Reaction has been fast and furious after Calgary city council made the wearing of face masks while in public places mandatory..The motion passed first reading of council Tuesday night by a vote of 12-3 with final details to be worked out at the next meeting on Monday..The new bylaw, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, is expected to come into force Monday..“Firstly, we’re doing this to ensure public safety. Wearing a mask won’t protect you as the wearer, but it will protect others from you. And when we create that phalanx, together, we’re all keeping each other safe, and that improves our strength and resiliency,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi , who vote in favour of the new bylaw..“Another reason for this mandate is in the name of the economy. Calgary has an unemployment rate above 15%, with too many job losses, business and personal bankruptcies happening as a result of the pandemic..“The shutdown our economy faced in response to the threat posed by COVID-19 was necessary to flatten the curve. But it’s so, so critical that we do not allow the virus to spread to the point where the province is forced to do that again..“No one takes this decision lightly. Those calling for it are looking at the data and making decisions based on our collective health. We have an opportunity to get this right, and we know this is how to do it.”.On Thursday, Edmonton city council voted to make masks mandatory on transit and city buildings starting Aug. 1..Calgarians’ feelings on the new bylaw are decidedly mixed with entrepreneur W. Brett Wilson on the opposing side..“Wash hands. Keep distance. And please wear a mask when mixing with people. That works. Mandatory? Nope.,” said Wilson..“I will not be complying with your bylaw. This is about control, not health,” Russell Hillier tweeted to Nenshi..Tom Barros tweeted: “If masks are so damn effective why weren’t they recommended at the beginning instead of being locked down and resulting in societal chaos. The science seems to be a moving target is there some hidden agenda we’re not purview to?”. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .But Jason Wilson said he was all for the bylaw..“I personally did not vote for Nenshi, but that doesn’t mean I need to disagree with obvious policies. We could have been done with this if people would just wash their damn hands and wear a mask. As a conservative, I’d love to Alberta back up and running, let’s all do our part,” he tweeted..Reid Henry tweeted: “Thank you so much Mr Nenshi! One of the few true leaders in present-day Alberta. This will save lives. Calgarians respect rules and have respect for each other. We will wear our masks because it’s the right thing to do..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
Reaction has been fast and furious after Calgary city council made the wearing of face masks while in public places mandatory..The motion passed first reading of council Tuesday night by a vote of 12-3 with final details to be worked out at the next meeting on Monday..The new bylaw, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, is expected to come into force Monday..“Firstly, we’re doing this to ensure public safety. Wearing a mask won’t protect you as the wearer, but it will protect others from you. And when we create that phalanx, together, we’re all keeping each other safe, and that improves our strength and resiliency,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi , who vote in favour of the new bylaw..“Another reason for this mandate is in the name of the economy. Calgary has an unemployment rate above 15%, with too many job losses, business and personal bankruptcies happening as a result of the pandemic..“The shutdown our economy faced in response to the threat posed by COVID-19 was necessary to flatten the curve. But it’s so, so critical that we do not allow the virus to spread to the point where the province is forced to do that again..“No one takes this decision lightly. Those calling for it are looking at the data and making decisions based on our collective health. We have an opportunity to get this right, and we know this is how to do it.”.On Thursday, Edmonton city council voted to make masks mandatory on transit and city buildings starting Aug. 1..Calgarians’ feelings on the new bylaw are decidedly mixed with entrepreneur W. Brett Wilson on the opposing side..“Wash hands. Keep distance. And please wear a mask when mixing with people. That works. Mandatory? Nope.,” said Wilson..“I will not be complying with your bylaw. This is about control, not health,” Russell Hillier tweeted to Nenshi..Tom Barros tweeted: “If masks are so damn effective why weren’t they recommended at the beginning instead of being locked down and resulting in societal chaos. The science seems to be a moving target is there some hidden agenda we’re not purview to?”. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .But Jason Wilson said he was all for the bylaw..“I personally did not vote for Nenshi, but that doesn’t mean I need to disagree with obvious policies. We could have been done with this if people would just wash their damn hands and wear a mask. As a conservative, I’d love to Alberta back up and running, let’s all do our part,” he tweeted..Reid Henry tweeted: “Thank you so much Mr Nenshi! One of the few true leaders in present-day Alberta. This will save lives. Calgarians respect rules and have respect for each other. We will wear our masks because it’s the right thing to do..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
