State’s vaccine delays will cost lives

As of Dec. 31, the state Department of Health had received 357,925 doses of covid-19 vaccine. Of those doses only 69,349 have been administered to Phase 1A qualified persons. The percentage of vaccine utilized thus far is a mere 19.4 percent.

Where is the media outrage? Where is our governor who endlessly reminds us that he is listening to “the science?” Pharmacy partnerships are only now planning for on-site clinics to administer to long-term care facilities? Our most vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities are left waiting and complaining while pharmacies and our governor are fumbling around trying to make decisions? What an outrage!

Our “science-minded” governor is quick to shut down businesses and send people to the unemployment lines as he professes to “follow the science.” A half-million people are qualified under his “top priority” 1A designation and there are 286,651 doses sitting in refrigeration units in across the state.

Delays cost lives. More than 1,600 covid deaths in Washington have been linked to long-care facilities. Meanwhile our governor is fixated on expanding bans and crippling our economy.

Vaccinations should be his top priority. Health care workers and first responders should be required to vaccinate. People confined to long-term care facilities should be next, closely followed by those with susceptible conditions and compromised immune systems.

It’s time for Gov. Jay Inslee to focus on real science and saving lives! Science and compassion demand action now.

Ronald Czarnecki

Everett

Talk to us

More in Opinion

FILE — In this Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Chelbee Rosenkrance, of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, holds a male sockeye salmon at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in Eagle, Idaho. Wildlife officials said Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, that an emergency trap-and-truck operation of Idaho-bound endangered sockeye salmon, due to high water temperatures in the Snake and Salomon rivers, netted enough fish at the Granite Dam in eastern Washington, last month, to sustain an elaborate hatchery program. (Travis Brown/Idaho Department of Fish and Game via AP, File)
Editorial: Pledge to honor treaties can save Columbia’s salmon

The Biden administration commits to honoring tribal treaties and preserving the rivers’ benefits.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Sept. 30

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Eco-nomics: Climate report card: Needs more effort but shows promise

A UN report shows we’re not on track to meet goals, but there are bright spots with clean energy.

Comment: Child tax credit works against child povery; renew it

After the expanded credit ended in 2021, child poverty doubled. It’s an investment we should make.

Matthew Leger
Forum: Amenian festival shows global reach of vounteers

A Kamiak student helped organize a festival and fundraiser for the people of a troubled region.

Dan Hazen
Forum: Things aren’t OK, boomers; but maybe the kids are

Older generations wrote the rules to fit their desires, but maybe there’s hope in their grandchildren.

Comment:Transition to clean energy isn’t moving quickly enough

Solar energy and EV sales are booming but we have a long way to go to come near our global warming goal.

Patricia Gambis, right, talks with her 4-year-old twin children, Emma, left, and Etienne in their home, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Maplewood, N.J. Gambis' husband, an FBI agent, has been working without pay during the partial United States government shutdown, which has forced the couple to take financial decisions including laying off their babysitter. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Editorial: Shutdown hits kids, families at difficult moment

The shutdown risks food aid for low-income families as child poverty doubled last year and child care aid ends.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Sept. 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Most Read