Our region was home to the first COVID-19 outbreak in our nation eight months ago. We have led the nation to have the some of the lowest rates of COVID-19 of 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 118 new cases in Seattle.
We need to reverse this trajectory now, before it gets worse, to protect our community's health and our economy.
Seattle knows what works to slow the spread of the virus with our commitment to maintaining six feet of physical distance, wearing masks both indoors and outdoors as appropriate, and only attending social gathering to less than five people once or twice a week. All of these measures are critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19 as cases 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 weather has gotten colder and wetter, we are spending more 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.
It’s time to renew our COVID-19 prevention practices to ensure that our healthcare system doesn’t get overwhelmed. Across the country, we are seeing states like Texas and Wisconsin stand up new field hospitals due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in their communities.
We must take collective action now. I encourage you to watch King County Public Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin deliver an update on the spread of COVID-19 in our region. 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 don’t forget to get your flu shot this 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. Don’t take that chance – please, please get your flu shot. There are free flu shots at over a dozen sites citywide. You can find information on the locations and hours of the clinics here.
 
Going into this weekend and Election Day, the Department of Health is underscoring the importance of:
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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.
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Keeping gatherings small and hold them outside whenever possible.
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Avoiding any social gatherings indoors, but if you must participate, wearing a mask and ensuring windows and doors are open to maximize ventilation.
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Washing or sanitizing hands often and not touching your face.
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Staying home if you’re sick or if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
With surging cases of COVID-19, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced new Rock the Block Stay Healthy Blocks 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 an online registration. 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.
Following this summer’s 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 Council’s 7-1 vote, restoring funding for the Human Services Department to coordinate homelessness outreach. Working together in recent weeks, Councilmember Andrew Lewis, the Mayor’s Office and service providers agreed on legislation – similar to previously proposed legislation negotiated in August as part of the 2020 rebalancing package and proposed outreach investments in Mayor Durkan’s 2021 budget.
In addition to this proposal on outreach, a key component of Mayor Durkan’s plan to address individuals living unsheltered is her proposal to move hundreds of people living unsheltered into safer spaces as part of her 2021 budget. By using COVID-related, one-time funds, Mayor Durkan is proposing to open 425 short-term shelter beds then surge investment in housing support programs like diversion and rapid-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.
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 18–29 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 shuttles throughout 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.
We only a few days away from 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, state and national politics. This year’s ballot is full of critical races, from the President to propositions, from state representatives to county charter amendments. Make sure that you consult your King County Voters Pamphlet to catch up on all of the important issues.
You can return your ballot in one of three ways:
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Ballot Drop Boxes - Ballots must be returned to a ballot drop box by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3 to be counted.
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By Mail - Your ballot must be postmarked by election day to be counted. King County Elections is recommending putting in the mail no later than today, Friday, to ensure it gets postmarked on time.
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Vote Centers - King County vote centers 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 you can still visit a King County Elections vote center through November 3rd at 8:00 p.m.
You can find more information on the KC Elections Website:
For this week’s edition of the weekend read, we encourage you to read more about the City of Seattle’s “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 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.
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