Lyon County’s new public health order will not mandate the wearing of masks in public, however, county commissioners are hopeful residents will choose to mask up none the less.
The new order, approved during the commission’s weekly action session Thursday, is essentially an extension of the county’s modified phase three order announced four weeks ago with one new addition. The county has made a “strong recommendation” that residents wear masks while inside indoor public spaces or outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained.
There had been much discussion in recent weeks about a potential mandate for mask usage, however, the commission made it clear they are not in favor of the term mandate and will be relying solely on personal responsibility in the coming months. Commissioner Scott Briggs stated he felt the term mandate creates a feeling of divisiveness within the community at a time where cohesion is of the utmost importance.
He believes utilization of the term mandate causes the issue of mask usage to become overly politicized and thus renders any orders issued on the subject ineffective. He points to recent developments at the state level as a prime example.
The new order is now in effect until Sept. 18 and keeps the mass gathering maximum at 45 people and makes no changes to directives for restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Commission Chair Rollie Martin says the commission felt keeping the previous restrictions in place made sense, given the positive direction local health trends have been heading since their implementation over a month ago.
Lyon County Public Health Officer Renee Hively equates the new order to pressing pause on reopening efforts locally. Hively says she fully supports this approach especially considering many other Kansas counties have had to take drastic steps backward in recent weeks.
Martin wishes to emphasize the new order is a fluid document, meaning it can be altered ahead of its current expiration date if local health trends require such action.
In other business, commissioners approved a state-required resolution to have access to CARES act funding for the reimbursement of direct expense brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Lyon County Controller Dan Williams, the resolution had to be approved by 103 Kansas counties in order for the state to gain access to the funds.
Lyon County will be receiving just over $7.6 million in CARES Act funding. Williams says the state will begin dispersing those funds to counties on Saturday, Jul. 18.
Ahead of that date, the county will have to have the resolution posted by Jul. 13 and develop a plan for dispersing the funds locally by Jul. 15. Once the funds are made available the county will have to submit a monthly report to the state on the dispersal process and all funds must be used before the end of 2020 according to Williams.
Separately, commissioners also approved an extension of the county’s state of disaster emergency declaration for the next 60 days and approved an addendum to a road use maintenance agreement with Reading Wind Energy, LLC.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
11:30 am Thursday: CORONAVIRUS: Lyon County public health order keeps mass gathering limit at 45, does not add mask mandate
The key parts of Lyon County’s new public health order on coronavirus look identical to one set to expire at midnight.
During the Lyon County Commission’s action meeting Thursday, commissioners approved a public health order that strongly encourages mask use in public settings but does not mandate it. It also keeps the mass gathering maximum at 45 people and makes no changes to directives for restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The order is effective until Sept. 18 unless Lyon County commissioners act earlier to make changes.
Most area counties have decided against mask mandates, although Morris County did implement a formal mask policy Wednesday effective Thursday until further notice.
Lyon County Fair Board members will meet next week to determine how the new public order affects plans to move forward with most of the 2020 fair. The board has already canceled the carnival.
More information is coming through the day on KVOE and KVOE.com.
