Laserfiche WebLink
WHEREAS, <br /> a primary concern of former CDC interim director epidemiologist Michael <br />Osterholm, PhD (who said, “if you don’t have an N95 \[mask\] you’re not protected”) is that those at risk of <br />severe COVID disease will assume the mask gives them a level of protection they don’t have (due to <br />leakage and penetration) and thereby put themselves in harm’s way; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br />, the number of cases continues to rise as they are discovered through increased <br />testing, and this increase is necessary for herd immunity, and the numbers of Minnesota deaths (single <br />digits since July 3), ICU admissions and hospitalizations continue to decline, which Gov. Walz noted on <br />July 13 makes it “hard to make a case for masks”; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> on July 22, Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-81 to unilaterally mandate face <br />masks contains five types of exemptions (including three governmental exemptions), which include the <br />inability to wear a mask because it “compromises their ability to breathe”; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> Governor Walz‘s EO 20-81 contains penalties for failure to wear or mandate the <br />wearing of masks for employees/customers that were not adopted by the representatives of the people of <br />Minnesota (state legislators) and will create financial hardships for individuals and businesses; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br />, businesses in Ramsey have struggled under continuing Covid-19 restrictions, and <br />the new mask regulations may mean turning away customers unable to wear a mask; <br /> <br /> <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF <br />RAMSEY, ANOKA COUNTY, STATE OF MINNESOTA, as follows: <br /> <br />1) <br />That Ramsey continues its focus on education of individuals and businesses for the safety <br />of all residents, including social distancing, hand washing, and quarantining when <br />experiencing symptoms or receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis. <br /> <br />2) That we encourage Governor Walz to lift his masking mandate (E.O. 20-81) due to its <br />detriment to Ramsey businesses, its imposition without legislative authority, and its <br />violation of individual rights to breathe and speak freely. <br /> <br />3) That businesses in Ramsey be allowed to post the following declaration to protect all <br />business customers who are not able to wear a mask: <br /> <br />The City of Ramsey values kindness and respects the rights of all and treats all <br />residents equally. No person who is unable to wear a mask for medical reasons <br />shall be discriminated against and due to the requirements of Governor Walz’s <br />Executive Order 20-81 (15 (c)) cannot be asked to explain or provide proof about <br />their medical condition. <br /> <br />4) That the City of Ramsey values kindness and respects the rights of all and treats all <br />residents equally. No person who is unable to wear a mask for medical reasons shall be <br />discriminated against and due to the requirements of Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20- <br />81 (15 (c)) cannot be asked to explain or provide proof about their medical condition. <br /> <br />Resolution #20-163 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />