Hello Wednesday.
May 08 2024
As we enter into the new year, some COVID-19 safety measures are returning to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in our city. Here’s a snapshot of where Seattle stands.
Washington State has 10 million new masks on the way. | Photo by Anna Shvets via Pexels
Both Washington State and King County are seeing the highest daily average for COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic following the spread of the Omicron variant.
King County updates:
- 2,701 daily average cases for the past seven days (a 38% increase from the previous week).
- 93.2% of King County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 86.3% have gotten two, and 52% of eligible residents have gotten their booster.
COVID-19 test kit availability
The uptick in cases has added strain on medical facilities and led to some limited COVID-19 test availability. Governor Jay Inslee announced the state has acquired a total of 5.5 million at-home COVID tests, 4.7 million of which will be delivered next week. These tests will go to:
The state will also start distributing 10 million surgical and KN95 masks.
Vaccination options
Earlier this week, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced Seattle will see:
- A new partnership with Virginia Mason Clinic, which will provide Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, pediatric vaccines, and booster shots. The clinic opens Mon., Jan. 10 at 1100 9th Ave. on First Hill.
- Rainier Beach and West Seattle clinics will continue to provide vaccines through the rest of the month with a capacity to give out 700 shots a day.
- The city will also expand mobile vaccination through community partner pop-ups in order to ensure equitable vaccination opportunities.
You can find appointments here.
Official recommendations
- Surgical or KN95 masks give the best protection, per the Washington State Hospital Association. If you're unable to get ahold of any, you can also double up on cloth face coverings.
- King County Department of Health encourages everyone to get a flu shot, as doctors have been worried about the potential impact of a "flurona" twindemic.
Share this story to help keep your family and friends in Seattle informed.
Today
- All-In: High Stakes Improv | Fri., Jan. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | The Atlas Theatre | $18.50 | Two comedians take on a series of improvisational challenges to test their quick wits for your amusement.
- Peter White | Fri., Jan 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley | $34.50 | One of the most prolific acoustic guitarists in the contemporary jazz landscape performs with his band. 🎶
Saturday
- Waterfront Birding for Beginners | Sat., Jan. 8 | 10-11 a.m. | Pier 62 | Free | Here’s a 30-minute lesson for bird-watching novices on Puget Sound — BYOB (bring your own binoculars). 🐦
- Book Reading + Signing: “Kenjiro Nomura, American Modernist” | Sat., Jan. 8 | The Cascadia Museum, 190 Sunset Ave. S.., Edmonds | $12 | Authors Barbara Johns and David F. Martin will sign copies of their new book, which details the life of an extraordinary Japanese artist. 📙
- The Dope Show | Sat., Jan. 8 | 3 p.m. | The Factory Luxe, 3100 Airport Way S. | $20 | In this unique comedy showcase, comedians perform one set completely sober, go backstage to toke up, then come back for another round under the influence.
- Improvised Hip Hopera: Love Revival | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7-8:15 p.m. | Unexpected Productions, 1428 Post Alley | Enjoy a “hilariously tragic” hip-hop musical alive with spontaneity. 🎤
Sunday
- Brett Dennen: “See the World” Tour | Sun., Jan. 9 | 8 p.m. | The Neptune Theatre | $28 | The folky “Comeback” singer tours with his latest album.
- “Licorice Pizza” | Sun., Jan. 9 | 2:45 p.m., 6 p.m. + 9:15 p.m. | The Beacon | $12.50 | Enjoy the new Paul Thomas Anderson film at Columbia City’s indie theater, which features a solid selection of beer. 📽️
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Seattle. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.
Noom Mood can help users worry less and feel happier | Photo provided
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Weather
- 48º | Early showers, overcast afternoon | 65% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
- Rise: 7:56 a.m.
- Set: 4:35 p.m.
Travel
- Heading over the mountains? Not so fast. Snoqualmie, Stevens, and White + Blewett passes are all closed today — and potentially through tomorrow, too — because of dangerous road conditions and limited visibility from snowfall. 🏔️ (KOMO)
Development
- Ballard’s former Market Arms building is on its way to becoming a 188-unit apartment building. Building owners Deal Investments have filed a land use pre-application that includes plans for the apartments, 4,525 sqft of retail space, 6,300 sqft of common space, and 119 parking spaces. (My Ballard)
Opening
- Downtown residents are getting another grocery option later this month. PCC Community Markets is opening its 16th location Wed., Jan. 19 at 1320 4th Ave. The 20,000 sqft co-op comes with its own deli, bakery counter + wine and spirits section, along with regular produce and meat/fish options. 🛒
Tech
- Enough of those hills already. A University of Washington-housed technology developer has released a new app that makes city walking easier by providing directions that take hills, sidewalk accessibility, and potential safety hazards into account. AccessMap is available for iOS and Android. (UW Allen School News)
Sports
- Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson won the 2021 Bart Starr award, which is given each year to the NFL player who best exemplifies strong character and leadership on the field and in their community. The honor, voted on by other players, will be awarded during the Super Bowl Breakfast on Sat., Feb. 12. 🏈 (Seahawks.com)
Biz
- The Washington Technology Industry Association has extended the application deadline for its Founder Cohort program to Sun., Jan. 16. The accelerator aims to support Washington-headquartered startups by teaching founders how to fundraise, manage a board of directors + other corporate governance tasks. (SeattleInno)
Eat
- Does this mean the pizza is older than us? Bainbridge Island pizza shop That’s A Some Pizza is using a 120-year-old sourdough starter from the Alaskan gold rush to make its signature pizza crust. Her name is Betty and she’s also mixed with a 200 year-old starter from San Francisco. 🍕 (Seattle Times)
Legacy
- David Wagoner, Poetry Northwest editor + University of Washington professor, died at 95. Wagoner was a big influence in Washington’s poetry community through his years of teaching, supporting new writers, and inspiring others through his own work. (Crosscut)
Okay, first things first — the Guild 45th is NOT being demolished right now. It was perhaps easy to assume that, though, after five years of closure, when a backhoe suddenly appeared in front of the building among crumpled pieces of the marquee.
But the work pictured above was only to remove the broken marquee that was quickly becoming a safety hazard. No other permits (development or otherwise) have yet to be filed with the city — and so we wait.
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SEAtoday Team
Editorial: Alina, Gabe, Trevor, Britt
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