| ‘Our warehouse is empty’: Washington state epidemiologist describes severe shortage of medical supplies The state’s most recent order for more federal supplies took a week to be approved by Trump administration officials, according to Gov. Jay Inslee’s office. Read more. Stop sending health care workers into the coronavirus battle without armor Some Seattle-area hospitals report being days away from running out of personal protective equipment (PPE). Read more. Why are people hoarding toilet paper during the coronavirus pandemic? Sure, there’s reasonable stocking up as we stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. But what’s going on with the hoarding — especially of toilet paper? Read more. ‘Single point of failure’: The CDC’s past successes with an FDA process set the table for coronavirus testing debacle In past public health emergencies, federal officials found success with a fast-track approval route to roll out test kits. This time, with COVID-19, that emergency process failed spectacularly. Read more. Coronavirus spread at Life Care Center of Kirkland for weeks, while response stalled Even after the outbreak was detected at Life Care Center of Kirkland, confusion over who was responsible for testing residents allowed the virus to keep spreading. Interviews with family members and 911 calls provide a look at how the tragedy unfolded. Read more. Coronavirus is making the economy very sick The pandemic’s effects are putting us in unknown territory, but we’re already in a recession. It could be the worst of our lifetimes. Columnist Jon Talton explains why. Read more. As seniors isolate against coronavirus, they and their families work at staying emotionally strong Staying home and social distancing are hard for everyone around the Seattle area. But for seniors, who have suffered the vast majority of coronavirus fatalities, the warnings are more dire — and the potential ramifications of a constricted life greater. At the same time, with age brings perspective. Read more. Hanford workers were given leaky respirators at contaminated job site, contractor’s documents reveal Bill Evans Jr. was one of some 560 workers who used flawed respiratory protection in the clean-up of Hanford’s Plutonium Finishing Plant. Did that safety lapse play a role in the seizures that forced him to leave his job in 2016? Read more. | 