Articles about pandemic

Seattle cannabis data startup Headset to pay $1M to settle allegations over pandemic-era loan

The government alleged that Headset was ineligible for the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan it received in February 2021 — and had forgiven in August 2021 — because its work supporting the marijuana industry conflicts with federal law. Read More

Update: Amazon disputes analyst report saying Prime growth has plateaued in U.S.

Updated at 8:50 a.m. with Amazon response. The number of Amazon customers who use Amazon Prime in the United States… Read More

Census data shows Seattle-area population rose again last year after pandemic dip

After an outflow of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, new population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show… Read More

‘We don’t have to do this again.’ Bill Gates previews new book about preventing the next pandemic

An upcoming book from Bill Gates will delve into lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, what the world can do… Read More

Exit interview: Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on the pandemic, Amazon, and fighting the city council

To suggest that Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan had a pressurized run as the Emerald City’s top elected official is to… Read More

Microsoft remote work study: Average length of workweek has increased 10% during pandemic

A Microsoft study examining technology usage by its employees has revealed a decrease in cross-company communication, and sparked a lively… Read More

Veteran software engineer launches AI startup Hal9 while battling long COVID and pandemic concerns

Is there ever really a good time to launch a startup? That’s the question Javier Luraschi was asking and sort… Read More

Microsoft giving employees $1,500 bonus in recognition of challenging pandemic year

Microsoft is giving employees $1,500 in bonus pay for weathering the “unique and challenging” circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, according… Read More

Sen. Patty Murray, Microsoft’s Brad Smith endorse greater internet access through Digital Equity Act

Calling a strong, affordable internet connection for every American a “must-have,” Sen. Patty Murray, was joined by Microsoft’s Brad Smith… Read More

Amazon adjusts return-to-office guidance, says employees can work two days a week remotely

Amazon has adjusted its return-to-work plans for corporate employees, issuing new guidance on Thursday that will allow for a mix… Read More

Are tech employees coming back to downtown Seattle? Here’s what companies are planning for

The plywood is coming down, restaurants that survived are adding hours and vehicle traffic in Seattle is growing from the… Read More

From surveys to video creation, how two Seattle companies used tech to help schools in pandemic

The shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic caused plenty of technological headaches for families and educators. But one… Read More

Washington state plans to fully reopen by June 30 as governor pushes COVID vaccine incentives

Washington state will move to fully reopen and lift restrictions put on the economy by COVID-19 by June 30, Gov.… Read More

Bill Gates predicts ‘very small numbers’ of COVID by end of 2022, takes heat for vaccine patent defense

Bill Gates predicts “the end will come” for the COVID-19 pandemic, saying in an interview on Sunday that a return… Read More

Amazon holding vaccination event for thousands of workers at fulfillment center south of Seattle

Amazon is expecting thousands of its operations employees at a COVID-19 vaccination event on Monday at the company’s fulfillment center… Read More

Expedia launches brand refresh, new features and ad campaign in anticipation of travel surge

Gearing up for a resurgence in travel, Seattle-based Expedia Group is refreshing its flagship Expedia brand with updated features across… Read More

Vacancy rate hits 11-year high in Seattle area as office space market enters recovery mode

New report: A market analysis for the first quarter of 2021 from the commercial real estate company Broderick Group expresses… Read More

Google to begin opening some Seattle-area offices for optional in-person work starting April 20

Google has announced plans to start bringing workers back to the company’s offices in the Puget Sound region, including on… Read More

Prefunq combats Zoom fatigue with pre-meeting mini concerts to support artists hurt by pandemic

As COVID-19 sent everyone retreating to social isolation and virtual gatherings, it proved particularly difficult for the performers and musicians… Read More

Gov. Inslee says all Washington state adults will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting April 15

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that all Washington state residents age 16 and up will be eligible for a… Read More

New CDC study calls COVID-19 vaccines highly effective, but agency chief ‘scared’ by rise in cases

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines being… Read More

‘We can’t afford a Seattle freeze’: Community leaders discuss how city can rebound after COVID

Even as the pandemic slows, one key unanswered question is whether everyone will feel good about visiting or working in… Read More

‘The heart of Seattle is open’: Video offers hopeful view of downtown after a year of pandemic pain

Washington state’s move Monday to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 recovery plan has the Downtown Seattle Association buzzing for business.… Read More

Microsoft to reopen HQ campus to more employees March 29 as focus shifts to hybrid work model

Microsoft is going to start bringing some of its Seattle-area employees back to the office next week, just over a… Read More

Report on COVID-related philanthropy credits MacKenzie Scott with powering 25% of U.S. giving

A new report looking at the global philanthropic response to COVID-19 during 2020 credits MacKenzie Scott with singlehandedly powering 25%… Read More

Amazon to host another pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic at its Seattle HQ campus on Sunday

Amazon is hosting another COVID-19 vaccination clinic on its Seattle headquarters campus on Sunday, a week after the tech giant’s… Read More

Paul G. Allen Family Foundation giving $1.4M in COVID-19 relief aimed at underserved communities

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is giving an additional $1.4 million in relief funds to aid underserved populations across Washington state… Read More

‘I feel great’: Bill Gates shares photo of himself getting first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

After all the talk and concern, hope and urging, Bill Gates arrived this week at a critical point in his… Read More

Seattle startup Worksphere helps manage process of returning to and running offices after pandemic

If and when workers return to offices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Seattle startup called Worksphere… Read More

Back to the ‘Future Innovators’: 5 years later, kids adjust to an evolving and turbulent world

Five years ago, budding 11-year-old Seattle scientist Rebecca Yeung was launching a homemade spacecraft high above Earth. The exploits with… Read More