5.A. ORD 20-019 Second Reading and Action on Ordinance 20-019, an Ordinance to Revise Certain Measures Which Have Been Deemed Necessary to Slow the Community Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the City of Brookings, South Dakota.
Businesses, restaurants, and bars don't matter if we have sick people in our hospitals. It doesn't matter if you think God gave you a right to not wear a mask, we are not trying to be a hotspot, like Sioux Falls a couple of months ago. Might I add we are predicted to become an outbreak city because we have failed to do the least, which is to wear a mask and comply with CDC recommendations. This is predicted by COVIDACTNOW.org. I am for mandated mask-wearing.
As a registered nurse with a graduate degree in public health and as a retired US Public Health Service commissioned officer, I continue to monitor evidence concerning efficacy of masks. Study evidence shows masks are 40% to 80% effective in reducing transmission. The public should be willing to make a small sacrifice and mask up when indoors in public space. It is not asking too much to prevent the spread of this disease and the eventual need for more restrictive control measures.
Now more than ever we need to take action to protect each other. Hundreds of Brookings residents have publicly stated their resolve to avoid wearing masks, social distancing, and other actions known to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, we rely on our City Council to provide leadership that protects the health of our community. We follow city laws and ordinances every day, but few are as important as this one that has the power to save lives.
My son had a headache today. I figured he was lying and not wanting to go to school. I was ready to send him to school today(with a mask of course) but was advised by their dr to get tested. I am currently awaiting his test, at home, unable to work. I also want to point out that masks don't protect the wearer but to protect others incase the wearer is infected. I feel people are looking at this the wrong way.
These ordinances are about thinking of others. Our youngest residents are successfully wearing masks when they are indoors because they want to remain open, and it is working. SDSU's college students, faculty, and staff are also successfully complying to mask ordinances, and their initial surge is successfully slowing as a result. These ordinances only asks for the rest of us to meet those same requirements. I think the rest of us can and should make that small sacrifice as well.
This is not about Civil Rights. It's about loving your fellow human being. It's about taking care of those who can't protect themselves. If you choose to not wear a mask, you could kill someone. We make laws all the time to protect the health and safety of our citizens because not all individuals make the safe choice. For example, you don't smoke in businesses in SD. You are required to have a valid driver's license to drive, to wear a seatbelt, have insurance. Be excellent to everyone.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has backtracked on previous comments he has made on a national mask mandate, and now says a federal mask mandate is unconstitutional. Now that both sides of the political aisle agree that a mask mandate infringes on peoples' rights, it's foolish to waste time and resources mandating this at the local level. Please allow the citizens of Brookings to make responsible decisions for their own health.
I strongly support these small resolutions to help keep our community safe. Current scientific studies show that masks, even non-medical cloth masks, reduce the large particle droplets and aerosolized particles that transmit COVID-19. Although wearing a mask is inconvenient and provides challenges in our lives, widespread community adoption of them in public spaces would greatly reduce our numbers and help us keep our families healthy and our students in school.
I'd like to keep our children in school for in-person learning. I'd like to protect our elderly as best we can. I think the mask mandate is a right step to that end and we should wear them until we get our Community Spread back down to Minimal. I agree that it will be difficult to enforce, but if there is a mandate, less of our population will feel that it is taboo to wear them. I believe the scientists and doctors when they say that masks work.
The substantial level of increase of cases in our county warrants action. Although I'll admit that this will be difficult to enforce, I feel that asking individuals to help protect their fellow citizens while in close proximity with each other is the least we can do.
Why is that only Covid-19 deaths are unacceptable? Over 690,000 people die from heart disease per year. If you focus on Brookings County the death rate is around 259 people per 100,000. That would be around 80 people a year in Brookings. Apparently those deaths are acceptable because there is no mandate on banning junk food. Heart disease causes more of a strain on a fragile health care system and raises costs for everyone. Making it difficult for people to obtain and afford care.
My family and I are happy to take the step to wear a mask to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We also support those businesses that feel safest with masks in use and hope that a mandate can take some of the stress off folks who worry about being boycotted. We believe together is the best way to get through adversity!
We need to support the mask mandate to protect the vulnerable populations in our society. We should not put elderly people or those with pre-existing health conditions at risk of getting covid. We don’t know long term effects of the virus in younger healthy people either. Wearing a mask is a small sacrifice that will protect all of our community members.
Mask mandates work. Brookings has substantial community spread. It is only common sense to require masks. Unfortunately, trusting citizens has not worked as evidenced by the small percentage of individuals who wear masks while out in the community and the disrespectful and dangerous behavior of citizens at last week's city council meeting.
This seems like a simple, sensible step to take to protect our fellow citizens during a time when community spread is increasing. The reckless behavior of the folks who chose not to be respectful of social distance and mask requests at the City Council meeting last week clearly shows how people disregard the safety of those around them. Why would we not take this simple step to potentially protect the lives of others?
Masks are a simple way to effectively decrease the spread of virus especially during the period of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic spread. When we wear masks we are caring for those around us, protecting those who are most at risk of complications or death from COVID. I look like a young, healthy person, but I take care of a lot of vulnerable people, so appreciate others wearing their mask to protect me, as I do for others.
