Health Officer Refuses Recommendation To Drop Mask For Kids
Yakima s interim health officer has refused a recommendation by the Yakima Board of Health that masks not be worn by children in Yakima County. County Commissioner Amanda McKinney made the recommendation at the meeting this week only to have Dr. Larry Jecha say he wouldn t recommend the change which he says goes against the state mandate that kids continue to mask up.
If you have kids the state says everyone 2-years-old and older who aren t vaccinated need to wear a mask and social distance. Masks are still a requirement for everyone in the state in health care settings, schools, correctional facilities, public transportation and homeless shelters. The recommendation vote was 4 to 3 on the issue with McKinney, Yakima Mayor Patricia Byers, Dr. Dave Atteberry, and Commissioner LaDon Linde in favor of the proposal with Commissioner Ron Anderson, Naila Duval and Dr. Sean Cleary voted against the measure.
Police Say Slow Down Yakima Drivers Pay Attention
Yakima Police Department emphasis patrols are ongoing in the city of Yakima with officers now concentrating efforts on speed around construction zones. Police say they re concerned about an increase in vehicle crashes and people getting injured. Not only drivers but pedestrians as well. A 26-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing Tieton Drive at 40th Avenue on Monday. The woman remains in critical condition at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Police say during the first five months of the year police investigated more than 800 crashes in the city. Many of the crashes say police are because drivers aren t paying attention or are distracted.