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Mask Mandate

Status: Closed
Assigned To: lkunz (City Commission)
Ticket ID: 264232e0f

Hello,
My name is Maria Sylvester and I am a constituent from Great Falls, Montana. I am contacting you today regarding Governor Gianforte's proposal to remove the mandatory mask mandate in the state of Montana. 
I am a citizen at risk for contracting COVID-19, since I am immunocompromised. I also have family members who work with COVID positive patients in one of our largest state hospitals and I have family members and friends who are immuno-compromised, either by age or health conditions.
The governor's proposal that the mask mandate be lifted is too soon. Healthcare workers have only started to get vaccinated in this state and vulnerable people such as myself are still waiting for their turn to get the vaccine. I have already witnessed more people in Great Falls not wearing masks in public since the governor's announcement was made. 
 My family members and myself have taken as many steps as possible to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. We do not leave our homes except to run essential errands, we wear masks in public, and we have gotten tested for COVID-19 when necessary. My family and I also plan to get the COVID vaccine when it is available. These precautions can only do so much to protect myself and my family when there is still a high rate of community spread in the city. I don't feel safe when I see people disregarding social distancing and not wearing a mask. The vaccine has not been distributed enough for Montanans to drop these precautions and our hospitals are already overburdened by an extreme number of patients. 
I am requesting that the city commission seriously consider adopting an emergency ordinance to reinstate a local mask mandate for the city of Great Falls.
Thank you for your consideration and your dedication to the citizens of Great Falls.

Ticket History

Closed
Updated By: lkunz
Assigned To: lkunz (City Commission)
01/15/2021 - 3:00pm
Public
Open
Updated By: lkunz
Assigned To: lkunz (City Commission)

Commissioner Robinson responded to this ticket via email Thu 1/14/2021 3:25 PM:

Thank you for your input. First allow me to address your request for the City Commission to adopt an emergency ordinance to reinstate a local mask mandate for the city of Great Falls. State laws give the responsibility for emergency (and non-emergency) health mandates to the City-County Health Department (CCHD) and to that entity's Health Officer. In Cascade County, the Health Officer and the CCHD co-operate to ensure they have identical rules. In short, it would not be appropriate for the City of Great Falls to add another layer of authority to our community's rules. Instead, the City contributes financially to the CCHD and has two representative on their Board. I am the appointed City Commissioner on that Board and therefore have been asked to address your request.

Having said that, Governor Gianforte's directive issued just yesterday (January 13th) states that a statewide mask mandate remains in effect. I am attaching that directive for your information.

I am not qualified to assess whether or not your condition will move you up on the priority list, but persons over 70 and those with certain health conditions which may make them vulnerable are cleared as of January 18 to be given a COVID vaccine shot subject to availability. To find out whether or not you qualify, call your primary care provider through Benefis, Great Falls Clinic, or Alluvion and make appointments with them. If you don't have a primary care physician, call CCHD.

I hope this helps. Thank you for your concern over the health of our community. I assure that all of the City Commissioners share your concern.

Sincerely and good health,

Owen Robinson
City Commissioner

 

 

01/14/2021 - 3:37pm
Public
Open
Updated By: lkunz
Assigned To: lkunz (City Commission)
01/13/2021 - 9:24am
New
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Citizen request/question created.

01/12/2021 - 5:46pm

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