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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Things are getting more and more difficult for working families, small businesses and everyone impacted by new guidance and rulings aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. At the county-level, we are working hard to provide relief and support to help community members get through this truly unprecedented situation.
I’m very pleased to see that the Governor announced this afternoon that he has instituted a statewide moratorium on residential evictions for 30 days. You can read more details on the moratorium at on Inslee’s Medium page but know that the City of Seattle has already instituted a temporary ban on evictions. I was pleased to sign onto a letter to the Governor submitted by Executive Constantine and my council colleagues and me requesting such a moratorium.
And I’m also pleased that King County Sherriff Mitzi Johanknecht in response to the COVID-19 outbreak has decided to temporarily suspend enforcement of evictions. This will cover residential and commercial evictions alike.
Meanwhile, the City of Seattle has announced a $1.1 million relief package for the arts and culture community. This includes the suspension of rent for cultural organizations to help them withstand the crisis. I am working on legislation with Executive Constantine and Councilmember Rod Dembowski on expanding tourism promotion and our arts, culture, science and heritage institutions and organizations to preserve employees’ jobs as well as doing what we can to keep our beloved organizations from closing permanently.
Also, I’m joining other King County leaders in signing a letter calling for Governor Inslee to delay the collection of property taxes for at least 30-days for taxpayers in hardship situations across the state. You can read more about this by clicking here.
Inslee also announced today that the state is waiving the one-week waiting period for out-of-work employees to collect unemployment benefits, retroactive to March 8.
To help businesses impacted by the crisis, Inslee said that up to $5 million of the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Funds will be made available as small grants to small businesses across the state to help prevent closure due to COVID-19. The state will also be able to waive penalties and late fees for certain late business tax payments, and a number of tax fees will be waived for both business owners and residents.
For more details and to read about other steps the state is taking, read the full story from Gov. Inslee’s office.
I continue to be impressed by the resiliency of our community. From leaders of governments, small and big businesses, non-profit member of the medical community to grocery store workers and neighbors performing small but meaningful acts of kindness, our community is stronger together and we will get through this as a result.
Children's needs your help
I have been made aware that Seattle Children’s is actively working to acquire more protective equipment for its providers, patients and caregivers. If you have access to any style of basic isolation mask such as the one pictured below, they could use them.
They can accept curbside drop-off of unopened boxes or bags of masks between 9am-3pm M-F at the Seattle Children’s Guild Association Office. That is located within the Seattle Children’s Administrative Building located at 6901 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
After you drop off, they will get these items to the hospital; please do not drop off supplies at the hospital. Please call 206-987-7000 when you arrive, and they will come out to your vehicle.
Latest and unfortunate numbers from Public Health
Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/17/20
- 562 confirmed cases (up 44 from yesterday)
- 56 confirmed deaths (up 10 from yesterday)
These additional deaths include:
- A woman in her 90s, who died at Life Care Center on 3/6
- A woman in her 60s, who died at Life Care on 3/16
- A man in his 90s, who died at Life Care on 3/17
- A man in his 70s, who died at Life Care on 3/17
- A man in his 80s, who died at Life Care on 2/28
- A man in his 90s, who died on 3/15
- A woman in her 70s, who died at Overlake Medical Center on 3/16
- A man in his 70s, who died at University of Washington Medical Center on 3/17
- A man in his 60s, who died at Harborview Medical Center on 3/16
- A man in his 70s, who died on 3/16
Of the 56 deaths reported, 35 are confirmed to be associated with Life Care Center of Kirkland.
Statewide there are now 1,187 confirmed cases and 66 reported deaths.
Food pick-up zones
Yesterday, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) made the decision to convert on-street parking spaces near restaurants to temporary loading zones to make room for more people picking up food. Restaurants can request a loading zone near their establishment by emailing 684-Road@seattle.gov or calling (206) 684-ROAD – be sure to provide business address and contact information.
To learn more and find a list of several restaurant locations where SDOT plans to install signs soon, click the following link: https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2020/03/17/take-out-pick-up-zones-coming-today/
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my update. You can expect ones to continue being sent out on a daily basis. Feel free too forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here.
Lastly, let me know if you have ideas or tips for getting though these difficult times. Whether it’s an idea for staying healthy, keeping your sanity when self-quarantining or isolating, or unique ideas for those who work from home - we want to hear from you!
And please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns and, most importantly, be well.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Kohl-Welles
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