Inslee provides updates on public masking and masks in K-12 schools

Inslee provides updates on public masking and masks in K-12 schools

Gov. Jay Inslee announced last Wednesday the state would maintain mandatory masking for K-12 students this fall. At a press conference in Olympia, Inslee also announced the state recommends Washingtonians wear masks in public indoor spaces in communities where there is substantial or high COVID spread, consistent with the latest CDC guidelines.

After months of decline in COVID activity, cases and hospitalizations are surging in Washington and around the country as states lift restrictions while the rate of vaccinations have slowed. According to the state Department of Health, 94 percent of COVID hospitalizations in Washington are currently among the unvaccinated.

At the same time, the more infectious delta variant of the virus is becoming the dominant strain around the country, including Washington state. COVID vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to prevent severe illness and infection from COVID.

Challenges of Worsening Wildfires

Last Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee joined a bipartisan group of seven Western governors to address President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the challenges states face from increasing wildfires.

Wildfires in Washington to date have burned four times more acreage than normal for this point in the calendar year. Inslee talked about the state's need for additional aerial assets in fighting wildfires; challenges with getting dozers to fire lines; the need to train more firefighters; and fuel supply issues.

"The thing I worry most about is if, for some reason, the Congress did not follow your leadership in this reconciliation and infrastructure bills that allowed you to realize your vision of creating millions of jobs while fighting climate change," Inslee said. "That's my biggest worry right now. Because the fact of the matter is there is nothing in human intervention against these fires while climate continues to ravage our forest."

Inslee Rescinds Three Proclamations

Gov. Jay Inslee last Tuesday (July 27) rescinded two COVID-19 emergency proclamations and gave advance notice of the rescission of a third emergency proclamation.

Proclamation 20-20 waived/suspended statutes related to tax penalties, fees, interest, and due dates in order to provide tax relief. This order will be rescinded at 11:59 pm on September 30.

Proclamation 20-44 waived/suspended statutory requirements that allow nursing homes to transfer and discharge residents to other long-term care facilities. This order is no longer needed, and it is rescinded effective immediately.

Proclamation 20-70 prohibited K-12 schools from interpreting the student transportation statutes to restrict a school's ability to use its transportation allocation for certain purposes, like delivering educational materials, meals and technology for remote learning. This order is no longer needed due to the passage of SB 5129, and it is rescinded effective immediately.