If you ever played the game of chess like I've done, you know how pawns are used. They are the first pieces of the game you use. I think Inslee, is using Washingtonians as pawns in his covid-19 phase reopening chess game!
The prime example of this, what happened this week.
When Inslee announced three counties had roll back to phase 2, because these counties didn't meet the Washington State Department of Health's health metricks. If your county doesn't meet their health metricks, your county can't advance to the next phase.
Inslee keeps rolling back counties that don't meet the DOH's health metrics! Clearly, it appears that Inslee wants we Washingtonians on this phase reopening covid chess board indefinitely!
The reason I keep harping on Inslee? Because he has managed using covid-19 as an excuse to take away our rights! The first amendment under Inslee has been abridged so many hard to keep track. I don't like seeing our lives, and rights being controlled by one man. If you want to look at this in a broader scope, I don't like the idea of our nation becoming communist state, which it is heading under the democrats!
Below are the related press releases from Governor Inslee, and DOH regarding the three counties that are now back to phase two.---Peter Ripley
Inslee announces three counties to rollback to Phase 2
Three counties failed to meet both Healthy Washington metrics required to stay in Phase 3
From the Governor's medium page.
https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-three-counties-to-rollback-to-phase-2-19d2bde8b8ad
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the rollback of three counties not meeting the Phase 3 Healthy Washington metrics for reopening activities.
The three counties returning to Phase 2 are:
Cowlitz County
Pierce County
Whitman County
“These metric trends are driven by the virus and we must continue to do everything we can to sharpen our focus and keep COVID-19 activity down. We are so close to the end of the tunnel here — we have made tremendous progress and we must keep our focus,” Inslee said. “It’s like a football game; we have done 95 yards on a 99 yard-drive. We can’t let up now. These are not punitive actions; they are to save lives and protect public health.”
“Vaccine is a crucial tool that will help us end the pandemic, but it isn’t the only tool, and we don’t yet have enough Washingtonians fully vaccinated to rely on this alone to keep our communities safe from the virus,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary for COVID-19 response, Department of Health. “We need to focus on lowering disease transmission in the next several weeks ahead as we continue our vaccination efforts in order to avoid a fourth surge of cases. This means wearing masks, watching our distancing and keeping gatherings small and outdoors.”
Last Friday, the governor announced updates to the Healthy Washington criteria:
In order to move down one phase, a county must fail both metrics for case counts and hospitalizations. Under the previous plan, a county only needed to fail one metric to move back a phase.
The spectator events guidance is updated to make clear what is allowed for counties in Phase 2 and how these events are related to school graduation ceremonies. That guidance is available here.
The Open Air Seating guidance is updated to allow flexibility for eating and drinking establishments. That guidance is available here.
The next evaluation of counties will be in three weeks, on May 3.
On Thursday, April 15, all Washingtonians (16+) will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Combined with sustained mask usage, physical distancing and adhering to reopening guidance, increasing vaccination rates in all counties will hopefully help in preventing a rise in COVID-19 case numbers.
New COVID-19 cases over 14 days
A case is defined as a Washington resident with a molecular or antigen test that is positive for COVID-19. Cases are assigned to the date a specimen was collected for testing, called the specimen collection date.
Case data come from the Washington Disease Reporting System (WDRS). The most recent eight days of case data are considered incomplete as it takes up to eight days for the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to receive 90% of reported cases.
Case Count: New COVID-19 cases over 14 days are counted by identifying the number of cases with a specimen collection date in a 14-day period.
Case Rate: New COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population per 14 days is calculated by dividing the number of cases with a specimen collection date in a 14-day period by the county population and multiplying by 100,000.
New COVID-19 hospitalizations over seven days
A COVID-19 hospitalization is defined as a Washington resident with confirmed or probable COVID-19 diagnosis who is identified as having been hospitalized through either case investigation OR linkage with Rapid Health Information Network (RHINO) records.
Hospitalizations are assigned to the hospital admission date in WDRS. The most recent 11 days of hospitalization data are considered incomplete as it takes up to 11 days for DOH to receive 90% of reported hospitalizations.
Hospitalization count: New COVID-19 hospitalizations over seven days are counted by identifying the number of hospitalizations with a hospital admission date in a seven-day period
Hospitalization rate: New COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 population per seven days is calculated by dividing the number of hospitalizations with a hospital admission date in a seven-day period by the county population and multiplying by 100,000.
ICU bed occupancy over seven days
The statewide ICU bed occupancy is defined as the percent of staffed adult ICU beds in acute care hospitals in Washington that are occupied. ICU occupancy includes all patients in the ICU, not only patients with COVID-19.
