Dear Governor Inslee,

Many healthcare workers in Washington state are now starting to be furloughed due to the massive financial shortfalls hospital systems are facing from COVID-19. These shortfalls occurred from cessation of all non-emergency surgeries and elective visits during March, April and May in an effort to protect our communities from the spread of the virus.

The people who have been honored as the frontline workers of this pandemic are now facing the stress of furloughs and layoffs- as so many others have- but are now confronted with the additional stress of losing the first-week waiver for unemployment benefits.

We respectfully request your proclamation to continue the first-week waiver for unemployment through the end of July 2020, coinciding with the CARES Act, to support the healthcare workers of our state.