Here in the epicenter of Washington state, Seattle is buying an old Econolodge on Center Avenue in Kent. Kent residents and city council members are protesting that it will be in their community. They claim unfair as their community is more divers than other areas. Of course, the diversity makes the area more of a hub for possible outbreaks. There are many Asians and recent immigrants to the south of Seattle who are more likely to have contact with people flying to various places.
The City of Seattle says that it was chosen because each room has its own HVAC and the rooms open to the outside, not to an interior corridor.
Kent is also close to the Seattle Tacoma Airport where if someone tested positive they would not have to be moved many miles into the City of Seattle.
Kent says it sets up a scenario like the assisted living center in Kirkland which has accounted for nine or ten of Washington states deaths. But this motel would not have all residents breathing the same air as they did in the assisted living facility.
“City of Seattle says that it was chosen because each room has its own HVAC and the rooms open to the outside, not to an interior corridor.”
Very smart of Seattle
We have a Kent address; people around here are pissed off about it. Probably 95% of other motels in the area are set up the same way. The problem area has been 20 miles North. My wife was trying to explain to others yesterday that unless people were in close proximity to someone infected, that it didn't matter much whether the facility chosen was 20 miles away or right next door.
I just got back from the grocery store. The other day there was a run on the place. Today its completely stocked and about half as full as it usually is. Someone had wiped down the cart I was using with some type of lotion type disinfectant and that was kind of gross.