COCHRANE— Alberta has seen a steady rise of COVID-19 cases over the last month and the spike in numbers has sparked a debate on if masks in public spaces needs to be mandatory.
Mayor Jeff Genung said it remains critical to follow the science when looking to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“We don’t have a large number of cases so if we can tie our solution to the number of cases and have a threshold that maybe is the trigger for us to mandate that it is what I would like to see,” Genung said. “I would be really, really discouraged if we had to continue to move backwards.”
The Cochrane-Springbank region has 14 active COVID-19 cases as of Sunday (July 26). There have been 36 cases total in the area.
It is critical to keep the infection rate low, Genung said, so the region can continue to reopen and help the economy heal.
“If masks can help us as a secondary barrier to keep the cases low then that’s what we should do if we want our economy to continue to get better and improve,” Genung said. “A mask is a small thing— Everyone should have one and if you’re in a situation where you can’t practice physical distancing or there are a large number of people wearing masks then put your mask on.”
Cochranite’s need to be aware that COVID is amongst us and will be in the community for many months to come, Genung said, explaining that they need to act accordingly.
It is unfortunate to be put in the position where council is being forced to mandate masks, he said, but the decision comes down to the greater good of the community.
Genung said council has been carefully watching what the Alberta Government and Public Health has been saying when it comes to protocols that can help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“That’s where we’ve been taking our lead right from the beginning,” Genung said.
He noted that when the City of Calgary makes any major decisions the ripples of the choice can be felt in Cochrane. This is amplified because many Cochranites travel from the city for work, recreation and other activities.
Calgary council passed a new bylaw requiring people to wear masks in all indoor public buildings and public transit spaces last Tuesday (July 21).
“What they do and some of the bylaws they pass obviously affect us here,” Genung said. “We react, hopefully, appropriately for our community.”
Because no meetings are scheduled for Cochrane Council until Sept. 14 a special meeting was called on Wednesday (July 29) to discuss the implementation of mandatory masks in Town.
“I think Cochrane has done an awesome job throughout COVID— Cochrane has gone through this fairly unscathed. We’ve had low numbers of cases, Cochranites have done a great job in following guidelines and being kind,” Genung said. “We’ve been flattening the curve here.”
The surge of COVID-19 cases in the province over the last month has created a lot of uncertainty and people are growing more aware of the use of masks. The topic has seen an increase in discussion among Cochranites, he said, adding that he has received feedback from both pro and anti-mask people.
The conversation seems to have been divided evenly between those who want a bylaw introduced to make masks mandatory and those who do not want to see this take place.
The goal of Cochrane Council is to find a solution that fits the community.
Genung said he is hopeful we are seeing the peak of the virus and will be able to continue moving towards a return to normalcy.
Councillor Morgan Nagel said he cannot support mandating the use of masks in public spaces because it has the potential to fuel government overreach in the community.
“I want to be clear my intent with speaking up is not to try smearing our municipal government or my colleagues on council or the mayor. There is a major international political discussion being held right now and I do believe in Cochrane our leadership has done the best of their abilities,” Nagel said. “But, I have a broader concern about how the entire world is behaving these days.”
Nagel conducted an online Facebook poll that indicated that 53 per cent of participants wanted the right to choose to wear a mask as of Tuesday (July 27). The poll had around 5,500 participants.
“The mask policy in itself doesn’t scare the heck out of me. What I really have is an issue with the cumulative effects of the entire global response to the COVID pandemic,” Nagel said. “We have taken extremely radical measures to respond to COVID-19.”
Extreme public health measures have been implemented by all levels of government, Nagel said, and the public has not had the opportunity to share their feedback on the changes that have taken place.
“The masks for me is where it’s time to draw a line,” he said.
Nagel supports people wearing masks, especially in crowded indoor places, to help prevent the spread of the illness, However, he explained wearing a mask needs to be a personal choice.
“I don’t want to create the precedent that the government can just demand people do x, y, z in order to leave their house and go out in public,” Nagel said. He added that while COVID-19 has proven to be a severe illness, it has not been as deadly as people originally feared.
Nagel expressed concerns that if masks are required to enter any business or government buildings in town it may prevent some community members from engaging with the outside world.
He also questioned if the measures that have been taken are temporary because it is unclear how long COVID-19 will be a health concern.
“If we go to mandatory masks today when are we ever going to feel comfortable lifting that,” Nagel said. “It could be well into 2021 if not 2022 until we say COVID-19 has been eradicated.”
The Cochrane Eagle conducted an informal poll at the Historic Cochrane Ranche and Riverfront Park on Sunday (July 26) and Monday (July 27) to ask Cochranites if they think wearing masks in public spaces should be mandatory in Cochrane. An online survey on The Cochrane Eagle website indicated 119 people out of 190 participants wished to see the use of masks made mandatory as of Monday (July 27).
Former Cochranite Christina Honey is currently living and working in Edmonton as a nurse.
Honey said she would like to see masks made mandatory in indoor public spaces because wearing a face covering can aid in limiting the spread of the disease. She did not think it was necessary for outdoor spaces where social distancing is possible.
Honey wears a mask as soon as she begins work and can only take it off to eat or drink. She wears it anywhere from eight to 12 hours a day.
“When you first put them on it feels a little bit hot, but then you really get used to it,” Honey said. She noted operating doctors and nurses have been wearing masks for decades. “It doesn’t really impair your breathing or anything.”
Masks should be mandatory in public spaces because scientific studies have shown it helps limit the spread of the COVID-19 and other air born illnesses, Cochranite Laura Gray said.
She noted that Cochrane has been fortunate during the pandemic because COVID-19 cases numbers have remained relatively low. Gray added that because of this it may make some people hesitant to wear a mask.
However now more then ever, she said, Cochranites need to take any steps possible to flatten the curve of infection so life can return to a sense of normal.
“If it’s going to mean that my kids can go back to school without having to have too many restrictions that would be great,” Gray said. “If I can start working without any restrictions that will be awesome.”
Mandatory masks are a tough topic to discuss, said Ryan Sakauie, but it is a good idea especially if Cochrane wants to see their case numbers remain low.
He added that any bylaw put in place needs to have an expiration date to ensure people have hope the COVID-19 pandemic will one day come to an end.
Sakauie said he feels more comfortable and safe when he sees people wearing masks in public spaces where social distancing is not possible. It can be discouraging when in a space where the majority of people are not wearing a mask because it makes it feel like following the public health protocols is pointless.
He added that at times he forgets to wear a mask, but said as long as people are doing their best it will help keep the community safe.
“I think to keep everybody safe it’s probably a good idea.”
