Category: Public Health
WHEN CAN BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN FINALLY GET THE COVID VACCINE?
Public Health – Seattle & King County wants to ensure that families across the county can protect their children under 5 with COVID-19 vaccine soon after authorization for emergency use occurs.
Washington tries new approach to curb record high number of traffic deaths
Traffic fatalities are at a 20-year high in the Evergreen State, and the Washington Traffic Commission has a new strategy to reduce the trend. The approach, known as proactive public safety, centers on public education to establish a culture of safe driving practices.
New Washington laws on guns, shooter drills, abortion take effect Thursday
Dovetailing with the hot-button issues of gun violence and abortion in the news recently, several bills passed by the Washington State Legislature this year will go into effect on Thursday.
Herd immunity was sold as the path out of the pandemic. Here’s why we’re not talking about it any more
As the pandemic progressed, herd immunity via vaccination moved further and further out of reach. In fact, based on what we know about currently circulating viral variants, today, herd immunity via vaccination is mathematically impossible.
Mental Health Resource Guide
The Public Health Communications Collaborative has developed a new directory of resources to help you communicate about this important public health issue all year. Our guide spotlights resources for public health and health professionals, parents and caregivers, employers and employees, youth, and anyone who is looking for general mental health information and guidance on how to connect with a mental health professional.
The Heard v. Depp trial is not just a media spectacle – it is an opportunity to discuss the nuances of intimate partner violence
Strip away the celebrity intrigue and media frenzy, and the high-profile court battle between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard involves issues painfully familiar to many women and men across America. intimate partner violence. IPV is experienced by an estimated 6.6 million women and 5.8 million men each year in the U.S.
Suspected case of monkeypox reported in King County
The individual is isolating and does not pose a risk to others at this time.
Pedestrian Fatalities Spike During Pandemic
An estimated 7,485 pedestrians in the United States were struck and killed by drivers in 2021—the largest number in four decades, a new report has found.
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH BOOSTERS (AND WHY IT’S A GOOD TIME FOR A BOOST)
Boosters keep your body’s protection against COVID-19 strong for longer, guarding against getting very sick, going to the hospital, or death.
Should you wear a mask on a plane, bus or train when there’s no mandate? 4 essential reads to help you decide
Daniel Merino, The Conversation On April 18, 2022, a judge in Florida struck down the federal mandate requiring passengers on mass transit to wear masks. While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends that passengers mask up…
Want to “age in place” someday? Take action now
Planning ahead, and making changes gradually, can help older adults stay independent and in their homes longer.
Covid-19 Illustrates the Limits of Nudging
For years, the U.S. and U.K. governments embraced the concept of nudges to change social behavior. Then came Covid-19.
What King County’s mask mandate rollback means for you
Starting Saturday, March 12, King County will stop requiring masks in many indoor public spaces. Individuals will now be able to make their own choices as to whether they want to continue wearing masks, and businesses may decide whether they want to require employees and customers to wear masks. In practice, what does this mean for you?
King County marks two years of COVID outbreak, looks ahead to next phase of pandemic response
King County has gone from the epicenter of the outbreak, to now one of the nation’s highest vaccinated communities with the some of the lowest cases and death rates two years later.
King County’s local indoor mask mandate to end after March 11
Lifting the indoor mask mandate does not mean COVID is over. The use of high quality, well-fitting masks still make sense in certain settings. It is very reasonable to continue to mask if you are at increased risk, are in contact with someone at high risk, out of consideration for people who may be at higher risk in public settings, or if you want to reduce your own risk for any reason.