Commissioners, I am deeply distressed by your feeble “I am not ready” response to our current COVID situation. What are you waiting for?

COVID statistics locally, statewide and nationally are the highest ever since the pandemic began.

The Delta variant has increased threats from COVID and new variants are certainly likely.

Hospital occupancy levels are at critical levels and we are looking at triage situations.

Health care workers are maxed out and suffering physically and mentally.

Vaccines are proven to reduce the spread of the disease and are readily available.

Our children (who cannot yet get the vaccine) are increasingly getting sick.

Need I go on? What are you waiting for? Contrary to Commissioner Dean’s statement, we are not doing a good job.

Other levels of government hold the well-being of our communities of such significance as to require mask mandates, access restrictions, and vaccinations. Our county health officer has advised you, yet you ignore the wisdom of protecting broad community health and well-being. 

To sacrifice community health to the possibility that current employees will quit their jobs or that you will displease unions is, in my mind, irresponsible and betrays the public good you are sworn to protect and honor.

I ask several straightforward actions from you now:

• Require all county employees, who have any contact with members of the public, to be vaccinated in addition to wearing masks and to maintaining physical distance whenever possible.

• Limit access to all county facilities to individuals who can prove they are vaccinated, regardless of how much time they spend in the facility.

• Provide alternate ways for members of the public who choose not to be vaccinated before entering a county facility to receive services in an alternative format.

Your “I am not ready” position is simply unacceptable.

Nan Evans
PORT TOWNSEND