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Whitefish council OKs resolution encouraging mask use

by Daily Inter Lake
| July 7, 2020 2:06 PM

The Whitefish City Council on Monday passed a resolution strongly encouraging — but not mandating — the use of masks in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 after reviewing more than 500 letters from business owners and local residents.

More than 60% of the letters received regarding the resolution supported the city taking formal action supporting the use of masks in public settings, according to a press release from the city of Whitefish.

Whitefish is the first incorporated city in Flathead County to take formal action on the use of masks to help curb the risk of local residents contracting the virus. If the city determines the guidelines are not being followed, the city will consider passing an ordinance that will require such guidelines be adhered to and provide penalties for non-compliance, the press release noted.

“When social distancing is not possible, science strongly shows that the use of masks can help prevent the spread of the virus,” Mayor John Muhlfeld said. “We have seen many examples around the country where the virus continues to spike and we want to do everything possible to protect our vulnerable community and keep our economy open.”

The new guidelines extend to people using city parks, sidewalks, shared-use paths or other city rights of way.

The resolution states employers should provide access to masks or cloth face coverings to employees in the workplace, and require employees to use them while at work. It also advises that businesses should recommend that patrons wear masks and that signs be clearly posted regarding the recommendation.

Many of the letters submitted to the council noted the large numbers of visitors in Whitefish who have traveled here from states with high outbreaks of COVID-19 in their arguments supporting the use of face masks.

“Town is packed and more people are on their way from all over the country,” JoBeth Blair wrote. “We need to model responsible behavior now...not later.

Kristin Tabor, who owns Stumptown Snowboards with her husband, wrote that their business is now requiring masks in their store and are providing free disposable masks at the door, even though that “is quickly getting expensive.

“We feel if there was a citywide requirement for face masks to be worn in public indoor places we could put up a unified front as a town and people would adapt to wearing them as routine,” Tabor wrote.

“It has been shocking to see the number of people coming through our door,” she said. “While it is nice to have the business, the lack of face masks is not good.”

Resolution 20-18 can be accessed at CityofWhitefish.org.