MANDATE: Taking business elsewhere

During the spring lockdown, my wife and I were concerned about local businesses being forced into bankruptcy. When they reopened, we made an effort to patronize them, especially those in downtown Coeur d’Alene. I know that we are not alone in this regard. There must be thousands like us.

However, our efforts are being thwarted. The city of Coeur d’Alene has now mandated masks and the Coeur d’Alene police have begun enforcing this and state restrictions too. This will hurt local businesses.

This may have been understandable in the spring when less was known about this disease. However, we now know that, in spite of increasing cases, the mortality rate continues to fall (CDC data). Areas with stricter mandates have similar cases and rates as those without. It is wrong to apply further restrictions when it is clear that they are more about appearances than about health. There is no health benefit; only economic and societal costs.

The cities of Hayden and Post Falls have taken a better path than Coeur d’Alene. We, therefore, will reward them and their businesses with our patronage. If the city of Coeur d’Alene cares about its businesses and citizens, it should rescind the mask mandate and restrain the police from strict enforcement of state restrictions. We love our city and we hope that it does the right thing.

MARK ZEPEDA

Coeur d’Alene