Public Hearing on WP Mask Mandate Leans Heavily Against the Ordinance

Of the thirty individuals who spoke at the public hearing on Monday August 17, only five spoke in favor of the mandate, one of whom was Howell County Health Department Director, Chris Gilliam. 
Gilliam’s point was the city of West Plains was experiencing approximately a 5% infection rate as of the date of the hearing, and that is the threshold at which it is recommended that municipalities take more aggressive measures for containment of COVID-19. 
“We strongly encourage mask wearing, but in terms of a county-wide mandate, we’re just not there yet,” Gilliam said. 
Dr. Lori Wilson of West Plains Schools, Terry Sanders of Ozark Action, Inc., and Jalynn Meidell, CEO of West Vue, Inc. were among those who spoke in favor of the ordinance. Their arguments for the mandate highlighted the responsibility they said all residents should feel to mitigate a public health crisis. 
“If there’s something that we can do to mitigate the issues for them to become sick with COVID, that’s what we’re gonna do,” said Dr. Wilson. 
“I am willing to be inconvenienced for 90 days if it keeps one person safe in our community,” said Sanders. 
The overwhelming majority of speakers, however, implored the City Council to vote “no” on the proposed ordinance. Business owners, veterans, pastors, parents, retirees, and professionals spoke out with one message: wearing masks in West Plains ought to be the individual choice of every citizen, not a mandate punishable by law. 
Several speakers questioned whether the West Plains Police Department has the manpower to enforce the proposed ordinance. 
“Shame on you for thinking of asking our police to enforce this, to require healthy citizens to wear a compliance diaper,” exclaimed Clifton Earls. 
“...the Police Department has no comment or position on enforcement of the proposed mask mandate at this time simply because the mandate has not even been officially introduced in a formal council meeting,” wrote Officer John Murrell of the WPPD in an email. 
Earls also echoed the sentiments of many of the speakers who sought to remind the Council of their role as elected officials when he said, “You work for us. You do not rule us, and we do not consent.”
Lyndell Beard, attorney and business owner, spoke about the potential negative impact on small businesses in West Plains. 
“Realistically, people are leaving cities because of restrictions,” he said, “This is an opportunity for small businesses who don’t have a lot of cash left; this is make it or break it time...I fear this will lead to the collapse of businesses out there, and these are not coming back.”
By the time you read this, the City Council will have met on August 24 to vote on the ordinance. Watch the next edition of Howell County News for follow up coverage on this issue.

Howell County News

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