State Republicans Speak Out Against Restriction Extension

After the Governor's announcement, State Senate and House Republicans said public health is their top concern and that includes the mental health of people coping with the shutdowns.

House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox says the pain of the lockdown might not be felt in the state government.

"There are many people that are not feeling it in their pocketbook and in many cases the whole burden is falling on a narrow part of the economy. It's hard for people to recognize that if they're not part of that small business part of the economy."

Senate Republican Leader John Braun says it’s time to have faith in people.

"Let's trust the citizens of the state of Washington. Let's trust restaurant owners to care about their employees and their customers. Let's trust citizens to make good decisions about whether or not to go out to eat this evening or not."

Both stressed public health is their top concern and that includes the mental health of people coping with the shutdowns but that it's important to work with small businesses to reduce the spread rather than shut them down.