Local News
With BA.2 variant, county’s COVID cases up 2nd week in a row
Health officials called the increase concerning, but hospital admissions for COVID are still low.
Opinion
Comment: CDC’s new mask guidance could be too slow to respond
In the event of a surge, its recommendations could delay a response, allowing covid to spread rapidly.
Opinion
Comment: Democrats must break stalemate over covid funding
If another surge hits and support isn’t available for vaccines and treatments, Democrats will get the blame.
Opinion
Comment: What science says about vaccines and a fourth shot
Some will likely need a second booster, but most remaing protected against severe covid disease.
Opinion
Comment: Only way to live with covid is not to ignore it
The U.S. might follow the U.K.’s course with omicron’s BA.2 subvariant. But there are distinctions.
Opinion
Comment: Why it’s a good idea to stock up on masks, tests
Congress, in rejecting a pandemic funding request, is again letting down its guard at the wrong time.
Local News
Finally, Snohomish County’s COVID case rate in double digits
The numbers look good, but Snohomish Health District officials say they’re keeping an eye on the BA.2 subvariant.
Local News
Once a rarity, remote government meetings appear here to stay
A locally inspired bill pushes governing boards to let people keep participating from afar, even when the pandemic…
Opinion
Comment: Research into long covid could advance other work
It’s already prompting clues into Alzheimer’s as well as Lyme disease and other chronic conditions.
Local News
‘ForWArd’ plan details how state will ‘coexist’ with COVID
Moving away from mandates, officials say the next phase in Washington’s response is about “empowering” residents to keep…
Northwest
Canada announces it’s dropping testing requirement at border
Starting April 1, fully vaccinated travelers won’t be required to complete a pre-entry COVID-19 test.
Local News
As masks come off, Snohomish County locals have mixed emotions
Some are nervous. Some are relieved. Snohomish County’s health officer and top elected official will keep their masks…
Northwest
Demonstrators rally in Olympia against state COVID-19 mandates
GOP Rep. Robert Sutherland of Granite Falls told the crowd he was denied entrance to the statehouse because…
Local News
Bill to set minimum hospital staffing dies in state Senate
Hospitals opposed a bill limiting the number of patients per nurse. It died in a committee this week.
Local News
Brier’s police staffing challenge clashes with COVID concerns
Some residents said they would be apprehensive about hiring unvaccinated officers who have applied.
Opinion
Comment: Covid has taken a toll on cancer prevention and care
But we can use strategies we used against covid to quickly improve access to screening and treatment.
Northwest
Washington Congresswoman DelBene tests positive for COVID-19
Her district encompasses eastern King, parts of Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Local News
Cued by CDC, Inslee moves up end of mask mandate to March 12
Washington, Oregon and California together will lift mask requirements in most, but not all, settings.
Northwest
Public to be allowed back in Washington Senate gallery
But they’ll have to show a same-day negative COVID-19 test before they can get in.
Opinion
Comment: Covid’s variants changing what we know about vaccines
It’s clear that a past covid infection offers immunity; the question is: Is it better than the vaccines?