The Summit Board of County Commissioners should learn
\nfrom Yoda.<\/p>\n
Yoda said, \u201cDo or do not. There is no try.\u201d The board
\ndoes not get this. <\/p>\n
In the wake of the new public health order requiring
\nwearing of masks in public building, I was dismayed, but not surprised, to hear
\nMay 1 on KYSL radio about confrontations at Target between people wearing and
\npeople not wearing masks. I was also dismayed, but not even remotely surprised,
\nto hear nothing about a law enforcement presence.<\/p>\n
Making something mandatory without providing
\nenforcement is not doing something. It is barely even trying, and as such it
\nearns a failing grade. It creates not only a risk to public health, but also a
\nrisk to the personal safety of store employees and shoppers.<\/p>\n
The board chose to make masks mandatory. The board
\nmust also choose to require law enforcement involvement when people do not obey
\nthe order. The staff of stores has neither the training nor the responsibility
\nto enforce a county order. The sheriff\u2019s office and the police departments do. <\/p>\n
There should be an officer on call, if not actually
\npresent, to address violators of the order. They should be prepared to write
\ncitations or even make arrests as the situation warrants. There should also be
\ninformation outside the store on making masks, unless a supply of masks can be
\non-site to facilitate compliance, and information about making orders for
\ncurbside delivery at that store.<\/p>\n
It is clear from actions in the community and words in letters and comments to the Summit Daily that there is a difference of opinion on wearing masks. This letter is not about that. This letter is about the board stepping up to enforce its orders, or just stepping the rest of the way down and abdicating entirely.<\/p>\n