One covid mandate protest a success, one a bust

RITZVILLE – Two Adams County protests last Tuesday over Gov. Jay Inslee's student-mask mandates had decidedly different outcomes.

A protest planned for 4-7 p.m. in front of Ritzville High School drew only 3 people prior to 6 p.m. Officials said the number of parents protesting the governor's newest mandate requiring public school children to be masked grew to about 21.

"It's said the community didn't come out to support our rights as parents," organizer Briana Osborn said.

Meanwhile, a protest at the same time in Othello drew many more. There, a dais was set up for speakers and elected officials. Children waved flags in front of them.

The protests were among more than 150 that occurred across the state objecting to the governor's newest coronavirus edicts.

The protests had been planned for more than a week after the governor decided to reaffirm a year-old order that all children on public school campuses wear masks to help curtail the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

The governor cited the "delta variant" - which had been called the India variant a year ago - as the reason for requiring children to cover their faces.

While the protests were taking place statewide, the governor added fuel to the protest fire by mandating all public school, pre-school, community college and university employees, contractors, volunteers and coaches to get inoculated with one of the three approved related vaccines.

But health officials now note the vaccines do not prevent people from getting the virus, but may only "blunt" the symptoms.

School workers who have not started their vaccines prior to Oct. 4 face termination on Oct. 18, according to Gov. Inslee.

Schoesler, who attended the protest in Othello, took exception to the gubernatorial mask and vaccine orders.

"He's taken his dictatorial approach to new extremes," the senator wrote in an email sent to constituents. "It's really concerning that Inslee is the only U.S. governor who is willing to put people out of a job if they refuse to inject a substance into their body, even if they object to it. Unlike other governors, Inslee isn't allowing alternatives to taking the vaccine, including regular testing for COVID-19."

Sen. Schoesler said he's had 2,500 emails opposing mandates in the last week alone.

He encouraged residents to flood the governor's office with calls and emails.

At the same time, he acknowledged that it may not do much good.

"I know a letter sent to the governor by superintendents from 40 school districts in our state has been ignored," he said.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 5092356184
• Twitter: @RogerHarnack