Washington state officials launched an online portal to report non-essential businesses operating despite an order that they close. But some people have received threats after filing reports and having their information released by the state. (KUOW)
In late March, Washington state officials launched an online portal to report non-essential businesses operating despite Gov. Jay Inslee's order that they close.
These reports were among thousands submitted to the state regarding the alleged operation of non-essential businesses, against Inslee’s stay-at-home order. The measure is intended to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Ten minutes later, harassing phone calls came rolling in for the Kirkland woman, who asked not to be named in this story, citing concern for her personal safety. Kirkland was the first hot spot identified amid the U.S. coronavirus outbreak.“I just got news that you knocked on my business," said a male caller with a seemingly affected New Jersey accent."You got 48 hours to get the f--- out of Washington, or I’m coming for you and your loved ones.
By reporting businesses to the state, these complainants unwittingly found themselves in the middle of a conflict between right-wing groups advocating against business closures and state officials who argue the shutdown is necessary to curb the pandemic. "I will never write an article — unless I absolutely have to — that doesn't have the original source-linked documents that I'm referencing," he said."If you look at the other articles that I write, I mean I put up hundreds of original source links — usually government documents — on a monthly basis."
Today, the online complaint portal gives this warning: “All of the information collected at this site is considered public information. All of the information collected at this site is public information that will be publicly released in a public records request per RCW 42.56.”
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