Also in this edition: Updated Mask Guidance



Durkan Digest Standard Header



This week marked the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

As a city, we have led the way to keep our community safe, and Seattle continues to have the lowest cases, hospitalizations and deaths of every major city. We are committed to ensuring that students, teachers, staff, and families are safe as schools reopen this fall.

We have created testing resources for families and made vaccination accessible for our middle schools, high schools, and families. It’s up to us to all do our part to curb the spread of the Delta variant, save lives, and protect our most vulnerable populations, including the students returning to school this week. You can visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ] 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 [ [link removed] ], which are still crucial for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

We are also working to create safe transportation options for our students. Across the city, we’ve created safer routes and new school streets to allow more people to bike and walk to school [ [link removed] ]. We all have a part to play to keep kids and families safe: drive the speed limit, obey signs, and expect more families and kids on our sidewalks and streets.

This school year we are also celebrating the 4th school year of ORCA Opportunity Program [ [link removed] ]. This program is the City’s commitment to free transit for public high school and middle school students. Through the program, the City of Seattle provides 12-month, fully-subsidized ORCA cards to all Seattle Public high school students and income-eligible middle school students. As students return to in-person school, we look forward to enabling even more students to use transit to access schools, after-school activities, and other important resources through this program.

Tweet from Seattle Public Schools about the first day of school

As always, please continue to write me at [email protected], reach out via Twitter [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work we’re doing for the people of Seattle on my blog [ [link removed] ].      

Sincerely, 

Mayor Jenny Durkan's Signature________________________________________________________________________

City of Seattle and Partners Host Second Set of Welcome Back Weeks to Support Local Arts and Culture, Encourage Safe Visits to Downtown Seattle

Welcome Back Weeks graphic for September 4-19

"City to Host Three Events Featuring Local Artists and Cultural Organizations as Part of Welcome Back Weeks" 

"Masking and Proof of Vaccination Are Required at all City of Seattle Welcome Back Events" 

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced a schedule of arts and cultural events that will take place as part of Welcome Back Weeks occurring from September 4 – 19. This is the second set of Welcome Back Weeks convened by the City and partners, with the goal of helping downtown small businesses, arts and cultural organizations, and creative workers recover. This set of Welcome Back Weeks will feature small business promotions across downtown neighborhoods in addition to the arts and cultural events. Details on all events can be found at www.seattle.gov/covidrecovery [ [link removed] ]. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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Unvaccinated Adults Lead to Surge of COVID-19 Hospitalizations in King County

Data dashboard for COVID-19, showing case increases in King County

There continues to be an increase in COVID-19 cases, especially for those who are unvaccinated. In the past month, people who are not fully vaccinated were 49 times more likely to be hospitalized. This past week, Public Health released a new dashboard to show recent data on the impact of the Delta variant on unvaccinated and vaccinated residents.  

Read more [ [link removed] ]  
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Masks Required At Large Outdoor Gatherings In King County, Strongly Recommended In Other Outdoor Settings

Graphic stating that masks are required at large outdoor events

King County, like much of the nation, is in the midst of a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. With high rates of disease spread, and our health care system straining to keep up, it is time to take additional steps to keep ourselves and our communities safe. 

Therefore, Public Health – Seattle & King County is issuing a Local Health Officer Order [ [link removed] ]. Beginning Tuesday, September 7: 


* *Face masks are required at any outdoor event with 500 or more people in attendance.* This requirement applies to all vaccinated and unvaccinated people, 5 years of age and older. 
* Masks are strongly recommended for everyone 5 years of age and older – both vaccinated and unvaccinated – in any other outdoor setting where people cannot remain at least 6 feet apart from non-household members. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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New connections, more service: King County Metro improving and restoring service as Sound Transit Link light rail expands to Northgate

Big changes are coming to transit service starting Oct. 2 as King County Metro launches updated connections to three new Sound Transit Link light rail stations in Seattle. Metro also will restore 36 previously suspended bus routes across King County, add hundreds of bus trips, and revise and improve other service in partnership with City of Seattle. Together, these changes will support the region's recovery and connect more riders to destinations. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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‘Priority Hire’ approval to create local construction jobs for West Seattle Bridge repairs

West Seattle Bridge under construction

West Seattle Bridge under construction. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr.

"USDOT approval paves the way for federal funds and direct support in economically distressed communities."   

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved the City of Seattle’s request to use “Priority Hire [ [link removed] ]”, requiring that the contractor repairing the West Seattle Bridge hire from local economically distressed communities as it works to reopen the high-bridge by mid-2022. 

“Our top priority is supporting our residents and neighborhoods most affected by the bridge closure. Through Priority Hire, now we can support our communities in another way by providing high-quality, family-wage construction career access and direct opportunities to small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted over the past year.” Said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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WEEKEND READ: Seattle Medium: Ezell’s Famous Chicken Launches Initiative To Support, Empower Black Businesses

Photo of the founders of Ezell's Famous Chicken

By Aaron Allen

When you think of a successful Black owned business in the Puget Sound you can’t utter a word without mentioning Ezell’s Famous Chicken. 

Ezell’s Famous Chicken Co-Founders Lewis and Darnell Rudd, along with their sister, Faye Stephens in partnership with DoorDash and Debrena Jackson-Gandy’s Mastermind has launched the Rudd’s R.U.B.B. (Raising Up Black Businesses) Initiative, a precedent-setting initiative designed to financially empower Black-owned businesses.  

According to organizers, Rudd’s R.U.B.B. will offer no-strings-attached business grants to 20 Black-owned businesses and organizations in the Pacific Northwest to help fund sustainability, operations, growth and success. 

“The RUDD’s R.U.B.B. Initiative will have a very positive impact on small Black-Owned businesses that will lead to positive change within the Community,” said Lewis Rudd. “As Co-Founders, we believe that supporting and promoting entrepreneurship will help in closing the wealth gap for African Americans and lead to other benefits such as better medical and education and less violence. The initial response and support has been great and we anticipate it will continue to grow.”  

In order to launch the initiative, Rudd approached DoorDash with his idea in the fall of 2020 and by February of 2021 the funds were secured and a partnership was forged that led to the company joining the endeavor as a Charter Partner, donating $40,000 to start the fund. The Rudd Family contributed $10,000 to the Fund. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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