Technology’s had us ‘social distancing’ for years. Can our digital ‘lifeline’ get us through the coronavirus pandemic?
There’s never been a better time to have to stay at home. Never mind the bingeable content trove at our fingertips or the ability to have groceries and a new book delivered to our doorsteps in five clicks or less. In some ways, we’ve been social distancing for years as more aspects of our social lives go digital. Looking for a date? There’s an app for that. Curious about the latest neighborhood gossip? Check the Facebook group. Missing your bestie you haven’t seen in a while? Hop on a quick FaceTime call before dinner. Or better yet, just text them. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Stephanie Hayes)
Inslee extends eviction moratorium and bans rent hikes, late fees
When Wednesday Collier and her partner were laid off last month because of the new coronavirus outbreak, they struggled to pay the rent on their apartment in Olympia. They didn’t have to worry about losing their home. Days earlier, Gov. Jay Inslee had ordered a 30-day moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for nonpayment of rent. Continue reading at The Olympian. (David Zalubowski)
Tulalip leader, state lawmaker John McCoy to retire
Sen. John McCoy, a Tulalip tribal leader who established himself as a tireless force for those with the least financial resources and political power in the state, announced his retirement from public office Thursday. Continue reading at The Everett Herald.
Associated Press
Layoffs and pay cuts are now striking more white collar jobs
Trump, aides float outlier theory on origins of coronavirus
Africa could see 300,000 coronavirus deaths this year
Virus forced schools online, but many students didn’t follow
US-Russian space crew lands safely in Kazakhstan
Claims for unemployment benefits remain at record levels
Gov. Inslee expands statewide eviction moratorium, halts rent hikes
Lawsuit filed seeking greater protections for farmworkers
Family sues Seattle hospital over infant’s heart infection
Boeing to resume Washington output; data shows economic hit
Unions, employers want pension relief included in coronavirus aid talks
Farm lenders want a retooled Paycheck Protection Program
Boeing to restart airplane production in Seattle
Justices: $18M campaign finance penalty to be reconsidered
Capital Press
Inslee: ‘considerable’ time before virus restrictions lifted
Washington’s record $18M fine stands against foodmakers
No timeline for lifting Washington’s stay-home order
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Tulalip leader, state lawmaker John McCoy to retire (Sells, Robinson)
Claims for unemployment benefits remain at record levels
State ready to free hundreds of prisoners amid COVID-19
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Care homes to get virus tests leftover by Everett drive-thru
Even in U.S. 2 towns with 0 virus cases, rural economy reels
Editorial: Expand and protect ability to vote by mail
Commentary: States can work together, even if D.C. won’t
Letter: Tell Gov. Inslee to lift stay-home orders
Federal Way Mirror
Swedish, Microsoft develop CERA to improve hospitals’ response to COVID-19
Boeing to resume Washington airplane production next week
Issaquah Reporter
City of Issaquah preparing for budget shortfall
Lights, sirens, support: First responders host parades for frontline hospital workers
Journal of the San Juan Islands
COVID-19 crisis increases gratitude for greenspace and highlights need to leash dogs
Great Islands Clean-Up becomes month-long individual effort
WSF postpones summer 2-month reservation release
This negative is a positive for island and community health
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
No charges for Poulsbo officer who shot Native American man at fireworks display
Only one COVID-19 case this week, officials warn against letting ‘our guard down’
Niran Al-Agba: What will be COVID-19’s legacy for schools?
America has suffered great loss before. Here’s how we may learn to cope with coronavirus death toll.
New York Times
Why it’s so hard to figure out the death rate rate from COVID-19 — and why it matters
Coronavirus Live Updates: As Governors Look to Reopen, Trump Foments Anti-Restriction Protests
Olympian (subscription required)
Inslee extends eviction moratorium and bans rent hikes, late fees
Three Magnets Brewing Co. owners adapt food, delivery and mission to new reality
State and local parks staff brings the outdoors and the fun to you
Washington passes 11,000 COVID-19 cases, reports 583 deaths
Boeing reopening Puget Sound operations, with 27,000 heading back to work
State braces for a flood of unemployment claims as eligibility expands
Providence now testing anyone with COVID-19 symptoms at Lacey drive-thru clinic
Thurston County COVID-19 cases rise to 86 with announcement of 4 more Thursday
Peninsula Daily News
40,000 surgical face masks delivered to Clallam County
Forks ordinance to retain state sales tax funds for housing
How would Washington virus restrictions be modified, ended?
