This Seattle bar owner is optimistic, but not ready to up capacity

One year ago, 2,000 Washingtonians had contracted what we used to call the novel coronavirus.

More than 100 people had died, and exactly one year ago today, Governor Jay Inslee issued his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order.

This week is the first time many businesses across Washington can operate at up to 50% capacity.

Mike Lewis is the owner of the Streamline Tavern in Lower Queen Anne. He initially spoke to KUOW just one month after the stay-at-home order went into effect, and again on March 23, 2021, the day after Washington state advanced to Phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan.

And he's optimistic. He'll be more so when his team can get vaccinated.

But he's also proceeding with caution.

"I don't see any way that we can, we can add capacity and not increase risk," Lewis says now.

"I mean, we'll take it, right," he says. "I mean, we need the business, so we'll take it, we'll take the extra business. But we're not really open at 50% capacity."

It's been a long time since businesses like the Streamline Tavern have even considered hosting so many customers — ever since, one year ago, Gov. Inslee began stay-at-home orders.

"Here is what the order will do, effective for a minimum of two weeks," Inslee said at the time. "It essentially requires every Washingtonian to minimize physical contact with others, unless they are pursuing essential activities, like grocery shopping, going to a doctor’s appointment or the pharmacy, or if they work at a business deemed essential to continue functioning during an emergency."

It was basically the state's first taste of what would become an extended and evolving "new normal."

"This is temporary," Inslee assured. "Schools will reopen. Weddings will happen. Factories will start again. And you can toast the end of this at your favorite hangout as soon as possible, because we're hitting this hard."

Back then, Inslee and the state planned for two weeks of staying home.

One year later, businesses (those that have survived) are opening up more. Monday was the first day in months that restaurants, bars and other indoor spaces could operate at 50% capacity.

Hear more with Mike Lewis by clicking the audio above.