White House directs staffers to wear masks in West Wing amid virus cases close to president
WASHINGTON - Amid the push to “reopen,” President Donald Trump is confronting cases of the coronavirus in his own home as the White House on Monday began requiring staffers to wear masks when entering the West Wing.Two known cases of COVID-19 among staffers in one of the most-protected complexes in America have sent three of the nation's top medical experts into quarantine and Vice President Mike Pence into “self-isolation.”A memo sent Monday to White House staff said "everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask or facial covering.”Staff will not be required to wear a facial covering while at their desks if they're socially distanced from colleagues, but people are to avoid unnecessary visits to West Wing, the memo said.Trump himself is still not expected to wear a mask.The scare comes as the White House this week is emphasizing to the American people the steps being taken to assure their safety — in hopes that will coax them to resume normal activities.“This week - you’ll hear the @WhiteHouse talk about preparedness & confidence,” tweeted Alyssa Farah, the White House director of strategic communications. “The Trump Admin is working around the clock to build our testing capacity, grow our PPE stockpiles, distribute therapeutics, & get $ to states to SAFELY reopen in a way Americans can have CONFIDENCE in.”Yet, that message was undercut by the exposure of senior government officials to positive cases at the White House itself.Pence on Monday led the White House's weekly call with governors from an isolated room, after his press secretary tested positive Friday.
WASHINGTON - Amid the push to “reopen,” President Donald Trump is confronting cases of the coronavirus in his own home as the White House on Monday began requiring staffers to wear masks when entering the West Wing.Two known cases of COVID-19 among staffers in one of the most-protected complexes in America have sent three of the nation's top medical experts into quarantine and Vice President Mike Pence into “self-isolation.”A memo sent Monday to White House staff said "everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask or facial covering.”Staff will not be required to wear a facial covering while at their desks if they're socially distanced from colleagues, but people are to avoid unnecessary visits to West Wing, the memo said.Trump himself is still not expected to wear a mask.The scare comes as the White House this week is emphasizing to the American people the steps being taken to assure their safety — in hopes that will coax them to resume normal activities.“This week - you’ll hear the @WhiteHouse talk about preparedness & confidence,” tweeted Alyssa Farah, the White House director of strategic communications. “The Trump Admin is working around the clock to build our testing capacity, grow our PPE stockpiles, distribute therapeutics, & get $ to states to SAFELY reopen in a way Americans can have CONFIDENCE in.”Yet, that message was undercut by the exposure of senior government officials to positive cases at the White House itself.Pence on Monday led the White House's weekly call with governors from an isolated room, after his press secretary tested positive Friday.
Tacoma 'postpones' city's 4th of July celebration and fireworks show
The city of Tacoma said Monday that the "Fourth of July T-Town Family 4th celebration" would be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The city of Tacoma said Monday that the "Fourth of July T-Town Family 4th celebration" would be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Study: Virus death toll in NYC worse than official tally
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus may be thousands of fatalities worse than the tally kept by the city and state, according to an analysis released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus may be thousands of fatalities worse than the tally kept by the city and state, according to an analysis released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Receiving extra coronavirus unemployment benefits? How to avoid a big tax hit
More than 33 million American workers are currently collecting unemployment benefits as a result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout the nation — but that money, including the extra $600 weekly payment, is not tax-free.Unemployment benefits vary by state, but the massive economic-relief package signed into law at the end of March sweetened the aid for all beneficiaries with an additional $600 per week until July 31, 2020.
More than 33 million American workers are currently collecting unemployment benefits as a result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown throughout the nation — but that money, including the extra $600 weekly payment, is not tax-free.Unemployment benefits vary by state, but the massive economic-relief package signed into law at the end of March sweetened the aid for all beneficiaries with an additional $600 per week until July 31, 2020.
AP source: MLB owners approve plan to start season in July
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball owners gave the go-ahead Monday to making a proposal to the players’ union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a plan that envisioned expanding the designated hitter to the National League for 2020.
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball owners gave the go-ahead Monday to making a proposal to the players’ union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a plan that envisioned expanding the designated hitter to the National League for 2020.
Coronavirus causes crisis at local transit agencies
The coronavirus pandemic has plunged Puget Sound-area transit agencies into crisis-planning mode, as ridership and revenue has plunged and predictions that people won’t be returning to buses and trains in large numbers anytime soon.
The coronavirus pandemic has plunged Puget Sound-area transit agencies into crisis-planning mode, as ridership and revenue has plunged and predictions that people won’t be returning to buses and trains in large numbers anytime soon.
West Seattle restaurant paying it forward is burglarized
A pizza restaurant in West Seattle was broken into and damaged on Saturday morning. Surveillance video captured two suspects finding their way in through the back door and using tools to smash through the wall.
A pizza restaurant in West Seattle was broken into and damaged on Saturday morning. Surveillance video captured two suspects finding their way in through the back door and using tools to smash through the wall.
Restart or re-stop? Economies reopen but chaos abounds
PARIS -- Pastic barriers and millions of masks appeared Monday on the streets of Europe's newly reopened cities, as France and Belgium emerged from lockdowns, the Netherlands sent children back to school and Greece and Spain further eased restrictions.
