Northwest
Masks mandated for Washington State Fair visitors
Visitors to the largest fair in the Pacific Northwest will be required to wear masks at all times.
Local News
Hospitalizations and COVID cases are near last winter’s peaks
Meanwhile, Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandates apparently inspired an increase in the state vaccination rate.
Northwest
Tacoma hospitals turning to tents to accommodate COVID surge
Medical staff is being redeployed amid canceled surgeries and other procedures.
Northwest
Washington hospitals seeing more more pregnant COVID patients
ICU admissions are rising, along with maternal deaths and babies born prematurely.
Opinion
Comment: ‘Why is this a thing, Mom?’
Why, for the antimask and antivax crowd, is this a political battle that ignores the needs of children?
Opinion
Comment: Some schools see dress codes as way to mandate masks
Dress codes have been challenged on free-speech arguments, but they’re seen as part of schools’ authority.
Local News
Snohomish County fire unions rail against vaccine mandate
Local departments are far from 100% vaccinated. Unions claim the mandate will thin the ranks.
Local News
At least one COVID case linked to Arlington basketball event
The Snohomish Health District recommends attendees of the three-on-three tournament seek testing.
Local News
Here and elsewhere, angry unmasked parents disrupt meetings
In Marysville, they shouted obscenities at board members who must comply with a state mask mandate.
Northwest
COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise in Washington
State health officials say that the number of patients in is doubling every 18 to 19 days.
Sports
Lake Stevens High School’s first 2 football games canceled
The Vikings’ powerhouse program was shut down for COVID-19 protocols after 2 players tested positive.
Northwest
‘Crisis teams’ sent to hard-hit COVID hospitals in Oregon
Hospitalizations have increased 990% in the state since July 9, according to health officials.
Northwest
Masks to be required in Oregon’s outdoor public settings
Health officials say they’re seeing instances where cases are clustering around outdoor events.
Opinion
Comment: Want to thank health workers? Wear mask, get vaxxed
Doctors, nurses and hospitals are swamped with covid cases. You can easily lighten their burden.
Opinion
Comment: GOP governors should stop fighting covid mandates
State bans against mandates for masks and vaccines go against long-held conservative principles.
Local News
Snohomish County infections near the highs set last winter
Vaccines have tempered this latest wave, officials say, but far more people need to gets their shots.
Local News
Students gear up for a year of reading, writing and masking
The excitement of returning to classrooms is tempered by a surge in COVID-19, mask wars and vaccine mandates.
Opinion
Comment: Should vaccination be a factor in who gets ICU care?
Giving priority to those who are vaccinated might seem justified, but medical care is owed to all.
Sports
EvCC, EdC begin competitions still dealing with COVID protocols
40-plus college soccer teams converge in Tukwila this week as NWAC sports get underway again.
Northwest
Washington state’s mask mandate went into effect Monday
The governor’s office is working with state partners to reestablish an enforcement system.