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.