Commissioners discuss governor's vaccine mandates

RITZVILLE – Adams County Integrated Health Services Administrator, Vicki Guse, met with the Adams County Board of Commissioners, by video conference, to discuss vaccine mandates announced by Governor Jay Inslee August 9. The Governor’s emergency proclamation requires most public and private health care workers be fully vaccinated against COVOD-19 by October 18. Guse and the board agreed the mandate applies to Adams County employees working at Adams County IHCS facilities in Othello and Ritzville.

Board Chairman Dan Blankenship said (the proclamation) “applies to anyone who comes in the building”. Commissioner Jay Weise noted “except patients.” Employees who refuse the vaccine, risk losing their jobs, unless refusal is tied to a medical condition, disability or closely held religious belief. In those cases exemptions can be granted.

The Governor’s proclamation defines a worker as: “a person engaged to work as an employee, independent contractor, service provider, volunteer, or through any other formal or informal agreement to provide goods or services, whether compensated or uncompensated, but does not include a visitor or patron.”

Guse had an informal estimate suggesting about half of the affected employees are already vaccinated. But she said there are “staff with concerns.” There are many questions concerning the vaccine status and exemptions, and how they are approved and documented. Blankenship agreed, asking “who is going to keep track of what?”

County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt said there are “significant legal questions” surrounding the proclamation. He pointed to potential law suits in the event of employee termination, and questions about whether the county or the state bears the risk of litigation.

Jay Weise said, “No way I’m going to make somebody lose their job because of a personal choice. Not going to happen.”