E-news from Governor Inslee’s office

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE |||

COVID-19 trends give leaders confidence for next phase of pandemic response

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that most indoor masking requirements will lift March 21 thanks to dropping hospitalization rates, improving vaccination rates, and broad access to masks and tests.

“The virus has changed significantly over the past two years, and so has our ability to fight it. While caution is still needed, we are entering a new phase of the pandemic,” Inslee said. “Vaccination remains our most essential protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. It’s also crucial to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed again. If you’ve been procrastinating, now is the time to get the shot.”

Inslee was joined in the announcement by Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, Department of Health Secretary Umair Shah, and Department of Health Deputy Secretary Lacy Fehrenbach.

“Our students, educators and school employees, and families have been incredibly resilient as we’ve navigated the impacts of the pandemic,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. “Our efforts over the past two years have led us to this moment. Nearly all of our school employees are vaccinated, the number of vaccinated students increases each day, and we have one of the most robust COVID-19 school testing programs in the country. Moving away from a statewide mask mandate to masks being encouraged is a safe next step as we move from pandemic to endemic.”

Beginning March 21, face masks will no longer be required in most settings, including K-12 schools and childcare facilities. Masks will still be required in health care settings such as hospitals, outpatient and dental offices, long term care settings, and correctional facilities. In addition, beginning March 1, vaccine verification for large events will no longer be required.

Businesses and local governments can still choose to implement vaccination or face mask requirements for workers or customers, and school districts can still choose to have students and teachers wear masks. Federal law still requires face masks in certain settings such as public transportation and school buses.

VIDEO: Gov. Jay Inslee media availability.

Read more on the governor’s Medium page.

Climate action takes center stage in Inslee town hall with Gore & McCarthy

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee joined with former Vice President Al Gore and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy for a panel discussion and Q&A about efforts to combat climate change and transition equitably to a low-carbon, clean energy economy.

In Washington state, the 2021 heat wave was the deadliest on record, leading to more than 100 deaths. Sea levels are rising in coastal towns such as Friday Harbor and forcing communities such as the Quinault Indian Nation to relocate to higher ground. Droughts and heat waves are hurting Washington’s agricultural growers and their workers.

As governor, Inslee has supported and passed nation-leading climate initiatives including several bills in 2019 to advance Washington state’s transition to 100% clean energy, clean buildings, and cleaner transportation. The Legislature in 2021 passed several landmark measures to a cap and invest program to reduce climate pollution across the economy, a clean fuels standard, and laws to reduce single-use plastics and put environmental justice at the forefront of Washington’s strategic plans.

Inslee has proposed several bills to advance climate action as part of his 2022 climate package, including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and to ensure that Washington can site and build clean energy and technology here at home.

“We’ve got to have hope to keep this movement alive. Action is the fuel against despair. We have made good progress in our state, but it is not enough, and we must do more. Now is the time to act boldly and quickly — to protect the planet and to grow our economy with clean energy jobs,” Inslee said.

“The climate crisis is already impacting lives in the state of Washington and indeed we are seeing worsening impacts in communities around the world. We have incredible climate leaders in government working to deploy these climate solutions, in Washington state today and in Washington DC. But they need you to use your voices, and your choices, and your actions to demand the kinds of solutions that are available here,” said former Vice President Al Gore.

“People are afraid now, they see the world has changed, they want action. Every piece of legislation and every piece of investment in the bipartisan infrastructure law that President Biden got over the finish line, is going to make people’s lives better,” said White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy.

VIDEO: Climate town hall.

OSPI accepting nominations for Teacher of the Year/Classified School Employee of the Year awards

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is accepting nominations for “Classified School Employee of the Year” and “Teacher of the Year”. If you know a fantastic educator or classified school employee who makes a difference in students’ lives, nominate them today.

Both awards are open to educators who have not already been named a regional classified school employee or teacher of the year and plan to continue working in their current role in education. Submit your nomination today!

Nominate an educator or classified school employee.

Inslee visits Spokane County to talk to students about climate, tour electric buses, and visit affordable housing

Today, Gov. Jay Inslee visited Spokane County to meet with Gonzaga University students to talk about Washington state’s climate priorities and to answer questions from the students about climate issues.

Gonzaga student Anasofia was named Washingtonian of the Day. She will be among a group of 100 college students invited to meet with Pope Francis next week.

“More inspiring conversations on #climatechange with these brilliant minds from @GonzagaU today. We talked about the equity issues worsened by climate change and how everyone impacted deserves a seat at the policy table. Thanks for having me,” tweeted Inslee.

Inslee then joined Spokane Transit officials on an electric bus tour of the Division Street Corridor and learned more about the $50 million Division Street Bus Rapid Transit project proposed for funding through the Move Ahead Washington transportation package. 

“Spokane County is helping WA #MoveAhead with their electric buses. These buses are cleaner for the air, quiet, safe and fueled by a clean, inexpensive energy source. Take a ride on our clean energy future,” Inslee tweeted.

The governor ended the day joining Washington State Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown and leadership from Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, Community Frameworks, and City of Airway Heights for a tour of the recently opened Highland Village affordable housing project.

The project was supported in part by a $5.5 million Housing Trust Fund grant from Commerce. Commerce announced last week that the project will receive an additional $178,000 grant for phase 2.