Small businesses grapple with COVID-19 omicron variant surge in western Washington
The small business community is feeling the strain of an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases as the omicron variant continues to take hold in western Washington. In King County, there were 3,371 new COVID-19 cases since Monday, according to the latest available data from Public Health Seattle & King County. County health officials have determined omicron has become the dominant variant in the region in recent weeks. Businesses are beginning to feel the pinch as they grapple with labor shortages and other factors. Continue reading at KING 5.
Looking for at-home COVID tests? Take these steps to ensure you don’t get scammed online
People across the country have found scheduling an appointment to be tested for COVID-19 difficult due to the recent holidays, winter weather and higher demand spurred by a record increase in cases. Some have turned to purchasing at-home test kits online, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that demand has led to a number of fake and unauthorized test kits popping up online as scammers look to take advantage of this new market. Continue reading at The Olympian.
Washington’s new secretary of state mandates vaccines
In one of his first acts as Washington secretary of state, Democrat Steve Hobbs, of Lake Stevens, has told his some 300 staff to become vaccinated against COVID-19 by Feb. 25, or face losing their jobs. Under the previous secretary of state, Republican Kim Wyman, her office was the only statewide office that did not impose a vaccine requirement after Gov. Jay Inslee announced his mandate for state employees, health care workers and educators last summer. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Ted S. Warren)
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