Summary

In a letter sent Monday, King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn called on King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to offer a weekly testing requirement for COVID-19 as an alternative to mandatory vaccination for public employees who are facing termination as soon as next week.

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In a letter sent Monday, King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn called on King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to offer a weekly testing requirement for COVID-19 as an alternative to mandatory vaccination for public employees who are facing termination as soon as next week.

Under Executive Constantine’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Executive Order, all employees of King County’s Executive Branch are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or they could be fired. Mayor Durkan has instated the same vaccination requirement for City employees.

“I am growing increasingly concerned that these mandates will force hundreds, if not thousands, of dedicated public servants out of their jobs. Mass termination of our government employees would result in staffing shortages and cripple our ability to serve the public in the way in which we are obligated,” Dunn wrote in the letter. “I am particularly concerned what this means for our ability to retain law enforcement officers, critical public health staff and other civil servants who we desperately need during these unprecedented times.”

In his letter, Dunn points out that 292 Seattle Police Officers and 200 King County Sheriff’s deputies have yet to submit proof of vaccination. Meanwhile, the City of Seattle has already seen a mass exodus of 300 police officers over the past year, while the King County Sheriff’s Office struggles to fill its 59 vacant deputy positions.

King County is currently experiencing historic levels of violent crime, including the highest homicide rates in almost 30 years. Homicides and murders have spiked 86% since 2018, and firearm violence rose significantly in 2020. Shootings are up by 19% compared to the three-year average and the number of shooting victims is up nearly 36% over that same time period.  

Dunn also notes that King County and Seattle’s vaccination mandate is even more restrictive than President Biden’s national mandate, which allows for weekly testing in lieu of vaccination. This restrictiveness is despite Seattle and King County having some of the highest vaccination rates in the nation.

“I am requesting that King County and the City of Seattle consider making weekly testing for COVID-19,” Dunn wrote. “This less restrictive option would still reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, allow unvaccinated government employees to continue their public service, and avoid exacerbating our already challenging staffing shortages.”