Thread by @Seattle2019nCov

Live address from Governor Inslee at 5:30 PM PT tonight.

Topic: #COVID19 response

#coronavirus

https://twitter.com/GovInslee/status/1242162523064995851

Here is a link to the live press briefing from @TVWnews

https://twitter.com/TVWnews/status/1242246849588654081?s=20

Follow below for summary of statements

#COVID19 #Coronavirus

Governor Inslee's update on #COVID19:
🎙️ COVID19 has claimed more than 100 lives in our state, and that number will continue to rise, unfortunately
🎙️ It's time to hunker down in order to win this fight
🎙️ Issuing a stay home order to fight this virus

🎙️ This is a "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order
🎙️ It is still safe to go outside for essential purposes, and essential businesses will remain open
🎙️ It is OK to go for a walk to enjoy a sunny spring day

🎙️ The more we stay home, the more time we buy to fight this virus in the near term and long term
🎙️ This order builds on other essential steps already taken including closure of schools and gatherings

🎙️ Have heard from health officials that some people are still not practicing these precautions, which is one reason we have to take these steps
🎙️ Measures are more stringent, but the goal is the same: reduce physical interactions where the virus can spread

🎙️ This weapon - distancing ourselves - is our only weapon against this virus
🎙️ It can work, but only if we actually use it

🎙️ This order will be effective for a minimum of two weeks
🎙️ Orders Washingtonians to minimize contact with others unless you're pursuing essential activities like grocery shopping or going to a doctor, or if you work at an essential business

🎙️ This does not mean you can't go outside - going for a walk outside can be essential to physical and mental health
🎙️ All gatherings are immediately banned for social, spiritual and recreational purposes

🎙️ This also applies to some of the most important gatherings of all: weddings and funerals
🎙️ 48 hours from now, businesses will be closed, excluding those deemed essential in these times or where employees can work remotely

🎙️ Some businesses are essential and will not be closed by this order
🎙️ These are chosen largely on federal guidelines and icludes: emergency svcs, healthcare, critical manufacturing, childcare providers, food and ag, transportation, financial services, defense industries and...

🎙️ ...critical local government operations, including courts
🎙️ The media will continue to operate as well

🎙️ Any essential business or entity allowed to operate must implement rules to help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet
🎙️ To our restaurants: this order does not stop delivery services, as many are currently doing

🎙️ We expect everyone to comply voluntarily - everyone knows all of our loved ones are at risk - but this order is enforceable by law
🎙️ To be socially irresponsible in these times is to risk the lives of our loved ones

🎙️ The rapid growth of cases in our state has put us in a race against time - we need to grow hospital capacity or we face an even greater emergency - the more we stay home, the fewer will be infected, and the more lives will be saved

🎙️ This is a difficult choice, and will add to economic hardship many are already feeling
🎙️ We need to think about it in these terms: we need to get back to normal as soon as possible
🎙️ The fastest way to get back to normal is to *hit this hard* - which is what we're doing

🎙️ We continue to search for ways to mitigate the economic impacts on the lives of our 7m residents
🎙️ Visit: coronavirus.wa.gov
🎙️ For the sake of everyone, do not make a run on grocery stores to overstock
🎙️ If we maintain our normal habits, there won't be empty shelves

🎙️ We encourage everyone to turn to whatever in their lives to give them hope
🎙️ For Gov Inslee, it's stories of others taking action to aid and comfort each other as we weather this crisis

🎙️ School districts in Tacoma and Puyallup are offering childcare services to first responders
🎙️ These are the folks risking their lives for us; they are current day heroes; they go to work so we can stay home and be safe

🎙️ Also inspired by a story of a furniture factory in Mukilteo, who is using its facilities to produce surgical masks and face shields for Providence Health who is facing a shortage

🎙️ While we minimize our physical connections, it is essential that we maximize our emotional connections - which we can do electronically
🎙️ This challenge is temporary; schools will reopen, weddings will happen

🎙️ Every single Washingtonian needs to enlist themselves in this struggle if we are to win
🎙️ Be thoughtful, strong, and compassionate, knowing for certain that we can get through this together

🎙️ Walt Whitman wrote: "Of the courage of present times and all times, fighting through the storm with knuckles tight and not giving back an inch to save others consumed by the tides"
🎙️ We need this spirit now in our state; life will be different, but we will defeat it

🎙️ Gov Inslee makes a promise: "Be of good cheer, we will not desert you. Stay Home, Stay Healthy. Thank you and be well."

/End of briefing/

Please excuse brevity and/or typos