Washington, along with Oregon and California, has announced plans to create a multi-state panel to determine future vaccine mandates, bypassing CDC guidance. Democratic leaders argue that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses a threat to their public health narrative. But many Washington residents now question how state leaders can expect trust after misleading the public for years on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, withholding breakthrough case data, and enforcing mandates they knew would not stop transmission.
Internal Documents Reveal Early Knowledge
Newly resurfaced Washington State Department of Health (DOH) documents show officials knew COVID-19 vaccines failed to fully prevent infection months before then-Governor Jay Inslee imposed one of the nation’s strictest mandates.
The internal memo, dated March 29, 2021, discussed “vaccine breakthrough cases” — infections occurring more than two weeks after full vaccination. It stated plainly: “The vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing infection.”
Despite this, public messaging continued to emphasize that vaccines would stop the spread. Only later did political leaders shift their narrative, claiming shots mainly reduced the risk of hospitalization and death.
Inslee’s Messaging vs. DOH Knowledge
While DOH acknowledged breakthrough cases internally, Inslee continued to frame vaccination as a moral duty. In a 2022 speech, he labeled unvaccinated residents “bio-reactor facilities generating virus and spreading it around,” accusing them of endangering children and coworkers.
Yet by October 2021, when Inslee mandated vaccines for state workers, DOH had already documented rising breakthrough infections in long-term care facilities and flagged concerns about waning vaccine efficacy.
Fallout of the Mandates
The sweeping mandates triggered immediate staffing shortages in healthcare and first responder sectors, as unvaccinated employees lost their jobs. “Just weeks after the mandate… the staffing loss became dire,” radio host Ari Hoffman said. Hospitals reduced capacity even as officials insisted the rules were necessary.
Contradictions fueled public frustration. Restaurants required masks while standing but allowed diners to unmask when seated. Businesses closed early under arbitrary cutoffs. “At 10:01 the Rona was suddenly more dangerous than at 9:59,” Hoffman mocked.
“Rules for Thee, Not for Me”
Washington residents endured 975 days of emergency powers while Governor Inslee and state officials skirted their own restrictions. Records later showed Inslee’s security detail enjoying ski trips while families were urged to stay home.
“The Department of Health knew eight months before the mandate that vaccines weren’t stopping the spread,” Hoffman said. “And yet they went ahead with firings, restrictions, and rules that devastated lives and livelihoods. Why the hell would I trust these guys with anything?”
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