County Commissioners ask residents to wear masks

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- Applications for Benton and Franklin Counties to move into Phase 2 of reopening in Washington are "on pause" according to the Washington State Department of Health.

While state health officials haven't provided local health or government officials with any specific reason for the hold, county commissioners are asking the community to be vigilant about wearing masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Benton-Franklin Health District reported another 54 positive COVID-19 tests, with 18 new cases confirmed in Benton County, 36 new positives in Franklin County. That came on the heels of Benton County reporting 51 new cases and Franklin County confirming another 63 new cases on Tuesday.

Benton County Commissioners issued a statement Tuesday, asking the community to wear masks while out running errands and entering local businesses.

"We understand that people don’t like wearing masks, none of us do – they are uncomfortable. But making that sacrifice is going to help our community move forward to Phase 2 and beyond. Research has shown that wearing masks, social distancing, staying home when you can, and maintaining good hygiene means that the rate of infections goes down," the statement said.

Franklin County Commissioner Brad Peck acknowledged that not all the commissioners in Franklin County are on board with wearing masks and social distancing, and have other ideas for how to proceed. Peck, however, supports he idea of wearing masks.

"I think it's a matter of respect for my fellow citizens," Peck said during Newsradio 610 KONA's The Bottom Line Tuesday afternoon. "Yeah, it's a little inconvenient, and I don't really care to wear it. But I think just common decency and respect that we ought to be doing it. We all want the same thing, which is keep our community healthy, stop people from dying from COVID, and especially get our businesses open as soon as we can."

On June 4, Health Officer Dr. Amy Person issued a directive requiring residents in the two counties to wear face masks while in any indoor or outdoor public place where social distancing requirements could not be followed. That directive went into effect June 8th.

In order for each county to fully move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee's Safe Start reopening plan, it must have fewer than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over the most recent 14-day period. Based on population, that means the target for Benton County (population 201,800) is 50 cases in a 14-day period and 24 cases (population 94,680) for Franklin County.

For the week of June 2 through June 15, Benton County confirmed 134 cases, nearly three times its target. Franklin County confirmed about 280 cases over the 2-week period, more than eleven times the target.

“Right now, we need everyone's help to get us through for the next phase," said Benton County Commissioner Shon Small on Newsradio 610 KONA Tuesday evening. "We're not mandating the masks, but we're asking folks to basically lead by example and wear masks in public places. I have been wearing masks for about a month in public places. My 16-year-old niece with stage four cancer doesn’t need any more complications. I do it for the safety for her and others and I know folks have similar stories. Together we can reduce the spread of the virus and expedite our counties to the next phase to open the local business, which are so needed to get the work force going again."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control offers suggestions on how to use and make cloth mask coverings. Many retail stores also sell protective facial coverings.