The Jackson town council passed a resolution supporting requiring a face mask in public places on Monday, June 29. This comes after Teton County started to see an uptick of confirmed COVID-19 cases again after a lull point.
In the special meeting, town council members expressed the need to prevent the spread of the virus while also trying to keep the economy open. The resolution is a sign of support to the Teton County Public Health Officer if he decides to apply for a state variance to make masks mandatory.
During the public comment period, business owners that made masks mandatory expressed support for the resolution. Owner of the retail store Altitude Brianna Moteberg said it's caused conflict with the public.
"Yesterday was the very first day that I have not been face to face cussed at, yelled at or aggressively spoken to since we made masks mandatory Memorial weekend," she told the council members. "I don't think I should be required to hire security over a mask at my store."
Jackson Chief of Police Todd Smith expressed support for the resolution but warned it could cause conflict and that the community needs to trust them.
"Should we need to take enforcement action with someone that might be on the extreme end of this situation, that my police officers and the sheriff deputies know that the elected officials and the community supports them in doing what they need to do in a reasonable manner," he said.
The resolution passed unanimously. According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, the public health officer is in the process of writing a variance that would require face coverings.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Kamila Kudeska, at kkudelsk@uwyo.edu.
