HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-20 Public Comment - A. Free - Against Mandatory Mask EdictFrom:Amanda Free
To:BOHPUBLICCOMMENT@gallatin.mt.gov; commission@gallatin.mt.gov; Agenda
Subject:MANDATORY MASK EDICT
Date:Monday, July 13, 2020 1:40:25 PM
Amanda Free
818 Matheson Way
Bozeman, MT 59715
free.scottandamanda@gmail.com
To Whom It May Concern,
This is to inform you that my family and I are wholeheartedly against a mandate
requiring mask wearing in public spaces.
We move through Bozeman and see what seems a majority of people already
wearing masks. We see businesses who choose to require masks, requiring them through
well-posted signage. We see employees in those stores wearing them, well or poorly,
consistently. It is obvious that the people in this county and in the city of Bozeman are
making the choice already without a mandate. Those who don’t wear masks are not being
rude and they are happily choosing to shop in stores that do not ask shoppers or
employees to wear them, and yet show welcome to those who choose to do so. I walked
away from TJMaxx the other day, happy to know their stand on the issue by the sign on
their door. They were happy for me to not shop there. Win, win. It was not forced.
If we’re considering those vacationing here and their choice to not wear a mask,
then we expect those in Bozeman who choose to wear masks, wash hands, etc are well
protected from those visitors.
Friends, family and community we know intimately, who are vulnerable, have been
taking advantage of all the steps businesses have been putting in place such as: early
shopping hours, sanitizers, gloves and masks made available. Friends and family shopping
for these people (we have done this for others and have also received this consideration)
and open spaces left available for exercise and sun have been appreciated. My family of
10 have been offered free masks made by those in the community out of love and service.
Bozeman has gone above-and-beyond to protect one another. These things boost
community dependence, appreciation, and responsibility much more effectively than a
mandate that makes the health of others not our own burden and honor, but that of a
faceless entity. Rather than extend dignity and respect toward others, we are forced into a
behavior that leaves us policed.
Who will be enforcing this new mandate? Will The Health Department will be
revoking business licenses, the police be giving tickets and answering every called-in
report, and neighbors using the law as a babysitter to answer for a fearful community? This
leaves those who want masks worn to feel like they have to wait on the law to deal with
frustration and it leaves those who don’t want to, or medically cannot, wear masks, when
not presenting covid symptoms, fearful of a system we should be supported and protected
by. Where will the funds and time for this extra burden come from within your own
departments?
In addition, those who have legitimate mental and physical health issues preventing
them from wearing a mask at all times in public should have privacy of their condition that a
required doctor’s notice would make void. When every business and offended citizen asks
to see this ‘release’ of mask-wearing responsibility, privacy goes out the window just to
appease strangers. This is a very dangerous road to go down.
An issue that directly affects my family with our eight children: I cannot enforce my
younger children, ages nearly 3-11, to wear masks in ways that will NOT reduce their
effectiveness. This could even INCREASE contamination to others by ineffective use.
Nose wiping with the mask, shifting it constantly, etc. I cannot ensure the proper use in our
case. It would be healthier for us to stay home when ill and not wear masks when healthy
in the community. Less face touching, less nose running from a steamy mask, etc….
None of this addresses our freedom to surrender our own pleasures for the good
and health of the American people. We have the freedom to lay-down our lives in military
service. We have the freedom to engage in productive business and we have the freedom
to educate our children in a community with great resources and flexibility. These are
great, great freedoms. We should also have the freedom to serve our neighbors and take
care of our own health and future. I am not owed health by my government or those they
employ. I do not want to burden ‘the system’ with that but rather make my own choices to
maintain my health, address my health concerns, and serve my neighbor in peace. This is
not your job.
Disease happens. You cannot prevent it. You can educate and you can help with
resources you have. That is what you are doing and have done. Do not put a burden on
yourself that you are ill-equipped to enforce. Do not put a burden on a community that it is
already handling well. Do not take away the freedom we all enjoy to both care for
ourselves and one another. Do not force us to hand our freedom to care for others off to an
‘office’. You will decrease personal inspiration to help and serve. Health and care for the
county will be suddenly be YOUR job and the amazing community we know will likely step
down from their opportunity to be great. Maybe that’s what you want?
Passionately,
Amanda Free