People are yearning for things to go back to how they were in 2019, but unfortunately covid is still affecting those vaccinated and not nationwide. On June 3, the Washoe County Health District shared a statement from the CDC about how risk of contraction and transmission of COVID-19 has been raised back up to the medium level. The federal health organization encourages … [Read more...]
Covid cases see sharp decline in Washoe County as mask mandate lifted
As the number of new covid cases drop in Washoe County, the State of Nevada lifted its mask mandates just in time for last Sunday’s Big Game. Effective February 10, masks are no longer required to be in Nevada’s public places (unless the business requests it) yet there are still some places such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other places that serve vulnerable … [Read more...]
Pandemic ‘survival mode’ complicates students’ pathways to graduation
By Jackie Valley and Jannelle CalderonThe Nevada Independent Flowers and balloons decorated a makeshift stage on Virginia City High School’s football field, where cap and gown-clad students collected their diplomas last May. The sunny day came on the heels of a late snowstorm that threatened the outdoor ceremony, a pandemicera plan to keep everyone safe. The moment … [Read more...]
Tennis & Covid
This time of year is a sports fan’s delight with the NFL playoffs, preparation for the Winter Olympics, the NBA reaching the halfway point and the Australian Tennis Open. Strangely enough, recent press coverage was almost dominated by the tennis event. It concerned the plight of the number one men’s player, Novak Djokovic. Because of the fact that Novak refused to be … [Read more...]
Covid cases at all-time high in Washoe; Health District launches self-survey feature for contact tracing
As COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly throughout Washoe County, public health officials are launching new guidance, tools, and information about the pandemic to help mitigate the virus. Since the pandemic started, there have been 91,631 cases of Covid in Washoe County. More than 70,000 people have recovered, there are more than 20,000 active cases, and almost 11,000 … [Read more...]
Mask confusion in one picture
How schizophrenic are we about the need to wear masks? One picture last week on CSPAN illustrates. Testifying before the Senate Health Committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke to legislators without a mask. Dr. Rochelle Walensky followed him wearing a doubled-up N-95 mask. Remember, this was Jan. 11 – the height of the Omicron surge. So which is it? Should we model the … [Read more...]
As pandemic drags on, college students feel the financial squeeze
By Jacob SolisThe Nevada Independent Katelyn Counts arrived at UNR in 2020, just as COVID restrictions had eased enough for in-person instruction to at least partially return. Still, it was a difficult transition. With no vaccines available, the pandemic shuttered much of the normal college experience — most of her classes were still largely online, club activities were … [Read more...]
Washoe County schools operating as usual despite virus surge
Even though covid is still affecting school operations across the country, the Washoe County School District is still moving forward with business as usual. On January 14, it announced that it was beginning its search for a new superintendent to replace Dr. Kristen McNeill upon her retirement this summer. The District is working with The Bryan Group to form a Search Advisory … [Read more...]