The ICU bed occupancy is calculated by summing the occupancy over the seven-day period and dividing this by the sum of the seven-day capacity. The result is multiplied by 100. The data for this metric come from WA HEALTH. The most recent six days of data are considered incomplete as it takes up to six days for data collection, quality checks and reporting.
Related press release from the DOH: Statement from Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health on Roadmap to Recovery Announcement
“When we see increased rates of cases and hospitalizations, we need to act fast and do the right thing county-by-county to prevent more serious consequences from COVID-19 in our state. That is why the tough decisions are being made and some counties are being moved back to Phase 2.
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IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Inslee signs bill to put statue of Billy Frank Jr. in U.S. Capitol.
Tribal leader’s legacy includes protection of the environment for future generations
Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1372 today, which will place a statue of tribal leader Billy Frank Jr. in the National Statuary Hall. Inslee was joined by members of Frank’s family, tribal and community members, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and Rep. Debra Lekanoff when he signed the bill in a ceremony at Wa He Lut Indian School in Olympia.
Inslee signs commutations following Blake decision.
Gov. Jay Inslee has signed commutations for 13 individuals convicted of drug possession charges under a law that was recently struck down by the Washington State Supreme Court. Those individuals have been released from Department of Corrections custody.
More commutations are expected in response to petitions from incarcerated individuals, with the governor planning to sign at least two more today. Last week, Inslee offered unconditional commutations to individuals remaining in Department of Corrections (DOC) custody solely on simple drug possession convictions.
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-signs-commutations-following-blake-decision
AG FERGUSON: BILL TO CREATE A STATEWIDE DATABASE OF POLICE USE-OF-FORCE INCIDENTS PASSES LEGISLATURE WITH OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
OLYMPIA — With an overwhelming bipartisan 46-2 vote, the state Legislature today took a final vote on a bill Attorney General Bob Ferguson requested to create a database of police use-of-force incidents so the public, policymakers, researchers and law enforcement can access the data. Currently in Washington state, there is no central repository for use-of-force data.
State teams with Premera Blue Cross to invest $2.24 million to increase rural mental health crisis care capacity.
Unique public-private partnership funds capital grants that will create more options for people to get multiple levels of crisis stabilization care locally in communities throughout the state
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $2.24 million in capital grants to three behavioral health care providers across the state. Funding is provided through an innovative partnership with Premera Blue Cross – the first of its kind in Washington state – and will place needed capacity for health crisis stabilization care into rural communities.
Rainier Valley site’s redevelopment will include environmental cleanup.
SEATTLE –
A three-block redevelopment project in Seattle’s Rainier Valley will incorporate environmental cleanup into excavation and contstruction scheduled to begin later this year, under a proposed cleanup plan.
https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/News/2021/April-8-Grand-Street-Commons-cleanup
Initial claims increased over the week while continued claims for regular benefits decreased during the week of April 4 – April 10
OLYMPIA – During the week of April 4 – April 10, there were 17,281 initial regular unemployment claims (up 45.7 percent from the prior week) and 428,521 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (up 0.4 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/initial-unemployment-insurance-claims-for-week-of-april-4-10-2021
Trout fishing season kicks off April 24 as hundreds of lowland lakes open, trout derby gets underway.
OLYMPIA – The statewide trout fishing season heats up beginning April 24, when hundreds of lakes throughout Washington open for business and the annual statewide trout derby kicks off for 2021.
From our Congressional delegation to DC:
Kilmer Announces Over $632 Million to Keep Washington Child Care Providers on the Job, Lower Costs for Working Families
Funding from American Rescue Plan Kilmer Helped Pass Will Help Child Care Providers Open Safely, Keep Workers on Payroll and Help Hardworking Families Cover Costs.
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-announces-over-632-million-to-keep-washington-child-care-providers-on-the-job-lower-costs-for-working-families
Senator Murray Highlights Historic Benefits of American Jobs Plan for Washington State.
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), highlighted how President Biden’s American Jobs Plan would help Washington state address longstanding infrastructure challenges and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger and fairer than before.
Cantwell, Toomey, Daines, Cardin Call on IRS to Delay Estimated Tax Payment Deadline to Help Self-Employed Americans, Small Business Owners
Without change, self-employed, gig economy workers, small business owners would still be required to pay first quarter estimated tax payments by April 15.
(3) IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS HEADLINES:
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
INTERVIEW: Myanmar military increasing efforts to keep truth from getting out, UN expert says.
The crackdown on journalists, cutting off the Internet and disrupting the flow of information across Myanmar, is “not working”, and the world is not buying the military leadership’s “propaganda” that it is exercising restraint against protesters, the UN independent human rights expert on the country has said, in an in-depth interview with UN News.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1089912
COVID-19 infections approaching highest rates ever, WHO warns.
COVID-19 infections are approaching their highest rates since the pandemic began just over a year ago, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1089932
Northeast Nigeria violence forces 65,000 to flee, humanitarians targeted by armed groups.
