Fact check: The theory that SARS-CoV-2 is becoming milder A look at the data that omicron is less severe. What does that mean for the future of SARS-CoV-2 — and the pandemic? Michaeleen Doucleff
For the 36 countries with the lowest vaccination rates, supply isn't the only issue Even as wealthy countries hit 80% vaccination rates, a number of countries have not even vaccinated 1 in 10 citizens. Our interactive map shows the vaccination landscape. Jason Beaubien
10 global crises to pay attention to in 2022, according to 'The New Humanitarian' The New Humanitarian has compiled its list of the conflicts, disasters and threats to watch this year. Editor Josephine Schmidt discusses how they came up with the list. Joanne Lu
Covid updates for today: Don't go to the hospital if you're in Washington state This is the worst we've seen it so far in the pandemic. KUOW Staff
As WA lawmakers consider a safe staffing bill, nurses warn of crisis conditions and risks to patients 'It's really important that we do have this safe staffing standard because adding more patients to the nurse's workload is literally hurting patients every single day. It's not good for them.' Kim Malcolm
Doctors and patients are facing tough choices because of the national blood crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges, according to the American Red Cross. Jonathan Franklin
ERs are overwhelmed as omicron continues to flood them with patients Omicron may cause milder disease, but the sheer number of patients makes this wave far worse for the health care system. With packed emergency rooms, patients can wait days to get moved to a bed. Will Stone
How the health care worker vaccine mandate will work, with SCOTUS' go-ahead NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about the Supreme Court ruling on the vaccine mandate for health care workers. Ari Shapiro
'The worst' it's been: Covid hospitalizations reach all-time high in Washington state Since the highly-infectious omicron variant was discovered in Washington state last month, health officials have warned that a surge in cases could cause hospitals to become severely overwhelmed. Health care workers say that moment is now here. Liz Brazile
Inslee deploying 100 National Guard to help hospitals, orders pause on non-emergency procedures Following the lead of Oregon and other states, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that he will deploy 100 members of the National Guard to assist hospitals struggling to respond to a spike in Covid-19 patients due to the highly-contagious omicron variant. Austin Jenkins
