The Mountain West is facing a hospitalization crisis, and even states that cracked down early are feeling the effects of those that didn’t.

In Washington State, the frustration is palpable.

“For our healthcare workers to be having to put themselves at risk, for residents of states who are not following the best science is exceptionally frustrating,” said Cassie Sauer, CEO of the Washington State Hospital Association.

Over the past several months, Washington has followed stricter public health protocols than many Mountain West states, including by issuing a statewide mask mandate. Most recently, it’s gone into another lockdown in hopes of blunting the current surge.

Author: Madelyn Beck