Gov. Inslee introduces three advisory groups to reopen Washington state

Governor Inslee announced on Tuesday three advisory groups to help reopen the economy in Washington state. They’ll help inform the decision making and be a vehicle for input as the state recovers from the impacts of coronavirus closures.

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The public health and health care system group will be led by Secretary of Health John Wiesman, safe work and economic recovery will be led by Commerce Director Lisa Brown, and social support will be led by Cheryl Strange, the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. Strange will also serve as the cabinet lead.

“Each group will really constitute a forum for my office to consult with the broader community on the next steps as we move forward of reopening our state,” Inslee said in a news conference Tuesday.

For example, Wiesman’s public health and health care system group will be looking at how to broaden testing efforts, to prepare for a potential second wave of coronavirus, and to oversee the distribution of treatment and vaccines.

The safe work and economic recovery group will focus on the phased recovery plans, providing guidance on more activities with appropriate health standards, and business and worker assistance.

“Make no mistake, we do know that things will be different as we recover from this matter, but we’re looking forward to getting the best advice we can from across the state, and this group is going to help us do it,” Inslee said.

The governor said they don’t know exactly when the “go button” will be pushed for next steps, but they know do how to do it and the three groups will be there to help his office move forward.

Social support will focus on how to meet the increasing need for many human services, from food to safe shelter, housing to health care.

“We know our vulnerable populations have always had stresses and we want to do everything we can to minimize those in the face of this pandemic,” Inslee said. “It’s a tall order, but I’m glad we have this group working on it.”

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