WA GOP Puts Politics Over Public Health

WA GOP candidates again side with Trump against public health officials as they polarize compliance with mandate to wear masks statewide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 24, 2020

SEATTLE — At the end of May, we called out GOP candidates for Governor for following Donald Trump’s lack of leadership and refusing to model proper mask-wearing behavior at their rallies. 

Yesterday, Governor Inslee announced a statewide mandate requiring facial coverings in public to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. He made it clear, “This is about saving lives. It’s about reopening our businesses. And it’s about showing respect and care for one another.” 

How has the Washington GOP responded? Top GOP candidates for governor have come out in strong opposition to protecting their fellow Washingtonians.

Despite what the president says, masks wearing is not about politics or about him, it’s about helping one another stay healthy. This virus does not discriminate based on partisan affiliation, and our public health countermeasures can only be effective if all Washingtonians do their part to protect their neighbors by wearing a mask and continue social distancing.

“Washington Republicans are so out of touch with reality that they’re making a political issue out of basic public health measures to contain the coronavirus — and make no mistake, it is costing Washingtonians’ lives,” said Tina Podlodowski, Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party. “We’ve seen other countries contain this pandemic and begin to reopen safely. We know how to keep people safe. The only thing we can’t figure out is how to force Republican ‘leaders’ to stop undermining our ability to bring Americans together to follow these easy, proven countermeasures.”