A better solution, Cathy

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, on November 16th, reacted to Governor Inslee’s statewide restrictions. What she doesn’t mention is that Spokane County just had a 1,000-person increase in Covid-19 cases over three days — the biggest spike in Spokane County so far this year.

She’s quick to criticize Inslee’s actions to slow the spread of the virus because it will hurt businesses. However, she doesn’t mention that she voted against the last federal stimulus bill known as the Heroes Act (HR-925) that would have provided $2.2 trillion in support for many people including small business, the Paycheck Protection Program and targeted assistance to restaurants, nonprofits, and event venues and more. The Heroes Act passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

In her second paragraph she states that we are close to a vaccine that will give us confidence in opening the economy. Apparently, she missed the news from Pfizer and Modena. Confidence will come when the virus is under control and people have been vaccinated. Masks, vaccine and vaccinations are needed.

She wants business as usual and notes that we are different that the rest of the state. Spokane is different from King County in many ways, but the virus doesn’t care where we live, what we do, or how we vote. Just opening the economy and sending kids to school is not a viable solution. The best viable solution is for Cathy to go back to work and help pass the Heroes Act.

Rod Michaelis

Spokane