Fully vaccinated can remove masks

DAYTON-Columia County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman advised the Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) that there is recent change to COVID restrictions relating to mask wearing put out by the CDC, acknowledging data reflecting the decreasing COVID cases and growing number of fully vaccinated people, rescinding the mask mandate. According to Lanman, Gov. Jay Inslee announced those who are fully vaccinated can remove their masks for indoor and outdoor activities, and to anticipate full reopening of the State by June 30, 2021, if the numbers stay the same or improve. Until then, Inslee said the State will remain in Phase 3.

Lanman said there is currently one case in the County.

Vaccinations are now mainly being administered at the Public Health building and people may either call Public Health or sign up through PrepMod sign-up portal through the Washington State Department of Health, which can be accessed at http://www.columbiaco.com/506/COVID-19. The hospital is holding a Pfizer vaccine clinic this week at the school for children 12 years and older. There will be a follow-up clinic in three weeks for the second dose. Children must be accompanied by a legal guardian to receive the shot. Parents can receive the shot as well if they sign up.

The BOCC also acknowledged, with grateful appreciation, Lanman for serving the local community in her position for 10 years at their regular meeting on May 17.

In ongoing business, the County Prosecutor Dale Slack reported Inslee signed the legislative bill to decriminalized drug possession and vetoing a section allowing the State to create a funding pool to help people with legal financial obligations without prior legislative approval.

"Our Governor signed the Blake 'fix' law that the legislature came out with," said Slack. "It basically makes possessing drugs a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor the same way we did so it wasn't very helpful at all. The worst part of it is he vetoed the section which allowed for the State to create a funding pool for us to go to get money to refund people's legal financial obligations."

Slack said discussion among members of the Prosecutor's Association indicated the Governor vetoed it because "it wasn't appropriately drafted" and legislators have the intention of providing funding for this purpose.

The Commissioners accepted the resignation of Carol Hays from the Fair Board of Directors. She had served as the secretary and treasurer. They also moved to appoint Donna Hanger in her place.

Washington State University (WSU) Agent Janet Schmidt met to discuss with the Commissioners the Columbia County WSU Extension office vacancy left by Paul Carter and the Memorandum of Agreement.

Commissioner Chuck Amerein stated his concern over the new approach to assign agents to a region, rather than per county, as has been the case since they signed the agreement in 1986. Hall spoke of the unique characteristics of Columbia County and being placed in a region with Walla Walla County where it's vastly different doesn't make sense.

The Commissioners conveyed their desire to continue to have an agent dedicated to Columbia County. Schmidt concurred and said they should work together make their concerns known to the Extension Director and Agronomic Program Director and pursue having a Zoom meeting.

Schmidt asked if the County could share the cost of having a dedicated agent. The Commissioners responded that the County is experiencing its own constraints on the budget. She then questioned whether sharing an agent with Garfield County would make more sense. The Commissioners agreed it would.