Also in this edition: VOTE, VOTE, VOTE



Durkan Digest Standard Header



Our region was home to the first COVID-19 outbreak in our nationeight months ago.We have led the nation to have thesome of the lowest rates of COVID-19of every major City, but we knew this virus could make a resurgence in our community and communities across the country this fall and winter.

Our cases have been rising for the last five weeks, and today,King County reported 385 new coronavirus cases on Friday with 118new casesin Seattle.

We need to reverse this trajectory now, before it gets worse, to protect our community's health andoureconomy.

Seattle knows what worksto slow the spread of the viruswith our commitment to maintaining sixfeet of physical distance,wearing masksboth indoors and outdoors as appropriate, andonly attendingsocialgatheringto less than five peopleonce or twice a week.All of thesemeasuresare critical tolimiting the spread of COVID-19 ascases are once again on the rise.In addition, testing is critical as we continue to slow the spread of the virus.This week, the City of Seattle has surpassed more than 300,000 tests at our free citywide testing sites, which are being utilized for anyone who has been exposed or has symptoms of COVID-19.

As the weatherhas gottencolder and wetter, we arespendingmore time indoors, where COVID-19 can spread much more rapidly.I know its harder than ever on everyone in our community,with the multiple crises facing our community and anxiety and uncertainty about the election, to limit the time we spend with our loved ones. As challenging as it is, we all need to be mindful of social and family gatherings.

Its time to renew our COVID-19 prevention practices to ensure that our healthcare system doesnt get overwhelmed. Across the country, we are seeing states like Texas and Wisconsin stand up new field hospitals due to the resurgence of COVID-19in their communities.

We must takecollectiveaction now. I encourage you to watchKing County Public Health Officer Dr.JeffDuchindeliveran update on the spread of COVID-19 in our region [ [link removed] ].There is potential for a serious outbreak but it is not inevitable.We all must work together to make sure that we are able to protect ourselves, our families, friends, and our communities.

Finally, please dont forget to get your flu shotthis year. COVID-19 and the seasonal flu can often present similar symptoms, making it harder to identify when you might be at risk of spreading the coronavirus to your loved ones. Dont take that chance please, please get your flu shot.There arefree flu shots at over a dozen sites citywide. [ [link removed] ]You can find information on the locations and hours of the clinicshere. [ [link removed] ]

As always, please continue to write me [email protected], reach out viaTwitter [ [link removed] ]andFacebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle onmy blog. [ [link removed] ]

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Mayor Jenny Durkan's SignatureSpacer
State reports more than 1,000 cases in a day for the first time since summer

Today, Washington state reported 1,047 new COVID cases in a single day. Todays number isa new daily high since mid-July [ [link removed] ].

In light of a potential fall surge, the Department of Healthrecently encouraged Washingtonians to flatten the curve once again [ [link removed] ]. In todays numbers, we see more evidence that the surge isnt coming its here.

Going into this weekend and Election Day, the Department of Health is underscoring the importance of:


* Wearing a mask, even with people you see regularly and in your smallest social circles and anytime you are using shared transportation, including while in your own vehicle with other people.
* Keeping gatherings small and hold them outside whenever possible.
* Avoiding any social gatherings indoors, but if you must participate, wearing a mask and ensuring windows and doors are open to maximize ventilation.
* Washing or sanitizing hands often and not touching your face.
* Staying home if youre sick or if youve been exposed to COVID-19.
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With Surging Cases of COVID-19, City of Seattle Announces Rock the Block Stay Healthy Blocks to Help Residents Stay Close to Home and Keep Moving on Election Day

With surging cases of COVID-19, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced newRock the Block Stay Healthy Blocks [ [link removed] ]to help residents stay close to home and keep moving on Election Day. Rock the Block gives residents the opportunity to open up their street to people walking and rolling on Election Day to get outside and be with neighbors while maintaining a safe social distance. Rock the Block is for Tuesday, November 3, 2020 only and requires anonline registration [ [link removed] ]. If residents would like to extend their block closure, they can request a free permit that allows for additional dates up to November 30, 2020.

To date,more than70 percent of Seattle residents have voted.Residents can return their ballot to a ballot drop box(no stamp required) [ [link removed] ]and must do so by 8p.m.on November 3, 2020.Read more aboutreturning your ballot [ [link removed] ].

