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Public comment on a mask mandate just ended at the South Central Public Health District in Twin Falls. Here’s what I heard:
Every in-person commenter was against a mandate. 39 people were allowed to speak. 2 wore face masks.
#IdahoCovid19
Every in-person commenter was against a mandate. 39 people were allowed to speak. 2 wore face masks.
#IdahoCovid19
The district was complying with Gov. Little's gathering order by allowing one commenter in the room at once.
The mask mandate is the only thing on the agenda. There is no presentation from hospital officials.
The mask mandate is the only thing on the agenda. There is no presentation from hospital officials.
I will not repeat everything I heard in public comment. A lot of opinions shared have been proven to be factually incorrect. Most were about: the efficacy of masks, health districts and their authority, constitutionality and personal freedoms.
The health district also received >2000 public comments in advance; most were against a mandate. The go-to-meeting chat skewed in favor of a mandate, but there's no way to tell where those commenters reside.
Now commissioners are discussing. So far it seems Blaine, Camas and Minidoka are leaning in favor. Cassia, Lincoln, Twin Falls leaning against. Jerome and Gooding unclear. There's also a medical consultant on the board.
Twin Falls Commissioner Brent Reinke made a motion to table the mask mandate orders indefinitely almost immediately.
Three trustees are saying they don't understand the proposed action and that they need to take action today.
Three trustees are saying they don't understand the proposed action and that they need to take action today.
Motion fails 5-4.
Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary says if the intention is to deny the mask order, the board should do that to be transparent.
Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary says if the intention is to deny the mask order, the board should do that to be transparent.
New motion from Cassia County Comm. Bob Kunau to table the mask mandate discussion until Jan BoH meeting. Seconded by TF Brent Reinke.
Motion fails 5-4.
Trustees who voted nay say the board needs to take an action today.
Motion fails 5-4.
Trustees who voted nay say the board needs to take an action today.
Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary pointed out hospitals say they could be at crisis levels in December, before the Jan. meeting. https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-hospital-system-predicts-doubling-covid-19-patients-christmas
Twin Falls County Commissioners Brent Reinke said he's heard that the hospital system is overwhelmed, but he believes a mandate would overrun the criminal justice system. Violating the order would results in a $300 or jail time of up to 6 months.
And Angenie McCleary's motion in favor of a mandate just failed 5-4. I could hear audible cheers in the hallway. Lincoln Co. Commissioner said: "Our constituents are speaking."
For: Blaine, Camas, Minidoka, medical consultant
Against: Cassia, Lincoln, Jerome, Gooding, Twin Falls
For: Blaine, Camas, Minidoka, medical consultant
Against: Cassia, Lincoln, Jerome, Gooding, Twin Falls
This is the same result of the vote during the October meeting. This is also the same board that voted in favor of sending a letter to Gov. Little asking him to instate a statewide mask mandate instead.
One thing I've noticed from following this board: The trustees who are not county commissioners often say that their county leaders direct them to vote a certain way. This is the first time I've heard a trustee say she was going to vote against her commissioners' wishes.
It was Tracy Haskin of Minidoka County who voted in favor of the mandate.
Trustees have the power to make their own decisions, of course, but they're appointed by the county commissioners.
Trustees have the power to make their own decisions, of course, but they're appointed by the county commissioners.
