Sydney Jackson

Cindy Clark, a Long COVID patient, poses for a photo in her home with the various treatments she used in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘From COVID to heart failure’: Long COVID patients feel unseen, unheard

As doctors struggled to understand the virus, patients like Amy McGrath, of Snohomish, scoured the internet for answers.

Cindy Clark, a Long COVID patient, poses for a photo in her home with the various treatments she used in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Storage containers and a dumpster sit in the parking lot outside of Claire’s Place on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Displaced residents of Clare’s Place still believe in ‘Housing First’

The 65-unit supportive housing facility in Everett has been closed for months due to meth and fentanyl contamination.

Storage containers and a dumpster sit in the parking lot outside of Claire’s Place on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two people in white protective suits move a large package out of Clare’s Place and into a storage container in the parking lot on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dozens in limbo due to meth, fentanyl contamination at Clare’s Place

Tests detected meth and fentanyl in 48 of 65 “housing first” units in Everett. It’s the latest supportive housing community to need decontamination.

Two people in white protective suits move a large package out of Clare’s Place and into a storage container in the parking lot on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Outside of the recently closed Starbucks along Highway 99 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Labor board: Starbucks broke law in Everett, Seattle store closures

The National Labor Relations Board accused Starbucks of closing the Evergreen Way store and others due to union activity.

Outside of the recently closed Starbucks along Highway 99 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Annaberies Colmena, a patient navigator, sits behind an open enrollment flyer at Sea Mar on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Enrollment open as noncitizens can buy health insurance in Washington

Snohomish County ranks sixth in the state for percentage of residents who have health insurance, behind King and Skagit counties.

Annaberies Colmena, a patient navigator, sits behind an open enrollment flyer at Sea Mar on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A COVID-19 and influenza vaccine on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As flu season rises, a quarter of Washingtonians are vaccinated

“Flu is just getting started,” Snohomish County’s health officer said. COVID cases were below an “alert threshold,” but it remains the deadliest virus.

A COVID-19 and influenza vaccine on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett nurses reject tentative agreement with Providence

Nurses said the contract would not do enough to solve the hospital’s staffing crisis. Providence was “disappointed” by the vote.

Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
NAMI board members Karen Schilde, left, and Kathy Chiles, right, outside of Verdant Community Wellness Center on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2021 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mental illness survivors find healing and purpose at NAMI

The nonprofit’s volunteers fight mental illness stigma in Snohomish and Island counties.

NAMI board members Karen Schilde, left, and Kathy Chiles, right, outside of Verdant Community Wellness Center on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2021 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Elizabeth Cervantes, right, and her mother Maria Jimenez, left, pose for a photo at their home in Burlington, Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

State lacks Spanish-speaking nurses; for Everett student, it’s personal

Elizabeth Cervantes, an undocumented immigrant, knows firsthand how language is a barrier to care. That’s why she’s in nursing school.

Elizabeth Cervantes, right, and her mother Maria Jimenez, left, pose for a photo at their home in Burlington, Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A view of the Broadway construction site of Compass Health’s new mental health facility on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Compass Health dedicates Everett block to housing and behavioral health services

The “state-of-the-art” project is set to total over $90M. The nonprofit has asked for public support.

A view of the Broadway construction site of Compass Health’s new mental health facility on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)

Providence Swedish tightens COVID, mask policy

Citing a rise in respiratory illness, local hospitals and clinics will require masks for care.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
Providence Hospital in Everett at sunset Monday night on December 11, 2017. Officials Providence St. Joseph Health Ascension Health reportedly are discussing a merger that would create a chain of hospitals, including Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, plus clinics and medical care centers in 26 states spanning both coasts. (Kevin Clark / The Daily Herald)

After strike, Everett nurses, Providence agree on tentative contract

Following a five-day strike, union nurses and the hospital met to negotiate for the first time in late November.

Providence Hospital in Everett at sunset Monday night on December 11, 2017. Officials Providence St. Joseph Health Ascension Health reportedly are discussing a merger that would create a chain of hospitals, including Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, plus clinics and medical care centers in 26 states spanning both coasts. (Kevin Clark / The Daily Herald)
An STI clinic opened Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Free STI clinic opens in Everett after 14-year hiatus — and as rates spike

The county-run facility will provide treatment and resources for prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

An STI clinic opened Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Community College is introducing a new Trojan design as the college's symbol of student spirit and athletics. The design incorporates the Feather Star, EvCC's official logo, in the Trojan's cape.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Amid staffing crisis, student nurses run into shortages in education too

Everett Community College’s nursing program has 79 slots. Hundreds apply each year — and that’s just the first hurdle.

Everett Community College is introducing a new Trojan design as the college's symbol of student spirit and athletics. The design incorporates the Feather Star, EvCC's official logo, in the Trojan's cape.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

First flu-related death of the season reported in Snohomish County

The county expects more flu, COVID and RSV cases over the holidays.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Providence Everett nurses end strike, return to understaffed shifts

The Everett hospital says staffing issues persist as nurses return to work.

Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a rail union workers rally outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Sen. Bernie Sanders says ‘We must stand’ with Providence Everett nurses

Sanders showed support for Everett nurses this week through multiple social media posts.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a rail union workers rally outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Providence Everett strike: 520 nurses hired to replace 1,330

Leadership for the Everett hospital revealed Thursday how many temporary nurses they brought in as a walkout continued.

Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

As Providence nurses strike, replacements cross the picket line

Around 1,300 Everett nurses plan to strike for five days due to chronic understaffing at the hospital.

Providence nurses picket in front of the hospital during the first day of their planned 5-day strike Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Strike signs are displayed during a press confrence for the Providence nurses who gave a 10-day strike notice two days ago at the Everett Labor Temple in Everett, Washington on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

About 1,300 Providence nurses are walking out. Here’s what to know.

Nurses and their families plan to picket the Evertt hospital’s two campuses from Tuesday to Sunday.

Strike signs are displayed during a press confrence for the Providence nurses who gave a 10-day strike notice two days ago at the Everett Labor Temple in Everett, Washington on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)