A decision on whether to extend Washington’s stay-home order and closure of nonessential businesses is likely soon, and with it could come activation of some National Guard units. Governor Jay Inslee continues to examine data on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and listen to top advisers. The stay-home order expires next Monday, and the order requiring only people with jobs deemed essential to come to work expires a week from today (WED). Inslee’s chief of staff David Postman says a decision on the next step will be made in the next day or so. If the order is extended, it could be tightened or loosened in some aspects, depending on circumstances. And although the current order is for 14 days, a new order could be open-ended. Postman says while the Washington National Guard could be called into a support role, it would not be for law enforcement duties, but rather for its expertise in logistics, distribution, and transportation. Washington has at least 195 deaths among 49-hundred confirmed cases of COVID-19. Meanwhile, a state website to accept complaints of nonessential businesses that were staying open despite the closure order received more than 4-thousand complaints on the first day. State and local officials say they will get to the businesses named in the complaints as soon as they can, starting with education on the need to remain closed, followed by the prospect of losing permits or licenses, and eventually a referral to the attorney general’s office if the business remains open. (Spokesman-Review)
