Kate Walters
Reporter
About
Kate Walters is a reporter covering Covid-19 and the many ways the pandemic has impacted our lives. She's covered personal experiences of community members, state and local policies, affects on the healthcare system, and more. In the past, Kate has reported on homelessness for KUOW, as well as general assignment stories ranging from city hall politics to sea stars. Originally from Australia, Kate studied journalism at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). She started her career in public radio at WXXI in Rochester, NY.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Stories
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Health
Omicron's arrival in Washington state is imminent. Experts say they're prepared
With the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant, omicron, doctors in Washington state are on the lookout for cases that may appear here. The variant has caused concern around the globe, but has not yet been detected in the U.S.
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Health
Are you wearing the right mask? It comes down to fit and layers
The answer: fit and layers. Wear a mask that fits, and that has two or more layers.
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Health
Want to get your 5-11 year old vaccinated against Covid? Here's what you need to know
It’s official. A whole new cohort of children in Washington state, and across the country, are now eligible to get kid-sized doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Federal authorities have approved and recommended the use of the Pfizer vaccine for five to 11 year olds, and the Western State Scientific Advisory Group has also given their stamp of approval. Experts have deemed the vaccine safe and effective for children.
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Health
King County vaccine verification requirement begins. Here’s what to know
If you plan to go out to a restaurant in King County next week, you’ll need to prove that you’re fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or have recently tested negative for the virus, to get in. And it’s not just restaurants. Come Monday, October 25, anyone 12 or older will have to show their vaccine or test status to do a large number of activities in the county.
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Health
Most healthcare workers are vaccinated, but mandate fallout could still lead to cuts in services
Monday marked the deadline for healthcare workers and many others in Washington state to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19, or risk losing their job under the state mandate. Starting Tuesday, those who are unvaccinated will not be able to go to work as normal. The exception is those who have been granted an exemption for a genuine medical or religious reason and had accommodations made by their employer.
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Health
When hospitals are overwhelmed and out of options, they all call the same number
Before the most recent Covid surge, many healthcare facilities were already at capacity. The influx of patients driven by the delta variant kicked things up a notch, meaning patients of all kinds are finding it difficult to get a bed. Over the past few months that’s led to hundreds of patients being shuffled around the state in order to receive care, and prevent facilities from hitting crisis levels like those seen in other places.
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Health
Most state and hospital workers are vaccinated as Washington's mandate deadline looms
Next week is the final deadline for hundreds of thousands of workers subject to the state’s vaccine mandate. The mandate requires affected workers to be fully vaccinated by October 18th or risk losing their jobs.
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Health
Hospital leaders cautiously optimistic as Washington's vaccine mandate deadline nears
This week marks the deadline for many Washington workers subject to the state’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate to complete their vaccinations, if they haven’t already, or risk losing their jobs later this month. Governor Jay Inslee’s mandate requires workers to be fully vaccinated by October 18th, making Monday the last day to finish a two-dose series, or get the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and be in compliance. Roughly 400,000 workers in the healthcare sector are subject to the vaccine mandate, according to estimates from the Governor’s office.
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Health
Washington state Covid-19 hospitalizations still at ‘sobering’ levels
Covid-19 hospitalizations remain at high levels in Washington state, straining the health care system. That’s according to hospital leaders who addressed reporters at a Monday briefing. There were 1,673 Covid-19 patients in hospitals around the state as of Monday, compared to 1,674 patients last week, officials said. “Things are still very bad,” said Taya Briley, executive vice president of the Washington State Hospital Association.
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Education
Air hugs. No singing. Lunch outside: School in the time of coronavirus
There were no hugs on the first day of school at Mount View Elementary in White Center. (Yes to air hugs, however.)