Washington state was home to the United States’ first known COVID-19 diagnosis and its first major outbreak, and it was also one of the first places in the nation where the omicron variant was detected.
Again and again, almost every aspect of daily life here has been upended, leaving everyone scrambling for answers: What’s the best mask to wear? What kind of test should I use? What should I do if I get the virus?
And then there are the tougher, deeper questions: What if I lost my job and can’t pay rent? How can I take care of my mental health?
And, of course: When will we all settle into a new normal?
As we keep you apprised of each day’s developments and hold those in charge accountable for their response to this crisis, we’ve also been compiling resources to help you understand and navigate this changed world.
You can find those resources below — and if you have a need you don’t see addressed, please reach out by clicking here.
Former Seattle Times assistant metro editor Gina Cole contributed to this resource guide.
What you need to know about changing mask rules in Seattle area, WA and the U.S.
With mask requirements rapidly changing, keeping track of what is required can get tricky. Some transit agencies and airlines are dropping their mask rules, while others are not.
Should you still wear a mask? Experts’ guide to daily decisions
As coronavirus infections tick up across the United States, there is a lot of confusion about if, and when, to wear a mask.
You don’t have to wear a mask on planes. Do it anyway, experts say.
Health experts say those who want to protect themselves from COVID-19 as cases rise again should continue to cover their faces.
How to get a COVID vaccine or booster in Seattle, King County and Washington state
Not sure when, where or how to get the COVID-19 vaccine or a booster? You're not alone. We're updating this page with current guidance and resources on how to get vaccinated against COVID in the Seattle area, King County and Washington state.
Here’s how Washingtonians can get free at-home coronavirus tests and masks
You have several ways to get your hands on tests, and strong masks will soon follow. Know what to do if you can wait a bit, and what to do if you need to get tested right away.
Track the spread of coronavirus across Washington and the world
COVID-19 has spread across Washington, the U.S. and the world at staggering speeds. Here's what we know so far about the spread of coronavirus and its global impacts.
Should you still wear a mask after mandates lift? How to tackle that choice
As masking mandates lift and new coronavirus infections fall across the United States, there’s confusion about if, and when, to wear a mask. Here's a guide.
What you need to know about masking against COVID: a visual guide
Use our guide to compare different face mask types and learn how you can maximize protection against COVID-19 with each kind of mask.
How often you can reuse KN95 or N95 masks — and how to safely do it
Health experts have recommended switching to N95 or KN95 face masks. But can these higher-quality masks be used more than once? Some experts say yes — with limitations — as long as it’s done safely. Here’s what to know.
COVID-19 tests: Different types and when to use them
There are various types of COVID-19 tests that people may choose from to find out if they are infected with the virus. Dr. Matthew Binnicker and the team at Mayo Clinic Laboratories help break down the different types.
Use this site to order your free at-home COVID tests
The Biden administration on Tuesday launched without fanfare its website for Americans to request four free at-home COVID-19 tests per household, one day before it was scheduled to go live.
How to find the right coronavirus test for new U.S. travel rules
All U.S.-bound international travelers, including American citizens, must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within a day of their flight. If you're planning to leave the country, here's what you'll need to know in order to get back in.
What to know if you're fully vaccinated and get COVID
Infection is still possible even among the boosted, but how does a positive COVID-19 test affect those who are fully vaccinated and have yet to get an extra jab?
So you tested positive for COVID-19. Now what?
As many people test positive for COVID-19 amid the contagious omicron variant, here’s a guide to what to do after receiving a positive result.
Three reasons a negative coronavirus test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not infected
While testing is critical to containing the outbreak, a negative test result is not a free pass to forgo social distancing, mask-wearing and large gatherings. Here are a few reminders about what a negative coronavirus test means and doesn't mean.
Washington health leaders urge booster shots ‘immediately’ as omicron COVID cases surge
COVID-19 vaccination rates for Washington state are fairly high, but rates of booster shots need to improve, state health officials said Tuesday. They urged people to schedule booster appointments "immediately," as omicron cases continue to surge.
