The Observer

CWU and Kittitas County are preparing as the next batch of COVID-19 vaccines work their way through the residents and students of Ellensburg

Gabriel Strasbaugh, Senior Reporter
January 27, 2021

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CWU’s athletics have finally resumed practice after approximately 10 months. As of Jan. 19, Kittitas County has received 2,000 doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines....

CWU participates in nationwide COVID-19 memorial

Justin Zabel, Staff Reporter
January 26, 2021

On Jan. 19, CWU participated in a nationwide mourning of the lives of more than 400,000 Americans who have died due to COVID-19. Barge Hall was lit up in amber colors to show support to the families across...

ASCWU’s COVID-19 IRL campaign hits social media

Max Hughes, Staff Reporter
January 26, 2021

ASCWU’s COVID-19 In Real Life (IRL) campaign seeks to aid students in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and find new ways to socialize in a way that is more appealing to students. Western Washington...

Gov. Jay Inslee signs new Healthy-Roadmap to Recovery plan

Milenne Quinonez, Staff Reporter
January 20, 2021

A week before COVID-19 restrictions were set to be lifted, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new COVID-19 phased recovery plan on Jan. 5 with hopes of reducing rising COVID-19 case numbers throughout the counties....

On-campus students required to get “Welcome Back Testing”

Justin Zabel, Staff Reporter
January 20, 2021

CWU students are required to get tested for COVID-19 if they live, work or have class on campus. If students are not tested, they will not be allowed access to campus. Testing was done in groups based...

Football team targets character building as it continues to preserve through COVID-19 restrictions

Gabriel Strasbaugh, Staff Reporter
January 20, 2021

The Wildcats’ return has the football team preparing for a season that’s better late than never. Despite the continuation of the pandemic, the football team’s 2020 season is in the final stages to...

COVID-19’s impact on the Yakama Nation

Star Diavolikis, Senior Reporter
January 12, 2021

The Yakama Nation has implemented safety measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect their tribal members, such as shortening funeral procedures, limiting office hours in tribal businesses and...

COVID-19 updates announced at HR meeting

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
January 8, 2021

Representatives from several departments went over winter quarter health and safety strategies, testing plans and the potential of campus being a vaccine site. This information, released at a meeting...

Vaccination eligibility groups announced by the Department of Health

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
January 6, 2021

An announcement outlining a timeline of groups that will be eligible for the vaccination in upcoming months was made Wednesday, Jan. 6. This timeline is phase B of Washington's vaccination plan as described...

Mandatory testing procedures announced

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
December 29, 2020

Students who live, work or attend in person during winter quarter are required to take a COVID-19 test before in-person classes resume. In an email to campus, Dr. Carylin Holsey, director of the health...

Kittitas County receives first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine

Star Diavolikis, Senior Reporter
December 18, 2020

The first doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine are being distributed in Kittitas County after emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week. The first shot was given on Dec....

COVID-19 quarantine protocols halved for low risk groups in Kittitas County

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
December 14, 2020

Per recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, the Kittitas County Incident Management Team (IMT) has made a second, shortened quarantine procedure for individuals...