Dear Friends:

As we wrap up this week, I wanted to let you know about more resources that are now available for our community. Please see below for more details and information.

SPECIAL GROCERY HOURS FOR SENIORS OR AT-RISK SHOPPERS

Many grocery stores across King County—including Safeway, Whole Foods, Target, and Uwajimaya—have announced special times of day where only seniors and at-risk people can shop. You can find a partial list of participating stores and hours on our website.

FREE INTERNET ACCESS AND HOTSPOTS

Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots will be available across King County to anyone who needs them for free. A map of free hotspot locations and info on how to connect is here. There are thousands of these hotspot locations across King County. The company is also offering 60 days of free internet access for low-income families. To sign up, applicants can visit their website.

KING COUNTY METRO TEMPORARY SERVICE REDUCTION

King County Metro will temporarily move to a reduced schedule starting Monday, March 23rd. This shift comes two days after Metro’s pre-scheduled spring service change goes into effect on Saturday, March 21st. The reduced schedule is in response to reduced ridership since the emergence of COVID-19. These service reductions are also designed to maintain a resilient and sustainable transit system that’s able to keep our region moving every day, and ramp back up when this chapter closes. The bulk of this information can also be found at the Metro Matters blog.


King County Metro is committed to keeping our region moving, and its passengers safe during COVID-19.

CULTURAL RELIEF FUND

At King County, our cultural funding agency 4Culture will be offering a Cultural Relief Fund of $1 million. Full details and timeline are not yet finalized, but I encourage visiting their COVID-19 site for details. They have also compiled a resource list for cultural organizations and practitioners which will be updated daily.



I continue to be inspired by how this crisis has brought our community together. Public sector, private sector, and nonprofits are all working together to help blunt the spread of this virus and help neighbors in need. Please remember, don’t hoard supplies!

With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember