Pierce County staying in phase 2 for at least 2 more weeks

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — “No news” wasn’t good or bad to Zach Jones, the owner of Fat Zach’s Pizza.

“Phase 2, phase 1, phase 3,” Jones said. “You’re constantly having to change. You’re just having to work and think really hard of what you have to do to survive. You have employees that are counting on you.”

Jones was one of many business owners in Pierce County bracing for Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement on Tuesday. After finding out all counties statewide would be staying in their current phases for the next two weeks, Jones said he felt apathetic. The lack of emotion is a symptom of the continual frustration he’s felt since the pandemic began.

“I think people just want to know when is this going to end? What is the plan for the end date?” Jones said.

Jones met us outside the Tacoma Dome, where county health officials continue to hold a mass vaccination site. His trailer is occasionally set up by the clinic for anyone who needs a bite, including volunteers.

“We want to do what we can to help these people on the front line, who are helping people get vaccinated,” Jones said. “We love this county, and we just want to be here to serve these people.”

It’s rare to find Jones outside of Pierce County. His business has two locations in Puyallup and Sumner. He also has his trailer, which he’s driven out to different locations in the region to bring the pizza to the customers.

“I’m just like the little train that could. I just keep on trucking, doing what we can to serve our community and serve people,” Jones said. “There were several weeks where it was very, very, very scary. I wish there was an end date or a better solution to this.”

Cox Media Group