A health district just mandated masks in one Idaho county, limited gatherings in another
The Central District Health Board of Health voted 4-2 on Tuesday to mandate that masks be worn in Valley County to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Board members Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, and Boise County Commissioner Ryan Stirm voted against the mandate.
Blanksma hasn’t supported any restriction implemented by the health district. Stirm has supported Ada County’s restrictions but said he couldn’t support the order for Valley County, which includes the summer destinations of McCall, Payette Lake and Lake Cascade.
Additionally, the board mandated that Ada County limit social gatherings to 10 people or fewer in a 5-1 vote. Prior to the vote, social gatherings were limited to 50 people as part of the Stage 3 restrictions in Ada. Blanksma was the only board member who voted no.
As of Tuesday, there were 61 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Valley County and 8,757 confirmed in Ada County.
The changes by the board came a couple of weeks after the White House coronavirus task force placed Idaho in the “red zone” because of its virus spread and recommended a variety of restrictions that Gov. Brad Little has not imposed. The recommendations included limiting social gatherings and mask mandates.
Valley County Commissioner Elt Hasbrouck, a board member, supported the decision to mandate masks in his county. He had concern about the large number of people who visit to recreate.
“Our concern is we are the playground for the two hottest spots in the state right now,” Hasbrouck said about Ada and Canyon counties. “... I would rather do something ahead of time then wait for after the crash has happened.”
He said there were more than 9,200 vehicles in Valley County over the weekend, largely belonging to visitors.
Of the people he’s spoken to, including business owners, Hasbrouck said about 75 percent in Valley County were in support of mandating masks.
“I think your numbers are looking fairly safe right now,” Stirm told Hasbrouck. “Right now, I think you’re right on the line.”
According to a copy of the Valley County order, every person is required to wear a face covering that completely covers the person’s nose and mouth when in a public place, or on the property of a public or private or charter school, or technical school or college or university, and when others are present and physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained.
According to the order, when any person is inside a school, facial coverings must be worn irrespective of whether physical distancing can be maintained, unless a person is alone in a private office with doors closed or for educators when providing instruction to students and a distance of 10 feet can be maintained.
Every person older than 2 will be required to wear a mask unless they have a medical condition that prevents it. The mandate does not apply to on-duty law enforcement officers. Punishment for violating the order could be a misdemeanor charge.
The board decided against closing gyms in Ada County, something discussed at the last meeting, as it was recommended by the federal task force. CDH said there has not been a significant outbreak stemming from an Ada County gym yet.
This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 6:16 PM.
