Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill
Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them. The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction. Continue reading at Tacoma News Tribune. (Susan Walsh/AP)
COVID-19 ripped through communities east of the Cascades, killing people at twice the rate of Western Washington
For months, McKay Healthcare & Rehab staff kept its elderly residents safe from COVID-19. But in late October, the virus slipped into the center’s 8-decade-old building. By mid-December, 15 of the 31 residents had died from the disease. In the struggle to fight the virus, some staff members worked 24-hour shifts to cover for co-workers who tested positive and had to stay home. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times)
Riccelli joins Inslee to support funding and restructuring public health systems
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues putting stress on public health, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday a legislative package that boosts funding and support for public health systems statewide. The proposals include creating a new fund to improve public health programs in the long term, as well as restructuring local public health jurisdictions. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Ted S. Warren)
Associated Press
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Riccelli joins Inslee to support funding and restructuring public health systems (Robinson, Riccelli)
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USA Today
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Washington Post
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