Farmworkers labor in a vineyard last month. The coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on the hypocritical realities of modern American life: the people we’re building a wall to keep out are now considered essential. (Rich Pedroncelli / The Associated Press)
The coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on the hypocritical realities of modern American life: the people we’re building a wall to keep out are now considered essential. (Rich Pedroncelli / The AP)
Danny Westneat

‘Essential’ but unwanted: Coronavirus reveals another American double standard

Farm field workers, many undocumented, have now been categorized by the Department of Homeland Security as "essential critical infrastructure workers" during the pandemic.

Merle and Delores “Dee” Tofte (front). Back, from left to right: Daughters Michelle Taylor, Lori Kohler, sons Dale Tofte, Patrick Nusom, Jerry Tofte, and grandson Matt Taylor (Michelle’s middle child).
Local News

After 52 years of marriage, Clark County couple died of coronavirus-caused illness in separate rooms, within hours of each other

Lisa Lam collects masks made by a group of friends led by Kati Nguyen, owner of a Tacoma island attire business. MBZ9lE3BM-QCeIqFXrHM
Local News

She closed her island attire business, then made 10,000 masks for coronavirus fight

Ride the Ducks, located in the shadow of the Seattle Center on 5th Avenue and Broad Street, is filing for bankruptcy and officially closing for good. Photographed on April 3, 2020. 213554
Local News

Ride the Ducks Seattle files for bankruptcy after closing for good

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FILE – In this June 21, 2006 file photo, singer-songwriter Bill Withers poses in his office in Beverly Hills, Calif. Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died in Los Angeles from heart complications on Monday, March 30, 2020. He was 81. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File) NYET501 NYET501
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‘Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ singer Bill Withers dies at 81

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A beacon of hope shines bright from historic Mukilteo Lighthouse

THE VOICE — “Blind Auditions” Episode 1804 — Pictured: Zan Fiskum, from Maple Valley, WA — (Photo by: Mitchell Haddad/NBC) Season:18
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Resume residential construction to keep mills, and toilet paper, going

Local News & Politics

Thursday, April 2, 2020. 10 homeless men who were staying in a motel in Kirkland are moving to a different hotel in Bellevue including James Pounds, left and Kim Larson unloading a van at the Motel in Bellevue. The homeless me are being housed in motels for their safety since they have compromised health and age.

To prevent coronavirus spread at shelters, King County will move nearly 400 homeless people into hotels

Featured Columnist

‘Essential’ but unwanted: Coronavirus reveals another American double standard

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Business & Tech

Melissa Perri, who runs a software consulting company, ProdUX Labs, in New York, April 3, 2020. Perri was denied a loan from Bank of America on Friday despite already having a business account and a line of credit there. (Sara Naomi Lewkowicz/The New York Times) XNYT151 XNYT151

Frenzy and desperation as small businesses grab for government aid

Featured Columnist

What will the post-virus economy be like? Expect unprecedented rough seas

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4 cleaning tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at home

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Nation & World

Colorado Governor Jared Polis dons a mask to encourage state residents to wear them while in public as a statewide stay-at-home order remains in effect in an effort to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus Friday, April 3, 2020, in Centennial, Colo. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) CODZ103 CODZ103

US urges masks as dramatic steps to combat virus roll out  WATCH

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Careage of Whidbey administrator Sean O’Neill on his way to take COVID-19 tests to the lab, stands on the road leading into Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville on Whidbey Island on Tuesday afternoon, March 31, 2020. O’Neill is holding a biohazard labeled bag containing the tests. 213465 213465

Limited testing leaves senior care facilities 'flying in the dark' against coronavirus  VIEW

Food & Drink

Rod Hutchinson mixes paint to write ‘We’re Open’ on the window of El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant in Everett on Saturday, March 21, 2020. While business has been slow, El Paraiso is doing take-out for their customers, who have been ordering out to support them. (Amanda Snyder / The Seattle Times)

UPDATING: Seattle-area restaurants offering takeout and/or delivery during the novel coronavirus pandemic

Pacific NW Magazine

Josie Alldredge, 18, stands at the summit on Broken Top Mountain.

Nuclear-weapons testing and cancer: A Snohomish teenager carries her family’s legacy to the summit of an Oregon mountain

Editorials & Opinion

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A Tacoma skyline landmark deserves better than the bulldozer

Horsey Cartoon

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Sports

New Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich speaks during a press conference as players from the team look on from a balcony Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in Pullman, Wash. (Pete Caster/Lewiston Tribune via AP) IDLEW202 IDLEW202

WSU coach Nick Rolovich has ‘fit like a glove’ in Pullman. But success will be measured on the field.

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Russell Wilson on Jadeveon Clowney: ‘I need you homie’

Arts & Life

On Sunday, March 15, Archbishop Etienne offered Mass the first week after public masses were suspended but before Governor Inslee’s stay-at-home order. The archbishop was joined by videographer Patty Lewis, Cantor David Hoffman and organist Joseph Adam.

Seattle’s religious communities find ways to celebrate holidays and grow amid social distancing

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Photography

The Seattle Art Museum is closed until further notice and the First Thursday art walk is cancelled because of the coronavirus, the need for social distancing and and staying inside as much as possible. The museum says enjoy art from your home at: http://samblog.seattleartmuseum.org/category/stay-home-with-sam,video,sams-collection,object-of-the-week,exhibtions,behind-the-scenes/ Ref to more photos online LO Linesony photos Wednesday April 1, 2020 2020 213527
Local News

Coronavirus pandemic cancels First Thursday art walk in Pioneer Square  VIEW

Wednesday was Ruby Wilson’s 18th birthday. Not wanting to let the occasion pass without some fanfare, Ruby’s mother, Emma Roberts, left, conspired with neighbors on 24th Avenue Northeast – their street – to throw a surprise party. Neighbors filled the street – maintaining their distance but not restrained in their enthusiasm for the event. Photographed Wednesday, April 1, 2020 213536
Local News

Street Surprise Birthday Party  VIEW

Normally vibrant Occidental Park during the day is occupied mainly by seagulls, pigeons, a few homeless individuals and an occasional passerby. The park concierge service and daily activities including chess and table tennis have been suspended because of the coronavirus. LO Linesony photo essay Saturday March 28, 2020 213493
Local News

Coronavirus in Seattle means a popular park is occupied mostly by pigeons  VIEW

LO Smokey fire, 600 Roy Street at Aurora on Saturday March 28, 2020. Lower Queen Anne. Appears to be an abandoned apartment. Unofficial, old banner in many frames has been there awhile Seattle fire crews responded late Saturday morning to a fire in an abandoned building in Lower Queen Anne, next to Aurora Avenue. … building, which appeared to be a two-story brick structure in the 600 block of Roy Street. 213494
Local News

Crews fight fire in vacant Seattle building for more than 5 hours