Posted on 06/23/2020 4:20:32 PM PDT by USA Conservative
SEATTLE -- Washington state will require people to wear facial coverings in public settings, under a statewide public health order announced Tuesday by Gov. Jay Inslee in response to ongoing COVID-related health concerns.
The order, issued by Secretary of Health John Wiesman, takes effect Friday. The order requires face coverings when people are indoor in a public area, and outdoors in a public area when six feet of physical distancing can’t be maintained.
Washington joins several other states that already have statewide mask orders in place, including California, which issued its order last week.
"Even though we have been resourceful and committed, as we have reopened our economy ... we are now experiencing high activity of the virus," Inslee said.
Inslee again said Washingtonians need to practice physical distancing, wash their hands, get tested for any COVID-like symptoms and to stay home if sick.
Yakima County, which has been among the areas hardest hit by the outbreak, has even more stringent requirements under a separate proclamation issued by Inslee that also takes effect Friday. In addition to being covered by the statewide mandate on masks in public, there will now be a legal requirement that prohibits people from entering a place of business — either indoors or outdoors — without first donning a mask.
Under that same proclamation, businesses in the central Washington county are prohibited from allowing a customer to enter a business, or conduct business with a customer in any public space unless the customer is wearing a face covering.
There are exemptions for children under the age of 2 and for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Facial coverings for children between the ages of 3 and 5 are strongly recommended, but not required under the orders.
People engaged in recreation alone or with household members and those eating out at restaurants wouldn’t have to wear masks as long as they are properly distanced from others.
The statewide order builds on a previous one from Inslee, that — since June 8 — has required workers to wear facial coverings unless they don’t interact with others on the job.
Last month, San Juan County became the first jurisdiction to impose a mask requirement that was enforceable by law, making it a misdemeanor for people to not wear a mask while in public. Brendan Cowan, a spokesman for the county, said in an email Tuesday that to date, no citations have been issued, just “lots of education and outreach.”
Several other jurisdictions — including King and Thurston counties — have issued their own face covering directives or have strongly urged residents to wear masks, though those counties have said that the efforts were focused more on education and that there were no civil or criminal penalties for violators.
A spokesman for Inslee said that violation of the statewide mask order is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Violation of the Yakima County proclamation is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
The move comes as Washington’s 39 counties are moving through a four-stage reopening plan.
As of Tuesday, 16 counties are in Phase 3, which allows group gatherings of up to 50 people, including sports activities, and allows restaurants to increase capacity to 75 percent. Gyms and movie theaters can reopen at half capacity during this phase. Eighteen counties are currently in Phase 2, which allows restaurants and taverns to reopen at half capacity with limited table sizes, hair and nail salons and barber shops to resume business, and retail stores to reopen for in-store purchases at 30% capacity. It also allows additional outdoor recreation and gatherings with no more than five people outside of a person’s household.
Three counties — Benton, Franklin and Yakima — remain in Phase 1, which only allows essential businesses to be open and limits restaurant service to takeout and delivery and allows limited outdoor recreation.
Two other counties — Chelan and Douglas — are also in a modified Phase 1 of reopening that allows some additional business activity.
More than 28,800 people in Washington state have tested positive for the virus and at least 1,276 have died. The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, and the vast majority recover. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Perhaps the genius who is so smart as to come up with this scheme does not realize that wearing a face mask does not interfere with me reading lips becaus I am hard of hearing...
“Washington state has 204 people in the hospital and 37 on ventilators.”
In the Tri-Cities we have 21% of hospital beds at the three hospitals occupied by covid patients. So I don’t see how the entire state can only have 204.
No, I won’t wear a mask, unless I have to to get into a store where I really need to go. And in that case I might wear my motorcycle helmet with face shield instead.
My local HD denied me without a mask, but under the nose was fine to let me in. You are right, it is all a joke.
I’ve worn a mask twice for a total of 5 minutes each time and I couldn’t stand it. If a store is requiring the mask then I go elsewhere or on-line. I think they are very unhealthy.
It's not a scheme. . .it is part of The Plan.
BTTT!!
I have only worn a mask (scarf) one time, to get my hair cut. I almost passed out. Next time, I will look for a real crappy fitting mask that I can breath through.
My beautician friend, who is normally a reasonable person, is completely hysterical about this virus. She is so overcome with fear, I am afraid that she is damaging her immune system. Unfortunately, she is resisting truth this time.
Lots of illegals and seasonal workers in the Yakima area.
Lots of illegals and seasonal workers in the Yakima area.”
So because of the spike among these people the whole state has to wear a face mask even though we have 204 in hospital statewide.
Governor Dimslee had to order the state to wear face masks since California did and Dimslee has no brain. Also to detract from his lack of action in cleaning up the CHOP zone. He wants to pretend that he is actually doing something, i.e., ordering everyone to wear face masks.
I think it is causing major physical damage. My mowing man (without a mask) said he has two friends in New York City who are sold on the mask thing. Liberal of course. He says seeing them on facebook they look ill. I wouldn’t have a child of mine going to school with a face mask on. People need to take charge. . . .one way. . .home school. Bring Grandma on as schoolmaster.
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