Shoppers come out of a Costco wearing homemade masks amid the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is “looking at new data” on whether these kinds of masks offer valuable protection to individuals or those around them. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times)
Shoppers come out of a Costco wearing homemade masks. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times)
Health

CDC weighing new advice on masks in fighting coronavirus; experts say don’t take them from medical workers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is “looking at new data” on whether these kinds of masks offer valuable protection to individuals or those around them.

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
Local News

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

A Metro bus drives through downtown Seattle on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Metro transit will benefit the most from the government financial aid. It will help them maintain service as the number of riders drop and they stop collecting fares. 213462
Traffic Lab

Transit remains a lifeline as the Seattle area endures the coronavirus outbreak

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) and Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Shaquem Griffin (49) embrace on the field after losing to Green Bay in a NFC Divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Sunday, January 12, 2020. 212658
Seahawks

Agent for Seahawks Shaquem, Shaquill Griffin loses parents to coronavirus, makes plea for public awareness

Coronavirus

Sada Ashcraft, 9, is ready to pick up one of the free art kits for Orcas Island students.

Free art kits keeping Orcas Island students busy with schools shut because of coronavirus

Health resources & info »

Where to get tested for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — if you qualify

What you need to do to get your government stimulus check

8 tips for taking care of mind and body while at home during the coronavirus pandemic

As social distancing measures hit the Seattle area’s parks and outdoor spaces, here’s what’s open and what’s closed

Mapping a pandemic »

Don't Miss

A volunteer wearing a face shield and mask manages a counter of COVID-19 infection screening center at the Chulalongkorn University health service center in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, April 1, 2020. 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/Gemunu Amarasinghe) XGA113
Nation & World

Photos of the day: The world guards against coronavirus  VIEW

Washington forward Isaiah Stewart drives on Arizona guard Dylan Smith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. Smith broke his nose on the play. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) AZRS104 AZRS104
Husky Basketball

Isaiah Stewart announces he’s leaving Washington Huskies to enter NBA draft

Nation & World

April Fools’ Day at home: Here are 9 lighthearted pranks

Editorial

Coronavirus necessitates painful but necessary cuts to Washington state budget

Local News & Politics

Mohammad “Matt” Rafie, a 53-year-old Bellevue dentist, was charged last week with first-degree arson, accused of setting fire to medical gowns and masks inside his dental office on March 23.

Bellevue dentist accused of setting fire to medical gowns and masks in attempt to burn down his office

Featured Columnist

End of the republic? We’re No. 1 in voter turnout — for a reason the president thinks is ‘crazy.’

Education Lab

Confusion, uncertainty on first day of state-mandated remote learning for Washington school districts

Students, how are coronavirus-related school closures affecting you?

High school seniors cope with the loss and confusion over next steps during coronavirus

Durkan issues order that will allow her to establish emergency child care while schools are closed for coronavirus

Child care centers are essential to the economy. But can they survive the coronavirus pandemic?

Business & Tech

A family member of an employee holds a sign outside the Amazon DTW1 fulfillment center in Romulus, Mich., Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Employees and family members are protesting in response to what they say is the company’s failure to protect the health of its employees amid the new coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) MIPS106 MIPS106

Leaders of nation’s largest labor unions pressure Amazon, CEO Jeff Bezos on coronavirus response

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How to use color to make your home — and mood — brighter  VIEW

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Home & Garden

Choosing the best fence for your yard

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Open for Business

What’s open for business during the “Stay home, stay healthy” order?

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10 ways to bond with your houseplants while you’re at home

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Moorea Seal on self-care now: Showers, karaoke and a little crying in bed  VIEW

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Nation & World

Patrons wear personal protective equipment while waiting in line at a Trader Joe’s location Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in the Queens borough of New York. 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/Frank Franklin II) NYFF104 NYFF104

More evidence indicates healthy people can spread virus

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Times Watchdog

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

Roasting a chicken makes the confines of home less confining by filling them with warmth and buttery scent and promise.

An excellent and easy roast chicken recipe for troubled times — plus ideas for leftovers

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

After major progress on child care, COVID-19 could collapse the system | Op-Ed

Featured Columnist

Local newsroom staff cuts could seriously hamper disease detection

Horsey Cartoon

Health workers should not have to beg for supplies

Sports

Seahawks bring back Benson Mayowa to revive pass rush while Clowney watch continues

While the Jadeveon Clowney watch turned well into its third week Wednesday, the Seahawks made another move to short up their ailing pass rush, while maybe showing Clowney they are done waiting for him to make a decision. And they again did so by calling back a member of the 2013 Super Bowl team ---...

Featured Columnist

Seahawks bring back Benson Mayowa to revive pass rush while Clowney watch continues

Arts & Life

Thursday, March 26, 2020 John Richards, KEXP morning show host working in the main DJ booth during his show. KEXP broadasts have remained a rare stable/normal presence in listeners’ lives.

Live from Quarantine City: KEXP’s steady voices ‘see us through’ coronavirus pandemic

Pacific Northwest Ballet furloughs all dancers, musicians and many on staff due to coronavirus pandemic

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Photography

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

Capitol Hill Frame Central employee Thaleia Sundquist and manager Dennis Turner spray paint a stencil of photographer Lance Mercer outside of the store Thursday, March 26, 2020. Turner boarded up the store, which has been open for 25 years, to protect it during closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. Artist Chloe Guenther created the stencil- is based on a recent self-portrait of Mercer-who is know known for his iconic images of Seattle bands Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone and others. Mercer, who has a compromised immune system due to Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, has been staying inside his apartment for the last three weeks, with the exception of daily walks with a mask and glasses. Mercer has been sharing his experience on social media, and wanted to emphasize “We are not alone,” he says. Turner hoped the images of Mercer could “soften the reality” of boarding up longtime businesses and celebrate “how strong and resilient Seattlties are.” LO 213478
Local News

The face of resilience on a Capitol Hill storefront in Seattle

One-year-old Bodie Bennett, learning how to walk, gets a helping hand from his parents Erin and Matthew Bennett in a daffodil field along Beaver Marsh Road in Mt Vernon across the street from Roozengaarde in the Skagit Valley on March 19, 2020. 213383 213383
Local News

First steps amid the first blooms in the Skagit Valley  VIEW