Inslee Not in Favor of Vaccinating School Staff Before Next Phase, Says Schools Can Reopen Safely Now

Governor Jay Inslee stated last week that he is not in favor of moving school staff any further up in the state's phased COVID-19 vaccination schedule, at the same time arguing that schools can now open safely.

Inslee stated that there's always going to be some risk, but teachers would agree with him that vaccines should currently be going to those in Phase 1-B1. Phase 1-B1 is defined as people over 65 or people 50 and over who are living in a multigenerational household.

Inslee said, "It's a decision that we are going to save lives and the way to save lives is to vaccinate the people who's lives actually are in danger."

There are an estimated 1.7 million people in Phase 1B-1. All schools employees become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination when the state gets to Phase 1B-2. On Friday State Superintendent Chris Reykdal stated that he is estimating Phase 1B-2 will begin in six to eight weeks.

Reykdal also unveiled the 'Get Ready' plan Friday, a strategy to build vaccination capacity for when school staff under 65 become vaccine eligible.

Washington State has roughly 155,000 school employees.

Inslee added that the fear of returning to in-class instruction during a pandemic is understandable, but it is not backed up by his administration's experience. By spreading out students under social distancing guidelines, using masks, and dividing children into cohorts the governor claimed there will be very minimal COVID-19 transmission in schools.