A spate of clashes involving Government security forces and insurgent groups in northeast Nigeria has caused mass displacement and threatened humanitarian assistance, as armed groups go “house-to-house” hunting for aid workers, the UN said on Friday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1089892
Alert over shortage of new drugs for ‘world’s most dangerous bacteria’.
A lack of new treatments for common infections has left people dangerously exposed to the “world’s most dangerous bacteria”, the UN health agency said on Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1089822
‘Inequality virus’ threatens ‘catastrophe for all’ unless crisis can be overcome together.
The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to “an even more unequal world”, the Deputy UN chief said on Thursday, speaking at the closing session of the Financing for Development (FfD) Forum, with many lower-income countries now seeing development gains reversed.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1089872
Imposing Visa Restrictions on Ugandans for Undermining the Democratic Process--US STATE DEPT.
https://www.state.gov/imposing-visa-restrictions-on-ugandans-for-undermining-the-democratic-process/
Remarks at a UN Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on Chemical Weapons in Syria--usun
NATIONAL HEADLINE NEWS:
Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Invests $4 Billion in American Rescue Plan Funding to Combat COVID-19 in Indian Country--WH
Remarks by President Biden on Russia--WH
Biden Announces Full U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan by Sept. 11--DOD
Louisiana Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Receive Health Care Kickbacks
A Louisiana doctor was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in a scheme to receive approximately $336,000 in illegal health care kickback payments.--DOJ
Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona Joins Roundtable Discussion with Students to Discuss Experiences During the Pandemic--Dept. of Education
FDA Approves First Immunotherapy for Initial Treatment of Gastric Cancer--FDA
HUD AWARDS $1.5 MILLION TO IMPROVE THE MAIN STREET IN THREE COMMUNITIES
Kit Carson, Colorado, El Cerrito, California, and Stayton, Oregon to each receive a $500,000 grant to expand redevelopment efforts--HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_21_063
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Save Small Business Initiative: A Year of Commitment and Action.--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
USDA Invests More Than $330 Million in Specialty Crops Grants, Incentives to Purchase Fruits and Vegetables, and Help for Cotton Producers--USDA
Businessman Charged with Failure to Pay Employment Taxes and Attempt to Obstruct the IRS
Allegedly Caused Tax Loss in Excess of $10 million--DOJ
Those experiencing homelessness can get Economic Impact Payments and other tax benefits; permanent address not required--IRS
The Federal Reserve's New Framework and Outcome-Based Forward Guidance--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/clarida20210414a.htm
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SELECTS SEVEN STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN ITS INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/odep/odep20210414
In First Action Under COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, FTC Seeks Monetary Penalties for Deceptive Marketing of Purported Coronavirus Treatments.
(4) COMMENTARIES & LOCAL MEETINGS
CNN Director Spills the Beans on How the Network Covers for Black Lives Matter--PJ MEDIA
Dems: Give Them a Bench, They’ll Take a Mile
Today’s Democratic Party doesn’t want a “moderate court,” or even a divided one. They want a full-on activist court that will do their bidding no matter what the constitution allows.--Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/opinion/79243-dems-give-them-a-bench-theyll-take-a-mile-2021-04-17
Biden's 'Infrastructure' Bill Puts China First, America Last--NEWS MAX
Social media again silences The Post for reporting the news---NY POST
https://nypost.com/2021/04/16/social-media-again-silences-the-post-for-reporting-the-news/
Biden’s radical UN ambassador stokes racial divide, diminishes U.S. on world stage--Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/15/biden-officials-stoke-racial-divide/
Why does Biden let the UN ambassador tell the world the US is racist?--Washington Examiner
BLM Co-Founders’ Million Dollar Housing Binge Underscores The Marxist Movement’s Hypocritical Power Grab
BLM Leader Patrisse Khan-Cullors, who claimed in 2015 she and her colleagues are "trained Marxists," is evidently no practicing Marxist herself. --The Federalist
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 4/19/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1259
Clallam County board meeting for 4/20/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7261
Clallam County Health board meeting for 4/20/21
Special Meeting Notice Port Angeles City Council
Special Meeting Notice
Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Port Angeles will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. Listening and webcast options for the open sessions will be available at: www.cityofpa.us. The special meeting and regular meeting will be conducted virtually.
The purpose of the special meeting is for Council to hold a closed Executive Session, under authority of RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss potential litigation with legal counsel and RCW 42.30.110 (1) (g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 4/20/21
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/10250/Council-Packet-04202021
PASD Board Meeting
When: Thu, April 22, 7pm – 9pm
Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
Description
Regular Meeting
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County commission meeting for 4/19/21
City of Port Townsend meeting for 4/19/21
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1675
