COCHRANE—Local Cochrane mom Katrina Kitchen has launched an online petition calling on Cochrane Town Council to hold a public hearing regarding the recently created mandatory mask bylaw.
“If people want to walk around with something over their face then that’s their choice,” Kitchen said. “But, I shouldn’t have to do that.”
The bylaw passed on July 29 states that face coverings will not be enacted unless the Town hits 10 active cases of COVID-19.
Kitchen said she is concerned because first, second and third reading of the bylaw was conducted in one day and failed to have a public meeting.
“They don’t have to legally have a public hearing for this, but, if you’re going to do something that requires people to put something on their face you should probably be hearing from the people who are going to have to do that,” Kitchen said. “People can come speak for or against it— I think this is the right thing to do.”
While the mandatory mask bylaw does have a sunset clause ending it on Feb. 1, 2021, Kitchen said, she is concerned the end date may be pushed back by Council or they may enact the bylaw before Cochrane hits 10 active cases of COVID-19.
In Kitchen's opinion, a public hearing is needed to understand if this type of bylaw is wanted by the Cochrane community.
Kitchen is personally opposed to the bylaw but would encourage people to sign the petition so the overall opinion of the community can be shared with Council.
The petition gained momentum when she first posted it on change.org, Kitchen said. As of Wednesday (Sept. 9), the petition had 288 signatures. She is hoping to see it get to 500 signatures.
Kitchen said her main concern is the bylaw infringes on the bodily autonomy of residents. She cited Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the right to “life, liberty and security.”
Kitchen added that if these rights are being infringed upon there needs to be sound scientific evidence supporting the bylaw. She questioned if the information on COVID-19 that has been shared to date with the public is appropriate and accurate.
Kitchen claimed the current scientific evidence is against wearing masks and mandating the need for face-coverings in communities.
Speaking personally Kitchen said her two children will never wear a mask.
She questioned the effectiveness of the current COVID-19 tests being conducted in the province, adding she worries it scares people more than it helps.
Kitchen said she encourages others to do their research before signing the petition.
“People need to ask themselves have they researched this well enough that they’re willing to put this on their face indefinitely because that could be what we’re looking at,” Kitchen said. “I think it’s important people do their own research and really figure out if they really support this.”
Kitchen will be speaking to Council as a delegation on Sept. 28.
Councillor Marni Fedeyko said it is surprising to see the community still talking about mandatory masks.
Fedeyko said she stands by her decision to vote in favour of Cochrane's mandatory mask bylaw.
“I understand both sides, I understand the people who feel that it’s government control or government infringing on their personal rights,” Fedeyko said. “But, I also think that at times people need to step outside of themselves and realize that this is not about them, this is not about forcing them to wear a mask— We’re trying to protect an entire community.”
Regardless of people believe in the COVID-19 pandemic wholeheartedly, partially or not at all, Fedeyko said, the reality is as community leaders councillors need to step up to protect the community overall.
“In the end, we had to make a tough choice,” she said.
Fedeyko compared the introduction of the mandatory mask bylaw to the introduction of lower speed limits in a community where fast driving cars pose a danger to residents. In this situation, Council can and has introduced bylaws to lower speed limits to keep community members safe.
“You come up with rules to protect the greater cause. If not then we might as well cancel seatbelts or drunk driving,” Fedeyko said. “It is not a target against you personally, it’s about everyone else.”
Deputy director of emergency management Shawn Polley said the Town’s objectives since March and the arrival of COVID-19 has been fourfold—Flattening the curve of the virus, avoiding overwhelming the health care system, keeping critical systems and people working, and communication.
In Cochrane all judgements during the pandemic are based on directions and recommendations from Alberta Health Services, Polley said. Using the information provided the Emergency Coordination Centre makes fact-based decisions to apply a reasonable response and approach to dealing with the COVID-19 virus.
Masks play a key preventative role in lowering the transmission of COVID-19 by helping to prevent the spread of the virus through droplets. Polley added it is also important to practice good hand hygiene, stay home when sick and practice social distancing.
He noted Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has a large team of professionals helping to make decisions on COVID-19 related health recommendations.
“I know Alberta Health Services should be trusted— They have some of the best people … Helping provide some the proper science-based factual-based evidence,” Polley said.
Polley recommended those who have concerns about the Town’s COVID-19 response visit the Town's frequently asked questions website for more information about the virus.
“That’s been a really good way of downplaying some rumour mill or speculation or incorrect information,” Polley said. “That’s been a really positive piece for us.”
In an email interview Alberta Health Services assistant director communications, Tom McMillan said most people will not experience any negative health outcomes when wearing a non-medical face mask. He noted masks should not be worn by individuals with breathing problems or by infants who are under two years of age.
“Masks are a tool that complements, but doesn’t replace, all the other measures used to limit the spread of COVID-19. Masks can act as a barrier and help reduce the spread of droplets from one person to another, or from one person to objects or surfaces,” McMillan said. “As Dr. Hinshaw has noted, no single public health measure will eliminate all risks of COVID-19. Wearing a mask should always be combined with other important preventative measures such as frequent hand washing and physical distancing. Using only a mask is not enough to prevent the spread of the virus."
As of Wednesday (Sept. 9) there were three active cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Cochrane.
