Letter urges Inslee to consider needs when developing Phase 3

SPOKANE – Mayor Nadine Woodward of Spokane sent a letter to Governor Inslee urging him to consider local needs when developing guidelines for Phase 3, with elected officials across the East Region of the state's reopening plan signing their names, including Ritzville's Mayor Gary Cook.

Woodward's office said 20 mayors signed the letter, which was mailed Feb. 26. Woodward reported March 4 the letter was "well received."

Inslee has yet to come forward with details for Phase 3 of the reopening plan.

"As we begin to move forward, it is important to hear ideas and concerns from those most impacted by the restrictions in place by your office and the Washington State Department of Health," Woodward wrote.

She said after significant collaboration, areas in need of special consideration to best balance the health and economic needs of collective communities were determined. Those areas included eating and drinking establishments, recreation and fitness establishments, indoor and outdoor entertainment, and personal and professional services.

Under each area, Woodward included proposed outcomes. Under eating and drinking establishments, Woodward suggested allowing 50% capacity with indoor dining and a limit of two households per table with a maximum of six individuals; 75% capacity for outdoor or open-air dining; and 25% capacity for indoor establishments serving individuals 21 and over with no food.

Under recreation and fitness establishments, Woodward stressed how mental health, especially during the East Region's winter months, is a challenge.

"Recreation and fitness are a reprieve from the stresses of the pandemic people have craved and embraced when afforded the opportunity," Woodward wrote. "Studies and information shared by DOH (Department of Health) have indicated collective and individual mental health is a major current and ongoing concern."

Regarding Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment, Woodward pointed out people are craving "a measure of reward and acknowledgement of the good, hard work they have done and hope for the future."

"Data and messaging, especially over the holidays, has asserted that in-home behaviors have been a large contributor to unfavorable case counts," Woodward wrote. "That can undoubtedly be attributed to a lack of options and ability to enforce public health guidance in homes, fatigue and other likely contributors."

Woodward proposed restoring options in controlled environments to build and grow continued resiliency and determination.

For personal and professional services, Woodward stated community health has many factors, notably physical, mental and economic health.

"The three are inextricably linked and must be considered as a collective, especially over a longer horizon," Woodward wrote. "With many different voices and perspectives comes a need to find balance to keep people focused on the important task at hand of continuing to drive down case counts and impacts to the healthcare system."

Woodward proposed building public confidence and trust in the guidance as the groundwork is developed to continue the basic public health guidance and etiquette even after vaccine administration reaches critical mass, particularly at a time when the impact of the variants is growing. To accomplish that end, Woodward suggested allowing indoor 50% occupancy at retail stores, and opening state and municipal buildings to allow for in-person customer service at 25% occupancy; with appointments still strongly encouraged.

Woodward closed the letter by stating that since release of the new Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery and subsequent Phase modifications, residents of the East Region continue to follow science-based guidelines with growing success.

"Our COVID-19 case counts continue to trend downward, our hospitals continue to have ample capacity, the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena mass vaccination site is helping thousands of residents get the life-saving vaccine, and people continue to wear masks and limit gatherings," Woodward wrote.

The letter can be viewed in full on Woodward's social media page.