Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Governor orders state employees to get inoculated
SEATTLE — State workers who fail to get inoculated against the Wuhan coronavirus virus may be fired under an order from Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday, Aug. 9.
During a press conference, Inslee said he is now requiring most state employees and on-site contractors and volunteers to get one of the experimental vaccines for the virus as a condition of employment.
The order also requires private health care workers and long-term care employees to get vaccinated or face termination, as well.
“It is the mission of public servants and those providing health care to serve our fellow Washingtonians. These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services,” Inslee said. “We have a duty to protect them from the virus.
“They have the right to be protected, and the communities they serve and live in deserve protection, as well.”
State employees and health care workers have until Oct. 18 to be fully vaccinated, he said, noting even those who work from their private homes are required to get the shot.
His mandate applies to all agencies under the direction of the executive branch of state government; it does not apply to local governments, universities or legislative employees.
The governor called on local governments to require vaccination, too, as a condition of employment.
King County and the city of Seattle have already announced plans to mandate vaccination as a condition of employment.
The state Department of Health is reporting King County with a vaccination rate of 81.5% for residents older than 12 years.
In Eastern Washington, only about 1 in 3 residents is vaccinated.
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 from Washington state 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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