Summary

After the King County County Council approved emergency funding for COVID-19 response, Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles issued a statement.

Story

King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles issued the following statement after approval of an emergency spending measure that includes funding for COVID-19 quarantine sites in Interbay, North Seattle, Kent and White Center:

“I want to acknowledge that this is an anxiety-producing time for everyone, as we all find the best ways to adapt our lives to align with best practices in caring for ourselves, our families and our community.

“The sites that King County has identified for modular units that can serve as quarantine and isolation spaces are a critical piece of our response to this crisis. Some of the best and brightest scientists and epidemiologists have recommended these spaces as a way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community.

“To that end, these modular units will be made available to frontline health workers, emergency medical service staff, people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and other individuals such as college students who do not have the ability to isolate themselves.

“King County has a limited number of facilities for individuals with communicable diseases and existing hospitals and health care facilities in our region are working at or over capacity in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“I want to stress that these facilities do not pose a risk to the general public. The spread of coronavirus remains our biggest threat and having sites like these will go a long way to keep our entire community safe.

“I also want to stress that these locations should be utilized as quarantine sites during this emergency only. And, any further use of these locations for any other purpose should be carefully considered and deliberated as a part of our regular legislative process.

“We as a community are stronger together. I am confident that this quarantine site will help us curb the spread of this virus and help keep our most vulnerable neighbors from bearing the brunt of this quickly spreading virus.”

District Four modular housing locations will be sited at 531 Elliott Ave. West (capacity for 72 people) and at 1132 N. 128th St. (planning for 6 modular units).

###