There’s a very intense debate among Guilford County leaders right now as to how the county should address the rise in coronavirus cases due to the Omicron variant.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners has called a special meeting to discuss that response, including the pros and cons of a new mask mandate.
On Monday, Jan. 3, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, which is also the Guilford County Board of Health, has called a special meeting in its role as the health board, “to consider implementing a proposed Board of Health rule related to the reinstatement of mandates regarding face masks and face coverings as result of the surge in COVID-19 infections; with a proposed effective date of 1/13/22; and to transact any other necessary business.”
It should be an interesting discussion: Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston, who called the meeting, sees masks as an effective tool against the spread of the virus. However, Commissioner James Upchurch has argued that it is “insane” to go back to a mandate and he also said recently that he didn’t believe the votes were there to implement another mask mandate. The previous mandate required everyone in the county – with some rare exceptions – to wear a mask while indoors at a public establishment such as a store, restaurant or concert venue.
Upchurch stated recently that virus transmission rates in counties where masking is required are not lower than rates in Guilford County where a mask mandate has not been in effect since November.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 13, at 5 p.m. and will be virtual. In addition to being broadcast via Zoom, it will be streamed on the county’s Facebook page.
Anyone can watch the meeting by joining the Zoom platform using computer, tablet or smartphone at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88674318328. (If required, enter meeting ID: 886 7431 8328 at the prompt.)
The meeting will be livestreamed on Guilford County’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GuilfordCounty/.
Those who would like more information about watching can contact Deputy Clerk Jessica Wolf at jwolf@guilfordcountync.gov.
Dr Robert Malone is right; this mass hysteria is akin to the brainwashing that overtook Germany in the 1930’s.
As the media do their part to terrify the populace, so the gullible sheep line up to get their jabs. It’s just so sad.
I contracted the coronavirus eleven months ago. It was unpleasant for a couple of days but I’ve had hangovers that were worse.
This whole thing is hyped up hysteria. You should ask yourself what it’s really about.
We know masks haven’t worked, but let’s keep doing it until they do work
Please stop the with the insanity and political posturing. Anyone with half a brain knows the masks are nothing more than a control mechanism
You have proven already you cannot enforce
We are all exempt
We will not comply
Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.
This is ridiculous! If Alston and anyone else wanting a mask mandate would go out to the stores in Guilford County and look at those shopping he/they would see folks wearing masks, 95% of the folks wearing masks. Leave it up to the individual. Mandates are not needed!!!
Is Skip Alston appointed into his position or is he elected? If appointed, who appoints him? If elected, when is the next election? We need to remove either him or the person who appointed him from office?
Are you living under a rock?
Delex. I’m sorry to say this please go back to school finish your education and educate yourself on how city, county , state and federal government work That’s the very basic foundation of how our country is supposed to function. I truely hope you’re not a registered voter
Just look how masks DON’T WORK to stop the spread. The whole state of Massachusetts has had the mask mandate all along and they have one of the highest number of cases.
Enough! This is getting more ridiculous by the day. We are a constitutional republic with rights given to us. Only people who are afraid will continue with this agenda. You have the right to be afraid and I have the right to NOT be afraid. You have a right to cover your face and I have a right to NOT cover mine. It’s not up to government to dictate how we live. We have constitutional rights and it’s time people remember that!