Olympia weekly report

Thirteen counties will not enter Phase 2 on June 1

Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order ends on Sunday, May 31. As the reopening process begins, each county must adhere to the guidelines outlined in their respective phases. Counties must apply to the Secretary of Health for permission to move on to the next phase. Applications will be evaluated on based on how the county’s “data compare to these targets and the county’s ability to respond to things like new outbreaks, increased deaths, and health system capacity.” Thirteen counties will not be moving on to Phase 2 beginning June 1, including King, Snohomish, Pierce, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.

Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order has meta-morphed into a complicated 4 phase reopening plan called "Safe Start."    The official  state plan is posted at https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/safe-start
       
April unemployment rates by county released

The unemployment rate by county are now available for the month of April. Snohomish County is experiencing the highest individual unemployment rate at a whopping 20.2%, followed by Grays Harbor county at 19.4%, Skagit county at 19.1%, Clallam county at 18.9%, and Pierce County at 18.2%. Of the top five highest employment rate counties, only Grays Harbor and Clallam counties will be allowed to enter Phase 2 of reopening on June 1.
       
Feds recover $300 million for Washington

Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine has not revealed the full amount stolen from unemployment security funds as a result of fraudulent claims. But, given the size of a recent recovery, the amount is substantial. With the help of federal law enforcement and financial institutions across the country, Washington state is set to recover $300 million in fraudulent unemployment claims. Our state saw a significant decrease in unemployment claims last week due to “extra anti-fraud efforts taken in recent weeks” – something state officials, apparently, did not bother to do previously.
       
National Guard activated after Seattle protests turn violent

Jay Inslee activated the National Guard following violent protests in downtown Seattle that forced the closure of Interstate 5. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a city-wide curfew from 5pm – 5am on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday started with largely peaceful protests to the killing of George Floyd. By early evening, “several police cars were set on fire and destroyed and several officers were injured.”