Public Health recommends that people at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible.
Look
around you… do you have a neighbor who might need a little support? Give them a call and see if you can help…
Do they need medications picked up from the pharmacy? Groceries? Pet food? A library book returned? A package mailed? Compost to get a head start on their garden?
A small act of kindness can be very helpful in these uncertain times.
King County has its first cases of novel coronavirus and more cases have been identified in the U.S. In King County, along with a number of other places around the U.S., some people who have tested positive for novel coronavirus did not have travel to countries where COVID-19 is spreading. This indicates that there has been spread from person-to-person, although we don’t yet know how widespread it is. We should expect that there will be more cases identified in the days and weeks to come.
Most cases are mild
The number of cases are increasing, but the vast majority of the illnesses around the world are mild, with fever and cough. About 80 percent of people infected with novel coronavirus have not needed hospital care. However, a much smaller percentage of cases involve severe illness including pneumonia, particularly in elderly people and people with underlying medical conditions. Sadly, in King County, one person has died. This is the first coronavirus death in the United States.
It’s important that everyone take steps to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus, especially to protect those who are more vulnerable. We also need to be ready for the weeks ahead, when we are likely to see more cases.
When to seek medical evaluation and advice
How to prevent the spread of coronavirus
Coronaviruses spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) via coughs or sneezes. It may also spread by touching a surface or object with the virus on it. People are thought to be most contagious when they are the sickest, though some spread is possible before people show symptoms.
The same good health habits that prevent other viruses like the flu also prevent coronavirus spread and decrease the risk of getting sick:
Make plans for what you will do if many people are sick
Even if most cases are relatively mild, there are impacts when large numbers of people are sick and absent from work and school all at the same time. If coronavirus becomes widespread, health officials will recommend actions that reduce the numbers of people coming into face-to-face contact to limit exposure and illness. This could include dismissing schools or childcare, postponing or cancelling large gatherings and public events.
Plan now so that you can be ready in case many people are sick and can’t go to work or school. Talk at work about how your workplace can still operate if many workers are out sick or if they need to stay home to care of their family members. We have a guide for businesses and organizations to help you. The Washington State Department of Health has resources for individuals and schools. We’ll be adding to these resources frequently, so check our websites frequently.
Resilient together
Supporting others in our community will help us be resilient if the spread of coronavirus becomes more widespread.
The Office of Emergency Management is offering several different training classes in the next few months. The topics include Home Retrofit, Stop the Bleed, Disaster Preparedness the Basics, and Disaster Skills Workshop. The list at this link shows all of the events. Some of them are at locations in the south end of Seattle and some in the north end. Take a look at which training interests you , and when and where it will be given.
A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. Currently there is a less than pandemic sized outbreak of a new virus in China. Because this virus can spread rapidly there is concern that it could spread to areas around the world — a pandemic. Preparing for such an event and dealing with illness when it happens are the topics in the article at this link.
| The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is hosting the Seattle Home Fair in your community. There will be information for renters, homeowners, and landlords with experts on rental housing rules, coaching on obtaining permits for renovations, and breakout sessions on topics including landslide prevention, earthquake retrofits, and backyard cottages. North Seattle Home Fair – Jan 25 Click here to sign up! South Seattle Home Fair – Feb 1 Click here to sign up! Office of Emergency Management Classes Disaster Skills – February 4th, March 4th Stop the Bleed – February 4th, Feb 26th, March 5th, March 18th Click Here to sign up |
Snowy backyard in north Seattle. Photo by Sarah Quackenbush
Does anyone else love the look of snow delicately collecting on tree branches? It’s peaceful and magical – until the winds pick up. The heavy snow can weigh down branches and cause them to break more easily, especially when it’s windy.
If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206-684-ROAD (206-684-7623).
Go grab your flashlights, batteries, and warm blankets now so they’re convenient if your power does go out. Make sure your mobile phones and devices are fully charged and have backup batteries fully charged and available. Never use propane heaters or grills indoors, and use caution when using a fireplace for warmth.
Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out. Should there be widespread outages, Seattle City Light has crews on standby ready to respond and work 24/7 until every single customer is back on. You can also stay connected, even when the power is out by downloading Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) mobile app, to track and report power outages in your neighborhood and check status and estimated restoration times, all in the palm of your hand. Follow PSE on Twitter.
Traffic light photo by Davis Sanchez via Pexels
That means who ever arrives first gets to go first. If you arrive at the same time, the car to the right goes first. If two cars across from each other arrive at the same time, cars going straight get the right-of-way. Communicate with other cars by using your turn signals and making eye contact.
If you see a downed power line, call 911 immediately. If wires have fallen on your car, stay in your vehicle until first responders arrive. They will let you know when it’s safe to exit the vehicle. The wires could be energized and you could be electrocuted.
If you notice a downed power line, DO NOT touch or approach it. Please report downed wires or outages to Seattle City Light at 206.684.7400. Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out.
If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206-684-ROAD (206-684-7623).
