At what point did getting vaccinated for COVID-19 become a political issue? Rumblings about who’s lining up for jabs and who’s running away from them solidified last week when three different national polls showed that more than a third – and nearly half – of Republicans said they don’t plan to be vaccinated. This could have a negative impact on efforts to guide the nation toward “herd immunity.”

Gonzaga will be allowed to have 200 people at men’s and women’s basketball home games with Spokane entering Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan on Sunday. School officials are optimistic they can accommodate players’ families, but that might be about all, according to Chris Standiford, deputy director of athletics.

The Gonzaga and Santa Clara game has been called off for the third time. The teams were scheduled to meet Thursday in Santa Clara, but the Broncos are still dealing with COVID-19 issues. Matchups on Jan. 7 and last Saturday scheduled for the McCarthey Athletic Center also were called off.

The people who have succumbed to COVID-19 have come from all corners of the community. We remember some of those people, and the lives they led.

The following accounts, which make up a fraction of the people who have died of COVID-19 during the pandemic, represent people whose families attributed their deaths to the virus or related complications. The information and photos were drawn from obituaries, news accounts and interviews with family members.

Looking on the bright side, the Gonzaga women’s basketball players just got a head start on the second semester of class.

Hence, now playing: Gonzaga vs. BYU on Thursday at the McCarthey Athletic Center. One of the marquee matchups on the WCC calendar has been moved up because both teams were without dance partners Thursday.