Seattle is innovating to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, Seattle Tech, businesses, and sports leaders raise $27M for COVID-19 Community Support Fund, and more from this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

How Seattle, Former Epicenter, Is Innovating to Respond to the Crisis

Forbes | Will Jeakle | March 26

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamjeakle/2020/03/26/how-seattle-former-epicenter-is-innovating-to-respond-to-the-crisis/#6499003c2220

“King County and the State of Washington has set up a clearinghouse website with resources for businesses and citizens affected by COVID-19 closures and changes. The City of Seattle has created a Small Business Stabilization Fund to assist businesses with fewer than 5 employees who rely on walk-in traffic for customers. The fund, with awards of up to $10,000 and a budget of $2.5 million has had more than 4,000 applicants. Applicants are screened for eligibility, then drawn at random.”

Seattle Tech, Business, Sports Heavyweights Raise $27M for COVID-19 Community Support Fund, Call on Others to Join

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | March 23

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/seattle-tech-business-sports-heavyweights-raise-27m-covid-19-community-support-fund-call-others-join/

“A coalition of tech, business, and sports leaders from across the Puget Sound region has raised $27 million to help people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak — and it is asking others to pitch in. More than 200 donors came together over the past four days to launch All in Seattle, an effort to provide assistance to community members in financial need due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The initial fundraising goal was $5 million.”

From $10 to $1,000, Donations are Pouring in to Boost UW Virology Lab’s Coronavirus Testing

Seattle Times | Sandi Doughton | March 20

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/donations-pouring-in-to-help-uw-virology-labs-coronavirus-testing/

“Scientists at UW Medicine’s Virology lab didn’t know what to expect when they set up a fundraising page Wednesday in response to questions from the public about how to help accelerate testing for the novel coronavirus. It didn’t take long to find out. By Friday afternoon, more than 550 people had donated nearly $185,000 in amounts ranging from $10 to $1,000.”