Take cover
Council, residents mull local directive on wearing masks
Comments have been trickling in from El Dorado City Council members in response to a request to set local safety and health guidelines that would require face coverings in public as part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
A local resident initially asked the council to consider an ordinance that would require people to were face masks in public, per an executive order that was signed July 3 by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The order gives cities the option to implement an ordinance that would make face masks mandatory while in public, particularly when entering businesses.
The executive order also allows for local law enforcement officers and other city officials to educate and encourage residents who decline to wear a face mask about the efficacy of wearing such coverings.
Residents who do not wear face masks in public must also be advised that they are in violation of a city ordinance, if such an ordinance has been adopted, and that they must abide by local businesses’ mandates regarding face masks or leave the premises.
As El Dorado City Council members weighed in on the request to adopt a local ordinance, the request was later revised to call for a resolution encouraging residents to wear masks while in public.
Several Arkansas cities have adopted ordinances, as permitted by the governor’s executive order.
They include Conway, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Little Rock and Rogers.
Siloam Springs has passed a resolution endorsing face masks in public and encouraging businesses there to require patrons to wear masks, if the businesses are subject to health and safety directives that have been issued by the Arkansas Department of Health regarding precautionary measures, such as face masks and social distancing, according to a report published by KFSM 5 News.
In a series of emails between El Dorado city officials, Council Member Judy Ward said that while she supports wearing face masks in public, she feels an ordinance mandating the practice would be unenforceable and would place the El Dorado Police Department “in a difficult position.”
“Our officers are overworked and the department is understaffed,” Ward said.
Police Chief Kenneth Hickman previously said the EPD is appealing to “people’s cooperation” in following directives regarding COVID19.
Hickman also said that taking a diplomatic, informative approach on a case-by-case basis to enforce health and safety directives helps the EPD retain available manpower for other calls, including burglaries, violent incidents and other felony offenses.
Council Member Paul Choate made statements indicating that he favored a resolution regarding face masks in public.
“I agree (Ward), but we do need to endorse the wearing (of) face coverings,” Choate said.
Council Member Mike Rice also agreed with Ward and offered his perspective as a local restaurant owner.
“You guys have no idea how hard it is for me and my staff to enforce the (ADH) mandate on wearing masks. We definitely don’t need our police officers trying to enforce an ordinance like this,” said Rice, owner of Fayray’s.
“I personally wear a mask when I’m at the supermarket making groceries. It’s not for my personal protection but to make others feel more comfortable,” he added.
Council Member Andre Rucks expressed his support of an ordinance to require residents to wear a face mask upon entering local businesses.
“Even if we don’t 100 (percent) enforce, at least the citizens will see our efforts to contain (COVID19),” Rucks said.
Referring to Ward’s suggestion for a resolution encouraging face masks in public, Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer said city officials should lead by example.
“Please be aware that many of you do not wear your face masks during our council meetings, although you have been urged to do so,” SmithCreer.
The mayor also said a presentation on the matter could be added to the agenda for the council’s next regular meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. July 23 in the Council Chamber of City Hall.