Author's posts
Some clinics are bracing for a huge influx of patients if Roe v. Wade is overturned
If abortion bans are enacted, millions would be forced to travel to less restrictive states, and some health providers are warning they may not be able to handle the surge in demand.
For two years, this Washington island has grappled with the long reach of COVID
The virus hit Whidbey Island early in 2020, and photojournalist Lynn Johnson was there. A million deaths later, we return to see how the pandemic has subtly but indelibly altered life there forever.
Evidence grows that vaccines lower the risk of getting long COVID
Though findings are preliminary, many studies suggest that vaccinated people have good protection against the condition, although just how much is still up for debate.
In rural America, patients are waiting for care — sometimes with deadly consequences
When cancer survivor Katie Ripley got pneumonia, the 25-bed hospital in her small town didn’t have the specialized care she needed. But with omicron surging, there was no ICU bed to transfer her to.
For rural hospitals, the surge of COVID patients can have deadly consequences
The omicron surge has clogged up the health care system, from the ICU to the ER. The consequences are huge for smaller hospitals and, in some cases, it has led to irreparable harm.
Why omicron is crushing hospitals — even though cases are often milder than delta
People who get infected with omicron are less likely to go to the hospital, go on a ventilator or die. But with the current huge volume of patients, hospitals are still struggling to treat them all.
ERs are overwhelmed as omicron continues to flood them with patients
Omicron may cause milder disease but the sheer number of patients make this wave far worse for the health care system. With packed emergency rooms, patients can wait days to get moved to a bed.
U.S. COVID hospitalizations hit new record high, raising risks for patients
There are more patients and, in some places, not enough health care workers to go around. Research shows the crowding will impact care and increase mortality for all patients.
Experts say Biden’s plan to help hospitals deal with COVID surge isn’t enough
President Biden has rolled out a plan to help hospitals deal with omicron and the expected surge of patients. Experts say the support is welcome, but still doesn’t go far enough.
Hospitals are still reeling from delta as omicron cases start to multiply
U.S. hospitals have a heads-up on omicron, but that doesn’t mean they feel ready to deal with what could be a huge wave of patients infected by the new variant of COVID-19.
