Will county join state and town in mandating masks?
Commission considers enforcement in time of growing tension
Taos County commissioners are considering a mask ordinance to umbrella the entire county with additional COVID-19 protections.
At a Tuesday (July 7) meeting, commissioners discussed a possible ordinance that would effectively add enforcement abilities to the Taos County Sheriff’s Office when they find someone mandating mask use in Taos County.
“With the influx of people who have no regard for Taos County citizens’ lives and property, this is all we can do,” said commissioner Jim Fambro, adding that many people seem to be ignoring the governor’s orders.
Commissioners discussed paralleling the state’s current mandate that calls for all citizens in public in New Mexico to wear a face covering. The penalty from the state can include up to a $100 fine.
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office affirming that local law enforcement is able to enforce the state’s order.
“The Legislature has made clear that violation of a public health order, promulgated pursuant to the Public Health Act, is criminally sanctionable, and we encourage public health officials and all law enforcement to work in unison to protect public health and safety,” Balderas said in the letter.
Taos County currently does not have an ordinance discussing masks but commissioners could see one by their next meeting.
Out-of-state visitors must also adhere to the state’s mask mandate. In addition, those not traveling on essential business must undergo a 14-day self quarantine and may not be out in public, as per the governor’s orders.
Municipalities like Questa, Red River and Taos have been dealing with the state’s emergency orders in their own capacity by adhering to the orders or creating their own.
Commissioner Mark Gallegos, who is also Questa’s mayor, has said the town continues to adhere to the state’s orders and has largely been compliant on the issue of masks and social distancing.
Gallegos said stores are politely reminding customers of the order and are helping others out if masks run in short supply.
But Red River recently celebrated their 125th birthday in the small mountain town and is welcoming visitors from across New Mexico.
“There were many Taoseños, or many people from Taos Valley headed (to Red River) for the Fourth of July,” said commissioner Gabriel Romero.
According to Romero, the Taos visitors to Red River flocked to the area due to a more relaxed response to the pandemic in the town.
Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun disagrees.
She said the town is following the state’s guidelines with masks and social distancing.
“Our businesses are doing a really good job of enforcing that mandate when guests are in their businesses,” Calhoun said. “I’m not aware of any businesses that aren’t enforcing it. Our officers are giving out friendly reminders when appropriate. We have not issued any fines or citations to date.”
Calhoun said the town is not reaching out to out-of-state visitors at this time due to the state’s quarantine rule that calls for a twoweek isolation period for vacationers.
Neither Questa nor Red River has specific ordinances regulating the masks or social distancing.
The town of Taos remains focused on its efforts to stop the spread of the virus and is maintaining a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew during the pandemic. In addition, the town recently passed an amendment to the mayor’s current health order mandating the use of face coverings in town limits.
Those found in violation of the order could face a petty misdemeanor charge with up to a $500 fine or 90 days in jail.
Tensions in the town of Taos escalated early in July as a fight broke out in Smith’s between two shoppers.
According to Taos Police Chief John Wentz, a woman approached a teen about not wearing a mask in the store. Another woman stepped between the two and the situation then escalated into a scuffle. The woman who approached the two put her hands on one of the women, allegedly causing her to strike out defensively.
Masks or face coverings are required in all businesses and public spaces in the state of New Mexico.
In order to help the community at large, the town of Taos has been handing out masks to businesses so employees can comply with the state and local mandates.
The town will hold an additional event Friday ( July 10) from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at 120 Civic Plaza Drive to hand out 5,000 masks to business owners. The mask will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. Town officials have already given out over 10,000 masks to the community.
Taos County officials will be drafting the mask ordinance and commissioners will review and vote on it when the issue is ready to be presented to them.
‘Our officers are giving out friendly reminders when appropriate. We have not issued any fines or citations to date.’
LINDA CALHOUN Red River mayor