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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-20 Public Comment - E. Sieger - concerns about public meeting_mask issue_threats to workersFrom:Chris Mehl To:Agenda Subject:Fwd: concerns about public meeting/mask issue/threats to workers Date:Sunday, July 19, 2020 2:35:10 PM Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: "emilysieger01@gmail.com" <emilysieger01@gmail.com>Date: July 19, 2020 at 2:05:02 PM MDTTo: Steve Crawford <SCrawford@BOZEMAN.NET>Cc: Chris Mehl <cmehl@bozeman.net>, Jeff Mihelich<jmihelich@BOZEMAN.NET>Subject: Re: concerns about public meeting/mask issue/threats to workers  this story in the Washington Post today describes exactly the situation I amconcerned about happening here. Our County Sheriff, like the one referred to inthe story, has also said he will “not enforce” the mandate. I hope that where youhave jurisdiction in the city, that you will find a way to prevent these kinds ofthings.https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/18/covid-pandemic-store-clerk-north-carolina/?arc404=trueThank you. Also, on the subject of masks, there’s a very comprehensive discussion in the USATODAY about how to deal with the “medical condition” exemptionsituation. " Fact check: ADA does notprovide blanket exemptionfrom face mask requirements https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/15/fact-check-ada- disability-rights-and-face-mask-requirements/5391830002/?fbclid=IwAR1ttmdwnFWr9lI- mHgsgE8cPrM8vvTDnZfR16JGCeL17WGXWAlLIS6HnVc Emily SiegerBozeman On Jul 14, 2020, at 4:05 PM, Steve Crawford <SCrawford@bozeman.net> wrote: Thanks for your input Emily. We are working closely with thecounty health department and are committed to keeping the community safe during these times. With regards to today's meeting, I will let the Sheriff answer anyconcerns on that as it was held at a location outside the city limits. Thanks again for your sincere input. Steve Crawford | Police ChiefBozeman Police Department 615 South 16th AvenueBozeman, Montana 59715 Office 406-582-2031 www.bozemanpolice.com BOZEMANMT -----Original Message----- From: emilysieger01@gmail.com <emilysieger01@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 12:36 PM To: Chris Mehl <CMehl@BOZEMAN.NET>; Steve Crawford<SCrawford@BOZEMAN.NET>; BOHPublicComment@gallatin.mt.govSubject: concerns about public meeting/mask issue/threats to workers I was very disappointed that a mob forced the cancellation of the Board of Health meeting regarding a mask mandate, with a decisionpostponed to later this week. I hope the decision makers are not bullied by this into taking less than the action they should I am surprised that there was no planning to limit the number ofpeople going into the room, and hope that the next meeting will have sufficient law enforcement presence to prevent a recurrence. This incident enforces my concern about the behavior of somemembers of the public if a mask mandate is instituted (as it should be; I have previously commented to the Board of Health about mysupport for a mandate). We have certainly seen the viral videos of the hostile, threatening and even dangerous behavior of some people in response to a maskrequirement. We cannot allow this to happen in our city/county businesses, especially given that the workers required to enforce thisprovision are often minimum wage, and certainly not trained to deal with dangerous behavior. And they should not be expected orrequired to. If a mask mandate is issued (as it should be), I urge our law enforcement entities to be very pro-active in protecting businessworkers. This might include a strong presence in downtown streets, at least initially. It also might include a special phone number whereworkers can contact police if they feel threatened. Perhaps some special training for workers, as well. I have copied this message to Sheriff Gootkin through his officewebsite, as I do not have his direct email With cases of COVID19 rapidly increasing here and in other parts of the state, we cannot delay further instituting regulations that willprotect us. Sincerely Emily Sieger1017 S Tracy Bozeman539-8195 City of Bozeman emails are subject to the Right to Know provisionsof Montana’s Constitution (Art. II, Sect. 9) and may be considered a “public record” pursuant to Title 2, Chpt. 6, Montana CodeAnnotated. As such, this email, its sender and receiver, and the contents may be available for public disclosure and will be retainedpursuant to the City’s record retention policies. Emails that contain confidential information such as information related to individualprivacy may be protected from disclosure under law.