Gov. Jay Inslee eliminated the retirement requirement for all state workers, even though they still want to be fully vaccinated.
SEATTLE — Questions are now being raised about Gov. Jay Inslee’s reasoning for lifting the COVID retirement requirement for state workers, adding ferry workers and state troopers.
Inslee removed the recall requirement on Aug. 5, but said all state workers will have to be fully vaccinated with Pfizer’s or Moderna’s two-shot regimen, or Johnson’s one-shot vaccine.
A little over a month ago, on June 30, the requirement for boosters and the next doses of long-lasting vaccines became a condition of use. The Fifth of August Directive does list the reasons why it made the change.
Emails to the governor requesting an explanation went unanswered at the time of publication.
Both directives stress the importance of getting vaccinated and getting vaccinated.
“Widespread vaccination is the number one means we have as a state for everyone,” the two rules say.
A difference in the Fifth of August directive suggests instituting an “incentive” to get vaccinated and get boosters.
The new wording reads, “I direct [the Office of Financial Management] to look for features to inspire all state executive workers and small agencies in the closet to remain fully vaccinated with the latest maximum vaccine, adding more doses or boosters, as through the CDC. “
“The incentive will take the form of a refund or a bonus,” said Elizabeth Hovde of the Washington Policy Center.
She believes Inslee feels political about the unions, which use vaccines as a bargaining chip.
“Lately, the governor is in negotiations with the unions, and it turns out that’s setting the course,” Hovde said. “It’s not the fact that so many other people have lost their careers because of the mandate. “
She is critical of vaccination mandates in general, believing it to be a non-public selection and not a condition of employment. Vaccines decrease the threat of serious illness, as well as transmission through exhalation, coughing, or sneezing of droplets containing the virus. the viral loss window and overall viral load are lower.
The resurgence of infections with Delta or Omicron variants has called into question the efficacy of vaccines that transmit viruses.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday released its new COVID-19 rules for K-12 and child care providers for the 2022-23 school year.
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“What other people who don’t need vaccines or boosters need is the end of the rule, not something to negotiate or get incentives or not [get] incentives, it’s a private fitness decision,” he said.
She cites new local fitness figures on the existing effectiveness of vaccines.
Of those who have reported infections in the municipality in the last 30 days, 53. 8% are not fully vaccinated, but 18. 4% are fully vaccinated and 28. 4% strengthened.
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