Our Viewpoint

Last week, the Sanders County Commissioners met to discuss if and how to enforce the governor’s mask mandate. Why? Because the country has chosen to pass accountability to the state, the state passed it to counties, and the county has chosen to pass it down to businesses and individuals. The commission’s discussion ended with no real resolution.

However, the state Department of Health and Human Services last month did release a complaint form, which residents can use if they see mandates are not being enforced at local businesses. Simply put, the county is choosing to educate businesses about the mandate, but not issue citations or other consequences for complaints.

The accountability in this situation falls on individuals and business owners. Those wishing to do business at The Ledger must wear a mask. That’s what I, as a business owner, have decided. But there are other businesses in the county that are choosing not to enforce the mask mandate. That is their choice.

The problem is that the mask issue has gone from a matter of public safety to a political issue, and it shouldn’t have. We have watched the numbers of COVID-19 cases increase locally. When people wear their masks and practice social distancing, the number of active cases goes down. We wear masks to protect our employees, our customers and our families. In our business, we’re asking you to do the same.

Eventually, someone needs to do the right thing and enforce a mandate until we know more about coronavirus, can determine the lasting effects, or have developed an effective vaccine. Until then, people need to wear their masks and help keep everyone safe. It’s not a matter of politics, it’s a matter of doing the right thing and doing our part.