SOUTH BEND - Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen and Kittitas County Commissioner Laura Osiadacz drafted a detailed letter to Governor Jay Inslee that was sent last Tuesday (May 12) and signed onto by 19 counties, including Pacific County. Olsen said, "I think there would have been more, but some of the counties had timing difficulties as to when they were meeting to give formal approval."
Below are only two paragraphs from the in-depth letter, which can be accessed on the Herald's Facebook page.
"We collectively urge you to alter the current narrative to allow us to launch a tandem effort to halt the spread of the virus while simultaneously allowing our businesses to start to re-open. We have been receiving plans from our businesses. Detailed plans that cover how they intend to open to the public but still observe heightened cleaning methods and adequate distancing and personal protection to discourage close contact. By all means leave the emergency order in place so that people remain aware and vigilant, but remove the arbitrary restrictions of essential and non-essential businesses and services to allow our counties to actually begin to open up and operate again. Show us, and the people who have empowered us to serve them, that you not only hear these issues but are actively working to rectify this situation.
"We implore you to allow us to take local control with the help and support that the State can give. COVID-19 is real and it is serious, but it affects every county differently. We strongly hope you will work with us and allow us to create plans within our individual counties that address our individual county needs."
The Herald asked Commissioner Olsen a number of questions about Inslee's Safe Start plan and COVID-19.
Herald: Governor Jay Inslee allowed only five counties to re-open in Phase 2 of his plan. Do you agree with Inslee's decision to not place Pacific County into Phase 2 of his plan, why or why not?
Olsen: Per the guidelines they established, I understood the reasoning for Pacific County not to be on the list of the first 10 counties able to apply to Phase 2 of the reopening plan. That said, I do not agree with it. I feel that the reverse number of counties, say 29 or so, should have been given the opportunity to apply to advance to Phase 2 immediately. The continuing change in statistics and facts during this virus outbreak requires a plan that is fluid and flexible if we are going to save our state and local economies and the businesses that comprise them.
Herald: Has the governor opened enough? He recently added about 10 new things that could be opened.
Olsen: No....I think there should be a plan for ALL businesses to open immediately in much of the state, most specifically the more rural areas, with adequate precautions. Some of these counties have had single digit numbers of cases but are being held to Puget Sound area standards as far as reopening. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, especially the rural areas and we need to do everything we can to keep them from going under.
Herald: Do you think Inslee's rules make it too difficult for counties to re-open?
Olsen: Yes. I don't really see a definitive plan in place that is proactive for the citizens of this state, and particularly, Pacific County. It seems there is a moving goalpost with no end zone. We went from 'flattening the curve' to 'eradicating the virus' which is not a possibility. It is not the place of government to manipulate its citizens and economy to eradicate a health issue. It is the government's obligation to provide the public health services necessary to educate and protect both the afflicted and the general public during a time of such a health crisis.
Herald: Do you believe Inslee should at least open north Pacific County?
Olsen: No, I think the Governor should allow Pacific County to decide how and when to open up our county with support from the state regarding criteria for each of the types of businesses and services located here.
Herald: Do you think all businesses should be allowed to be open in Pacific County, why or why not? If yes, what kind of stipulations would you like to see enacted to have businesses open in Pacific County?
Olsen: Yes, I do. We have had many businesses already do the work to submit plans to us as to how they will handle cleaning, distancing and other things they think will need to be done once they are allowed to open to the public again. It is also obvious that those that were allowed to remain open have taken extra cleaning and planning measures to keep their patrons as safe as possible.
Herald: Do you feel that all businesses should be treated the same as Wal-Mart, grocery stores, hardware stores, etcetera? It seems it might be safer to have dinner in a small restaurant than it is to shop in a department store.
Olsen: I think the initial essential vs. non-essential should have been more severe and much shorter in span. Had that been done this may not have dragged out as long as it has nor impacted our economy to the point that it has. It makes no sense to me that Wal-Mart's, Costco's, Home Depot's, etcetera, have been doing record business with lines to get in and the small shops/offices, which would typically have a handful of patrons at one time and could have easily monitored those numbers are still closed and in jeopardy of closing permanently because they are on a list deeming them non-essential.
Herald: What about dental offices, hair salons, eye doctors, massage parlors, etcetera, do you believe it would be safe to open these up if they were following proper protocol?
Olsen: Absolutely. It would be very easy for these types of service-oriented businesses to adjust their operations to be as safe as possible and reduce the exposure of their customers. It is up to the people also to decide when they choose to resume these services for themselves. Just because these offices/shops are allowed to open does not mean everyone will be forced to make an appointment. We are adults and should be treated that way. As for me, I will be calling the minute it is possible for a haircut!
Herald: Do you believe President Trump is doing an adequate enough job in fighting COVID-19? If so, why, if not, what would you like him to do differently?
Olsen: I do. I think the initial travel ban in January helped immensely to what could have been a much more devastating amount of infected people. I think the administration has been incredibly responsive and innovative in how to deal with something this huge and debilitating. Things, like tests for viruses that have never been tested for, take time and the administration's cooperation with private industry for those and also for various types of personal protective equipment have hastened the availability of those things. I also think this crisis has put us on alert as to the deficiencies and complacency that have developed at the national and global level health agencies, and I hope this will be seriously addressed as soon as possible.
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