Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
4-H youth show their sheep.
PULLMAN - The Washington State University (WSU) Extension Office is applying the governor's COVID vaccination requirement to all 4-H volunteers.
In a letter dated Sept. 3, Extension Office Director Vicki A. McCracken gave all volunteers until Oct. 18 to prove they have been vaccinated or be removed from their post.
"WSU is required to comply with Governor (Jay) Inslee's recent vaccination proclamation requirement," McCracken wrote. "This health and safety proclamation that has been ordered by the governor includes employees, contractors, and volunteers."
Under the order, 4-H volunteers have to be "fully vaccinated or exempted."
"Volunteers who are not fully vaccinated or who do not have an approved exemption on file by Oct. 18 will be put on inactive status," she wrote. "They will not be able to engage in any volunteer activities with WSU Extension until proof of full vaccination can be observed or until an exemption request has been reviewed."
McCracken asserts the agency can require vaccination of 4-H volunteers because the state-level organization falls under the auspices of WSU.
"WSU Extension will announce a county-level process for observing and recording documentation of vaccination status for volunteers," she said.
The letter comes as the county fair season is winding down.
Over the last several weeks, there have been numerous county fairs with 4-H volunteers staffing many booths, barns, and other activities.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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