Tag Archives: COVID-19 Vaccination Rates

News

Washington Latino Communities Still Lag in Vaccinations, Warns Researcher

by Sally James

Now is not the time to feel safe in regard to the threat of COVID-19, especially for Latino communities, warns physician Leo Morales, the leader of the Latino Center for Health at the University of Washington (UW). The group just released a policy statement based on vaccination numbers from around the state.

“The greatest risk we face now is to be complacent … We cannot rest until we have reached all unvaccinated and under-vaccinated Latinos in our state,” said Morales in a press statement about the policy brief. 

Health disparities that lead to a higher risk of hospitalization and death for Latino people, in comparison to white people, will likely continue, even as boosters and new shots for children ages 5 to 11 become available across the state. 

Continue reading Washington Latino Communities Still Lag in Vaccinations, Warns Researcher →
News

NEWS GLEAMS: The Great Debate, SAAF-T Free Workshop, NewHolly Branch Reopens, & More!

curated by Emerald Staff

A round-up of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!

The Great Debate 2021

On the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 23, attend The Great Debate at the Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S. Alaska St., to hear from candidates for Seattle Mayor, City Council Position 9, City Attorney, and King County Executive.

Moderated by Marcus Green, Mike Davis, and Lance Randall, the schedule is as follows:

  • King County Executive — 12–1 p.m., Dow Constantine • Joe Nguyen 
  • Seattle City Attorney — 1:15–2:15 p.m., Ann Davison • Nicole Thomas-Kennedy
  • Seattle Council Position 9 — 2:30–3:30 p.m., Sara Nelson • Nikkita Oliver
  • Seattle Mayor — 3:45–4:45 p.m., Bruce Harrell • Lorena Gonzalez

If you’re interested in attending The Great Debate in person, go to Rainier Arts Center’s Eventbrite page to register. 

COVID-19 protocols for masks and temperature checks will be followed. Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID-19 test in the last 48 hours before entering the Rainier Arts Center.

The South Seattle Emerald is an event partner for The Great Debate .

Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS: The Great Debate, SAAF-T Free Workshop, NewHolly Branch Reopens, & More! →
News

DOH Officials Emphasize COVID Protocols to Protect Returning Students Amid Delta Surge

by Ashley Archibald

Health officials stressed the importance of vaccination as well as practicing social distancing and wearing masks, even in places where people are not required to do so, to protect students as they return to schools amid a spike in coronavirus cases caused by the delta variant across Washington State.

In a Sept. 2 press conference, health officials said that despite the surge in cases and concerns about hospital bed availability, it is important for the wellness of young people that they return to school. Officials emphasized masking, social distancing, vaccination for eligible students aged 12 and above, and observing COVID protocols in families’ daily lives.

Continue reading DOH Officials Emphasize COVID Protocols to Protect Returning Students Amid Delta Surge →
Community

The Morning Update Show — 8/25/21

The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.

We also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.

Morning Update Show — Wednesday, August 25

King County Reports 70% Vaccinated | Estelita’s Library Opens in the Central District | Artist Barry Johnson’s “Preoccupied” Exhibit | Seattle Schools to Erect Outdoor Cafeterias | HBCU’s See a Surge in Enrollment | John Lewis Voting Rights Bill Passes House

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Features

Delta Variant Poses New Questions About COVID Risk

by Sally James

From time to time the Emerald hopes to help people navigate the complicated landscape of the pandemic. Below we have compiled some answers to some pressing questions about the new COVID-19 Delta variant. 

White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci told NPR last week, “We are dealing with a different virus now.” It has different capabilities and can be transmitted from person to person more easily. An internal report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called the new variant as contagious as chickenpox.

Here in Washington State, test positivity rates are increasing and hospitalizations for COVID-19 are on the rise. According to the state Department of Health, the Delta variant now comprises 76% of COVID-19 cases.

Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., says, “If there was ever a time to get vaccinated, it is now in the race against this variant.”

Here are some questions and answers to help you make decisions for your family: 

Continue reading Delta Variant Poses New Questions About COVID Risk →
News

Latinos Face Risks Because of Lag in Vaccination Against COVID-19

by Sally James

Latino communities remain at higher risk of COVID-19 infection because of lagging vaccination rates, according to a new policy brief released by the University of Washington’s Latino Center for Health (LCH). The new numbers show that only 35% of Latinos are fully vaccinated in the state, with 6% partially vaccinated. 

“With the growing threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant in our region, it is imperative that we vaccinate as many Latinos as possible before the fall when schools reopen and cooler temperatures will drive infection rates higher,” said physician Leo Morales, the co-director of LCH and author of the policy brief, in a press release. Another brief LCH released a few months ago suggests that a lack of access to the vaccine as well as vaccine hesitancy are some of the biggest factors affecting Latino communities. Although a majority of those surveyed had positive views on the vaccine, many expressed concerns around side effects and safety, cost, and effectiveness.

Continue reading Latinos Face Risks Because of Lag in Vaccination Against COVID-19 →
Voices

Chino Y Chicano Podcast: Dr. Leo Morales, Adios Covid

by Enrique Cerna and Matt Chan

A couple of retired guys that spent their careers making television dish on the good, bad, and ridiculousness of life for People of Color in America. They tear apart the news of the week, explore the complexities of race, and talk to people far more interesting than they will ever be.

Seattle and King County officials are proudly touting a 70% COVID-19 vaccination rate. But Dr. Leo Morales says there is more work to be done, especially among Latinos and other communities of color where the vaccination rate hovers at 50%. Dr. Morales joins the Chino Y Chicano to talk about the pandemic’s impact on health disparities as well as “Adios COVID,” a project aimed at helping Latinos get vaccinated. Assistant dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dr. Morales is also a professor and the co-director of the Latino Center for Health at the University of Washington.

Continue reading Chino Y Chicano Podcast: Dr. Leo Morales, Adios Covid →
News

As State Prepares to Reopen, Some Communities Still Have Lower Vaccination Rates

by Elizabeth Turnbull

After over a year of pushing through the pandemic, state and county health officials are hopeful about declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates. But at the same time, significant pockets of Washington State and King County residents remain unvaccinated as restrictions are set to be lifted statewide next week.

“We still have people that have not been vaccinated, we still have people who are unprotected, and we still have people that are going to be at risk for COVID-19,” said Dr. Umair Shah, the Washington Secretary of Health at a press conference on Wednesday, June 23. “We want to make sure that that message of vaccination continues to be there.”

Continue reading As State Prepares to Reopen, Some Communities Still Have Lower Vaccination Rates →
News

The Morning Update Show — 6/17/21

The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.

We also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.

Morning Update Show — Thursday, June 17

LIVE — Rev. Harriett Walden | LIVE — Carol Wallace of PSE | Juneteenth Federal Holiday | Investments in Gun Violence Disruption

Continue reading The Morning Update Show — 6/17/21 →
News

The Morning Update Show — 6/16/21

The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.

We also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.

Morning Update Show — Wednesday, June 16

Welcome Back, Trae Holiday! | LIVE — Andrew “Ace” Houston | LIVE — Shaina Shepard | County Gun Violence Prevention Investments | King County Hits 70% Vaccinated | Juneteenth Preview

Continue reading The Morning Update Show — 6/16/21 →