WA DOH Continues to ‘Lag’ Behind CDC Covid Vaccine Numbers

Wednesday, the Washington State Department of Health published the latest in their series of graphics, which they are calling the "Path to 70."

By that, they mean the magical number of 70% of all residents have gotten at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.  Months ago, Gov. Inslee and other officials said when we reach that level, the state will "re-open."

Now, the definition of "re-open" varies somewhat from what we citizens believe, and what state officials think. But there have been a lot of promising signs in our favor.

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However, this is not one of them.  The CDC uses persons 18-and older for their measuring stick; the Washington State Department of Health counts 16-and up. They show over 72 percent. 

Plus, the DOH consistently says they don't have access to incarcerated Federal prison numbers, or military personnel stationed in our state who may have gotten a vaccine. Therefore, according to them, we are only at 68%. They also count 16 and up, and although teen numbers are small, when you widen your sample base, the percentages are going to be lower.

With one week to go to reach June 30th, which was the day Inslee said we would re-open, it will be interesting to see if he follows through on his promise, or if he uses the 70% figure as a reason to continue present COVID restrictions.

Given the frequently changing moving goals (moving the goalposts) at the state level, not too many people are holding their breath about the 70 percent or the June 30 re-opening. Many are adopting a 'we will believe it when we see it' stance.