Health

Health

Washington's final mask mandate ends Monday. But guidance has been fuzzy

Effective Monday, April 3, masks will no longer be mandated statewide in health care, long-term care, and correctional settings, although individual institutions can still choose to require face coverings moving forward.

Health

After a concussion, kids’ brains need a break: from sports, bright lights, and too much homework

Washington was the first state with a law regulating when and how students can return to sports after having a concussion. Brain-injury experts say, now, lawmakers should add guidelines for when students with a concussion can return to school full-time.

Science

Donor jump-starts brain research

Most people don't think they'll be around to see the research benefits of donating brain tissue to science. Mike Morgan will. He donated his living brain tissue after undergoing surgery for seizures. It’s now being studied by scientists at the Allen Institute to help make discoveries about brain functions. Allen Institute Senior scientist Brian Kalmbach is here to help explain the importance of the new sample and its impact on current research.

Large tent encampment cleared from South Park following reports of violence

The Washington State Department of Transportation on Monday began clearing a large tent encampment in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood that used to be home to at least 33 people. The Seattle Police Department says in the weeks leading up to this clearing, the camp has become dangerous and there have been multiple homicides at the location.

Law & Courts

WA lawmakers move treatment over jail time to the House

Democratic lawmakers in Olympia are working on a strategy to tackle drug possession that balances law enforcement and diversion. Senate Bill 5536 would allow people with substance use disorder an opportunity to choose treatment over jail time. But supporters say it will require a major investment for an airtight plan. And time is of the essence, the current law on the books expires this summer. KUOW reporter Amy Radil joins us today to walk us through where the senate bill is at today.

Arts & Life

WA bill aims to increase access to Death with Dignity Act

Changes could be coming to Washington’s Death with Dignity Act, a measure that allows terminally ill patients to seek medical assistance with ending their lives.

Health

Final statewide masking mandate to end in WA

Come April 3, the state of Washington will no longer require masks in health care facilities and prisons.

Health

Birth support for Black and Native families in King County

Having a baby carries a lot of risk. But it’s even riskier for Black and Native people. Infant mortality for Black and Native people is higher and in our area data shows many of the deaths are concentrated in areas of South King County. Dila Perera is here to explain how her organization tries to help. She’s executive director of Open Arms Perinatal Services which connects people and their newborns to care. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow And we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback Tree Canopy Report: https://seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OSE/Urban%20Forestry/2021%20Tree%20Canopy%20Assessment%20Report_FINAL_230227.pdf