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While there are additional updates on the Governor?s Safe Start plan to reopen King County below, I wanted to address the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
I cannot begin to imagine the deep grief and suffering that his family and loved ones are feeling, and I pray they get the support they need to make it through these dark days.The degrading and brutal way in which Mr. Floyd was treated reflects the deep and systemic impacts of racism in our country, particularly against Black Americans.
The video of his last words echoes through and is magnified by the dark history of our country - from slavery to today. The most fundamental duty of our public safety officials is to protect the lives of our residents while upholding the law.
As a former federal prosecutor, I believe it is right that the officer was charged and will be prosecuted. Those standing by and failing to stop the actions should also bear responsibility. In addition, I believe this should lead to an investigation by the United States Department of Justice.
It?s on all of us to demand better of ourselves, our leaders, and those who are charged with protecting the public peace. I am thankful for the leadership of Chief of Police Carmen Best, and I know her deep commitment to true community policing and to a culture of continuous improvement. I also know the officers of SPD are speaking out against this injustice and want to be held to the highest possible standard by our community.
I understand the pain and frustration that the community is feeling. People will join in Seattle tomorrow to grieve, to protest, and to commit themselves to the cause of justice. We honor and cherish these rights. They make us better as a city and as a nation. I urge those of you who plan to take to the streets to exercise your democratically earned and hard-fought rights to speak out against injustice to do so peacefully.
We must remember that we are also in the midst of a pandemic that has been particularly harsh on our communities of color - we need people to be safe and healthy. Please try to maintain six feet away from others. Please follow COVID-19 precautions like face coverings.
In this difficult time for our community and nation, know that as a city we are stronger when we come together to grieve, demand justice, and keep one another safe.
Thank you and stay safe.
 
Earlier today, Governor Inslee announced that all counties in Washington state are eligible to apply to reopen additional businesses and activities on Monday. Shortly after, King County Executive, after close consultation with the Mayor and local public health experts, announced that on Monday King County will apply for a modified Phase One stage, which could allow more businesses to reopen as early as next week upon approval of an application to the Department of Health. ?
Over the last 12 weeks, Seattle has been a model for the rest of the country in how to flatten the curve, save lives, and protect our health care system from becoming overwhelmed. Our region has been the epicenter of the pandemic in Washington state, and because of the efforts of our residents and businesses, we have significantly reduced COVID-19. As we are nearing targets on testing and cases, we believe that Seattle and King County are ready to enter a modified Phase One approach to reopening additional businesses.
Applying for a modified Phase One does not mean we?re out of the woods. This virus knows no boundaries?and resurgence can happen quickly and exponentially if we don?t all do our part to practice health and safety measures every day.?As we begin to reopen our economy, businesses,?and cultural institutions, we cannot relax all restrictions simultaneously.?
During this time, we need residents to continue wearing a face covering, practicing good hygiene, and maintaining six feet of physical distance. Our adherence to public health guidance will help ensure we continue to see measurable decreases in COVID-19 infections, transmissions, and deaths. Our choices not only help determine when and how we can continue to reopen - they save lives.
 Many of our business owners and residents have questions about what the State?s guidance means for them. We will continue to amplify information from the State as soon as we have it, and make sure materials are accessible and available in-language. We appreciate our residents? patience, compassion, and collaboration as we navigate this unprecedented moment in real-time, together.
As many small businesses throughout Seattle prepare to gradually reopen under strict public health and safety guidance, the City of Seattle has launched two key resources to help small businesses prepare.
The City of Seattle created the Seattle Protects online marketplace to help businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents purchase face coverings from local manufacturers.? 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.
In addition, the City?s Office of Economic Development (OED) partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a new toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces. Building on the eviction moratorium for small businesses and nonprofits signed by Mayor Durkan, the new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits provides a suite of tools ? including template lease amendment language ? to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords.
OED has a?comprehensive resource page?for small businesses, nonprofits, and workers impacted by COVID-19. This page will be updated as more information on the State?s guidance for reopening becomes available.
Earlier this week, the City and Public Defender Association brought Co-LEAD to Seattle?during the COVID-19?crisis. Co-LEAD?is?an interim program?of?LEAD?designed to provide services and stabilization for individuals who might, for public safety reasons, otherwise be in the criminal justice system custody,?but are?not being arrested, charged or otherwise detained?due to?public?health considerations regarding COVID-19.???
?To stop people?from just cycling through?the criminal justice system,?last summer?our Low Barrier workgroup highlighted the need for programs that provided?stabilizing services ? including?case management, behavioral health and housing.?The pandemic has made that need is even greater today,? said Mayor Durkan. ?For the last year,?we have been working with LEAD to?create?such a model, and are enthusiastic that Co-LEAD?provides the opportunity to?provide these services?for the benefit of the individuals and the community.??
Similar to?LEAD, Co-LEAD?is?first and foremost a program to reduce criminal justice?system?recidivism, but understands that?individuals?may need additional?supports including temporary housing.
This weekend, Eddie Vine boat launch near Golden Gardens in NW Seattle and Don Armeni boat launch near Alki Beach in West Seattle will be open for public use with strict physical distancing guidelines. You can find a full list of guidelines, including how to maintain physical distance and adhere to public health guidance, on Seattle Parks and Recreation?s website.
 In addition, Ballard, U District, and West Seattle Farmers Markets will be open this weekend. The City will work with the farmers markets to monitor compliance with necessary public health practices and will determine the possibility for extended openings for these and other markets after this weekend. 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.
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