By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
With a 3-2 vote (3 votes against, 2 for), the Barton County Commission voted against requiring face
masks to be used in public.
The motion on the Aug. 3 agenda was actually to rescind a
previous resolution that repealed the provisions of a Kansas Executive Order
for the use of face masks. The Commission wanted to discuss the possibility of
going back on that repeal and start requiring masks in stores, restaurants and
any situation where social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained,
including outside.
Commissioner Jennifer Schartz mentioned she was against mandating masks at the
July 2 vote but changed her mind.
"I think it is the job of the Commission to keep the people safe and keep businesses open," said Schartz. "Wearing a mask may help that. I know that doing nothing hasn't helped because our numbers continue to rise."
Schartz followed that comment up by stating when you live in a society
there are lots of limits placed on you, including wearing a seatbelt and
wearing shoes in businesses.
As of Aug. 2, Barton County reports 31 active COVID-19 cases and 254 active quarantine/isolation orders.
Commissioner Jim Daily agreed with Schartz on many of her comments and noted he
felt wearing masks was a good idea, but still felt the decision should be made
by the citizens.
"No matter what my personal opinion of this may be, I do not think making a mandate that is nonenforceable and infringing on personal liberties is a good choice."
The Commission voted to keep the repeal resolution in place, thus not requiring
the use of face masks. Independent and private businesses can still follow
their own requirements.
Commissioners Daily, Don Davis and Kenny Schremmer all voted against the mask
requirement. Schartz and Homer Kruckenberg voted in favor of requiring masks.
Listen to the entire discussion below on the mask topic from the Barton County Commission meeting Aug. 3, 2020.