Mask Public Comment from Cherilyn DeVriesFrom:Cherilyn DeVries
To:Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]
Date:Tuesday, August 4, 2020 8:10:50 AM
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Dear Mayor Johnson and honorable city council members,I wanted to make a statement concerning the fair in person, but I found out that supporters of
local militia and "patriot" groups were coming without masks in order to protest the maskmandate and intimidate the public health officer, who is speaking tonight. I do not feel this is
an environment where all people can safely make a public comment.
I support the efforts that the Flathead City-County Health Department and the board of theNorthWest Montana Fair have made to host a safe event, but it seems too risky at this time.
The fair is only days away from the start of school, COVID-19 cases in Montana are rising,and more than 140 physicians in the valley are requesting a scaled-down version of the fair for
safety reasons. In addition, the people who are demanding a full opening of the fair are thesame people who are refusing to take the common-sense precaution of wearing masks in order
to safeguard public health.
It is also extremely frustrating to see Annie Bukacek, a member of the Board of Health,leading efforts to reject mask wearing at the fair and in public places.
From discussions I've had with local officials, it seems that the 4-H and FFA groups are doing
a wonderful job to ensure the safety of the students and families involved in those events. Iwould recommend keeping those events and canceling the rodeo, carnival, demo derby, music,
and relays.
We are all frustrated that so many local events are being canceled this year, but unlike schooland work, the fair is not required. We can wait one year in the name of public safety and
public health.
Cherilyn DeVriesKalispell