It is time to mandate that all NONESSENTIAL services be closed in Washington state, and all NONESSENTIAL workers be sent home to protect their health and safety and the wellbeing of their families and loved ones. We MUST get nonessential workers out of the fray to save lives and flatten the curve!

Other states have issued Shelter-In-Place directives. California, New York, Illinois, Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut. Why not here? It is time for Washington to issue an equivalent order, and in the process, almost certainly save THOUSANDS of lives, and prevent a million more infections.

Washington state is the outbreak center of COVID-19 in the USA. It is the hardest-hit state, with the highest number of deaths as of 3/20. Community spread has been occurring since January when we registered the first confirmed case of the new disease.

Voluntary social distancing is NOT proving sufficient. People are not taking this seriously. Much of the state is still living normal lives and gathering in large groups. We must go farther in order to flatten the curve and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed to the point of having to ration critical care.

Many non-essential employees are still REQUIRED to go to work. Employers will not let them stay home without a mandate from you. Some workplaces and industries are such that close contact with others and large gatherings of employees are UNAVOIDABLE. Just by being open, they are quickening the spread are COVID-19.

Many of these businesses are also not essential services (essential services are medical/first responders, grocery, pharmacy, shipping, utilities etc.). Workers in these types of employment are navigating options of resigning, taking dwindling sick/vacation leave, or showing up for work and risking infection -- a risk that increases as each day goes by.

All workers ESSENTIAL to maintaining state medical, food, and utility services should receive adequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) should work with essential service industries to assist them with enhancing their health and safety planning during this time.

Many industries require employees to work in shared spaces, or in close collaboration. Many businesses require close customer interaction. Some are not in the habit of reducing infectious disease risk and are therefore not prepared to know how to do the right thing to protect their workers in this extraordinary circumstance. They need professional guidance from DOSH on respiratory protection protocols and hygiene processes to keep their employees healthy.

Governor Inslee, we request that you issue this order today!

Respectfully and with Gratitude,

The Citizens of Washington State