An Open Letter To The Spokane Regional Health Board Members:
We, the Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience of Eastern Washington and North Idaho have the utmost respect for the Spokane Regional Health District and the important work of caring for the health of our entire county. During this difficult time, we and the people we serve rely on our public health experts to keep our communities safe.
On May 1, as protesters rallied at the Spokane County Courthouse demanding that Gov. Jay Inslee lift his stay-at-home orders, Dr. Jason Kinley, N.D. used his position as a SRHB member to promote misinformation and potentially harmful medical advice. This is unacceptable.
Our communities are filled with people who are confused. It is critical that when people who represent the Board of Health share information it must be accurate and scientifically sound. Dr. Jason Kinley’s use of the Board of Health’s authority to spread falsified information is irresponsible and inexcusable.
We ask two actions from the Board of Health:
1. Develop criteria for Board of Health members that requires all on the Board, including at-large appointees, to follow peer reviewed studies, accurate information, and scientifically sound facts.
2. When anyone on the board uses their position to promote a position not held by the Board, they must be removed immediately.
We fully support the replacement of Dr. Jason Kinley with a new board member who can meet these criteria.
Please, create standards for membership as well as clear expectations of all board members. We support making public all vacancies on the board, the criteria for board membership, and the code of ethics for all board members so that the best candidates can be found.
Sincerely,
Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience of Eastern Washington and North Idaho
The Rev. Genavieve Heywood, United Church of Christ
Pam Silverstein MD, Jewish Community
The Rev. Kaye Hult, United Church of Christ
Sr. Pat Millen, OSF
Pat McCormick, M.Div., STD.
Pastor Walter Kendricks, Baptist Church
Lani DeLong, community organizer
Naghmana Sherazi, Chair, Muslims for Community, Action and Support
The Rev. Heather Tadlock, Presbyterian Church USA
The Rev. Jeannette Solimine, United Church of Christ
The Rev. Rick Matters, Episcopal Church
Barbara Miller, Director of the Silver Valley Community Resource Center
Wm. Lamont Worden, M.D.
Joan Berkowitz, Jewish Community
Diana Koorkanian-Sauders, Jewish Community
The Rev. Debra Conklin, United Methodist
Rev. Paul Benz & Elise DeGooyer, Co-Directors, Faith Action Network
