How Important is Choice?
The state of Mississippi is playing with fire. A single Supreme Court ruling on abortion law could have unanticipated consequences for the nation.
Two Unsung Heroes: The Petey and Sherry Show
When vaccinations number in the hundreds per day and thousands per week, the job probably feels somewhere between overwhelming to impossible. But not for two pharmacists on a mission to somewhere extraordinary.
Operation Grinding Halt: A Call to Arms
Despite the $12 billion dollar investment by the federal government for vaccine development and distribution, there is no well-defined, reliable plan to efficiently administer them to the public. Unfortunately, rapid distribution (continue reading →)
Let Children Dance….
Please re-open dance schools catering to children under the age of 18. Exploration and instruction in the arts is an essential part of a balanced education. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a great deal from our children. For some, dance training provided the only sense of normalcy in their lives. The science, logistics, and compliance of dance professionals has demonstrated this decision is not only safe, but also likely life-saving.
The Wheels of Justice: Why Our State Supreme Court Matters
While the US Senate grapples with Amy Coney Barretts’ confirmation hearings this week, voters would do well to turn their attention where their impact could be greatest. Our local judiciary rules on far more matters of importance to our daily lives. And for those of us mourning the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, there is no better way to pay tribute to her legacy than by evaluating the qualifications of the Washington Supreme Court judicial candidates and exercising our right to vote.
Stylists, Hamsters and Cruise Passengers, Oh My…
Whether we like it or not, the face mask—an N95, surgical mask, or one made of cotton cloth—has become the universal symbol of 2020. And it is possible that face masks save more lives than we realize.
The Race Toward an Effective Coronavirus Vaccine
Creation of a COVID-19 vaccine is the crown jewel of the White House’s COVID-19 response. President Trump unrealistically named the tedious and time-consuming endeavor “Operation Warp Speed.” To be licensed for use, a novel vaccine must be tested for safety, immune system reactivity, and protective value in humans, which can take up to 10-15 years. Unlike medications, which treat patients with a medical condition, vaccines are given to healthy people, therefore the safety margin must be extraordinarily high.
A Fitting Replacement for Notorious RBG
As a woman, the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg feels overwhelmingly profound. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I often find myself searching for a ray of sun breaking through the clouds. As sunlight hits the waters of the Puget Sound, it brings a sense of anticipation for the future. A ray of hope can be found in Federal Judge Diane Humetewa, the first Native American woman and enrolled tribal member to serve as a federal judge in history. And she was one of RBG’s picks for the next nominee of the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Tale of Two Pandemics: Obesity and COVID-19
The United States has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world. More than 40% of American adults are obese, which means they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Almost 10% of American adults qualify as severely obese, defined as having a BMI of 40 or more. Of those with extreme obesity — defined as a BMI of 40 or more —the risk of death from COVID-19 is 17 times higher.
The Legacy of the Nineteenth Amendment for Women
As I reflected on these momentous achievements, my thoughts settled on the many women who have been elected from the 23rd district over the last 100 years. Without a doubt, their hard work helped shape the political landscape for those serving in office today, including Senator Christine Rolfes, Senator Emily Randall, Representative Sherry Appleton, and Representative Michelle Caldier. In fact, excluding appointees, over the last 100 years, the people of the 23rd district have elected a male candidate to the Senate for 13 terms and a female candidate to the Senate for 12 terms.