Protest story plays loose with actual facts

Letter to the Editor

Roger Harnack’s front-page article in the 4/30/2020 CFP, “Local business owners attend Spokane protest against quarantine,” starts by stating that Governor Inslee’s coronavirus-related rules, “shuttered businesses, hospitals and other aspects of life in Eastern Washington.” That’s at best misleading. Inslee’s rule banned elective surgeries and other non-essential procedures. Many businesses were permitted to operate under revised procedures.

Harnack goes on to say that, “Inslee has not yet given a date for when he’d allow “non-essential” businesses to open back up.” In fact, according to the Yakima Herald, “Inslee announced the easing of some restrictions, including the resumption of existing construction projects and allowing day use activities at state parks and some outdoor recreation like hunting, golfing and fishing to start next Tuesday. Earlier this week, he said some non-urgent surgeries could also resume.”

Inslee issued a coronavirus recovery plan which provides a well-reasoned approach to when things will get back to normal based on data, not emotion. Harnack should have mentioned this in his article, and he should have cited statistics on the COVID-19 cases and deaths. Instead, he’s just fanning the flames.

Richard V Badalamente

Kennewick, Wash.

 

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