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An Isolation Center Opened to Protect People From Coronavirus. Then Someone Wandered Out. An Isolation Center Opened to Protect People From Coronavirus. Then Someone Wandered Out.
(3 days later)
SEATTLE — Washington State had a problem: there were sure to be more coronavirus cases, and not enough safe places to isolate them. Officials found what they thought was a solution in the form of a shuttered Econo Lodge Motel in the city of Kent, south of Seattle, and modular housing units in another mostly lower-income neighborhood.SEATTLE — Washington State had a problem: there were sure to be more coronavirus cases, and not enough safe places to isolate them. Officials found what they thought was a solution in the form of a shuttered Econo Lodge Motel in the city of Kent, south of Seattle, and modular housing units in another mostly lower-income neighborhood.
The plan quickly ran into trouble. Residents and political leaders circulated petitions, complaining that their communities were becoming sacrifice zones for the coronavirus and warning that businesses could suffer and neighbors could become infected.The plan quickly ran into trouble. Residents and political leaders circulated petitions, complaining that their communities were becoming sacrifice zones for the coronavirus and warning that businesses could suffer and neighbors could become infected.
What might have sounded like ordinary not-in-my-backyard rhetoric came painfully to life on Friday when one of the first residents at the newly converted motel did exactly what the neighbors had feared would happen.What might have sounded like ordinary not-in-my-backyard rhetoric came painfully to life on Friday when one of the first residents at the newly converted motel did exactly what the neighbors had feared would happen.
The resident, a homeless person who was awaiting the results of a coronavirus test, ignored the instructions of a security guard and wandered away, King County officials said in a statement. The person shoplifted some items from a convenience store across the street, it said, then hopped on a northbound bus.The resident, a homeless person who was awaiting the results of a coronavirus test, ignored the instructions of a security guard and wandered away, King County officials said in a statement. The person shoplifted some items from a convenience store across the street, it said, then hopped on a northbound bus.
The bus was taken out of service for cleaning and sanitation; the community was still reeling.The bus was taken out of service for cleaning and sanitation; the community was still reeling.
Kent’s mayor, Dana Ralph, said neither of the two communities chosen to house people in need of isolation for coronavirus had experienced any cases of the virus before the new facilities opened. Residents of her town, she said, have wondered if their city was chosen by the county in order to protect wealthier neighborhoods around Seattle.Kent’s mayor, Dana Ralph, said neither of the two communities chosen to house people in need of isolation for coronavirus had experienced any cases of the virus before the new facilities opened. Residents of her town, she said, have wondered if their city was chosen by the county in order to protect wealthier neighborhoods around Seattle.
“The first two sites are probably the two most diverse areas of our county,” she said, “and are in the less affluent parts of our county. It’s not lost on us.”“The first two sites are probably the two most diverse areas of our county,” she said, “and are in the less affluent parts of our county. It’s not lost on us.”
The Seattle region pioneered a process of decision making, starting about 15 years ago, that requires city and county officials to conduct “equity impact reviews” to make sure that poor neighborhoods and those made up mostly of people of color are treated fairly in government decisions. The equity impact idea has since spread to many other cities, including Oakland, Calif., Minneapolis, Dallas and Charlotte, N.C.The Seattle region pioneered a process of decision making, starting about 15 years ago, that requires city and county officials to conduct “equity impact reviews” to make sure that poor neighborhoods and those made up mostly of people of color are treated fairly in government decisions. The equity impact idea has since spread to many other cities, including Oakland, Calif., Minneapolis, Dallas and Charlotte, N.C.
Ms. Ralph said the process has worked well in the past and local leaders are proud of the region’s role in creating it.Ms. Ralph said the process has worked well in the past and local leaders are proud of the region’s role in creating it.
“You stand those policies up in place so that in a time of crisis, you make sure how decisions are made,” she said. “But from the outside, it looks like all that got pushed aside because of the crisis.”“You stand those policies up in place so that in a time of crisis, you make sure how decisions are made,” she said. “But from the outside, it looks like all that got pushed aside because of the crisis.”
The director of King County’s Department of Community and Human Services, Leo Flor, said at a King County Council hearing on the White Center housing site earlier this week that a formal equity impact review had not been conducted, but that the values embodied by the rules definitely were incorporated.The director of King County’s Department of Community and Human Services, Leo Flor, said at a King County Council hearing on the White Center housing site earlier this week that a formal equity impact review had not been conducted, but that the values embodied by the rules definitely were incorporated.
“The piece of paper, the tool? No,” Mr. Flor said. “The equity impact process and values? Absolutely.”“The piece of paper, the tool? No,” Mr. Flor said. “The equity impact process and values? Absolutely.”
Mr. Flor said that extended discussions with the community, the usual forum in which such reviews take place, simply were not possible given the pace of the crisis and the crushing need to make decisions. “We did not have community engagement the way we normally would,” he said, suggesting that discussions would take place as the housing centers opened and issues arose.Mr. Flor said that extended discussions with the community, the usual forum in which such reviews take place, simply were not possible given the pace of the crisis and the crushing need to make decisions. “We did not have community engagement the way we normally would,” he said, suggesting that discussions would take place as the housing centers opened and issues arose.
