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A few weeks ago, we were facing another surge of new cases and hospitalizations. While the variants continue to be in our community, we have seen the collective impact of our vaccination efforts which have saved lives and moved us significantly down the path to reopening. This week, Governor Inslee announced a statewide reopening date of June 30 – this means our new normal is coming in June, and it’s because of our community-wide commitment to getting vaccinated. The home stretch is finally here.
Mayor Durkan speaks with business owners and community leaders in Ballard
Vaccinations have always been our road to reopening and recovery, and Seattle is helping to lead the state and nation with 74.9% of eligible Seattle residents who have started their vaccinations with more than 53.5% who have completed their vaccinations.
Additionally, the City is proud to have begun offering the Pfizer vaccine to youth throughout our region, and we’ll continue to come up with creative ways to bring the vaccine directly to our communities. All Seattleites can do their part and help people in their life get vaccinated. We can’t beat this pandemic unless we work together.
The CDC and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) are continuing to pave the way for a fully vaccinated future. Get vaccinated to enjoy the things we miss the most: sporting events, gathering with friends and family, live performances, and supporting our small businesses. Get vaccinated to go without a mask in most situations. Get vaccinated so we can protect our community-wide health and safety. Visit seattle.gov/vaccine to book an appointment or receive more information.
As always, please continue to write me at [email protected], reach out via Twitter and Facebook, and stay up-to-date on the work we’re doing for the people of Seattle on my blog.
Stay Safe and Healthy,
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced that the City of Seattle immediately began administering the Pfizer vaccine to 12 – 15 year-olds. The City and Swedish vaccinated 376 12 – 15 year-olds at the Lumen Field Event Center. The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) will vaccinate 12 – 15 year-olds at the Rainier Beach and West Seattle Vaccination Hubs, and the vaccination pop-ups in Fremont and Ballard. In addition, as part of the effort to meet Seattleites where they are, the City of Seattle has partnered with local breweries to offer vaccinations coupled with incentives from the brewery partners. The City will soon launch a series of vaccination efforts focused on youth, including in-school vaccinations.
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As the City of Seattle approaches delivering 200,000 vaccines, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced that the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) is hosting pop-up vaccination clinics this week in business districts in Ballard, Fremont, and West Seattle. These pop-ups are part of the City’s effort to bring COVID-19 vaccinations directly to Seattle residents and workers by coordinating with small businesses and community-based stakeholders to visit high-traffic areas and parks throughout the city. To-date, the City of Seattle has administered 187,000 vaccinations across its four City-affiliated sites and Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVT).
In addition, as part of the effort to meet Seattleites where they are, the City of Seattle has partnered with local breweries to offer vaccinations coupled with incentives from the brewery partners.
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This week, after joining a discussion with President Biden’s Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, Mayor Durkan joined a panel, as part of the 2021 CDP North America Virtual Workshop to discuss climate action. As this critical decade of ambition moves toward 2030 – the year by which science tells us we must reduce global GHG emissions by 50% – what are the barriers we must break through to address the climate crisis while balancing needs for more social and economic equity? Hear perspectives from key leaders in business, philanthropy and local government that will recharge and inform your efforts to plan strategically and work toward a just, sustainable and inclusive future.
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Mayor Durkan joined legendary Seattle Sonics head coach Lenny Wilkens, CEO of Rise Above Jaci McCormak, and members of the Rise Above crew for a tour of the Climate Pledge Arena this week. Rise Above works to empower Native youth by delivering education, prevention skills and mentorship through programs tailored to their needs.
Working closely with tribes and partners, they build tailored education programs with basketball clinics at the center. The clinics — free for youth — are the draw and the platform, an invitation for Native youth to hone their skills on and off the court.
As we begin to fully reopen our bars and restaurants this Summer, SDOT and City Councilmember Dan Strauss are proposing legislation to extend temporary Safe Starts permits, allowing businesses to continue operating outdoor cafes, retail merchandise displays, and temporary bending locations until May 31, 2022.
We know that our small business and restaurants are the hearts of our neighborhoods and have been the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Seattle provided some of the first in the country small business relief programs last Spring, we also create new programs so that business and residents could better use our streets and sidewalks for biking, walking, and dining.
To help businesses that were struggling due to indoor capacity limits, last June, SDOT created a free temporary permit program that opened up our streets and sidewalks, and helped restaurants and merchants respond to the challenges of COVID-19. To date, SDOT has issued about 200 free Street Use permits under the temporary program.
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In moments of national crisis like the pandemic, history demands the federal government act boldly — not only to overcome the crisis but to build long-term opportunity and economic investment in our community.
Out of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created Social Security, Fair Labor Standards, the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Housing Administration. World War II gave birth to the GI bill. In the 1960s, President Johnson authored the Civil Rights Act, Medicare and Medicaid, and Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and in the 2000s, President Obama created the Affordable Care Act.
Now, President Biden wants to create long-term and lasting programs for infrastructure, child care, small businesses, and college following the pandemic.
Covid-19 showed the deep inequities and disparities that have existed in our country. The new economy has left behind many, education opportunities aren’t equitable especially to communities of color, and our infrastructure like the West Seattle Bridge continues to crumble before our eyes.
The American Rescue Plan started us on that path: help for residents and families in need — rental assistance, a $1,400 direct payment, small business loans and grants, support for child care, and addressing the public health crisis through vaccines and testing. It has allowed more than 70% of eligible Seattle residents to have at least their first vaccination shot and begin our road to normalcy and recovery.
In Seattle, I can see and feel the relief when I talk to businesses and residents throughout the city. There is finally a concrete reason for hope and an urgent need to build back a better, more equitable future for our community.
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