NOTE--this is from our sister station Newstalk 1280 AM KIT in Yakima, but the sentiment is the same as what many in the Mid Columbia are feeling. A good read.

Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney is determined to keep the pressure on Governor Jay Inlsee to push him to drop a masking requirement for students in the state. McKinney says she wishes Inslee would have listened to Chris Reykdal, the state's superintendent of public instruction who says he believes now is the time to "eliminate the statewide masking requirement for students and allow for a decision by local health officials."

The Governor says he's still looking at state data before announcing a date

On Wednesday Inslee failed to announce an end date to the statewide indoor masking mandate but he did say February 18 is the day the mandate will end for large events in Washington State. McKinney believes the governor needs to hear from concerned citizens, especially parents who no longer want kids in masks at school. She's also hoping Yakima residents will pressure state lawmakers and the Washington State Health Department.

The CDC isn't yet recommending states drop mask mandates

Washington State is one of only a handful of states that have a mask mandate. The Centers for Disease Control says it's not yet recommending states drop mask mandates but many have already taken that action.
McKinney says the governor, state lawmakers and health officials all need to hear from concerned citizens. You can contact Governor Jay Inslee's office in a variety of ways.

You can contact the governor Today

Write. Governor Jay Inslee. Office of the Governor. PO Box 40002. Olympia, WA 98504-0002.

e-Message. Send Gov. Inslee an e-message.

Call. 360-902-4111. TTY/TDD users should contact the Washington Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

Fax. 360-753-4110.

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