Respiratory illness double-down

CHENEY – As if dealing with Covid-19 isn’t bad enough, health officials are bracing for the coming impacts of another serious respiratory illness — the flu.

The potential confluence of both illnesses has led to physicians with the Washington State Medical Association to unite in sending out a simple, but urgent message: Be safe, be smart, get your flu shot. In fact, the WSMA is urging residents do the latter as quickly as possible in order to take flu “off the table.”

“Getting a flu vaccine at the beginning of the fall respiratory illness season is the smart and safe way to keep you and your l...