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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Mayor Durkans Statement on City Councils Vote to Restore the City Coordinated Team to Address Homelessness Using New Proposed Approach

Following this summers City Council vote to defund the city employees addressing unmanaged encampments at the Human Services Department,Mayor Jenny A.Durkan issued the following statement upon the City Councils7-1 vote,restoring funding for the Human Services Department tocoordinatehomelessness outreach.Working together in recent weeks,Councilmember Andrew Lewis,the Mayors Officeandservice providersagreed onlegislationsimilartopreviously proposedlegislation negotiated in August [ [link removed] ]as part of the 2020 rebalancing packageand proposedoutreach investmentsin Mayor Durkans 2021 budget.

In addition to this proposal on outreach,a key component ofMayorDurkans plan to address individuals living unsheltered isher proposaltomove hundredsofpeople living unshelteredinto safer spacesas part of her 2021 budget.By using COVID-related, one-time funds, Mayor Durkan is proposing to open 425 short-term shelter bedsthen surge investmentin housing supportprograms like diversionandrapid-rehousing.This record investment means hundreds of people will come in from the street over the coming months, protecting them from COVID-19.This proposal is currently pending before City Council.

Read the Mayors Full Statement [ [link removed] ]

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Drop the Vote with the Urban Family Institute
Screenshot from the Drop the Vote website showing the three steps to voting - register, get informed, and vote!

This year, the Urban Family Institute wants to make sure that all young people are registered to vote.

Young people will make up 37% of eligible voters this year, including millions of first-time voters, but less than half of 1829 year-olds voted in 2016.The Drop the Vote campaign makes it easy for young people to register and drop off their ballots.

This weekend, the Urban Family Institute will provide free shuttlesthroughout Seattle and South Seattle. You can visit their website and sign up over the weekend to make sure that your voice is heard in this historic election.

Sign up now [ [link removed] ]
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Dont Forget to Vote

Weonly a few days awayfrom one of the most consequential elections of our lives.More than 71% of Seattle has already voted, so make a plan to vote this weekend.

Voting is the most important thing you can do to make sure that your voice is heard in both local, stateand national politics.This years ballot is full of critical races, from the President to propositions, from state representatives to county charter amendments. Make sure that you consult yourKing County Voters Pamphlet [ [link removed] ]to catch up on all ofthe important issues.

You can return your ballot in one of three ways:


* *Ballot Drop Boxes*- Ballots must be returned to a ballot drop box by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3 to be counted.
* *By Mail*- Your ballot must be postmarked by election day to be counted.King County Elections is recommending [ [link removed] ]putting in the mail no later than today, Friday,to ensure it gets postmarked on time.
* *Vote Centers*- King Countyvote centers [ [link removed] ]are available to voters who need assistance completing their ballot. Trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private, independent ballot.

If you are not registered to vote,there is still time!You can no longer register to vote online, but youcan stillvisit a King County Elections vote centerthrough November 3rd at 8:00 p.m.

You can find more informationon the KC Elections Website:


* Register to vote or change your address [ [link removed] ]
* Learn about candidates and measures on the ballot [ [link removed] ]

* Map of 24/7 Drop Boxes across Seattle [ [link removed] ]
* King County Elections Vote Centers [ [link removed] ]
* Track My Ballot [ [link removed] ]
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Weekend Read: KIRO: Seattle Trick or Street blocks aim to make Halloween Safer
Screenshot of the KIRO7 masthead showing title of article and photo of a person's yard decorated for Halloween

For this weeks edition of the weekend read, we encourage you to read more about the City of Seattles Trick or Street program that encourages community members and nonprofit organizations to apply for a permit to close their streets and help neighborhoods have a safer, socially-distant Halloween:

"As Halloween approaches, people are looking for safe ways to celebrate during the coronavirus pandemic."

"The Seattle Department of Transportation is building on its""Stay Healthy Streets and Blocks" [ [link removed] ]"permits by offering free Trick or Street" block permits to individuals in addition to non profits and community organizations."

"Applying for a permit allows the temporary closure of non-arterial streets for events that follow social distancing guidelines. For Halloween, that could include a walking costume parade or a socially distanced form of trick-or-treating with nearby neighbors."

Read more [ [link removed] ]






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Seattle, WA 98104

*Phone: 206-684-4000*

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