COVID-19 April 23 Update
Dear SODO Businesses, The SODO BIA continue to closely track the impacts of COVID-19. As we navigate this difficult time we will continue to share resources, news, and services that you may find helpful. We understand the concern and impacts of the COVID-19 on our SODO community and are here to help and support in any way we can. We have seen increase of illegal dumping all through out SODO. We are still able to provide on demand illegal dumping clean up. Please contact Lauren at lauren@sodoseattle.org to report! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here for any issues you may come across! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns, please contact me at erin@sodoseattle.org _______________________________________________________________________ |
Governor announces Washington’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday laid out his vision for the eventual safe return to public life amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The governor in his address described the state’s approach for the gradual return to public life. Depending on health projections for the spread of the virus, some distancing restrictions may be in place for weeks or months to come, he said. “It will look more like the turning of the dial than the flip of a switch,” Inslee said. “We’re going to take steps and then monitor to see whether they work or if we must continue to adapt.” The governor’s plan has three overriding goals: 1.) Protect the Health and Safety of Washingtonians: Guided by data and science, we must continue to suppress the virus, protect our most vulnerable and treat those who are sick. We must ensure that COVID-19 infections and deaths are decreasing and that we have sufficient testing and contact identification in place before taking steps toward loosening restrictions. 2.) Facilitate a Safe Start and Transition to Economic Recovery: A healthy workforce is needed for a healthy economy. When it is safe, we will take measured steps to get people back to doing what they do best in a way that protects themselves and their communities’ health. 3.) Support All People and Communities: We will use an equity lens for recovery efforts to enhance people’s physical, emotional and financial well-being, with particular attention to those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including communities of color, individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals with disabilities, as well as those experiencing unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity. The governor’s plan emphasizes the necessity for community leaders from across the state to work together to provide guidance for a safe and sustainable recovery for all Washingtonians. The governor will appoint three leadership groups to advise on public health, economic recovery and social supports. The governor said that if the data continues to indicate it’s safe to do so, the state may soon be able to consider how to modify restrictions around elective surgeries, construction and outdoor recreation. “We are looking forward to making advances against this virus,” Inslee said. “Only science, data and informed reasoning can lift us out of this crisis.” Read More Here! _______________________________________________________________________ |
Statement from Mayor Durkan on Congressional Approval of Additional Relief to Small Businesses, Hospitals and Funding for Testing Seattle (April 21, 2020) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan issued the following statement today regarding Senate passage of a relief bill to small business owners that adds additional funding for hospitals and resources to expand testing nationwide: “As this public health crisis continues, the impact on our workers and small businesses will have a long lasting economic effect. Too many of our small businesses in Seattle and across Washington weren’t able to initially access the Small Business Administration loans. Small businesses are Seattle’s economic engine and any additional resources directed toward our small businesses are key to our long term economic recovery. Our small businesses provide over 200,000 jobs and make up 95 percent of Seattle establishments. “Although there are additional financial resources for hospitals and testing, we also know there needs to be a national strategy to utilize our manufacturing and scientific capacity across the nation. We need to leverage America’s workers and talent instead of cities, states, and hospitals engaging in bidding wars for swabs, testing kits, antibody testing, critical personal protective equipment, and ventilators. “As we have seen with the City’s budget forecast, there is no scenario that doesn’t lead to significant job loss, high unemployment and revenue loss for cities and states. The pandemic has crossed state and city boundaries, and Congress must continue to direct aid to workers most impacted and cities who are the frontline of addressing the crisis.” _______________________________________________________________________ |
Small Business Tele-Briefing with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal Thursday, April 23, 2020 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. (PDT) Pre-Register here: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WeGhHrXMT3KMf_eugZZLTg Congresswoman Jayapal has received many constituent calls about existing CARES Act relief programs. She will take your feedback and answer your questions about these programs and what the next phase in the economic relief effort should look like. Congresswoman Jayapal believes her proposal for a Paycheck Guarantee Act will provide the most direct and streamlined relief to small businesses and the workers they employ. With the Paycheck Guarantee Act, all businesses and nonprofits would become eligible for grants (not loans) to cover up to 100% of their employee’s paychecks and benefits up to a salary cap of $100,000 plus an additional 25% to cover other fixed costs like rent and utilities. The program would keep employees connected to their health insurance and employers connected to their valuable, already-trained, qualified staff. Learn more during the briefing. _______________________________________________________________________ |
Unemployment Assistance for Gig Workers Unemployment benefits in Washington state are expanding under the federal CARES Act to cover independent contractors and self-employed individuals. Anyone who is receiving or will be receiving weekly unemployment benefits, either through regular State unemployment or through the expanded CARES Act will receive an additional $600 per week through the CARES Act. These new benefits are also available for workers who did not work enough hours to qualify for traditional unemployment benefits (workers who worked less than 680 hours). The City of Seattle encourages anyone who has lost work due to COVID-19 to apply including delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, and domestic workers who are house cleaners, nannies, cooks, home care workers, gardeners or household managers. You can apply to receive unemployment assistance from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) at esd.wa.gov/unemployment. Here’s what to do right now to be prepared to apply: – Sign up for Action Alerts – Check out the application check list – Sign up for or check if you have a Secure Access WA (SAW) Account – If you are an independent contractor or are self-employed, gather documents to show your work hours. Tax information like a tax return or 1099 is best, but other documents may be accepted. Read More Here _______________________________________________________________________ |
Mayor Durkan Statement on New Economic Forecast in Seattle, Which Highlights Significant Impact of Pandemic on Workers, Local Businesses and City Revenue Seattle (April 21, 2020) – The City Budget Office today released their latest economic forecasts and revenue projections for Seattle. Understanding there is significant uncertainty nationally and locally on the economic impacts, the City of Seattle’s Budget Office today announced two economic scenarios for a rapid recovery scenario and a slow recovery scenario. Both scenarios highlight significant job loss, high unemployment and impacts to the City budget which range from $210 million to $300 million. You can view the City Budget Office forecasts, which will be presented to City Council here. “The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the most consequential and transformative events of our lifetime. As we expect the public health crisis to continue in our region, we know the impact on our workers, small businesses, non-profits and artists will be felt deeply for months and years to come. As a City, we are rethinking how City government can respond to the urgent needs of our community and create a foundation for recovery,” said Mayor Durkan. “Our decisions about our emergency response and economic recovery will be made thoughtfully and with an eye towards equity and social justice. As we look into recovery, one of our top priorities will be supporting our workers and businesses so our City can get back to being a booming economy. I will continue to do everything possible to get the region the resources we need to get through this pandemic and to rebuild a strong, equitable city.” Read the Full Press Release Here _______________________________________________________________________ |
Sign-up for COVID Alerts You can now sign-up for COVID-specific weekly updates through AlertSeattle. Text COVID to 67283 or update your preferences by logging in to your existing account. _______________________________________________________________________ |
OED Small Business COVID-19 Weekly Webinar As COVID-19 is a rapidly developing issue, OED will be holding weekly calls to share new developments, hear about the impacts you are experiencing, and answer your questions. Please join every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Register here – View notes and recordings from previous webinars |