I was appalled that the Montezuma County commissioners are encouraging noncompliance with a legal state order requiring the wearing of masks. Not only are they endangering the health of the community, they are also endangering the economy of the county. Many residents are now planning to do all of their shopping in Durango, which is enforcing the requirement to wear masks.
I was more appalled that a commissioner suggested using taxpayer money to pay fines for any business violating state health orders, and to reduce the health department’s budget by the same amount.
One of the reasons the county has not so far been hit harder with COVID-19 is that the health department was very quick to respond by passing out masks to the hospital, nursing homes and first responders. I and many members of the local quilt guild made over 3,000 masks for the health department to pass out at a time when masks were in short supply. We also made many more masks for friends, family members and other organizations.
The county commissioners are now undermining the hard work of their own health department as well as the work and monetary contributions of many concerned volunteers.
Dianne WeitzenkampDolores