AlertSeattle: COVID-19 Subscribers – This weekly alert provides new and updated information and links to City of Seattle programs and services for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains helpful city, county, state and federal resources. You may receive more frequent alerts, if needed.
News
- Mayor Durkan Extends Moratorium on Residential, Nonprofit, and Small Business Evictions Until June 4
- Weekly COVID-19 Community Webinars: Seattle Department of Neighborhoods hosts weekly webinars every Friday from 2:30-4:00 p.m. to connect community to information regarding COVID-19. Each week covers different topics.
Governor’s Office, DOH, and other WA State departments
- Inslee extends 12 proclamations relating to COVID-19
- Inslee issues two new emergency proclamations
- Safe Start Washington
New OR updated Resources and Services
For the full list of resources and services, visit www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19.
Free and Accessible Walk-up and Drive-thru Testing
Free walk-up COVID-19 testing is available at the Rainier Beach Atlantic City Boat Ramp (located across from Rainier Beach High School) every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. No appointments are necessary, and registration will be on-site. The site has the capacity to test 100 people per day. You will not be asked for your citizenship or immigration status.
On-site and Drive-thru Testing Sites
Most testing currently available in the greater Seattle area is limited to patients and employees of specific health care systems or people who meet guidelines set by the Washington State Department of Health. Typically, you will be required to schedule an appointment and have proof of insurance. The Seattle Times maintains this list of testing sites.
City of Seattle Hygiene Facilities
Seattle City Council has launched this map showing various Seattle Public Library and Parks and Recreation restroom, shower, and hygiene facilities available to the public. This map might not be completely comprehensive. We will post an updated map as more facilities open across the city. The map is available at Councilmember Andrew Lewis’ Hygiene Facilities page.
NAMI Washington Helpline Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Seattle operates a mental health referral and information helpline (call 206-783-9264 or text 206-207-7765) to connect callers to the support and resources that they need. This helpline is not a crisis line, as they are not equipped to assist you with crisis intervention. More information about their helpline and list of resources here.
You Can Now Use SNAP EBT Cards to Order Grocery Pick-Up or Delivery
The following stores and online retailers now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards as a form of payment for grocery pick-up or delivery.
- QFC and Fred Meyer locations that offer grocery pick up now accept EBT payment for orders placed online. Select a location and place your order through the store website (visit QFC or Fred Meyer). When you reach the payment option, select “Pay with EBT” and bring your EBT card when you pick up the groceries. Learn more here.
- Washington SNAP EBT funds can be used to purchase groceries for delivery through Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pantry, and Amazon Grocery. You can learn more about the program here.
Seattle Area Food Map
The Seattle Human Resources Department developed this interactive Food Resource Map
that shows the locations of food banks, free meals, and student to-go meal pick-ups. The map can also be filtered by status with options to reflect those open, those with limited operations, and those whose status is unknown. You can access the map here.
FEEST Seattle and WA-BLOC Food Support for the Rainier Beach Community (Updated)
FEEST Seattle and WA-BLOC have been providing free hot lunch for students in the Rainier Beach Community every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Rainier Beach Community Center plaza while schools remain closed. More information is at WA-BLOC’s Facebook page.
ArtsFund COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund
The ArtsFund COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund provides immediate relief grants for arts organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19. “The goal of ArtsFund’s COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund is to enable arts and cultural organizations to maintain essential functions and retain core staff throughout the current public health crisis so that they are positioned to reopen when possible.” To learn more, visit: artsfund.org/covid-19-relief-fund.
Humanities Washington CARES Act Humanities Relief Grants
Humanities Washington is providing rapid-response funding to humanities organizations facing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus. Funding for this grant is provided by the CARES Act and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit: humanities.org/relief.
Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)
Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises in Seattle and King County are now eligible to apply for up to $2 million in low‑interest Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to offset economic losses caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Small business owners are also eligible to apply for an EIDL Emergency Advance of up to $10,000. Funds will be made available within three days of submitting application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid, regardless of whether you end up qualifying for an EIDL loan or not. Details here at the SBA website.
- SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) had offered up to $10 million in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. Details here at the SBA website.
- Updated: The second round of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program opened on April 27.
- SBA’s Debt Relief Program pays the principal, interest, and fees of current and new 7(a), 504, and microloans. Details here at the SBA website.
- SBA’s Express Bridge Loans enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access $25,000 quickly. Details here at the SBA website.
You can contact the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) for technical assistance by calling (206) 684-8090 (interpretation provided) or by emailing OED@seattle.gov. You can also learn more at the Seattle Office of Economic Development page here. You can also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 (interpretation provided) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Websites
COVID-19 key hubs of online information and resources:
- City of Seattle – www.seattle.gov/covid-19
- Local – www.kingcounty.gov/covid
- State – www.coronavirus.wa.gov
- Federal – https://www.coronavirus.gov/ and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
Call Centers for Public Inquiries
- City of Seattle Customer Service Bureau – 206-684-2489 or 206-684-CITY
To learn more about the services the City is providing. Helpline is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and operators can connect with an external interpreter.
- Public Health-Seattle & King
County – 206-477-3977
For residents who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19, or for healthcare providers with COVID-19 questions. Helpline is open daily from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and operators can connect with a third-party interpreter. - Washington State Department of Health –
800-525-0127 and press #
For general questions about how the virus is spread and what to do if you have symptoms. Helpline is open daily from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
E-Bulletins
- Public Health-Seattle & King County posts regular information updates and news releases on their Public Health Insider blog site. Register your email address to follow the blog and receive notifications of updates. https://publichealthinsider.com/
- Washington State Department of Health issues regular e-newsletter bulletins. Sign-up and manage your subscription preferences. https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADOH_360
- The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issues regular e-bulletins. Sign-up and manage your subscription preferences. https://tools.cdc.gov/campaignproxyservice/subscriptions.aspx?topic_id=USCDC_201
Donations and Volunteer Opportunities
For a full list of opportunities: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19#iwanttodonatevolunteer.
City of Seattle PPE Donations Collection – The City partnered with Goodwill Industries and Labor partners to coordinate the collection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for distribution to those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more, visit here. For donations, visit here.
King County Regional Donations Connector – Matching donations of money, food, goods, and services to agencies in need:www.kingcounty.gov/emergency/donate. Direct questions to donations@kingcounty.gov.
ArtsFund COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund
Latino Community Fund of Washington State COVID-19 Resiliency Fund