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By Roger Harnack
Whitman County Gazette 

Gov. Inslee: Statewide mask mandate ending

 

February 24, 2022



COLFAX – Gov. Jay Inslee said last week that he will end his statewide coronavirus-mask mandate March 21.

His comments came during a Feb. 17 press conference; he was joined by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

The press conference came two days after the Kettle Falls School Board led the charge by voting to end mask requirements on school campuses.

It also came a day after 40 school district superintendents from across Northeast Washinton sent the governor a letter calling for an end to masks and contact tracing at schools.

Whitman County superintendents signing onto the letter included Jerry Pugh of Colfax, Suzanne Schmick of St. John-Endicott, Zane Wells of Garfield, Brett Baum of Rosalia and Great Northern, Doug Curtis of LaCrosse, Charles Pierce of Lamont, Jake Dingman of Oakesdale, Mike Jones of Palouse, Eric Patton of Steptoe and John Cordell of Tekoa.

The letter cited student mental health, staff time and parental backlash as reasons to end masking and contract tracing now.

While Inslee said he believes it’ll be safe to remove masks March 21, he refused to end his emergency proclamation.

“The emergency order will not be lifted on March 21,” Inslee said during the press conference. “It needs to be maintained, in part, to have access to federal funds.”

In addition to Kettle Falls, the Richland and Colville school boards have voted to end masking on campuses. Richland has since backed down and agreed to wait until March 21.

Both Inslee and Reykdal threatened districts ending mask policies through withholding funding.

“They fully understand the consequences of breaking the law,” Inslee said.

In his statements, Inslee said he will end any vaccine verification requirements on March 1 and issue an order protecting the “rights” of residents who choose to continue wearing masks.

He said businesses, “should they desire,” will be able to require employees and patrons to wear masks to be on the premises.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

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Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.

 

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