HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-20 Public Comment - K. Coyle - Hard choices on COVID policyFrom:Katie Coyle
To:Agenda
Subject:Hard Choices, Easy Life, Easy Choices Hard Life
Date:Monday, July 6, 2020 9:28:35 AM
To whom it may concern,
At the outset of COVID-19 the government of Montana as well as the local citygovernment in Bozeman responded promptly to the active threat facing ourcommunity and our nation. Throughout the initial lockdown city officials displayedcourage and seemed to truly prioritize the health of the community, even at the riskof - gasp - offending some of their voter base.
At some point, the tone and approach seemed to change. Notably when discussionsof phase two began and the Governor began to 're-open' MT to everyone and anyonelooking for a safe space - where the assumption from many was that COVID wasn'treal here. At this point in the experience the notable shift in all of your responseswent from community first to, I'm not sure what. We re-opened with abandon andChris Mehl encouraged "staying safe" as hoards of people arrived from out of statewith no masks and no social distancing. He suggested wearing face masks as peopledrank, shop and ate their way through our small community with no masks and zerosocial distancing.
Its become a horrific pastime for Bozeman locals to drive down main street on Fridayand Saturdays to see the blatant disregard for safety and health of one and all.CLEARLY the issue of COVID and masks has become politicized at the very top levelof this country. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN BOZEMAN NEEDS TO FOLLOW SUITAND TAKE NO STANCE. This is a moment in history, with lives on the line - myfather, one of my dear friends who just had a child, my husbands mother - andmany, many more; where you all have not only the ability to CHOOSE but the powerto IMPACT CHANGE.
Your political career is not more important that lives of real people. It is not moreimportant than our communities well being. It is not more important that the smallbusiness owners working to save their businesses. It is NOT MORE IMPORTANT.
The choice is simple: mandatory masks. The science is proven from the top downthat wearing a mask decreases spread. Plain and simple.
The choice is obvious. Please don't be selfish.
Katie Coyle
-- Katie Coyle | 406-920-1733