Whitehead: Removing Scottsdale’s mask mandate was illogical
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By Solange Whitehead
Scottsdale’s facemask mandate saved lives and the economy without any associated costs and is still needed today.
This past June, as coronavirus cases spiraled out of control, Mayor Jim Lane led the charge to put a mask mandate in place. Within 48-hours, the county followed his lead.
Within two weeks, cases plummeted and Scottsdale’s economy began to recover and eventually achieved a new “masked” normal.
The profound success of the mask mandate makes the mayor’s sudden rescission of the mandate inexplicable. To remove the mask mandate during the pandemic, at the onset of the flu season, and with Scottsdale’s struggling tourism season just around the corner simply makes no sense.
Hasn’t 2020 been bad enough?
Opposition to rescinding the mask mandate came swiftly from both the health care and business sectors.
Honor Health CEO Todd LaPorte wrote, “Not only have we seen less spread since the implementation of mask mandates, our physicians and staff were noticeably encouraged by the symbolism of the community doing all they could do to help reduce the spread of this disease.”
Honor Health has 3,700 affiliated physicians and is Scottsdale’s largest employer. In addition, 3,000 health care professionals signed a petition in support of the mask mandate.
A similar message was echoed by business sector leaders including the Chamber of Commerce, Experience Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors. Scottsdale’s economy, luxury brand, and tourism industry will suffer without the mandate. Tourists visit cities deemed safe.
The council has also received hundreds of emails from informed residents urging that council reinstate the mandate. These residents understand that saving American lives is worthy of sacrifice especially one so minor.
While the county mask mandate is still in effect, the supervisors can choose to rescind it. A City of Scottsdale mandate is a safety net and amplifies the messaging.
Around the country, states that recently relaxed mandates are now experiencing record number of cases. Scottsdale has the benefit of their hindsight and we must use it to keep Arizona off this dangerous list.
Common concerns expressed by residents opposed to the mask mandate:
Is the mask ordinance permanent? Answer: Ordinances are not permanent and are simply the mechanism that the City Council has to implement new rules. A mask mandate likely would sunset every couple months requiring votes to continue and a Council majority could terminate it anytime in between.
Will violators get arrested? Answer: Violating the mask ordinance will not land anyone in jail. A flagrant violator may be fined. The mandate had many activities that didn’t require masks including outdoor exercise and attending church.
Masks from China have toxins. Answer: The Covid-19 outbreak has created a cottage industry of USA-made reusable masks and U.S. companies have begun producing masks and face shields. Wearing these products supports the U.S. economy.
Masks don’t work. Answer: According to Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, “Nationwide use of face masks could significantly slow the spread of COVID-19 and end the epidemic in four to six weeks.” Masks also have reduced flu outbreaks in countries with mandates saving additional lives.
Isn’t a city mandate more bureaucracy? Answer: Bureaucracy implies inefficient and expensive government yet the mandate does not increase costs. Rather, it strengthens inter-government messaging and makes clear that public health is Scottsdale’s top priority.
Aren’t mask mandates a violation of freedom? Answer: I compare the mask mandate to traffic lights. I stop at red lights even when I am in a hurry because it saves lives, including mine. Or in the words of former Senate Chaplain, Peter Marshall, “We may think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”
Editor’s Note: Solange Whitehead is an elected member of Scottsdale City Council.
