COVID-19: Seattle Podcast

Coronavirus came to Seattle in late January and put our state on the front lines of a national public health crisis. Stay informed with KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo as they discuss the top stories of the week and track how COVID-19 is impacting our community.

Last refreshed: July 28th, 2025 at 5:52 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

DAILY: Boeing to Cut Nearly 7,000 More Jobs

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and Aaron Granillo are joined by reporter Chris Sullivan, who will tell you everything you need to know about upcoming involuntary layoffs at Boeing - including what severance packages could look like. A new study cautions against a staggered reopening on June 1st as officials try to balance public health and safety with a devastating economic impact. And effective immediately, there will be steep fines for businesses that reopen too early or unsafely.

May 27, 2020•12 min

DAILY: Trump Deems Religious Services 'Essential' - What Would Reopening Look Like?

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss what reopening places of worship might look like in practice. The University of Washington furloughed an additional 4,000 workers, citing financial concerns. Dave asks - did you know that you can go in for your annual checkup now? States that decided to ease restrictions drew crowds of partygoers and sunbathers this weekend for the unofficial start of summer. Video of a packed pool party at the Lake of the Ozarks drew outrage on social m...

May 26, 2020•9 min

The Graduating Class of 2020

The Class of 2020 is graduating in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, isolated at home. Non-essential travel is banned. The job market is frozen, and dismal. And beloved rites of passage are either on an indefinite hold, or cancelled entirely. This week, reporter Aaron Granillo follows how this year's graduates are getting creative with celebrating here in Washington, despite the circumstances. Kristine White in Everett, WA is a graduating college senior. She reported on the sudden cancellatio...

May 23, 2020•35 min•Ep. 10

DAILY: Millions Lost to Fraudulent Unemployment Claims

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo cover the shocking news that hundreds of millions of dollars have been stolen from our state through fraudulent unemployment claims. Earlier on Seattle's Morning News , Dave spoke with the head of the State Employment Security Department, and he recaps his biggest takeaways from that interview here. And, as conspiracy theories circulate about the "real" death toll of coronavirus, how can you sort fact from fiction and figure out the true scale o...

May 22, 2020•11 min

DAILY: Seafair Cancelled for Summer 2020

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo go over the new and improved contact tracing team, which is seriously ramping up operations. How are school districts preparing to reopen for fall? Washington state superintendent of public instruction Chris Reykdal gives an update. And Seafair is cancelled for the first time in 71 years ... but that doesn't mean the organizers (or the pirates) are giving up on the spirit of the festival entirely.

May 21, 2020•10 min

DAILY: New Federal Grants for Washington State

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss two federal grants for Washingtonians: one for Sound Transit, the other for farmers. A high number of coronavirus cases in Yakima County has agricultural workers striking for hazard pay and more safety measures in fruit-packing plants. And we've seen a small spike in the number of King County deaths. Yet still no insight from public health about where new cases are originating. What does reopening look like under these conditions?...

May 20, 2020•12 min

DAILY: Trump Takes Hydroxychloroquine / Two Gym Owners Face Lawsuits

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss the president's hydroxychloroquine prescription. Governor Inslee spoke out about his frustration with the federal response to the coronavirus after a shipment of thousands of test swabs appeared to be bulk Q-tips. And two gyms must close in the next 24 hours or face a state lawsuit, after refusing to follow Washington's 'Stay Home' order and inviting patrons inside.

May 19, 2020•10 min

DAILY: A Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Sees Early Success

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss what restaurants will look like when they reopen for dine-in service. A new study indicates that morale is low. Governor Inslee backed away from an earlier requirement that diners must provide contact information. Now, you won't have to hand over your phone number and email to Washington state public health unless you want to. Today is the first day that masks are strongly suggested (but, also not required) in public spaces - both indoor...

May 18, 2020•9 min

Sports vs. Coronavirus

A stadium emptied in the middle of a game. Entire seasons, not to mention the Summer Olympic Games, postponed or cancelled. This week, follow award-winning reporter Aaron Granillo as he tries to figure out how sports are surviving in a quarantined world. Michelle Newblom was finishing her senior year at Seattle University when the coronavirus hit. She and her teammates watched in disbelief as their spring track season was cancelled before it could begin. Her written reflection, which she mention...

May 16, 2020•40 min•Ep. 9

DAILY: Should Drive-In Theaters Reopen?

KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and reporter Aaron Granillo discuss the over $1.5 million in fraudulent unemployment claims that is now putting all unemployment payments on hold for two days. The CDC releases guidelines for reopening that critics are calling "watered down" after the White House rejected their first (and much longer) draft. And, should drive-in movie theaters in Washington reopen? It's already happening in Oregon ... And, sign up here to receive a daily newsletter with the latest coronavi...

May 15, 2020•10 min

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