He said county officials had to find a place to house people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus but had no place to go to avoid infecting other people. “We are developing facilities for people who do not have a home to go back to, either because they didn’t have a home in the first place, or because to go home would be unsafe to other people residing there,” Mr. Flor said.He said county officials had to find a place to house people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus but had no place to go to avoid infecting other people. “We are developing facilities for people who do not have a home to go back to, either because they didn’t have a home in the first place, or because to go home would be unsafe to other people residing there,” Mr. Flor said.
Ms. Ralph said that she had not been forewarned about the county’s plans for her city, and only found out after being called by a resident who had heard that the county was planning to purchase the motel.Ms. Ralph said that she had not been forewarned about the county’s plans for her city, and only found out after being called by a resident who had heard that the county was planning to purchase the motel.
A court commissioner denied the city’s request last week for a temporary restraining order stopping the former Econo Lodge site from reopening as an isolation center, but an appeal was scheduled for next week in King County Superior Court.A court commissioner denied the city’s request last week for a temporary restraining order stopping the former Econo Lodge site from reopening as an isolation center, but an appeal was scheduled for next week in King County Superior Court.
“We are of the belief that we have control of zoning and permitting and that an emergency doesn’t take that away from us,” Ms. Ralph said. “But our first frustration was that they didn’t consult with us, they didn’t talk to us.”“We are of the belief that we have control of zoning and permitting and that an emergency doesn’t take that away from us,” Ms. Ralph said. “But our first frustration was that they didn’t consult with us, they didn’t talk to us.”
Many cities are now looking at where to place isolation housing, some of them proposing to use trailers or various forms of existing housing. Seattle’s experience shows that the conversations will be tough, taking in fears about the virus as well as questions about who might be staying in the facilities as they open.Many cities are now looking at where to place isolation housing, some of them proposing to use trailers or various forms of existing housing. Seattle’s experience shows that the conversations will be tough, taking in fears about the virus as well as questions about who might be staying in the facilities as they open.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
King County has said it will probably need isolation housing for travelers, for example, who get stranded in the Seattle region after exposure and are unable to go home until the incubation period for the virus has passed. Others could include emergency workers, ordinary residents who cannot go home to their families and homeless people — King County has one of the highest rates of homelessness of any big city in the nation.King County has said it will probably need isolation housing for travelers, for example, who get stranded in the Seattle region after exposure and are unable to go home until the incubation period for the virus has passed. Others could include emergency workers, ordinary residents who cannot go home to their families and homeless people — King County has one of the highest rates of homelessness of any big city in the nation.
The homeless person at the site in Kent was only the second occupant at the location, county officials said.The homeless person at the site in Kent was only the second occupant at the location, county officials said.
One resident who lives near the White Center site, Rita Aronson, who works as a hair stylist, said her livelihood has already been hurt by the large number of people canceling appointments as a result of fears of the virus, and the community can ill afford other economic challenges.One resident who lives near the White Center site, Rita Aronson, who works as a hair stylist, said her livelihood has already been hurt by the large number of people canceling appointments as a result of fears of the virus, and the community can ill afford other economic challenges.
Sonia Ramirez, 45, an immigrant from Mexico who has lived for 25 years in the White Center neighborhood, said she worried about the children, including her 6-year-old daughter, who catch the bus to school near the facility. (Washington’s public schools were ordered closed by Gov. Jay Inslee this week.)Sonia Ramirez, 45, an immigrant from Mexico who has lived for 25 years in the White Center neighborhood, said she worried about the children, including her 6-year-old daughter, who catch the bus to school near the facility. (Washington’s public schools were ordered closed by Gov. Jay Inslee this week.)
“It’s a very residential area,” Ms. Ramirez said.“It’s a very residential area,” Ms. Ramirez said.
One county council member, Girmay Zahilay, who closely questioned Mr. Flor at the hearing about how the sites were chosen, stressed in an interview that he understands the strains on the system, and fully supports the county’s health mission and its workers.One county council member, Girmay Zahilay, who closely questioned Mr. Flor at the hearing about how the sites were chosen, stressed in an interview that he understands the strains on the system, and fully supports the county’s health mission and its workers.
“I know it’s a health crisis,” Mr. Zahilay said, but added that the county has an obligation to all of its residents.“I know it’s a health crisis,” Mr. Zahilay said, but added that the county has an obligation to all of its residents.
“Often times I think the word, ‘equity,’ becomes a buzz word, and the meaning gets lost because it gets thrown around so much,” he said. “During this unprecedented crisis, we have to make sure that the consequences of our decisions don’t fall on the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. That’s how we all get through this together.”“Often times I think the word, ‘equity,’ becomes a buzz word, and the meaning gets lost because it gets thrown around so much,” he said. “During this unprecedented crisis, we have to make sure that the consequences of our decisions don’t fall on the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. That’s how we all get through this together.”