I heard on the news recently that Gov. Jay Inslee reinstated the indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status effective Aug. 23.
In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance that vaccinated individuals can participate in any activity, indoors or outdoors, without masks. To date, I am unaware that this guidance has been rescinded. And believe me, I am well enough informed that I would know if this happened.
Inslee stated that “we have seen over the last year how widespread masking also saves lives by reducing infection.”
He didn’t offer any citation for this.
How does he know this? What data did he look at? You can’t prove a negative. Which means you can’t prove infections that didn’t happen. I doubt that data to prove this exists. Also, I’ve seen no data since May that indoor activities have been super spreader events. No Walmart, no Home Depot, no restaurants, no shopping centers.
Washington is over 70% vaccinated. Isn’t that the herd immunity that Dr. Anthony Fauci was touting? So he is wrong about that too? So if we’re at herd immunity, why do we need to be masked again?
So why is Inslee ignoring the science? My guess is that he is trying to cover his rather ample rear end. So he can say “don’t blame me, I made everybody wear a mask,” even if COVID-19 continues to explode, masked or not. What is he afraid of? He will be re-elected as long as he wants to be governor, no matter what he does. I’ll wait patiently for someone to get back to me.
I want to address Madeline Bishop’s letter of Aug. 17. I’m sick and tired of the fearful lemmings of the left blaming Republicans for COVID-19. If you're vaccinated, you are protected. I’m vaccinated. I can’t hurt you if you’re vaccinated.
So should I blame Democrats for COVID-19? If you’re afraid, stay at home. Wear a mask wherever you want. I don’t care. But don’t vilify people who disagree with you. If COVID-19 is as bad as you think, it’s going to get you no matter what you do.
Joel W. Muenchau
Centralia
