The Mayor’s Corner 7/22/2020

Mayor Randy Hibberd

As of Sunday evening, the greater Weiser area has had a total of 147 Covid-19 cases. This is up 12% from just the week before. In an unpublished report from the White House and provided by the State of Idaho through the District Health Office, Washington County is in the “Red Zone”. This category is for the highest risk areas in the nation. There are a number of metrics used in determining categorizations. The two that place Washington County into the “Red” designation, are (1) the rate of increase per population base and (2) the percentage of tests that are positive.
The metrics calculations are based on the entire county’s population. However, all of the cases are from the 83672 zip-code. Since the county is used as the basis for calculations, but all of the cases are in Weiser’s locality, the metrics for the Weiser area are higher than those reported.
The testing facilities in the Boise and Treasure Valley areas, as well as Weiser, have had to discontinue Covid-19 testing for individuals who are asymptomatic. With the number of cases sky-rocketing in the area, the testing capabilities are overwhelmed and are now limited to people displaying symptoms. Therefore, the percentage of tests that come back positive are going to be higher. The turn-around time for test results has also increased substantially.
The hospitals in western Idaho are concerned about their continued ability to handle the caseload of Covid-19 cases. All along the goal has been to not get in a position to overwhelm our healthcare system, so that anyone who needs help, gets help.
The same federal report that places Washington County in the “Red Zone” recommends the following actions on the part of the public:
1. Wear a mask at all times outside the home and maintain physical distancing. (My opinion is masks should be worn inside businesses, other enclosed areas, and outside if physical distance cannot be kept, but not outside where physical distances can be maintained).
2. Limit social gatherings to 10 people or fewer.
3. Do not go to bars, nightclubs, or gyms.
4. Use take out or eat outdoors, physically distanced.
5. Protect anyone with serious medical conditions.
6. Reduce your public interactions and activities to 25% of your normal activities.

There are recommendations for local officials to impose restrictions in order to insure compliance. As mayor, I am not quite ready to go there. Voluntary compliance and education are more effective measures as long as the public listens and uses the science available to make decisions.

That said, the science shows that masks ARE effective in limiting the spread of the virus. I have received dozens of emails and even phone calls telling me not to require masks. (Interestingly, it does not appear that any of these were local requests, but are from outside of the area). In my opinion, none of the arguments given are sufficient reasons not to wear a mask when indoors or any public situation where distancing cannot be maintained. The mask may not completely keep the virus from escaping from an infected person, but just as a coat may not keep you completely warm on a 20-below, windy, winter day, having a coat is much better than not having a coat.

The masks are not for the wearer’s safety, but for the safety of others. If you stop to think about it, many of the laws we comply with every day are not necessarily for our own safety, but for the safety of others—traffic laws, fire restrictions, gun use in cities, just to name a few. Masks worn around others, during a pandemic, just makes sense.

Nobody wants to go backwards in the reopening stages. If we, as a public, use the guidelines listed above we may not need to.

As a community, we are in a precarious situation that requires everyone’s care and consideration. Please use these guidelines in making your choices. Remember, Grandma is depending on you!