Poli (Sigh): On Independence Day, We All Must Be Masked Avengers
Do you want to make sure masks are not mandated in Kosciusko County? Start wearing one.
It’s as simple as that. Get on it now before the government has to mandate the use of masks in public.
The tide is turning in support for mandates as the country sees a rising number of new cases of coronavirus. Numerous mandates were announced this week in California, Texas and Florida including some places where governors who had previously blocked local efforts to require people to wear masks when in public.
They’ve also been established in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties and Indianapolis.
While Indiana has fared better than most states in reopening its business and bending the curve, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s half-step this week that slowed the state on its way to stage 5 of reopening is evidence Indiana has some more work to do.
Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington said earlier this week he’s considered a mandate for Kosciusko County, but he knows there would be resistance. If he does recommend it, he said it would come after broad conversations with local leaders.
“I’m not there yet. I hope we never have to,” he said, adding, “We could go there.”
While calling for a mandate would open up a “can of worms,” Remington said it would be easier than other alternatives.
“As onerous as it may sound to many, it’s really low hanging fruit and less the evil than some other things you could choose to do,” he said.
Personally, it feels like the country is at a turning point with this virus. We either all get on board in terms of best practices, or we watch the situation grow worse.
The patriotic thing to do today – on Independence Day – is not to complain about the injustice of wearing a mask. Instead, we all need to put on our masks and pull together in the same direction for the sake of the country.
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TIP OF THE HAT – There’s nothing better than a tip of the hat from the Commander in Chief on Independence Day. That was the case of US Rep. Jim Banks, a strong backer of President Donald Trump.
Trump, in the early hours of Saturday morning, July 4, tweeted a “thank you” to Indiana’s Third District Congressman, as you can see to the right.
Banks defended Trump amid the uproar over the alleged “Russian bounty” while also taking a shot at the media in this story.
Banks contends the government is now hampered in investigating the claim after the New York Times published the allegations.
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TEE IT UP – Local Republicans still have openings for their July 22 golf tournament at Rozella Ford golf course. For details, email Joni Truex at [email protected] or Kimberly Cates at [email protected].
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Dan Spalding is the editor at InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at (574) 855-7612.