WATCH: Seattle Times journalists, UW infectious-disease expert discuss COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The Seattle Times hosted a webinar, “A shot in the arm: the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Washington," on March 15. The hour-long event provided the latest information on how the rollout of coronavirus vaccines in Washington stumbled, then shifted into a higher gear, with more vaccine supply, broader eligibility for the shots and...
COVID-19 vaccine side effects hit some recipients hard; that’s not all bad. Here’s what to do about them.
Recipients describe symptoms from fever to fatigue. Here's what causes them, what the reaction is like for COVID-19 survivors and what you can take to counter some of the effects.
You’re vaccinated and boosted. How should omicron affect your plans?
Some experts think it's best to skip gatherings as the country weathers a new wave. Others underscore that Americans must "live with the virus." Different people, they all acknowledge, will balance the risks and rewards of each activity differently.
Digital COVID vaccine verification tool officially launched in Washington state
The Washington State Department of Health formally launched WA Verify, a digital COVID-19 vaccine verification tool, last week. The tool draws upon records from the state's immunization system.
Lost your COVID-19 vaccination card? Here’s what to do
Showing proof of your vaccination status has become more common place. But if you’ve lost your vaccination card — don’t panic.
Now you can see the COVID-19 risk anywhere in the country, in real time
A free and now peer-reviewed COVID-19 Risk Assessment Planning Tool offers a scientific way for the public to check the risk of attending an event of nearly any size in any county in the country. Check it out.
How to protect yourself from omicron when flying
Passengers have been collecting tips to protect themselves from the coronavirus for months, but the super-transmissible omicron variant poses a renewed threat. Even vaccinated travelers will need to deploy every defensive weapon at their disposal.
Your trusty maps app can help you navigate the COVID-19 pandemic
Apple and Google have added handy features for these uncertain times.
You are not alone: Resources for businesses and workers affected by the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state
The fallout from the pandemic has hurt local businesses and employees alike. Here's a guide for where they can go for help.
In this stressful COVID era, keep these Seattle-area mental health resources in mind
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there’s never seemed a more appropriate time to shine the spotlight on this paramount topic. These Seattle-area organizations offer mental health resources and tips that can help us feel less alone.
Having trouble finding a therapist in the Seattle area? Here are some tips
The search for a therapist may seem daunting, but there is help available. Therapists throughout the state shared tips for finding a provider who makes people feel comfortable and fits their needs.
How parents with kids too young to vaccinate can navigate omicron
We asked experts how parents of unvaccinated children should navigate the omicron surge. Here's what they advise.
How to prepare your kid for a coronavirus exposure at school
Now that kids are back in the classroom, there’s a very real possibility that they may be exposed to the coronavirus, and may need to be tested — or to isolate. This can be alarming for parents, and frightening for some children.
Watch: How you can support youth mental health during the coronavirus pandemic
Learn from a mental health expert about what's helping young people cope with the coronavirus pandemic. One hint: be kind to yourself.
How you should read coronavirus studies, or any science paper
There are thousands of new studies about the coronavirus, many available for free online. But just because scientific papers are easier to get hold of doesn’t mean that they are easy to make sense of.
You are probably spreading misinformation. Here’s how to stop.
Tech writer Geoffrey Fowler offers a citizen’s guide to not helping trolls, bots and other online disinformers during turbulent times.
How to spot a coronavirus scam and avoid it
Here are some of the most common cons and some steps consumers can take to protect themselves.
What experts are saying about the future of COVID-19 in Washington state and beyond
Drs. Larry Corey and Donna Hansel spoke with Benjamin Woodard of The Seattle Times about the course of the pandemic and what to expect this fall and winter. Hear what they say about boosters, variants, vaccine mandates and misinformation.
From ‘herd immunity’ to ‘variant,’ here are some COVID-19 terms worth knowing
Every new development of the coronavirus pandemic introduces the public to words phrases and data points normally bandied about by public health workers, scientists and researchers. Here's a simple guide to some COVID-19 buzzwords you might've heard.
8 tips for taking care of mind and body while at home during the coronavirus pandemic
Now that you've made pandemic grocery shopping part of your routine, here's how to take care of yourself — physically and mentally — while you're home.