Durango city councilors flirted with the idea of a mandatory face-covering order during a study session Tuesday while exploring ways to create a mask-wearing culture in town.
Under Colorado public health orders, Durango can enact more strict measures than the state has enacted. Residents have emailed city councilors to say people are not wearing masks as they should – or that mask guidelines amount to government overreach. City councilors said creating a culture around mask-wearing could be a route forward.
“We do have the opportunity to have an impact,” said one councilor. It was unknown which councilor was speaking because study sessions are broadcast only by audio, making it difficult to identify speakers and impossible for hearing-disabled residents to follow along.
San Juan Basin Public Health, which leads the public health response for La Plata and Archuleta counties, amended its face-covering advisory Sunday to require all employees who interact with customers to wear face coverings and to encourage businesses to require face coverings for customers.
Preliminary science seems to support the effectiveness of masks. An April study by researchers in California, France and the United Kingdom showed that coronavirus cases would likely plummet if 80% of the population wears masks.
“In some cases, a blanket policy would be easier with our businesses,” Councilor Melissa Youssef said.
But business needs, enforcement challenges and public opinion turn even a clear rule into a complex matter.
“By taking action like that, do you actually bring forth more negative comments from people that think it’s fascist government overreach?” Mayor Dean Brookie said. “I don’t want to incite that kind of thinking in our community, but I do want people to feel safe.”
Councilor Chris Bettin recommended following guidance from the experts at SJBPH. Another councilor, speaker unknown, said she regularly visits Main Avenue, where foot traffic is picking up, but only about 15% of people seem to be wearing masks.
“In the ‘do it right, do it once’ mantra, if we have to go back and do a lockdown, will we think we did everything we could?” she said.
Councilors united around the idea of building a culture of mask-wearing to encourage safe tourism and community life. Durango businesses need an active summer tourism season, they said. But Arizona, Texas and New Mexico, the main origins of Durango tourists, all have major outbreaks.
“We hope to have people visiting us. ... What message do we want to send?” Councilor Barbara Noseworthy said.
smullane@durangoherald.com