By Linda Kor The Holbrook City Council met June 23 and discussed the matter of mandating face coverings for those in the city in response the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the state, county and even the city. Mayor Merrill Young addressed the matter by stating that Governor Doug Ducey held a press conference earlier in the month noting that the number of COVID-19 cases within the state continue to increase. “There is still no statewide mandate for face coverings. My opinion is that I don’t believe it’s the government’s responsibility to shove that down people’s throats. We as a governing body should allow people to have their choice. I highly recommend that if you’re in close quarters with people that you wear a face mask but I don’t believe it’s the city’s responsibility to mandate it.” Councilman Adam Marsh followed with a statement, which due to its length is published separately in this edition of the Tribune News in its entirety, where he asks the council to consider a mandatory ordinance. Marsh was the only member of the council present wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing, and Vice Mayor Francie Payne was in attendance telephonically due to concerns of exposure. Marsh approached the podium and presented his statement, outlining his credentials and the importance of wearing mask and social distancing due to medical facts, not political reasoning. He noted that as of June 23, there have been 461 cases of COVID-19 in Navajo County outside of the Navajo Nation, 3,311 total county cases and 62 total cases in the city’s zip code. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, statewide cases increased by 170 percent and testing only increased by 86 percent. When speaking of the residents and those who work at the many public service businesses in the city Marsh noted, “Many people have no choice but to risk exposure to this infectious disease. We have to protect these people. We have to protect each other.” He stated that the people of Holbrook elected the members of the council to lead and that it was “far past time” to do that regarding the pandemic. “We should be an example of what it means to be a small town. To be a community that cares. Now that things are open, a temporary mask action is a logical middle ground for those that want to keep the economy open but also decrease the spread of the virus. He concluded by stating that he would be requesting a special meeting of this council for a discussion surrounding the facts, ramifications and potential action that the city needs to take to protect the lives of citizens and their livelihood. In response to his statement, Vice Mayor Payne stated that she stood with Marsh on the matter. “I know that there are council members that won’t agree with it and many community members have told me they don’t agree with it. We’re elected here not just to represent the people but to find the facts and try to find a way to do the best we can to protect our people,” Payne said, adding, “Public health and safety is one of our main points in our mission statement.” Councilman Mark Jackson stated, “I would like to have people call in and let us know how you feel about this. I’d really like to hear what more citizens have to say before making any kind of decision.” He also noted that Navajo Nation Police Department recently lost two investigators to COVID-19, both of whom he knew. “It just tells you it could happen to anybody.” Councilman Tim Dixon is opposed to mandating face coverings, stating that he felt there had been a lot of skewing of the statistics. “I think that a lot of the deaths that are counted as COVID although the main issue of death was maybe from a heart attack or something else.” Believing that to be told to “wear an article of clothing, a hat or a face mask” infringes on his Constitutional rights Dixon added, “I don’t need the government to protect my health, I need the government to protect my rights. It’s not up to us as a government entity to require that of the citizens of Holbrook. Masks aren’t 100 percent cure or preventative of any kind of disease, but we do have herd immunity. A disease does not trump our Constitutional rights.” Councilman Mike Nilsson added his thoughts, stating, “I am on the personal liberty side. I don’t think it’s our job to be the nanny for everyone but I do think people need to take personal responsibility.” He went on to state that his wife has had a very rough year as she went through chemotherapy and no one had been allowed in their home, as her immune system was compromised. “I understand the grave danger some people’s immune systems are in, but I also think it’s beyond our scope to mandate something as a council.” Councilman Earl Kester stated, “I don’t think it’s our judicial thing to say, ‘yes you must wear a mask.’ I don’t like to wear a mask.” He went on to note the health issues he endures but said he won’t wear a mask unless he’s with his wife, who insists upon it. “It’s not my thing so I don’t think it is something I should say to wear a mask.” Dixon also referenced a family member whose child had numerous medical issues, but rather than require visitors and family members to wear masks, sequestered the child. “They protected him. It wasn’t society’s job to protect that child. If you’re sick stay home until you recover, then go out.” It should be noted that according to the Centers for Disease Control, many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or presymptomatic, meaning that they exhibit no symptoms but can pass the disease along, unknowingly posing a threat to others. To reach out to council members with your opinion on whether or not the city should mandate the wearing of face coverings, contact the city offices at (928) 524-6225 and request contact information for council representatives.
