Tri-Cities defiance to masks is deadly, ruins chances to reopen economy | Editorial
Just across Washington’s eastern border, life is close to normal in Idaho. The entire state moved to Phase 4 last week, which means 100 percent of its businesses are open.
That includes bars and nightclubs. Even sports venues now can attract huge crowds as long as physical distancing rules are followed. Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, told his state, “If everyone wore a mask, 80 percent of the spread of the coronavirus would go away.”
Meanwhile, too many Tri-Citians are not wearing masks, and we are officially stuck in Gov. Jay Inslee’s Phase 1 lockdown effort to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The application by Benton and Franklin counties to move to Phase 2 is on hold until the community can reduce the surging number of new COVID-19 cases.
People are justifiably angry, but if we are going to reopen our economy then that anger must be channeled in a productive way.
Too many Tri-Citians are blatantly showing a disregard for social distancing guidelines, and it is ruining our chance to move beyond the state’s most restrictive category.
Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier is not wearing a mask at commission meetings. A few Basin City residents are planning a parade, dance and rodeo for the Fourth of July weekend. Large groups are gathering in parks, streets are busy and way too many shoppers are going out without bandanas or masks.
Something has to change.
At last week’s Franklin County Commission meeting, a citizen managed to get in the room to make a public comment, rather than making it by phone. He was told he would be allowed to speak, but that making an exception undermines social distancing rules.
The man replied that he had been shot and stabbed for his country, and he has a right to be there. He also said he was going to come back next week so commissioners had better have the sheriff there.
His frustration is representative of many, many citizens. Tri-City health officials told the governor the effectiveness of the community lockdown after three months is waning, and that there is a growing perception Phase 1 restrictions are a punishment.
“No matter the intent, the perception that the current restrictions are unfair has resulted in oppositional or defiant behaviors,” the Tri-Cities application for Phase 2 said.
It was smart to point out to the governor that too many people have grown weary of his stay home strategy and are now ignoring it. Many small shop owners are taking a risk and opening their doors out of necessity. They can’t eat or pay bills if they don’t.
And considering Inslee has been rightly supportive of the recent, massive Black Lives Matter protests around the state, he shouldn’t be surprised other groups want to gather outside for different reasons.
That said, Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties have the highest infection rates in the state. This region must work harder to control the outbreak.
Tri-City COVID-19 numbers are going in the wrong direction at a terribly fast rate. Patients being treated in Tri-City area hospitals for COVID-19 have almost doubled in recent weeks, according to Dr. Amy Person, health officer for the Benton Franklin Health District. And Tri-City hospitals are close to maxing out their intensive care unit capacity.
If Benton and Franklin counties are going to move out of Phase 1, then all Tri-Citians need to make a greater effort to wear masks and stay apart.
City leaders and Benton County officials have been encouraging people to wear face coverings, but the message doesn’t seem to be sticking.
We need business owners to require customers to wear masks like they require shirts and shoes. We need all area farmers to implement social distancing and hygiene measures in the fields and orchards. We need our community leaders to find a way to hand out masks to citizens.
And Commissioner Didier, if you would please wear a mask at the next county commission meeting, it would help send the message that the Tri-Cities is ready to do its part to get to Phase 2.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 12:24 PM.