Gov. Jay Inslee's latest tightening on businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19 is facing backlash from four city mayors.
The mayors from Pasco, Kennewick, Richland and West Richland sent a letter to the Democratic governor expressing that a shutdown "could be devastating," KEPR news reported in November.
"Businesses have spent a lot of money and have been working off of savings in order to open up to be told to shut down again, it could be devastating and again, we don't think this is the right approach," Kennewick Mayor Don Britain said, KEPR reported.
They also contend that social gatherings, not commercial establishments, are responsible for a surge in COVID-19 cases, KEPR reported.
"Right now, the businesses are the ones that are making sure the current mandates, masking, social distancing, etc., are in place in a monitored environment," Britain said, KPER reported. "By taking that away and forcing people to go indoors during the winter months just seems to be adding to the problem, not getting hold of the problem."
Alerts Sign-up