it is by state. >> this has been during across the country. basically in a blue, red, purple divide. >> reporter: even as the pandemic marches on. >> we're all in this boat together, including john stockton. >> reporter: this is the second major controversy in eastern washington over sports and covid protocols. last fall, washington state university fired its football coach in pullman for not following the state requirement for all state employees to be vaccinated. this is all happening in a state that has had relatively stricter covid protocols compared to some other parts of the u.s. where western washington is far more left leaning. so just another exam of very tricky covid politics playing out in each region. >> thank you so much. here to discuss, cnn chief correspondent dr. sanjay gupta. we're nearly two years into this pandemic and patience is running thin.