All of the Carroll County Supervisors reported receiving numerous calls, emails and texts over the weekend regarding the adoption of the Greene County face covering resolution that went into effect immediately on Friday morning. Although the majority of comments received were positive, all did say they received negative ones as well. A discussion on the resolution was brought back at Monday morning’s meeting for review. Supervisor, Neil Bock, says some of the communications he received revolved around the negative impacts from wearing a mask for long periods of time and he proposed an alternative.
Supervisor, Dean Schettler, says this is a good point, but the plexiglass shields he is seeing are small and would do little good when the employee is covering a large area and dealing with customers and other employees. Environmental Health Director, Carey Kersey, compares the plexiglass barriers to plexiglass face shields. The barriers would likely follow the way of the shields that are not considered approved safequards. Exposure would still mean quarantine.
Chair, Rich Ruggles, agrees with the majority of supervisors who say they want to stay the course. Expressly pointing out these are all his opinions.
He adds it is critical that we do what we can to keep businesses open.
They reminded everyone that this is not an ordinance and is unenforceable. The governor’s proclamation supersedes those of municipalities and other government entities, rendering any sanctions above and beyond what is mandated at the state level null and void. Supervisor, Stephanie Hausman, went on the record with her thoughts on the resolution.
She adds she believes the board went about approving the resolution in the wrong way. Supervisors also cited concerns about medical staffing and hospital bed availability as one of the strongest reasons to stand their ground on the resolution. They say it is about people doing the right thing in working to stem COVID spread. The general public was able to view and comment during the live meeting, and a few of those present expressed disappointment in the directive and believe the supervisors should leave the decision making at the individual level. Some raised questions about how many of the 70 percent of filled hospital beds are for COVID-19 patients and how this compares to a flu spike a few years ago. Another says mask wearing could possibly trap the virus underneath and that once the mask is touched spread is possible. One even told the supervisors to wake up and employ common sense or they will vote in someone else who does. The supervisors also discussed the courthouse and whether to move to appointment only for all and whether or not to lock the doors to the general public. Ruggles says he has no problem with each department head determining whether or not they would go to appointment only, suggesting that it is most vital for the Treasurer’s Office to remain that way for at least the next month. However, he is not in favor of locking down the courthouse again. The supervisors will revisit the COVID-19 situation and the resolution on a weekly basis and make adjustments as necessary. The full audio from Monday’s discussion can be found below.