If you see a blocked street gutter, please help clear the leaves and debris to keep the 80,000 storm drains throughout our city flowing smoothly and to help prevent flooding. Please report flooding issues to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) at 206.386.1800. Follow @SeattleSPU on Twitter.
Snowplow and cars on Capitol Hill from 2019 snow. Photo by Tim Durkan
Seattle (January 13, 2020) – Following limited overnight snowfall, the City of Seattle is closely monitoring impacts to services. Seattle saw snow showers over the night, with some accumulations of one to two inches on the ground.
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing for the next several days with overnight temperatures in the low 20s. The City is tracking another storm that may bring additional snowfall later this week.
The following are updates from City departments:
Seattle Department of Transportation – The majority of winter weather response routes and arterials are bare and wet and no streets are officially closed. SDOT has been pre-treating streets with salt since noon on Sunday. Some plowing was needed on north end arterials to move slush from travel lanes to the curb. SDOT is focused on school and hospital access streets and transit routes.
Crews continue to be on 24/7 staffing and are focusing now on treating any snowy streets in the north end with accumulations. Crews will be patrolling the city today and responding to service requests and treating streets again if needed.
For information on road closures, plowed roads, and planned snow response routes, please visit the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) live Storm Response Map.
The City is asking community members to keep sidewalks and curb ramps clear, don’t drive if you don’t have to, comply with any street closed signs.
Human Services Department – In addition to ongoing shelter capacity, the City, with our partners, has opened several emergency overnight shelters with capacity for 571 individuals. Last night, there were 86 individuals at Seattle Center, 171 people staying overnight at City Hall, and 18 at the King County Administration Building. Additional capacity remains at Seattle Center and the King County Administrative Building, and no one will be turned away from emergency shelter.
Warming centers are available all day at Seattle Center Armory and Bertha Knight Landes at City Hall was an early morning warming shelter. Over the weekend, the Navigation Team and the City’s outreach workers continued extensive outreach to unsheltered neighbors. The Navigation Team has large-scale transportation at the ready to transport individuals to shelter.
Parks and HSD continue to monitor weather conditions and shelter capacity. Parks and HSD will open the Seattle Municipal Tower and one or both the community centers if additional snow accumulation and the emergency weather shelters reach capacity.
Families in need of shelter can contact Mary’s Place 24 hour Community Emergency Family Shelter Intake Line at 206-245-1026. No families will be turned away, and transportation is available for those who need it.
Seattle Center – Seattle Center Armory will maintain regular hours today, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., and serve as a warming center throughout the day. Seattle Center Monorail will operate from 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Customer Service Centers – All Customer Service Centers, including the one at City Hall and the Animal Shelter, will open on time today.
Seattle Public Utilities – Solid waste collection operations are expected to be normal today citywide. Ice and snow in some neighborhoods could have isolated impacts, but they are expected to be minimal.
Seattle Public Schools – Seattle Public Schools will start two hours late today to allow time for road conditions to improve. The Seattle Department of Transportation is in contact with SPS.
Seattle City Light – Seattle City Light saw no significant power outages over the weekend. SCL is prepared with necessary equipment, supplies, chains for trucks, etc., to respond to any outage. Should there be widespread outages, SCL has crews on standby ready to respond and work 24/7 until every single customer is back on.
Tips for staying safe in case of an outage:
Seattle Parks and Recreation – All parks are open. Community centers and pools are expected to be open today but some may be delayed on a case-by-case basis. Please check online for details about specific sites and programs. Early morning programs and early morning swim is cancelled.
Seattle Preschool Program – Parents are encouraged to follow their preschool provider’s inclement weather policy. SPS-operated full day preschool, SPP, and Head Start have a two-hour delay and transportation will be operating on snow routes.
The Seattle Public Library – No impacts to service.
Seattle City Council – The Seattle City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meetings today on time, beginning with Council Briefings at 9:30 a.m. and Full Council at 2 p.m.
Seattle Fire Department – The Seattle Fire Department has the following updates:
Seattle Municipal Courts – Seattle Municipal Court will have a delayed opening today, Monday January 13, and will open to the public at 10 a.m. The in-custody calendar at the King County Jail will begin as soon as there is adequate staffing, and likely start before 10 a.m. The public can find the latest information on the Seattle Municipal Court website or by calling 206-684-5600.
Have a Plan
Be a Good Neighbor
You are part of the team too! Your participation and awareness can help.
February 4 at Phinney Neighborhood Center
Mass casualty events can happen at anytime and anywhere. At your workplace, at the game, during your commute, or even at your house. This free Stop the Bleed training will equip participants with the knowledge to save lives.
See information about the training and how to register at link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stop-the-bleed-february-4-2020-tickets-80758598141
Smart911 is a service that provides information to first responders to speed them in helping you.
With Smart911, you can provide 9-1-1 call takers and first responders critical information you want them to know in any kind of emergency.
Smart911 is a national service meaning your Smart911 Safety Profile travels with you and is visible to any participating 9-1-1 center nationwide.
Interested? Check out the Smart911 website for how you can enroll.
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