PARIS -- Pastic barriers and millions of masks appeared Monday on the streets of Europe's newly reopened cities, as France and Belgium emerged from lockdowns, the Netherlands sent children back to school and Greece and Spain further eased restrictions.
Sea-Tac Airport to require face coverings for all workers and passengers
SEATTLE -- Sea-Tac Airport will require all passengers, visitors and employees to wear face coverings in public areas of the airport starting May 18.“Airport workers keep our region’s supply chain moving and support safe essential travel,” said Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck. “I am deeply grateful for the dedication they bring to their work.
SEATTLE -- Sea-Tac Airport will require all passengers, visitors and employees to wear face coverings in public areas of the airport starting May 18.“Airport workers keep our region’s supply chain moving and support safe essential travel,” said Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck. “I am deeply grateful for the dedication they bring to their work.
'It's like a gold rush for them:' Seattle FBI says thieves are cashing in big on COVID scams
Fraudsters capitalizing on people at their lowest point, it's an issue that law enforcement says is only getting worse.Unemployment fraud, stimulus check ripoffs, even romance COVID-19 scams: it's taking a big toll on people's finances and taking away from crucial resources."It's like a gold-rush for them really.
Fraudsters capitalizing on people at their lowest point, it's an issue that law enforcement says is only getting worse.Unemployment fraud, stimulus check ripoffs, even romance COVID-19 scams: it's taking a big toll on people's finances and taking away from crucial resources."It's like a gold-rush for them really.
Historic Concrete Theater holds pop-up Popcorn Parade
CONCRETE, Wash., -- While many of us are stuck home and binge watching TV shows or watching the latest movie release, how much better would that all be with a big bucket of buttery popcorn?If you are up for the drive or in the area, you can get your movie theater popcorn fix in Skagit County Saturday night.The owner of the Concrete Theater held its first "pop-up popcorn parade" two weeks ago and it was a huge success, with the theater selling more than 175 tubs of popcorn to benefit the concrete community center.While the theater remains closed, community members are once again going to be slinging the buttery goodness along main street Saturday night, this time to help out with the theater’s expansion, which was built back in 1923!They are selling large tubs of popcorn for $5.
CONCRETE, Wash., -- While many of us are stuck home and binge watching TV shows or watching the latest movie release, how much better would that all be with a big bucket of buttery popcorn?If you are up for the drive or in the area, you can get your movie theater popcorn fix in Skagit County Saturday night.The owner of the Concrete Theater held its first "pop-up popcorn parade" two weeks ago and it was a huge success, with the theater selling more than 175 tubs of popcorn to benefit the concrete community center.While the theater remains closed, community members are once again going to be slinging the buttery goodness along main street Saturday night, this time to help out with the theater’s expansion, which was built back in 1923!They are selling large tubs of popcorn for $5.
Brandi Kruse: Financial ruin can be deadly, too (in case we've forgotten about the homeless crisis)
SEATTLE — Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans.
SEATTLE — Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans.
The Divide: Republicans challenge Inslee over use of emergency power
This week on “The Divide”: Seven Republican members of the Washington State House of Representatives sued Governor Jay Inslee, contesting there is no longer a state of emergency over COVID-19.
This week on “The Divide”: Seven Republican members of the Washington State House of Representatives sued Governor Jay Inslee, contesting there is no longer a state of emergency over COVID-19.
Small Business Sunday: Lombardi's Italian worries Phase 2 won't come soon enough
Kerri Lonergan-Dreke is preparing Lombardi's Italian Restaurants to resume in-person dining as part of Phase 2 of Governor Jay Inslee's plan to reopen the state.
Kerri Lonergan-Dreke is preparing Lombardi's Italian Restaurants to resume in-person dining as part of Phase 2 of Governor Jay Inslee's plan to reopen the state.
'Fact or Fake?': Can COVID-19 death data be trusted?
Persistent social media posts suggest deaths not caused by COVID-19 are still being added to the number of Coronavirus fatalities.Brandi Kruse takes a look in “Fact or Fake?”
Persistent social media posts suggest deaths not caused by COVID-19 are still being added to the number of Coronavirus fatalities.Brandi Kruse takes a look in “Fact or Fake?”
Parents search for refunds after Grad Nights cancellations
Parents and students at dozens of high schools across western Washington are searching for answers and refunds after paying Grad Nights, a local event planning company, thousands of dollars.
Parents and students at dozens of high schools across western Washington are searching for answers and refunds after paying Grad Nights, a local event planning company, thousands of dollars.
Grandma arrested in Sedro-Woolley after defying stay-at-home order
A grandma was arrested in Sedro-Woolley after taking a stand against Gov. Jay Inslee's “stay-at-home” order.
A grandma was arrested in Sedro-Woolley after taking a stand against Gov. Jay Inslee's “stay-at-home” order.
Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy dies from coronavirus at 75
Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy, the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act’s famed white tigers, has died. He was 75.
Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy, the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act’s famed white tigers, has died. He was 75.