Despite Pandemic 2021 Yakima Valley Restaurant Week is ON
When was the last time you enjoyed a meal at a restaurant in Yakima? The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the restaurant industry across the nation and in the Yakima Valley. The varying and sometimes confusing rules and restrictions have resulted in many restaurants closing. Just recently restaurants in eastern Washington were able to open at 25% capacity if certain rules are followed including measuring CO2 levels. Some restaurants have decided to open while others have opted to stay closed. Many restaurant owners say they can t provide the air flow through needed and don t want to invest in a CO2 monitor. State health officials say they ve monitoring the pandemic and they stress the increase in vaccination will help open businesses now under restrictions.
McKinney Nominated for State Board of Health
Yakima and Eastern Washington remains under phase 1 of the state s reopening plan. The Yakima County Commissioners continue to push Governor Jay Inslee to open up Eastern and Central Washington in phase 2. As that work continues Yakima County may soon have a voice on the Washington State Board of Health. The Board of Directors of the Washington State Association of Counties has formally nominated Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney on behalf of Washington State Association of Counties for consideration and appointment to the State Board of Health. Local officials say having a voice on the Washington State Board of Health could help the area open up more because McKinney could explain and possibly help the board understand the unique circumstances facing Eastern and Central Washington State.
The Latest From the Commissioners On Vaccine Availability Update
There is an awful lot of confusion out there about the availability of the Coronavirus vaccine so we thought we would have a quick conversation with Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney and get the latest.
First thing.the Governor says more vaccine is headed to Washington state and it is sorely needed even though as of Monday 1/25/21 over a half million does has already been given out with 13,500 of those in Yakima County.
Second thing,,, the demand is overwhelming. The Washington State Department of Health figures the 65 and over population to be around 1-point-1 million individuals with another 300-thousand persons over 50 living in multigenerational homes, all eligible to receive the vaccine.