Health Department failing in oversight of restaurants

Ah, the ways people are resisting the covid-19 safety rules! While the personal mandate to wear masks in public is purposely unenforceable, the restaurant and bar rules comes complete with a system for enforcement. Warnings, fines and even closure of bars and restaurants are possible in such businesses that do not require customers to wear masks until served, do not limit clientele to less-than-full capacity and don’t ensure all employees who are in contact with customers wear a mask at all times.

One particular restaurant in Eureka Springs does not follow that directive. It posts a sign that says that masks are optional and that asking anyone to wear one or to state a valid medical reason to not do so would violate HIPAA and their Fourth Amendment rights. Neither claim is true. They assert masks are optional for both customers and employees. Hence most people don’t wear a mask in the restaurant, including the waitstaff.

I’ve called the Arkansas Department of Health covid-19 hotline three times about this. I’ve been told by the person who answers the calls that they have had multiple complaints about the restaurant. I’ve been asked to leave my name, phone number and address, and to provide the address, phone number, a contact name and address of the restaurant. I’ve left that information. I’m told that “Legal will be informed and they’ll decide what to do.”

I’m over it. Nothing has been done. “Legal” has never called me. The place carries on as if there were no mandate.

The Arkansas Department of Health is seriously negligent in its unwillingness to address the blatant flouting of the law. The department is not safeguarding our health, and the taxpayers should demand action.

THOMAS J. CONBOY, PH.D., J.D. Eureka Springs