Vaccine hesitancy is complicating physicians’ obligation to respect patient autonomy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Art Shotwell 5 minutes read
Sitting barely 6 feet away from me, my patient yelled angrily, his face mask slipping to his upper lip: “No, I will not get vaccinated. And nothing you do or say will change that fact.” He provided no reason for why he was so opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Three Ways to Cope with the New Now

Art Shotwell 3 minutes read
With the many difficult changes and current events that have transpired in the last couple of years, many Americans have found it difficult to cope with stress and sustain healthy mental health habits.

COVID case rate improves in Skagit County

Art Shotwell 2 minutes read
Skagit County’s 7-day case rate has decreased by 32 percent since last week; our 7-day hospitalization rate did not change. Sadly, 6 new COVID-related deaths were reported. 

Ukraine’s economy went from Soviet chaos to oligarch domination to vital global trader of wheat and neon – and now Russian devastation

Art Shotwell 6 minutes read
Many factories and businesses still function. Other industries like those in information technology have barely missed a beat, with workers continuing to work from areas out of the direct line of fire.

Police Blotter, March 11 - 17, 2022

Anacortes Police 6 minutes read
A Friday Harbor teenager got off without a charge after he was caught doing donuts in a Port of Anacortes gravel parking lot. 

Abortion pills are just as safe to prescribe based on a patient’s medical history as after an in-person exam, new research finds

Art Shotwell 4 minutes read
For many people, accessing abortion care can be a major challenge.