ [link removed] ]

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