Businesses, restaurants, and bars don't matter if we have sick people in our hospitals. It doesn't matter if you think God gave you a right to not wear a mask, we are not trying to be a hotspot, like Sioux Falls a couple of months ago. Might I add we are predicted to become an outbreak city because we have failed to do the least, which is to wear a mask and comply with CDC recommendations. This is predicted by COVIDACTNOW.org. I am for mandated mask-wearing.
I already commented on it the last time
As a registered nurse with a graduate degree in public health and as a retired US Public Health Service commissioned officer, I continue to monitor evidence concerning efficacy of masks. Study evidence shows masks are 40% to 80% effective in reducing transmission. The public should be willing to make a small sacrifice and mask up when indoors in public space. It is not asking too much to prevent the spread of this disease and the eventual need for more restrictive control measures.
Now more than ever we need to take action to protect each other. Hundreds of Brookings residents have publicly stated their resolve to avoid wearing masks, social distancing, and other actions known to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, we rely on our City Council to provide leadership that protects the health of our community. We follow city laws and ordinances every day, but few are as important as this one that has the power to save lives.
Follow the lead of our state governor. Follow the lead of the CDC! Masks should be a recommendation, not a mandate.
My son had a headache today. I figured he was lying and not wanting to go to school. I was ready to send him to school today(with a mask of course) but was advised by their dr to get tested. I am currently awaiting his test, at home, unable to work. I also want to point out that masks don't protect the wearer but to protect others incase the wearer is infected. I feel people are looking at this the wrong way.
Wearing a mask will help protect the most vulnerable, keep our schools and town open. This is the least we can do.
These ordinances are about thinking of others. Our youngest residents are successfully wearing masks when they are indoors because they want to remain open, and it is working. SDSU's college students, faculty, and staff are also successfully complying to mask ordinances, and their initial surge is successfully slowing as a result. These ordinances only asks for the rest of us to meet those same requirements. I think the rest of us can and should make that small sacrifice as well.
This is not about Civil Rights. It's about loving your fellow human being. It's about taking care of those who can't protect themselves. If you choose to not wear a mask, you could kill someone. We make laws all the time to protect the health and safety of our citizens because not all individuals make the safe choice. For example, you don't smoke in businesses in SD. You are required to have a valid driver's license to drive, to wear a seatbelt, have insurance. Be excellent to everyone.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has backtracked on previous comments he has made on a national mask mandate, and now says a federal mask mandate is unconstitutional. Now that both sides of the political aisle agree that a mask mandate infringes on peoples' rights, it's foolish to waste time and resources mandating this at the local level. Please allow the citizens of Brookings to make responsible decisions for their own health.
I strongly support these small resolutions to help keep our community safe. Current scientific studies show that masks, even non-medical cloth masks, reduce the large particle droplets and aerosolized particles that transmit COVID-19. Although wearing a mask is inconvenient and provides challenges in our lives, widespread community adoption of them in public spaces would greatly reduce our numbers and help us keep our families healthy and our students in school.
I'd like to keep our children in school for in-person learning. I'd like to protect our elderly as best we can. I think the mask mandate is a right step to that end and we should wear them until we get our Community Spread back down to Minimal. I agree that it will be difficult to enforce, but if there is a mandate, less of our population will feel that it is taboo to wear them. I believe the scientists and doctors when they say that masks work.
The substantial level of increase of cases in our county warrants action. Although I'll admit that this will be difficult to enforce, I feel that asking individuals to help protect their fellow citizens while in close proximity with each other is the least we can do.
Why is that only Covid-19 deaths are unacceptable? Over 690,000 people die from heart disease per year. If you focus on Brookings County the death rate is around 259 people per 100,000. That would be around 80 people a year in Brookings. Apparently those deaths are acceptable because there is no mandate on banning junk food. Heart disease causes more of a strain on a fragile health care system and raises costs for everyone. Making it difficult for people to obtain and afford care.
My family and I are happy to take the step to wear a mask to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We also support those businesses that feel safest with masks in use and hope that a mandate can take some of the stress off folks who worry about being boycotted. We believe together is the best way to get through adversity!
The adoption of the ordinance is in the best interest of all persons in the Brookings community as well as for visitors to the community
We need to support the mask mandate to protect the vulnerable populations in our society. We should not put elderly people or those with pre-existing health conditions at risk of getting covid. We don’t know long term effects of the virus in younger healthy people either. Wearing a mask is a small sacrifice that will protect all of our community members.
Mask mandates work. Brookings has substantial community spread. It is only common sense to require masks. Unfortunately, trusting citizens has not worked as evidenced by the small percentage of individuals who wear masks while out in the community and the disrespectful and dangerous behavior of citizens at last week's city council meeting.
This seems like a simple, sensible step to take to protect our fellow citizens during a time when community spread is increasing. The reckless behavior of the folks who chose not to be respectful of social distance and mask requests at the City Council meeting last week clearly shows how people disregard the safety of those around them. Why would we not take this simple step to potentially protect the lives of others?
Masks are a simple way to effectively decrease the spread of virus especially during the period of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic spread. When we wear masks we are caring for those around us, protecting those who are most at risk of complications or death from COVID. I look like a young, healthy person, but I take care of a lot of vulnerable people, so appreciate others wearing their mask to protect me, as I do for others.