Weatherford City Commissioners did not pass a mask ordinance with a 3-2 vote at the monthly meeting Wednesday.
During the meeting the enforcement of the proposed in the ordinance was not discussed.
The proposed ordinance reads “individuals refusing to wear a face covering into a place of public accommodation, educational institution, may be subject to prosecution under criminal trespass, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, obstruction of police or similar offenses.”
The fact that punishment could be a criminal charge and the ramifications of that were not pointed out by any of the large turnout of citizens opposed to a mask ordinance.
Since the ordinance was not approved, the law will not go in effect. During the meeting, Mayor Mike Brown said a new ordinance could possibly be placed on future agendas in the coming months depending on the severity of COVID-19.
Many residents who attended made comments on the topic of the ordinance during the meeting, but only one resident who spoke at the meeting was for the ordinance. Two commissioners, Jimmy Ingram and Mark Shadid also spoke in favor of the ordinance and voted yes. Rick Miller, Warren Goldmann and Mayor Brown voted against the ordinance.
“The main reason I’m in support of the mask mandate is because if I had COVID-19, I have the possibility of preventing myself from giving it to someone. I know I couldn’t look in the eye of someone who lost a loved one and say I didn’t do everything I could to protect them,” Ingram said.
“The reason I want to vote for the ordinance is because of the science, from what I’ve read the science shows that masks do work,” Shadid said.
“What I love about this community is that we love one another, and that’s the great thing about Weatherford. When I see someone elderly wearing a mask it means they are trying to protect themselves or someone else from getting COVID-19. Even if the masks aren’t a 100-percent guarantee, we should care about one another enough to wear them,” SWOSU professor Marc Leonard said.
The individuals who were against requiring masks had many topics to back up their reasoning for being against the ordinance.
“I wear masks when in public places but at the same time I don’t want the government making my health decisions. I am capable of doing that myself,” Suzane Chaney said.
Many residents during the meeting spoke about why they are against the mask ordinance.
“In Norman a mandate has been issued, and people are turning each other in or releasing individual’s pictures online if they aren’t wearing a mask. As a mother I do not want pictures of my children online. The ordinance could potentially divide our community.” One mother who did not identify herself said.
“I’m a business owner. If Weatherford decides to pass the ordinance I will buy my products from outside of Weatherford. For my personal groceries I will start ordering online. I’m going to do whatever it takes to be successful in my life. I think we should continue business as usual and continue to make today the good old days,” Brady Butler said.
Individuals also commented on the Weatherford Daily News Facebook page, and had strong feelings on both sides of the subject. It was suggested by Mayor Brown some who were in favor of a mask ordinance may not feel comfortable attending the meeting (because of close proximity) and were following the meeting online. The Weatherford Daily News had up to 400 people watching and communicating at any given time.
Many residents spoke on topic about special needs individuals for which a mask could be a hindrance. Some people have to read lips in order to understand what people are saying.
“People need to think of the special needs and individuals. Also think about how much more work our police would have to do to give out tickets for the ones not wearing masks,” Dondra Hollan said.
“This is not a political issue but it is a public health issue. We wear masks because we care about the health of our fellow citizens,” Patt Penner said on a facebook comment.
“Let’s do whatever it takes to lower the cases of this virus. Masks are not fun or comfortable,” Karen Antwine said.
Residents also talked extensively about how a mask ordinance could further risk getting to see their elderly loved ones.
Bobbi Shelton who said she is an infectious disease nurse said regular masks do not work against the COVID-19 virus. She said you need an N-95 because it confines the particles which contain the virus. She said other masks such as cloth masks only hold in water particles and this ordinance does not specify the type of mask needed.