Turnaround time for tests getting shorter
Sequim schools prepare for $2.6M in cuts for 2020-21 academic year
Puget Sound Business Journal
Builders offer Inslee recommendations to safely restart construction
Where Amazon will make gains — and where it won’t — from its unique position during COVID-19
The ins and outs of unemployment benefits for Washington real estate brokers
PPP dollars are gone, but this federal program is still issuing loans to small businesses
Seattle Times (subscription required)
As Alaska fishing season set to begin, fearful communities and seafood industry try to prevent spread of coronavirus
West Seattle bridge closure adds to challenges of home and business owners already grappling with coronavirus lockdown
Inslee expands statewide moratorium on evictions and freezes rent hikes
Live in an apartment or senior living facility? Here’s how long your coronavirus eviction moratorium lasts
Glitches prevent $1,200 stimulus checks from reaching millions of Americans
Talton: Now’s not the time for anxiety about the national debt
Boeing will resume work in phases next week, including a restart of 737 MAX production preparations
Transit union demands hazard pay, stronger social-distancing rules because of coronavirus
These helpers are fighting the coronavirus by delivering hot lunches and groceries to Seattle area seniors
GE cuts 737 Max order in new blow to best-selling Boeing jet
Quinault Indian Nation opposes new dam on Chehalis, seeks alternatives
U District, Ballard farmers markets will reopen this weekend despite coronavirus
Washington state Sen. John McCoy, a longtime Democratic lawmaker, is stepping down
Jeff Bezos ‘very optimistic’ as he recounts Amazon’s coronavirus response in annual letter to shareholders
Editorial: Prison pandemic response requires credible actions
Op-Ed: Electric utilities, conservation groups unite to seek solutions for Columbia River Basin dams
Op-Ed: Coalition of governors makes the president blink
Op-Ed: Why do we believe conspiracy theories?
Is technology helping or hurting us during social distancing doldrums?
Skagit Valley Herald
Locals produce personal protective equipment on 3-D printers
Navy plans to monitor jet noise
Golf course ordered to close
Orca Network wants to track, celebrate whales — safely
Snoqualmie Valley Record
SVT moving more than just people
Vehicle theft in King County remains consistent during COVID-19 outbreak
Spokesman Review
History in the making: Museums ask public for help documenting COVID-19 experience
COVID-19 rates aren’t higher in Spokane County communities of color. That may reflect testing inequities.
State jobless benefits top $272M since pandemic took hold; more than 500,000 apply
Spokane will follow state to take ‘phased approach’ to loosening social distancing
Tri-City Herald
1st coronavirus case reported at Hanford. Thousands of workers to stay home longer
Farm worker unions sue Washington state for safer work conditions due to coronavirus
Coronavirus home construction ban leaves Pasco couple in limbo — with baby on the way
4 more Tri-Cities coronavirus deaths. More cases at Tyson beef plant
Alaska Airlines makes changes for coronavirus, including blocking off middle seats
Tri-Cities job losses remain high. Manufacturing takes a big hit statewide last week
USA Today
Coronavirus ‘confusion’: Teachers had little training for how to do online classes
President Trump sets benchmarks, no deadlines for reopening US
Vancouver Business Journal
Local COVID-19 Response Fund responds to emerging needs
Washington Post
U.S. stocks soar after drug trial shows promise
Here are the drugs that could treat the virus. Don’t expect a magic bullet.
Virus crushes China’s economy as Wuhan death toll is revised higher
As testing outcry mounts, Trump yields to states in guidelines for slow reopening
Outbreaks are closing meat processing plants. Beef shortfalls may follow.
Op-Ed: Americans are being asked to sacrifice. Have we forgotten how?
