Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee hears testimony on the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act Sydney Kurle | Jan 21, 2021
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On Monday, the Washington Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee heard testimony on SB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act or (HELSA). The committee heard testimony from around 20 groups about the proposed act. These included labor unions, small business associations, insurance associations and the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA).
HELSA is a bill that aims to provide protections for frontline workers during a public health emergency. One of the bill’s main sponsors is the Chair of the Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee, Sen. Karen Kieser.
Washington Draws on Private-Sector Experts for Vaccine Rollout
Washington state has partnered with companies and organizations like Starbucks, Microsoft and Costco to more effectively roll out its COVID-19 vaccines through a newly created vaccine command and coordination center. The Starbucks logo. Shutterstock/Photo Oz
In an effort to streamline the delivery of Washington state s COVID-19 vaccines, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Monday the state’s plan to create the Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center to meet a goal of vaccinating 45,000 citizens per day.
The center a statewide public-private partnership consisting of Washington corporations, labor unions, health-care groups and government entities will work together to coordinate all available resources to create an infrastructure to deliver vaccines across the state as efficiently as possible.
Sydney Kurle January 21, 2021
On Monday, the Washington Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee heard testimony on SB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act or (HELSA). The committee heard testimony from around 20 groups about the proposed act. These included labor unions, small business associations, insurance associations and the Washington State Hospital Association.
The Morning Wire: Keeping you informed on politics, policies, and personalities of Washington State.
HELSA is a bill that aims to provide protections for frontline workers during a public health emergency. One of the bill’s main sponsors is the Chair of the Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee, Sen. Karen Keiser.
Gov. Jay Inslee also announced a public-private partnership with business, health care and labor entities led by the state Department of Health on areas ranging from coordination of volunteer vaccinators to communications support.
Courtesy Providence SW Washington
Originally published on January 18, 2021 4:29 pm
The state of Washington, hamstrung as many states have been by a slow distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, will deploy the National Guard, set up mass vaccination sites and create a new public-private partnership to lead a renewed effort to get the vaccine into the arms of people.
The move comes as the state prepares to immediately advance to the next phase of people eligible for a vaccination beyond health care workers, first responders and those living and working in nursing homes.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced the new Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center at a news conference on Monday afternoon. The private partners include Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco and Kaiser Permanente.