Even before Gov. Jared Polis ordered all Coloradans to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Longmont City Council members said they wore face masks to adhere to Boulder County’s mandate on masks.
The county’s mask order requires face coverings for every person older than 12 whenever in public anywhere in Boulder County that social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained.
Council members who responded to the Longmont Leader last week, also said public officials must lead by example and cut the chances they may infect their fellow residents with the virus.
“If I am unable to maintain social distancing of 6 feet, a mask is required,” said Mayor Brian Bagley, who earned harsh rebukes in March for criticizing Polis’ stay-at-home orders.
He also was heard saying during a virtual city council meeting “I want somebody to come over and spit in my mouth so I can go to the hospital now because I am not going to die.”
Bagley said he wears a mask at work and in meetings with clients and while going to the store. “I think it’s my responsibility as a public official to adhere to and comply with all laws,” Bagley said.
He also said he will vocally express his concerns should he think certain laws are unfair, immoral or ineffective.
Bagley said he still does not agree with the shutdown of businesses because of COVID-19. But consistently wearing masks, he said, is the best way to block the virus and get back to normalcy.
“We need to take responsibility for our own health,” Bagley said. “And to get back to normal the best way we can and leave productive lives.
“If that means wearing a mask,” he said, “then we should do it.”
Several municipalities in Colorado, along with several counties, have implemented mask orders throughout the state, said Sara Werner, spokeswoman for the Colorado Municipal League. Counties including Denver, Boulder, Summit and Larimer have instituted mandates requiring residents and visitors to wear masks in public places and businesses.
But some cities and counties have decided to opt out of the orders, including Douglas County. The commissioners there also said they intend to withdraw from the Tri-County Health Department and create a county public health department.
Some anti-masks protests have become vocal to the point where protestors forced a county meeting in Provo, Utah, to shut down over a mask proposal.
Longmont City Council decided to go with the Boulder County order on masks and gave City Manager Harold Dominguez the ability to extend the order if the city saw issues with non-compliance in the portion of Longmont that extends to Weld County, said city spokesman Rigo Leal.
City Councilmembers Polly Christensen, Marcia Martin, Joan Peck and Tim Waters also said they wear masks. The measure is the simplest and most responsible way to block the spread of the virus, they said..
“It’s a very small thing to do from my perspective to help each other not get ill,” Peck said. “If I, as an elected official, said it was all a hoax and people got sick and died because I didn’t wear a mask, I couldn’t take it.”
