Panel seeks Idaho mask mandate

Amid a swelling caseload of patients across Idaho, a government advisory committee is asking Gov. Brad Little to implement a statewide mask mandate.

The state’s Disaster Medical Advisory Committee, which falls under the umbrella of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, penned a three-page letter stating that COVID-19’s strain on health care capacity across the state has become untenable, and that hospitals can’t continue to provide adequate care unless the spread of the virus is curtailed.

“We therefore are writing to implore you to help us avoid a full statewide crisis and require a statewide mask mandate,” the letter reads. “A statewide masking requirement, combined with the other social distancing measures and limitation(s) on group gatherings, is our only hope of avoiding disaster.”

The letter, penned by 11 doctors from across the state, includes signatures from pulmonologists, internists, critical care doctors and emergency care directors. Dr. Jeannette Zinggeler Berg, a pulmonary critical care doctor at Kootenai Health, was among the signatories.

Idaho’s total case count of positive coronavirus tests is expected to eclipse 70,000 by the end of the weekend. Thursday brought a single-day record 1,265 new confirmed and probable cases, breaking Tuesday’s record of 1,181 cases.

To date, 671 Idahoans have died from the disease that has cost the lives of more than 1.2 million people worldwide.

Locally, the only law on the books requiring masks can be found in Coeur d’Alene. Its council implemented a mask ordinance Oct. 26, three days after Panhandle Health District’s board voted to rescind its mask mandate over Kootenai County.

The Panhandle Health board’s July mandate was rescinded in part because a large and vocal percentage of its population refused to wear masks.

The Hayden City Council declined to implement a mask mandate for its citizens during a special meeting Wednesday, instead leaning toward a proclamation encouraging the wearing of masks.

The Post Falls City Council, meanwhile, is holding a special meeting Monday to debate an ordinance of its own.

On Friday, with Boundary and Shoshone counties now sharing Kootenai’s "red” risk category amid community spread of their own, Panhandle Health released a joint statement with the state’s other three health districts warning that the backlog in COVID-19 cases has hampered its ability to perform complete contact tracing.

“We are committed to doing our part in public health,” said Katherine Hoyer, PHD spokesperson. “But the reality we are facing is that levels of community transmission are making the critical work of investigation and contact tracing diluted. Simply put, we need the cooperation of our community members to do all they can to reduce their risk and protect themselves, their loved ones and fellow community members.”

The state’s four health districts urge residents who are awaiting test results to stay home, monitor for symptoms, and keep a mental list of people they have come in contact with.

The Disaster Medical Advisory Committee, which develops standards for care during crises, told Little that without a mask mandate, they fear the worst-case scenarios they’re charged to imagine.

When asked for comment, Marissa Morrison, Little’s press secretary, said the governor supports the wearing of masks but believes the responsibility should remain a local responsibility.

“Gov. Little believes it is critical that we each choose to wear a mask to protect our neighbors and loved ones, and to keep our economy and schools open,” Morrison said. “Idahoans value local control and the local approach to addressing important issues. Idaho law gives the authority to our mayors, health district boards and counties to set rules for public health.”