Also in this edition: City of Seattle launches a new marketplace for face coverings, and debuts a new initiative to foster togetherness



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In the midst of this public health crisis, our top priority has been working to help residents stay safe and healthy, and to mitigate against the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in our region, especially for the most vulnerable.

As recent reports highlight, the virus has disproportionally impacted nursing homes across the country. In King County, 64% of the COVID-19 related deaths have been associated with longterm care facilities.

In Seattle, there are 191 skilled nursing, assisted living, and adult family homes with approximately 6,550 residents and 4,000 workers. Currently, we know that there are at least 30 such facilities with one or more positive COVID-19 cases. Many of us have parents, loved ones, or friends who live, work, or are currently residing at these facilities.

Beginning in mid-April, to add capacity and assist in the challenge, the City pioneered new Seattle Fire Department Mobile Assessment Teams to deploy testing to facilities in Seattle. We have more than 20 members of SFD trained that are conducting tests and follow-up for our Citys long-term care facilities. This work is saving lives, and we will continue to expand it at the City level as much as we can.

Because significant infection is spread by asymptomatic individuals, the goal is to conduct universal testing of every resident and worker at these facilities with positive cases and growing infections. I will continue fighting for more test kits and advocating at the state and federal level for universal testing at these facilities, including regular testing of residents and staff.

As we continue to monitor our long-term care facilities, we are equally concerned and working to mitigate the fact that this virus continues to be a threat to other locations with our most vulnerable populations with shared common spaces and facilities: shelters, senior housing, independent living facilities, permanent supportive housing, or retirement communities. The City worked closely with the County to add significant new resources for individuals experiencing homelessness - from repurposing City facilities into 24/7 shelters to working with our King County partners on supporting wrap-around services that allow residents to temporarily reside in hotels outside of the City to providing meals and increasing access to hygiene services with new portable restrooms and hygiene trailers. Over the last month, the City has also worked with Public Health Seattle & King County to ensure shelter staff and residents have access to rapid testing.

As we look forward towards truly stemming the spread of COVID-19, we will continue to coordinate with Public Health - Seattle & King County and the County Executive to help those most vulnerable and to expand more testing capacity in the City of Seattle.

Thank you and stay safe.



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City Announces Seattle Protects Online Marketplace to Connect Local Manufacturers and Businesses with Organizations, Communities, and Individuals in Need of Cloth Face Coverings
Bundles of cloth masks on a wooden background.

This week, the Mayor launchedSeattle Protects [ [link removed] ], which is a new online marketplace to connect local manufacturers with organizations, businesses, nonprofits, community groups, and individuals in need of cloth face coverings. Seattle Protects is a new economic development and public health effort by the City to encourage local organizations in search of face coverings to purchase from Seattle-region midsize manufacturers and businesses that have pivoted to creating face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 11, 2020, Public Health Seattle & King County announceda new directive [ [link removed] ]instructing King County residents to wear cloth face coverings in all indoor public settings and 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 of Seattle Launches Seattle Together Initiative to Create Community During COVID-19 Pandemic

Mayor Durkan this week announced the City of Seattles newSeattle Together [ [link removed] ]initiative, which is designed to celebrate ideas, share resources and events, and connect community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Seattle Together initiative asks community members to amplify stories of good work and resiliency by residents, elevate resources and share best practices, and build relationships as Seattle residents continue to follow the statewide Stay Home, Stay Healthy order and physical distancing guidance.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Seattle, necessary public health guidance has undoubtedly taken a toll on the economic, physical, and mental health of residents.Seattle Together [ [link removed] ]will help people connect by lifting up community-generated ideas, highlighting philanthropic efforts, and sharing information about City resources. Seattle Together features local artistic content, mental health breaks, physical activities, and helpful resources designed to provide respite and hope for our community.

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Ballard, Madrona, U District, and West Seattle Farmers Markets Open This Weekend

The City has worked with public health and the farmers markets to rethink our farmers markets to including drive-throughs, online ordering, and new social distancing guidance so that individuals can continue to pick up healthy food safely. During the weekends, Ballard, Madrona, U District, and West Seattle farmers markets continue to be open in Seattle. This week, the Queen Anne Farmers Market will also begin operations with new

Image of a bag of fresh vegetables spilling out over a charcoal colored counter

The City will continue to work with the farmers markets to monitor compliance with necessary public health practices. Customer and vendor compliance is critical to ensuring the continued opening of the farmers markets.Before you shop, please review this list of customer and vendor responsibilities and expectations, and consider taking the shopper oath. [ [link removed] ]

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Increasing Hygiene Access for Our Most Vulnerable Residents, Shower Trailers Deploying in Seattle

The City of Seattle has deployed two shower trailers in locations across the City to support the hygiene needs for individuals experiencing homelessness within their communities. Beginning this week, King Street Station will host a shower trailer five days per week, and a mobile shower trailer will be hosted in Lake City and Seattle Center, with more locations under consideration. King Street Station will also receive a hygiene station. In addition, a hygiene map,located on HSD website [ [link removed] ], that represents all open and available facilities was launched with this effort.

Each shower trailer includes three shower stalls, three toilets and three sinks. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. Clients can place reservations 30 minutes before operations begin and showers, toilets and sinks will be sanitized after each use. The King Street Station will be available Monday to Friday, scheduled to begin May 22. The roving trailer will be hosted two consecutive days per week at Seattle Center beginning May 21 and 22, but typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning May 26. Lake City will host on Saturday and Sunday beginning May 30 but additional locations are under consideration and will be announced soon. The City has contracted with the Millionair Club to staff and maintain the trailers.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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