Saline County Commissioners voted 4-1 this evening to exempt the county from Governor Laura Kelly's executive order mandating the wearing of face masks because of COVID-19.
During the approximately 90-minute meeting this evening, commissioners heard opinions from both sides of the issue, some more contentious than others. At one point, after the time for public comments had closed, Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen threatened to have a member of the audience removed after the man began yelling at the commissioners.
In the end, the commissioners voted to go against County Health Officer Jason Tiller's recommendation to adopt the governor's executive order with the caveat that it would need to be reviewed in two to three weeks. Commissioners expressed concerns with ambiguity and the inability to enforce a mandate that was also unfunded, as well as the undue burden some believed the executive order would place on local businesses.
Instead, they voted to exempt Saline County from Executive Order 20-52 and replace the provisions of the executive order with the following:
- Use of cloth face coverings will not be legally mandated within Saline County.
- Individuals are highly encouraged to make responsible individual choices about wearing face coverings within buildings and in outdoor situations when social distancing cannot be maintained, in order to protect themselves and others from the transmission of COVID-19.
- Businesses are encouraged to set rules to protect their employees and customers, which may include mandating mask usage within their place of business in situations where doing so may help prevent transmission of COVID-19.
The county will continue to highly encourage citizens to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and others by wearing a mask when they are out in public settings, maintain social distancing, and practice good hand hygiene. Every individual has a responsibility and a choice to do what they feel is right, according to information from the county.
Here is what the county says you can do to help stop the spread:
Stay home if you’re sick.
Wear masks in public settings and in settings where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Maximize physical distance (six feet or more) in public settings.
Avoid socializing with large groups.
High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs.
Wash your hands frequently.