John Wiesman Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Governor Announces Current Washington Business Closures Will Extend Into The New Year

By NWPB News December 8, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee - press conference - December 8 2020

Washington bars and restaurants will remain closed for indoor service, and movie theaters and bowling alleys will continue to be completely closed, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday. He said the current closure order, which was set to expire Dec. 14, would be extended by three weeks, into the new year.Read More

Washington Health Officials Warn: COVID Is Surging, And It’s Up To All To Prevent More Shutdowns

By NWPB News November 10, 2020

Washington state health officials shared data during a Nov. 10, 2020 media briefing that shows the uptick in COVID-19 spread across the state. CREDIT: WA Dept. of Health

Washington is heading into the most severe surge of coronavirus yet. And time is running out to turn things around. That was the message Tuesday during a virtual briefing from a raft of high-ranking public health officials. Read More

Washington Counties In Modified Phase 1 Get Updated Reopening Guidance, With Full ‘Pause’ Still On

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa August 26, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a news conference at Columbia Basin College in Pasco June 30, 2020. Hecklers yelling at him, some with signs and flags for Trump 2020 and Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp, caused the event to be moved inside. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Effective Thursday, churches and restaurants in Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Chelan and Douglas counties can open their doors to let guests inside — though just to 25% capacity. Outdoors, groups of up to five people from different households can meet up or attend fitness classes. Read More

Jay Inslee Announces Changes To Business Operations Due To COVID-19; WSU Goes (Mostly) Online

By Scott Leadingham July 23, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced additional measures to combat coronavirus on July 23, 2020. CREDIT: TVW

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the coronavirus pandemic continues to greatly affect the state in serious and dangerous ways. In a news conference Thursday, Inslee announced updates to the state’s ongoing response and four-phase reopening plan.Read More

Washington Governor Puts 2-Week Pause On Further County Reopening, Strengthens Mask Order

By Tom Banse July 2, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a two week pause in further reopening via video conference on July 2, 2020. CREDIT: Washington Governor's Office

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and the state Health Secretary are hitting the pause button on the county-by-county reopening process in response to the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Inslee announced that for at least the next two weeks all counties in Washington state will stay in whatever reopening phase they are currently in -- with a couple of exceptions.Read More

‘Many, Many Months’ Before Life Returns To Pre-COVID Normalcy, Says Washington Health Official

By Will James April 15, 2020

Kaas Tailored employees sew masks on Monday, March 23, 2020, at the Kaas Tailored furniture factory in Mukilteo. CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

Washington state's top public health official said it will take "many, many months," and probably the development of a vaccine, before life can return to pre-COVID-19 normalcy. Read More

Washington Heath Department Requests Legislators Allocate $100M For Coronavirus Response

By Austin Jenkins March 2, 2020

Washington Sec. of Health John Wiesman testifies before the Senate Ways and Means Committee about the coronavirus outbreak and associated costs.

“We know we’ve got the coronavirus in our community, we know that we’re having some community spread, we know that the risk is increasing,” Sec. of Health John Wiesman told the Senate Ways and Means Committee Monday morning.Read More