Thread by @NikkoleHughes

So in the effort to #KeepMasksInWA, I reached out to my #waleg reps to petition @WADeptHealth to retract the decision to rescind the face covering order. My message was forwarded to DOH staff & the response back to me was, as expected, pat & milquetoast &, frankly, misleading: 🧵

“The decision to rescind the secretary's face covering was made based on where we are as a state with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic from a broad perspective and where our COVID-19 (as well as RSV and Influenza) cases and hospitalizations are trending down.”

Meanwhile, we know and have known for years that Covid cases, hospitalizations, & deaths are vastly underreported, especially now that states (including WA) & local govts have dismantled reporting infrastructure.

“In addition, access to masks, vaccines, and effective treatments is widespread.”

This is just a bald-faced lie lol.

“While COVID-19 remains with us, our healthcare and public health systems are transitioning towards handling COVID-19 in a way similar to how we address other respiratory viruses”

The fundamental flaw here is that Covid is NOT like “other respiratory viruses.” It’s literal SARS.

“When the Secretary's Face Covering Order ends, there are other policies that will remain in place to help protect workers and patient safety.”

Are those “other policies” universal masking requirements? No. Without masking, hospital-acquired Covid infections will increase.

“DOH continues to issue infection prevention guidance for health care facilities and healthcare professionals, and for people in higher risk congregant settings. Our guidance recommends the use of masks.”

Guidance is just a dressed-up “please.” Guidance can be ignored.

Nowhere in their response did @WADeptHealth address the particular needs of immunocompromised or other high risk patients outside of congregant care settings. Just straight up ignored my individualized patient profile.

There is no plan for us. There is no consideration of us.