Just over 17?months ago, the COVID-19 pandemic touched down in Seattle, and our lives were completely upended.?We were able to move quickly and?launch programs to curb the spread of the virus and keep our communities healthy and safe.?Thanks in large part?to our collective actions?? Seattle is the safest major city in America. Even as cases have risen, Seattle has the lowest cases, deaths and hospitalizations of every city, and our decisions are driven by science and public health.??

Today, Governor Inslee, Executive?Constantine, and I together,?announced a vaccine requirement for State, County, and City?employees,?as well as a requirement for all health care workers.??

We?believed that we needed to speak as one government by?working?with Department of Health and Public Health?? Seattle & King County, our health care partners like Kaiser and UW,?and our business community?-?just like we have done from the beginning

In?Seattle,?we?ve seen our small businesses lead the nation to say:?get vaccinated.?Dozens of our bars, restaurants, and small businesses are requiring their employees and customers to be vaccinated.??

Now, we are speaking as one government to create a model as some of our region and state?s largest employers to say: you must be vaccinated. Vaccines are key to?protecting?our families, our colleagues, and community as the virus?continues?to spread?and new variants emerge.??

Our work to save lives doesn?t happen by?accident?? it happens by the choices we make.?The choices we?are?making?are?saving lives.?Seattle has?one of the highest vaccination rates?in the country?with approximately 82.5% of residents 12+ who have at least one dose.?

Vaccines prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.?Over the course of the pandemic, we have lost 425 residents to COVID-19.?In December 2020 before vaccines were fully?distributed,?Seattle lost 91 residents to COVID-19?in one month; however,?since July 11,?Seattle has not had a reported death.?In addition,?the hospitalizations?of Seattle residents?are lower than?the four previous waves.??

But?the Delta variant is one of the most dangerous mutations yet,?and there are so many in?our?City and??community under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet.?There are so many in our region and state that have also yet to be vaccinated.??

We know what works to protect ourselves against this virus: vaccines, masks, testing, going outdoors, and distancing. Vaccines are widely available across Seattle and King County. You can visit https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/ to find a vaccine appointment near you. Remember to wear masks indoors ? even if you?re vaccinated.?If you are exposed or have symptoms,?visit one of our rapid, accessible, and free testing sites, which are?still crucial for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.?

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,?