King County hospitals issue urgent call to action: “We Need Your Help”

January 24, 2022.Reading time 10 minutes.

In the midst of the Omicron surge in COVID-19, King County hospitals are issuing an urgent call in the Sunday edition of the Seattle Times to limit the spread of COVID-19. The full-page ad, signed by health system and public health partners across King County, calls on the public to help reduce pressure on hospitals so they can provide essential care for those who need it.

How to stay out of the hospital with Omicron here

December 22, 2021.Reading time 7 minutes.

Woman who looks ill who is wearing a mask and holding a mug as she receives pills from her husband, who sits on the edge of her bed with a mask and gloves.

ERs and ICUs are nearly full. Please help keep lifesaving care available for those who need it most. Care for cough, fever, sore throat, chills, and other milder symptoms at home—whether it’s COVID-19, flu, or the common cold. Get vaccinated and boosted. Learn how to recognize when to seek medical care, and when to stay home.

Centering community voices: Reflections on King County’s pandemic response

September 1, 2021.Reading time 20 minutes.

Photo of the authors, Tara Lawal and Jodilyn Owen, of Rainier Valley Midwives. The woman on the left is dark skinned, with glasses on her head, and is embracing another woman with lighter skin and glasses that is wearing a head wrap. The woman on the right is cradling a tiny little baby that is wrapped in purple fabric.

When COVID-19 hit our region last year, we saw immediately just how dangerous it could be for our clients. Rainier Valley Midwives works with pregnant people and their families to improve parent and infant health outcomes in the Seattle area.

What we need is action: Reflections on King County’s pandemic response

August 20, 2021.Reading time 18 minutes.

“There’s no excuse to not make a change,” shares Bereket Kiros, a community member who’s been working with King County’s Pandemic and Racism Community Advisory Group. This is his reflection of the past year.

NEW COMIC: Delta Days

August 17, 2021.Reading time 12 minutes.

What’s the deal with Delta?
“Delta Days” is a comic by Meredith Li-Vollmer about the variant and our collective burn-out. See full comic here or at thestranger.com.

With Delta, masking up is critical – and it’s time to improve the quality and the fit

August 10, 2021.Reading time 14 minutes.

We will most likely be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for a while longer. So, it’s a good time to assess your mask supply. There’s a good chance it’s in need of a refresh! Here are reminders on what to look for in a high quality mask and when to consider wearing a mask like an N95 or KN95.