COVID-19: Seattle Podcast

The US is hitting a 3rd wave of coronavirus cases while we reconsider our nation's leadership. What would it take for either Biden or Trump to get life in the US "back to normal" again?

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross interviews virologist Dr. William Haseltine, a former Harvard researcher with a focus on public health, about how we can banish the pandemic for good... even without a vaccine.

Then, reporter Aaron Granillo joins to talk about what the exit polls suggest American voters prioritized this election: the economy, or the pandemic?

Reporter Aaron Granillo breaks an exclusive interview with the first confirmed patient in Seattle who was re-infected with the coronavirus.

Then, he does a Q&A with KIRO Radio's Dave Ross to answer questions like: how long does immunity last? How many different strains of the virus are out there? And what does this mean for the vaccine?

Join the conversation and get your own questions about the virus answered by joining COVID-19: Seattle on Facebook.

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss the fall wave of new coronavirus cases that's sweeping the country, and compare red and blue state policies. Is another lockdown ahead of us in Washington?

Governor Inslee did issue some restrictions earlier this week, but only for college campuses. With 35 outbreaks statewide, the message to students is: stop socializing.

And, local health officials released an early version of their plan for distributing a vaccine throughout the state. But have they factored in our trust issues?

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Coronavirus cases are rising in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. But some restrictions are loosening: movie theaters reopen on Friday.

Dr. Ali Mokdad from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which tries to predict when coronavirus cases will rise and why, joins KIRO Radio's Dave Ross to discuss what to expect as we head into colder weather and plan more indoor gatherings.

Dr. Mokdad also offers his best prediction for when this will all be over: in other words, when we can expect a vaccine. Two major vaccine trials paused this week after a small number of negative reactions, and reporter Aaron Granillo will explain why that's actually good news.

And, of course, we take a look at the campaign trail. Two Biden campaign staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus. And President Trump resumed his rallies, triumphing his defeat of the disease.

Join the conversation in the COVID-19: Seattle Facebook group.

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo give a 10-minute recap of Wednesday night's debates. How did the candidates talk about the ongoing pandemic? Incumbent Governor Inslee faced off against his Republican challenger Loren Culp. And Vice President Mike Pence took the stage, behind plexiglass, to debate Senator Kamala Harris.

Plus, we'll give you a rundown of all this week's coronavirus news you can use. A coronavirus outbreak strikes the University of Washington's Greek Row, there are some new rules at Seattle parks, and the CDC has updated what you need to know about how the virus can spread.

Free coronavirus testing sites are open every day across Seattle. You can find the locations and reserve a spot here.

Or, purchase an at-home coronavirus test, newly available in Washington, right here.

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KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo react to today's breaking news that President Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus.

With just 30 days until the election, what does this mean for the health of his campaign - and the health of the country?

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss this week's coronavirus news.

First up: COVID is accelerating job losses at Boeing, and the company decided this week to shutter it's 787 Dreamliner production line in Everett.

The first presidential debate confused and dismayed many of those who tuned in. Dave Ross parses through the mayhem and pulls out a better idea of each candidate's plan to handling this ongoing pandemic.

And, select school districts in Washington are welcoming back some of their youngest students for in-person classes. What do parents think about that?

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KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss a sobering milestone the US passed this week: 200,000 deaths from COVID-19. How is our country grieving? And what does this say about how we've handled the pandemic so far?

Speaking of our pandemic response, Dr. Anthony Fauci and the head of the CDC testified before Congress on Wednesday about the seemingly ever-changing CDC guidelines. Senator Patty Murray wants a task force to investigate.

And, the very earliest infection rate data is back from schools that reopened for in-person classes.

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As skepticism about vaccines rises nationwide, KIRO Radio's Dave Ross calls Dr. Keith Jerome, head of the University of Washington's Virology lab, to ask him the question on everyone's mind: when can we expect a vaccine in pharmacies? By election day?

And how safe will it be?

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In a freshly formatted weekly episode, KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss the shocking revelations from Bob Woodward's new book, 'Rage,' and play tape of the president admitting to the severity of the virus being far worse than the flu as early as February.

How much of a difference would an earlier lockdown or mask mandate have made? And should Woodward have broken this story back in March, when lives still could have been saved?

In other news: a "worship protest" on Labor Day outside a shuttered GasWorks Park drew ire from the surrounding community and sharp comparisons between large prayer gatherings and large protests against police brutality. Dave Ross offers a defense of targeted park closures.

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