April 2020

information from City of Seattle

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan issued the following statement on Governor Inslee’s extension of statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, which will remain in effect until May 4. The order was first announced on March 23 and bans all gatherings, closes all non-essential businesses unless employees can work from home, and requires all Washingtonians to stay home unless they are engaging in an essential activity.

EDITORS NOTE: If you own a small business in SeaTac, Burien, White Center, West Seattle, or Ballard send your thoughts on what this means to you and what you expect to happen. Email WestSeattle@robinsonnews.com

information from the United States Treasury

The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. All loan terms will be the same for everyone.

The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as:

•   The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period after the loan is made; and

•   Employee and compensation levels are maintained.

By Jennifer Danner

Seattle Police Southwest Precinct

Crime Prevention Coordinator

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. In response, the Federal Trade Commission has posted information on their website regarding these scams and tips for avoiding them. I’m including the general tips below. When you go to this page, I encourage you to look at the Blog Posts and the Scammy Calls About the Coronavirus sections. Both have numerous articles that you may find helpful. 

The below information is courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing 

Avoid Coronavirus Scams 

Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay: 

The firefighters of Engine 32 take social distancing seriously but not so much so that it would keep them from celebrating a boys birthday. On Wednesday April 1, they tweeted:

"After responding to an aid call in West Seattle, the crews of Engine 32 saw Jamie and his parents celebrating his 9th birthday in their front yard. They stopped by to wish him a happy birthday before jumping back into their rig for another dispatch."

The West Seattle Senior Center is providing essential services including delivering meals to seniors in their homes at lunchtime Monday -- Friday and people can also stop by the Senior Center and pick up a sack lunch.

New Executive Director for the Center Amy Lee Derenthal said, "We used the meals donated by Dan Austin and other local restaurateurs that they are now trying to make weekly. We're also still doing the West Seattle Food Bank distribution on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m., Meals on Wheels on Wednesdays and our social workers and staff are reaching out to our membership to check in.

We'll deliver essential items to seniors as well -- groceries and other items."