Peru took early, aggressive measures against the virus. It’s still suffering one of Latin America’s largest outbreaks.
Fact Checker: Trump’s false claim that the WHO said the coronavirus was ‘not communicable’
Op-Ed: How not to say the wrong thing to health-care workers
Op-Ed: Rural areas think they’re the coronavirus exception. They’re not.
Michael Cohen’s attorney says Trump’s ex-lawyer allowed to leave prison due to pandemic
The western U.S. is locked in the grips of the first human-caused megadrought, study finds
Americans are much more worried about scaling back social distancing too early than too late
White House guidelines on reopening U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns are less detailed than CDC and FEMA guidance
Roger Stone retrial request denied as judge rejects claims jury forewoman was biased
EPA overhauls mercury pollution rule, despite opposition from industry and activists alike
Governments around the world are trying a new weapon against coronavirus: Your smartphone
Yakima Herald Republic
Coronavirus cases reach 700 mark in Yakima County; no new deaths
Yakima County jail, juvenile detention center offering free calls for inmates during pandemic
Unemployment claims drop in Yakima County but remain at record-high levels
Food fund surpasses $1 million, much more needed
Yakima woman recovers from illness, celebrates signing of Cody’s Bill into law
Letter: Construction industry needs to stay shuttered
Letter: Mail-in voting is gaining momentum
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Out of work due to coronavirus crisis? See Washington’s new unemployment rules
Real-time updates: Officials eye Renton as potential site of COVID-19 vaccine facility
Mayor Durkan suggests light rail as potential long-term solution for West Seattle Bridge closure
Canadian expert warned Washington state about West Seattle Bridge cracking
No relief for car tab fees as Washington unemployment soars during coronavirus crisis
Boeing to resume work on commercial airplanes next week despite coronavirus concerns
Victim of attempted ‘murder for hire’ plot concerned by release of Washington inmates
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Gov. Inslee lays out two key priorities before he can reopen the state’s economy
Years-long bridge closure hits West Seattle businesses with double whammy
Global death toll tops 146,000 as worldwide cases near 2.2 million
Cheers for heroes: First responders hold gratitude rallies for health care workers
Boeing set to resume Puget Sound commercial plane production next week
UW Research center to release updated COVID-19 forecast Friday
Coronavirus changes summer celebrations
Total weekly unemployment claims highest in state history, officials say
King County Metro to further reduce transit services
MultiCare Health System implementing new measures amid financial losses
Inslee expands eviction moratorium through June 4
Some restaurants thrive while others struggle in the age of COVID-19
Gov. Inslee asks for more donations to WA Food Fund
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Inslee expands eviction moratorium protections, extends to June 4
Will you have to send stimulus check back to IRS if you receive money for dead loved ones?
How to check on the status of your government stimulus payment
Tacoma doctor who recovered from COVID-19 speaks out
First grocery store worker in Puget Sound dies from COVID-19
Hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 tests on way to Washington in next few weeks
Seattle Navigation Team’s homeless strategy shifts amid COVID-19 as encampments grow
Q13 TV (Fox)
Inslee expands statewide eviction moratorium, halts rent hikes
Nearly 600,000 sought unemployment benefits last week in Washington state
City seeks federal help for West Seattle Bridge solution
Back to work for 27,000 Boeing Commercial Airplanes workers starting next week
100 hotel rooms made available to health care workers at Seattle hotel
‘The bad guys aren’t staying home’: Officials say car thefts are up during quarantine
Web
Crosscut
Coronavirus freezes scientific research, threatening endangered species
Washington farmers markets are reopening, but won’t look the same
WA students want tuition refunds after colleges go virtual
Slog
Inslee Extends Eviction Moratorium Through Early June, Bans Rent Hikes and Late Fees
Expanded Unemployment Benefits Are Coming This Weekend, But the Website Will Be a Little Wonky
US Plotting With Coronavirus to Overthrow Iran Government
Conservative Protestors Plan “Reopen Oregon” Rally at Oregon State Capitol
Coronavirus Updates: New York State Extends Stay-Home Order to May 15