NO MORE MASKS?
Smiling faces are once again in style as the country, state, and most recently, the town drop their mask mandates for fully vaccinated people. But some folks are choosing to keep what has become the new normal. Still others can’t wait to rip them off with a sigh of relief.
In a town council meeting Tuesday (May 18), the council voted unanimously to follow the guidance of the CDC and the state, but acknowledged that masks are still likely to be a part of our lives.
“We are aware of the dilemma, as are a lot of people,” said town manager Rick Bellis. “Some people feel like [the CDC] jumped the gun,” he said, adding he personally felt there were still “some indoor concerns.”
Councilman Nathanial Evansaid the council should “follow the science,” and warned that were they to try to go against the grain and keep the mandate in place, they could encounter problems. “I don’t know how far down the rabbit hole we want to go with not following the science,” he said. “We are a tourist town, so people are going to come in without knowledge of what the rules are.”
The council quickly settled on leaving the decision to require masks up to local businesses. Evans said the council would be “committed to making sure we support businesses that will require it, and others that choose to follow the CDC are able to do that.”
“This would allow us to phase this out gradually and for the businesses themselves to make the adjustments,” added Bellis.
The updated public health order reflecting the state and CDC guidelines received a unanimous yes-vote from the council.
To mask, or not to mask?
At the first 2021 Taos Farmers Market on Saturday (May 15), hundreds of people gathered for one of the first, large, in-person gatherings since the pandemic began, and it was clear the masks were still on people’s minds.
Local resident Joseph Gyovai carried a sign reading, “Viruses are not contagious.”
“It’s really scary to see what’s happening in society. I’m most particularly concerned with future generations. It’s really sad to see children being forced to wear masks,” said Gyovai.
Other farmers market goers, though not as vocal as Gyovai, agreed that they were happy to see the masks come off. Megan Johnson and Jag Uar, who run a booth at the market, said they have been fairly anti-mask since the beginning. “We were kind of against the mask thing, and so now we’re super stoked because we don’t have to be the oddball,” said Uar.
Johnson pointed out “a lot of people are still masking up,” and said she was curious why. “I’d like to know their point of view, why they’re still doing it, if they’re vaccinated.” She added without the masks, things seem more personal and people more
personable. “It’s so nice to see people smile,” she said
Brett Tomadin, a vendor for High Desert Honey, said that he felt “neutral” about the new rules. “I feel like a lot of people are getting vaccinated … [and] after a few weeks of being vaccinated the CDC is telling them they don’t have to wear masks anymore,” he said.
The CDC and state mandates say a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose, or two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Andy Tafoya, owner of Taos Grown said he personally felt the mask mandate should be over. “I think it’s time. I mean we got the vaccine for a reason.” Tafoya pointed out that the issue still seemed to be controversial throughout the town. “I think it’s 50/50 [masks to no masks]. Taos is 50/50 all the time, whether it’s this or they’re going to put up a new store. I think that makes us unique.”
The divide can be seen more clearly than ever on social media. Comments lit up the Taos News Facebook page when news of the state’s new mandate first arose. Several people said they feared the new mandate came too soon. “Taos gets too many visitors from out of state and out of the country. If unmasked – we will see an increase in COVID numbers – especially in those that are not vaccinated because they will be sicker,” said Peggy Jones.
Mary Coopersmith said she felt it was “way too soon” to be getting rid of masks. “I hope businesses have common sense and keep requiring masks … Not until most of our country is vaccinated will it be workable. Numbers will just go up otherwise.”
Others questioned just how they will be able to tell who has been vaccinated and who hasn’t. “Just how on God’s green earth are we going to tell who got the shot and who didn’t?” asked Jackie Lucero.
Coopersmith added she thinks “all the non-vaccinated people will be taking off their masks also.”
Still, some people are glad to see the mask mandate drop. “Vaccines can be found easily. Those that don’t vaccinate now, or refuse to wear a mask still risk getting the virus and dying. And that is TOTALLY their own decision,” said Jason Matthew.
“Well let’s hope businesses follow! So tired of these masks,” said Shelli Rivera.
Businesses respond
Now that the decision to require masks lies in the hands of individual businesses, many feel they are tiptoeing into completely uncharted territory. Major chain stores like Walmart, Albertsons, and Kroger (parent company to Smith’s) have officially lifted their mask mandates for fully vaccinated patrons.
Other local businesses are managing in different ways. Sean Walker, general manager of both Rio Grande Ace Hardware stores in Taos, said his stores have lifted their mask mandate, following CDC guidelines, but that they are still navigating the the somewhat tricky waters.
Walker said that after taking down their signs requiring masks, they “have not seen much of a difference with our clientele. I think a lot of our clients are still coming in assuming that, because we’ve been doing it for over a year, they need to wear the mask.”
He added the removal of the mask mandate in the store has brought “very impassioned comments from members on both sides of the fence.” As to why customers are still donning masks, Walker said even though people are tired of them “there’s a sentiment that, you know, that they’re actually helping. And if you’re not fully vaccinated, there is a responsibility for you to continue to wear a mask.”
William Gaydosh, owner and general manager of Taos Mountain Outfitters, said they have also followed CDC guidelines, dropping the mandate. “We’ve decided to treat people like adults and let them make decisions for their own safety,” he said, adding they would not ask for proof of vaccination. “I’m assuming that if they’re in here without a mask, they’ve been vaccinated.”
Gaydosh said the company is happy to be back in the regular swing of things. “We’re moving forward and we’re glad to see people in town and we’re going to let people make their decisions based on their information and what they think is best.”
Kristeena Smith, barber and owner of Hitching Post Shave Co, said that she is also leaving the decision up to the customer “I am not wearing a mask. I’m kind of leaving it open to however makes my customer feel comfortable.” Smith said she has had customers who feel strongly both for and against masks.
Smith said in general around Taos, “you still have to kind of be on high alert, you know, keep your mask on you at all times, because you don’t know if the business is going to allow it or not. So even as I walk into the grocery store, I have to ask before walking in. I don’t want to walk in and offend anybody.”
While some businesses are leaving it up to customers, others are taking it into their own hands, believing masking up is still of great import. Andrea Meyer, owner of the World Cup Cafe, said that for the time being, they are still requiring masks to be worn.
“We just opened a couple weeks ago to allow four customers at a time to come into our shop, which has been great,” explained Meyer. “But we are definitely asking that everyone continue wearing masks, and all the employees will be doing so as well.”
Meyer added that the cafe is “just doing what we feel like makes the most sense for our business.”
As residents come out of a yearlong pandemic and adjust to a new rules and regulations, it looks as if the debate about masks in Taos is not over just yet.
‘The council would be committed to making sure we support businesses that will require it, and others that choose to follow the CDC are able to do that.’
NATHANIAL EVANS
Councilman