Tag Archives: COVID

Senate ag leaders say COVID vaccine mandate for 4-H volunteers serious blow to program

More and more people tangentially connected with state government are finding out that they are subject to Gov. Jay Inslee’s recently announced vaccine mandate – even 4-H volunteers.

In a letter sent to volunteers, the Washington State University Extension, which oversees the 4-H youth agricultural program, wrote that 4-H volunteer leaders must also be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 to continue to participate in any volunteer activities.

Agricultural leaders in the state Senate are worried what this policy will do to the program.

“It’s one thing for the state to mandate COVID vaccination requirements for state workers and education employees, but when this mandate is even imposed on 4-H volunteers, it makes you wonder where does this stop,” said Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “The end result could be fewer people volunteering in 4-H, which would hurt the kids who participate, and it will ultimately hurt Washington agriculture.”

4-H is a more-than-century-old youth development nonprofit that provides programs focusing on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), in addition to civic engagement and agriculture. The organization relies heavily on community volunteers, and the latest requirements could mean a sharp decrease in participation, a serious blow to the popular program.

“I’m hearing a great deal of concern from 4-H leaders around my district. Like other problems many businesses are seeing with hiring staff, this mandate will make it harder for this program to run effectively,” said Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “Much of this program is conducted outside where safety protocols can be implemented without trampling on people’s conscience or medical decisions.”

The focus on youth during this time is greatly needed, says state Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside. “4-H is a valuable experience for young people already suffering setbacks from isolation and mental health challenges due to how the state has handled the pandemic. We shouldn’t be putting more obstacles in the way to their success,” Honeyford said.

While other states are working to boost vaccinations among their workforces, Washington remains an outlier with its heavy-handed approach.

“Our 4-H leaders have gone above and beyond to provide a safe environment for our kids during these unprecedented times and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so,” said Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy. “We have seen that Oregon and California have provided alternatives to vaccine mandates; we should do that here! This mandate ignores individual choice, and I am concerned that we will lose valuable volunteers because of it. Our young people have suffered immeasurably during the last 18 months. Losing their 4-H leaders will only add to their burden.”

Inslee’s latest reopening plan “partisan politics” say District 13 legislators

Beginning today, large parts of the Central Puget Sound region will enter “Phase 2” of Governor Inslee’s latest reopening plan, the “Roadmap to Recovery.” State Sen. Judy Warnick, Rep. Tom Dent and Rep. Alex Ybarra have spent the past year pushing back on the governor’s COVID-related actions that fail to recognize the unique situation of rural and eastern Washington. The latest move has sparked criticism even from members of the governor’s own party, whose largely rural and coastal communities are forced to remain closed. One democratic lawmaker said, “…it is clear that the governor’s plan exhibits a disastrous disconnect with the realities of our communities.”

The District 13 legislators are concerned that this new plan is based more on partisan politics than science.

“When I saw the details of this latest reopening plan, I said to myself, are you kidding me?” exclaimed Dent, R-Moses Lake. “Our communities have been patiently waiting, in many respects doing the right thing, but are unacceptably left out of this.”

Areas slated to open are more densely populated and have demonstrated concerning upticks in COVID-related metrics than rural parts of the state that will be stuck in “Phase 1.” Counties in Phase 2 will be allowed to resume limited indoor dining and other entertainment activities such as theaters and gyms.

“Having been shut out of this entire process for a year, it’s past time the Legislature weigh in on these decisions with science and facts,” Warnick, R-Moses Lake said. “It doesn’t make any sense that these regions would be allowed to open when our communities in rural Washington have demonstrated they can manage this crisis. This decision doesn’t build the public’s trust.”

The new phased-in approach made some significant changes including a regionalized approach, something District 13 lawmakers opposed, and new metrics. One such metric is the requirement that a region have a 14-day decrease in COVID cases by at least 10 percent. The “West” region, which is entering Phase 2, has seen a 15 percent increase in cases per 100,000 residents.

“If we are to take an honest look at the data and metrics, no one should be opening right now, but many regions of rural Washington are a lot closer than some of these urbans areas who can suddenly reopen,” said Ybarra, R-Quincy. “The plan unfortunately looks a bit like partisan politics.”

Warnick, Dent and Ybarra are continuing to push colleagues to move swiftly at implementing a more scientific and common sense-based approach to reopening. A bipartisan measure, Senate Bill 5114, which received broad public support during committee hearings, would immediately move all of Washington into Phase 2. Mounting opposition from Inslee’s own party could provide a needed impetus for action by the majority party.

Warnick urges easing COVID restrictions for physical activities

As the science related to COVID-19 and understanding of the virus continue to progress, state Sen. Judy Warnick is urging changes to restrictions that were put on fitness centers and youth sports in mid-November.

In a letter to the governor’s office, Warnick and Senate Republican colleagues point to the detrimental impacts of the limits that were recently put back on the numerous small businesses operating in the fitness industry and the adverse health implications for youth and Washingtonians in general. Industry associations had previously urged that they be allowed to continue operation as new spikes in COVID cases that precipitated the most recent round of restrictions are not coming from health clubs or youth sports.

“I believe we can keep our communities safe from the risks posed by COVID while encouraging healthy and active lifestyles,” Warnick said. “I think we need to be nimble and focused on what data is telling us. Closing down activities that are good for people’s physical and emotional wellbeing doesn’t align with the facts.”

According to state health statistics, less than 1 percent of confirmed cases have originated in the fitness sector.

“The nature of these activities makes it more compelling that they remain operational during this time,” Warnick added. “Our businesses and communities are constantly adapting and have the best interests of their patrons at heart. They are acting to stem the spread of the virus while contributing to a healthy population.”

The text of the full letter is here.