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Coward: Pinal County supervisors wrong to only 'recommend' wearing of masks

Posted

Dear Chairman Smith and board members,

I’m writing in opposition to your revisions to the draft of Resolution No. 061920-LSE-03 concerning the implementation of mitigation measures for slowing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 in unincorporated Pinal County, including the mandating of wearing of face coverings in public.

Revising the originally drafted document to “recommend” rather than “mandate” the wearing of masks in unincorporated Pinal County goes against all scientific data and CDC policies for the mitigation of COVID-19. Without treatments and/or vaccines the only tools available to slow the spread of this virus are social distancing and the wearing of masks.

The “arguments” by board members of the wearing of masks as a limit to personal liberty and governmental intrusions is a false narrative pushed for ideological purposes. By adhering to party dogma rather than listening to science and public health experts is nothing more than political malfeasance.

There are ways to conduct business in this new environment that will allow commerce to continue. It may not be ideal or cost-effective but conducting business, as usual, will cost lives.

Which is more important? Profit or the lives of current and future customers? Whose liberties are being violated if I have to stay home because businesses refuse to conform to the new normal?

Editor's note: Gold Canyon resident David Coward sent the above letter to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.