-
COVID-19People in 24 Oregon counties and 15 counties in Washington state should resume mask-wearing indoors in public and on public transportation, according to recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from the CDC shows the counties are considered high risk for COVID-19 infection as of June 30.
-
COVID-19A civilian oversight board says some Seattle police officers routinely — and illegally — ignored state and city mask mandates during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and refused to obey direct orders from the chief to comply. A recently released review by the Office of Inspector General exposed a “serious cultural issue” within the department.
-
COVID-19After initially stating that masks would continue to be required on buses and trains in the Seattle area, a group of regional transit authorities announced that masks are now optional. The latest policy, announced on Tuesday morning, follows a ruling from a federal judge in Florida striking down the mandate on airlines and public transportation. Washington State Ferries previously announced late Monday that masks are no longer required on vessels or inside terminals.
-
COVID-19With Washington's statewide mask mandate ending this weekend, Seattle Public Schools officials announced that masks will also be optional for students both inside and outside buildings and on school buses starting on Monday. But some students are already pushing back.
-
Gov. Jay Inslee has moved up the timeline for lifting Washington's mask mandate to March 12. The announcement comes as lawmakers are in the final stretch of the legislative session. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins joined Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick to talk about the latest from the state capital.
-
COVID-19The masks come from Washington state. A Spokane-area company, UnMask, has spent much of the pandemic selling face coverings designed to look like they comply with public health mandates and guidelines. But, experts say, these masks have limited to no effect at reducing the coronavirus’ spread.
-
Gonzaga has suspended John Stockton’s basketball season tickets after the Hall of Fame point guard refused to comply with the university’s mask mandate.
-
Outdoor mask mandates began Tuesday in King and Pierce counties. At the same time, several big school districts in the region resume in-person instruction this week. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins joins Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick to talk about it.
-
Due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, King County is reinstating outdoor mask mandates for large events and strongly encouraging people to wear masks in other outdoor settings when they can't remain 6 feet apart.
-
Snohomish County’s health officer has announced the return of an indoor masking mandate for all residents over age 5, making the county where Everett is…