New report grades how well Washington handled the pandemic, and where it fell short
A recent report has rated all 50 states and the District of Columbia on how well they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington state received a C grade.
The report measured the states in three categories: economic performance, impact on education and health outcomes and mortality rates. It is an updated and expanded version of one that was published in October 2021.
The report was conducted by The National Bureau of Economic Research, which is not a government agency, but is an independent bureau run by a board of directors from professional economic organizations, North American research universities and the business and labor communities, the bureau’s website states.
Washington state came in at 22nd place on its COVID-19 report card.
“After the first several months of the pandemic, decisions about the most effective policies to balance health risks and allowing businesses to stay open and workers to go to work, as well as keeping schools, stores, churches and parks open and under what conditions were left to the 50 states,” the report stated.
“The COVID-19 pandemic was distinct from other previous health pandemics in the degree to which we saw government interventions in the economy and suspension of individual freedoms — including policies such as lockdowns, curfews, mask and vaccine mandates, mandatory business closures, school shutdowns, and so on,” the report stated.
The report aims to measure and compare how each state and the District of Columbia handled the COVID-19 pandemic across multiple categories.
The report measured states’ economic performance throughout the pandemic by unemployment and gross domestic product, or the value of finished goods and services in a state.
State education rates were measured by the percentage of in-person instruction throughout the 2020-2021 school year, and how much hybrid instruction was offered.
To measure how well a state’s mortality and health were handled during the pandemic, the report looked at COVID-associated deaths and all-cause mortality, not exclusive to COVID-caused deaths.
Washington’s ratings compared to other states came in at:
▪ Sixth place in age and metabolic health-adjusted COVID deaths per 100,000 people.
▪ Sixth place in deaths from all causes.
▪ 36th place in unemployment rates.
▪ Fourth place in GDP ratings.
▪ Ninth place in the overall economy rating.
▪ 47th place for in-person school percentage.
▪ Sixth place in all-caused deaths.
▪ Fifth overall in mortality average.
Washington ranked as one of the worst states in the education category, coming in at 47th place, with 22% of cumulative in-person instruction.
“Unlike mortality or economic outcomes, closing public schools was entirely under the control of policymakers. Almost all private schools were open,” the report notes.
Behind Washington were Maryland, Oregon, California and the District of Columbia. The states that rated highest in education levels during the pandemic were Wyoming, Arkansas and Florida.
Washington also rated as one of the worst states in economy, as the state’s unemployment rate was the 36th highest in the country.
Washington had one of the lowest numbers of mortality rates in the county, coming in at sixth place. According to the Washington State Department of Health, Washington has a cumulative total of 12,589 COVID-related deaths.
States such as California, New Jersey and New York rated the worst in all three categories, even receiving grades of F, and F-minus.
States such as Utah, Nebraska and Vermont scored the highest, receiving A-plus ratings.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 12:29 PM with the headline "New report grades how well Washington handled the pandemic, and where it fell short."
