Stay Home, Stay Healthy

Dear Friends & Neighbors:

Life continues to change for all of us, from working together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community to the unexpected closure of the West Seattle Bridge. I want to continue to make sure you have the latest information I have as we move forward in the coming weeks. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!

GOVERNOR ISSUES A STAY AT HOME ORDER

Last night, Governor Jay Inslee announced a statewide order that requires everyone in the state to stay home, effective immediately.

This Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is similar to orders that other governors, in places such as California and New York, issued last week. It requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity. This will ban all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes and close all non-essential businesses.

The proclamation states it’s still safe for people to go outside as long as they remain at least six feet from each other. Grocery stores, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and other essential businesses will remain open. People can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening, and dog walking — as long as they follow social distancing rules.

Staying home will — quite literally — save lives. Let’s all do our part.

Under Stay-at-Home Order, What’s Essential and What Isn’t

Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order requires all nonessential businesses to close and for people to stay home except for critical outings for food, doctor appointments, required work, etc. But understanding exactly what’s essential and what’s nonessential can be confusing for many people. You can download a full list of what businesses and workers are essential here.

NEW SAFETY AND HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS

Public Health announced new guidance Tuesday for child care and early learning providers that are considered essential during the stay-at-home order. Child care and early learning programs serve a vitally important function in allowing parents to continue working and providing safe and enriching spaces for children to spend their days. Public Health’s guidance will help these providers prevent and prepare for cases of COVID-19.

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE

We all learned yesterday afternoon that the West Seattle Bridge would be closed until further notice.

As a life-long West Seattleite, I know this is a major change to how we will be going about our lives, so I want to make sure we all can planning accordingly.

What do you need to know for now?

• Emergency vehicles, Metro buses and freight traffic will be using the Spokane Street low-level bridge to get to and from the rest of the city – personal vehicles will not be allowed.
• Emergency services will be prioritized to ensure we are safe and have access to the medical system in our region.
• Personal cars must use the First Avenue South and South Park bridges to get into downtown Seattle and points north.
• Follow the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) on Twitter and sign up for their emails to get relevant updates as their work to make the West Seattle Bridge safe for travel continues.

Yours,

-Joe

Joe McDermott
King County Councilmember