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Today, following new information about Governor Inslee’s Safe Start approach to reopening counties across Washington state, King County Executive Dow Constantine laid out a plan that sets us on a path toward a partial Phase 2 reopening of limited business and other activities.
Under new guidance for counties announced by Governor Inslee, King County does not yet meet the criteria to enter Phase 2 of the Safe Start approach, but is eligible to apply for a variance for a modified Phase 1. King County will submit an application to the Washington State Department of Health to re-open some business activity with limited or modified openings for a number of sectors under Governor Inslee’s new guidance for counties.
In King County, we are staying home, washing our hands and wearing masks when out in public and our efforts have been successful in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and saving many lives. We are also seeing a severe impact on our residents, with a record number out of work and struggling financially.
I strongly support King County’s application for state approval to begin to re-open economic activity in a way that is safe and responsible. We need to get people back to work and reconnect our economy and our community, at the same time that we continue our strong efforts to combat this virus. Only by committing to excellent public health habits will we be able to safely recover.
<<< Read the full release online to learn about all the businesses and activities that would be included in the partial reopening in King County >>>
 Click on the above image to view the new Public Health data dashboard containing useful indicators to track COVID-19 activity in King County
No More: Responding to the death of George Floyd and so many more across our nation
At King County, we often talk about equity and social justice. We include these principles in our adopted policies and funding programs. We have created new partnerships to engage with communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and other communities who are often left out of government decision making that affects them. I’ve been personally very encouraged to see the County use an equity cabinet approach to developing policies, giving community members not only “input” but a central role in developing policy with and by those who will be most affected by that policy.
All our efforts fade when we are faced with a week like this one. The police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor that occurred in March in Louisville have once again brought painfully home how far we have to go to combat racism in our country.
As a white person in a position of leadership I wrestle with what we can do to stop the killing of black and brown people. How do we undo the legacy of 400 years of slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration and the countless other injustices of endemic racism? The road ahead of us is long and difficult, but one first step is for white people to say, ”no more” and demand accountability. Not another George Floyd or Breonna Taylor. Not another Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery. Not another Charleena Lyles. Not another Mi-Chance Dunlap Gittens.
As leaders with responsibility for public safety, we can and must do better.
Stay home and spread the word!
Remember right now, physical distancing is the most important thing we can do to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
Council Chair
District 6
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