Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on a mask donation to the city of Pacific, the Governor’s new restrictions and travel advisory, the state’s COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, health updates and more.

Washington Trivia

How did Shoreline get its name?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Pacific Mask Donation

As we continue working to ensure that everyone has access to facemasks to help blunt the spread of COVID-19, I met with Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier to drop off hundreds of facemasks for the residents of Pacific.

With Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier


Governor announces new statewide restrictions for four-weeks

On Sunday, November 15th, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions on gatherings and business activity as COVID-19 cases continued spiking in Washington. The restrictions took effect yesterday, November 16th at 11:59 PM, while the modified restrictions for restaurants will take effect tomorrow, November 18th at 12:01 AM. These restrictions will remain in effect until Monday, December 14th.

• The restrictions prohibit all indoor gatherings with people outside your household, unless everyone has quarantined and tested negative. Outdoor social gatherings are limited to no more than five people from outside your household.

• Indoor service at bars and restaurants is prohibited, and outdoor service will be limited to parties of five or less. Indoor gyms and fitness centers must close, as well as movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums.

• Religious services are limited to 25% of capacity or 200 people, whichever is less, and masks must always be worn. Singing at such events is prohibited. Wedding and funeral ceremonies are limited to 30 people and receptions are prohibited.

• Retail businesses, including shopping malls, must limit occupancy to 25% and food court seating is closed. Offices are required to mandate employees to work from home if possible, and limit occupancy to 25% if they remain open. Offices must be closed to the public.

• Personal care businesses, such as salons and barbers, are limited to 25% capacity and real estate open houses are prohibited. Youth and adult sports are only allowed outdoor and for intrateam practice, and athletes must all wear masks.

• Long-term care facilities can only have visitors in outdoor settings.

Inslee said he is committing an additional $50 million to help mitigate the economic impacts on businesses and workers through a combination of grants and loans. He expects to have this funding available by the end of the year. Visit the Governor’s Medium Page for more information.


Governor issues Travel Advisory

Last week, Gov. Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington state, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel and asking residents to stay close to home instead. The advisory also recommend people limit their interactions with their immediate household to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Oregon and California have issued the same advisory for their residents. Read more about it here.


COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund

The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund will provide $40 million in federal funds allocated by the state to assist Washington workers who miss work due to COVID-19 but are unable to access federal stimulus programs and other resources due to their immigration status. While the fund is operational, eligible recipients will receive $1,000, with a limit of $3,000 per household. Applications are open through December 6th. Benefits will be disbursed by December 28th.


Operation Turkey Drop: Support for Veteran Families

VSHSL-funded Veteran Pathfinding providers Minority Veterans of America – Seattle and FOB Hope are working together in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks to provide veteran families with food support, PPE, financial assistance and hygiene kits at a Turkey Drop event on November 21st from 10 AM – 2 PM. Click here for more information and to register for the Operation Turkey Drop.




Weekly King County Health Update: Food Resources for King County Residents

Public Health – Seattle & King County (August 2020) reported that the number of King County residents experiencing food insufficiency was rapidly increasing as a result of the “current health and associated economic crisis.”

Over the spring-summer of 2020, food insufficiency (a household’s intermittent to frequent lack of enough food to eat) doubled in King County. Children, younger adults (18-44 years), older adults, people with disabilities, low-income adults, as well as adults who were unemployed, recently lost their job, or were expecting a job loss were most vulnerable to suffering from a shortage of food. In response to the increased need resulting from the pandemic, King County officials expanded their support for food security programming in July 2020.

As we head into a very challenging season, resources exist to help those who need food support. The King County Emergency Food Access Resources site, which is regularly updated, provides information about government programs and humanitarian organizations that provide food resources to King County residents. If you do not have access to this online resource, you can connect with the Community Resources Online for WA State by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-427-4747 for the 24-hour crisis line.


King County Case Update

As of yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 672 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 35,209. In addition, Public Health reported 1 new death, bringing the total in the county to 829.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Prior to the arrival of the first European settlers in the 1880s, Shoreline was originally inhabited by the Duwamish people. According to HistoryLink, the first homesteaders cleared the land of timber, set up small farms and used boats to transport goods to Seattle. The settlers platted the Richmond Beach neighborhood in anticipation of the arrival of the Great Northern Railway. The completion of the rail lines as well as the development of the Interurban contributed to Shoreline’s growth and encouraged people to purchase property in the area.

In 1944, the name Shoreline, suggested by a student at the Lake City Elementary School, was first used to describe the school district, which stretched from city line to county line and from the shore of Puget Sound to the shore of Lake Washington.