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Pope Francis Defends His Trip To Iraq Despite Infection Risks

The pope spent four days visiting six cities. He met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric to encourage Christian-Muslim dialogue.

All Things Considered

Why Scientists Are Infecting Healthy Volunteers With The Coronavirus

Exposing people to a potentially fatal disease could hasten understanding of COVID-19 and development of new vaccines and treatments. But the risks of such studies raise serious ethical questions.

Pandemic updates for the Northwest

This post will be updated with information about the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington state. Scroll down for daily updates. As of Friday, March 5, the Washington State Department of Health reports: 5,041 Covid-19 related deaths; 324,469 confirmed cases; 19,399 probable cases; and a 1.5% death rate among positive cases. 19,566 people have been hospitalized with Covid-19 in Washington state. According to the most recent data and NPR's hospital capacity monitor: King County has 75% of hospital beds taken, with 10% of the ICU beds occupied by Covid-19 patients; Pierce County has 90% of beds taken, with 11% occupied by Covid-19 patients; and Snohomish County has 65% of beds taken with 5% occupied by Covid-19 patients. Compared to white people and Asian people, the rate of Covid cases is nearly three times higher for Black people, and nearly seven times higher for Latino/x people and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. So far, 1,865,640 Washingtonians have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Need a vaccine? Washington state vaccine locator: Washington State Health Department's map of vaccine providers. Also, use the state's PHASE FINDER to see if you are eligible for a vaccine. Seattle standby list: When Seattle's mobile vaccination teams have leftover doses, they use this list to get them into an arm, fast. CovidWa.com: Not an official vaccine finder from the state, but the product of a former Microsoft developer who created a website to more easily find open vaccination appointments. Get the latest coronavirus news and other local stories delivered straight to your inbox every weekday with KUOW's Today So Far newsletter. Sign up here.

Iowa Reporter Goes On Trial In Case That Raises Press Freedom Concerns

The Des Moines Register reporter, Andrea Sahouri, was arrested as she covered a Black Lives Matter protest. "Treating media work as a crime is a human rights violation," Amnesty International said.