WA Gov. Inslee issues emergency proclamation that limits large events | Hacker News Reader

WA Gov. Inslee issues emergency proclamation that limits large events

governor.wa.gov

63 pointstroydavis17 comments

Correct move. Should be done statewide and nationwide as well.

Sorry about your trade convention, I had a show I wanted to go to next month as well, but this is probably the single largest move that could be done to help limit the spread. I'd even say to reduce that to 50 people or so.

Kinda awkward to have to tell people they can't go to church but even that's not the best idea right now.

250 people is a pretty large church draw. Most will be smaller than that anyway with some people self-isolating.

I thought that sounded small, but the median church size is around 75 people (as of 2009 anyway). https://internetmonk.com/archive/michael-bell-what-is-an-ave... So the majority of churchgoers will be affected, but a minority of churches.

Yeah, it impacts mostly the evangelical megachurches and less typical protestant or catholic churches.

Mitigation should be done at the state level, with the federal government recommending best practices.

now's not really the time for libertarian pontification about the merits of federalism

Nor are you are not legally in the right here to claim that as a solely state power. The CDC has well-established authority and duty to prevent the spread of communicable disease. This has been litigated to SCOTUS numerous times.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantin...

Unfortunately, history has shown that these are the situations that are used as an excuse for a power grab. So, yes, it's exactly the right time for "libertarian pontification" as you put it.

Because there may not be another time. Rights once given away are nearly impossible to regain, and all that.

Yeah it's like people have forgotten how the Patriot Act was pushed through after 9/11.

And aside from debating the merits of federalism generally, maybe I just don't want this specific administration to be in charge of any life-and-death decisions.

Ethics questions are more important during dangerous life-and-death incidents, not less. https://twitter.com/ByMikeBaker/status/1237557583717621760

Proclamation full text: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/20-07%20Coro...

Gist: "Gatherings of 250 people or more for social, spiritual and recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities"

… in the 3-county area including Seattle, initially through March 31.

Seattle resident working downtown and living in the city. Not an alarmist but I am a realist on the situation. The situation is getting spooky and the press conference, though expected, was eerie to say the least. This is like living a movie.

Also a Seattle resident. I was glad to see Trevor Bedford endorse their approach unprompted: https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1237802324409516033

Violators of this of this order may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to RCW 43.06.220(5).

Which, it turns out, is a gross misdemeanor, https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.06.220, whose punishment is up to 364 days in a county jail, up to a $5,000 fine, or both. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.92.020

Seattle public schools just announced a two-week closure starting March 12 as well.

Same for Lake Washington School District. (Redmond/MSFT area). https://www.lwsd.org/

Make that six weeks.

"WA Gov. Inslee" is Washington Governor Inslee. Not part of TFA's title, but useful context if you don't recognize the last name or the URL.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com