Inside STAT: Covid-19 in Seattle could be a preview for other U.S. communities

SELLING MASKS OUTSIDE A SEATTLE SOUNDERS GAME SATURDAY. (JOVELLE TAMAYO FOR STAT)

To try to stem the spread of the coronavirus, authorities in the Seattle area have issued emergency declarations, set up quarantine sites, and asked the public to steer clear of large gatherings. King County even bought a motel to house people who are infected. But what’s happening in Washington state may just be a preview of what communities around the country will have to grapple with if the coronavirus continues its widening spread. The outbreak in Seattle has also made clear that authorities will struggle with deciding to cancel events like professional sports games and that even the best local health agencies face challenges with this type of disease. STAT contributor Jason Buch has the story from Seattle here.

Also, be sure to take a look back at our 2018 interview with Bill Gates, in which he discusses speaking with President Trump about pandemic preparedness.