Thread by @komonews

Watch live: Gov. Inslee is announcing a ban on gatherings and events of more than 250 people in virtually the entire Seattle metro area to try to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Watch: komonews.com/watch

Details: bit.ly/2Q7xNZ1

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan begins by saying, "we will get through it...it will be hard."

.@GovInslee says he is pleased to report that "Washingtonians have been acting very responsibly to slow this epidemic."

@GovInslee "It is clear that our state needs a more vigorous and more comprehensive and more aggressive position if we are going to slow this epidemic," Inslee says.

@GovInslee Says this is not your ordinary flu, and is potentially 10 times more deadly than the flu.

@GovInslee Starting today, events with more than 250 people in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties are now prohibited.

@GovInslee The three counties are experiencing significant community transmission and significant outbreaks, Inslee says.

@GovInslee "This is an extremely dangerous event we are facing, but we are not helpless," Inslee says.

Watch live: komonews.com/watch

@GovInslee Inslee says the way to reduce the spread is to limit social interactions.

@GovInslee "These are not easy decisions...they are going to be profoundly disturbing to the way we live our lives..." Inslee says.

@GovInslee The prohibition for the three counties is through March, but it is very likely it will be extended further, Inslee says.

@GovInslee Inslee is asking employers to make changes on how they do business. Including maximizing telecommunicating options.

@GovInslee Inslee says "social distancing" is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

@GovInslee Wants business leaders to think about social distancing and what they can do.

@GovInslee "We are going to fight this epidemic as much as we can...we don't want to see an avalanche of people coming into our hospitals with limited capacity," Inslee says.

@GovInslee Inslee mentions delaying elective surgery if possible.

@GovInslee Inslee is asking all school districts to begin contingency planning for school closures.

@GovInslee "We know the rest of the nation will be where we are perhaps in a couple of weeks..." Inslee says, hoping Washington can be an example of slowing epidemic.

@GovInslee .@kcexec says gatherings smaller than 250 should also not happen unless very clear public health steps are taken. Smaller events will also be prohibited unless they pass public health guidelines.

@GovInslee @kcexec "Business can and must continue...if they are able to meet the criteria..to keep people safe," Constantine says.

@GovInslee @kcexec "We are all in this together," says Constantine. "We have to act with urgency, and leave no one behind."

Watch: komonews.com/watch

@GovInslee @kcexec Dr. Jeff Duchin: "We are facing an unprecedented health emergency." Saying everyone must act together.

@GovInslee @kcexec "The number of cases doubles every couple of days...we expect a large-scale outbreak in weeks," Duchin said.

@GovInslee @kcexec "Although most of us will have mild illness...there are many older adults/those with underlying conditions that will require medical care and hospitalization," Duchin says.

@GovInslee @kcexec Duchin also emphasizes how key social distancing is to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Watch live: komonews.com/watch

@GovInslee @kcexec "We all have people in our lives who are at high risk," Duchin says.

@GovInslee @kcexec "This outbreak will go on for weeks and likely months," Duchin says.