One of the hottest topics of 2020 is expected to come to a vote at Chatham-Kent council and it looks like opinions are still split ahead of Monday night's meeting.
There is a good chance a discussion on mandatory face masks in all public indoor spaces across the municipality will come to a decisive vote. The item would still need to be pulled from the consent agenda and a motion made to make masks mandatory in indoor public spaces across Chatham-Kent to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but it appears likely that will be the case.
If the matter does come up for a vote, members of the public -- on both sides of the debate -- have made it clear how important the topic is to them.
"I have received more emails, texts and telephone calls about this current issue than any other so far in this term of office," said Chatham-area Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte.
According to Kirkwood-Whyte, she has received an equal amount of support for a mandatory mask order and against it.
Kirkwood-Whyte herself said she's likely to vote no to making masks in all indoor public spaces, citing the advice of CK's Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby.
"At this point in time, I believe that Dr. Colby has provided us with his best advice - safely distance, wash hands frequently, don’t touch your face, wear a mask when you can’t safely distance and stay home if you’re not well," she said.
As numerous municipalities across the province introduced mandatory mask orders, including Windsor-Essex and London-Middlesex, Colby has remained adamant he is not anti-mask but there simply isn't enough data on the effectiveness of cloth masks.
Masks are currently required in Chatham-Kent for people taking public transit, as well as restaurant staff and personal service workers.
"When you look at the evidence for cloth face coverings, it's murky," he said. "It isn't really here, it's not supported by enough evidence to justify using that as a strategy. If people want to do that, and any municipality wants to do that, including the municipality of Chatham-Kent, I say 'fine.' It's not going to bother me. But it's no substitute for physical distancing. That works better and we have to keep doing that."
As of Monday morning, there were 93 active cases of COVID-19 reported in Chatham-Kent and 317 confirmed cases altogether.
According to Colby, a majority of the cases are from close contact situations within families or social circles, which would not have been covered under a mandatory face mask order for public indoor spaces.
It appears that it is not just members of the public that seems to be split on the issue -- members of council appear to be divided, too.
West Kent Councillor Melissa Harrigan said that while she respects Colby's expertise on the matter, she's supportive of a mandatory mask order in Chatham-Kent.
Harrigan said if the second wave of COVID-19 hits, she wants to be able to say she did everything she could to keep the municipality safe, adding that these kinds of decisions are about more than just hard science.
"I think the concern is, especially in my ward, where a number of outside residents are suddenly shopping in our area because it is mask free and are not always respectful of social distancing," explained Harrigan. "A mask by-law mitigates the risks when social distancing cannot or is not adhered to."
Chatham Councillor Marjorie Crew also plans to support mandatory masks.
"I think we need to do this in light of the recent increase in cases here," said Crew. "It is one more level of protection we can do to protect our community and prevent the spread of COVID-19."
South Kent councillor Anthony Ceccacci is also in favour of mandatory masks. Just like Kirkwood-Whyte, Ceccacci said the calls and messages that he's been getting from residents on the issue have been continuous.
"At the end of the day, what I was put in place to do is to voice my opinion based on what's formulated from my constituents," he said. "I can tell you it's been overwhelmingly in favour. If there is a vote on Monday, if it does get to that point, I will be supporting the mandatory masks."
Another South Kent councillor, Trevor Thompson, said he's leaning towards voting yes. However, he said he's not 100 per cent certain just yet.
"The ‘not' argument puts individual liberty at the fore to the detriment of community and family," said Thompson. "I can’t cotton to that."
Thompson said he was frustrated that the matter was coming to council at all, a sentiment echoed by several other councillors.
"I regret that this issue has become so politicized and that council members, who have little or no medical or scientific expertise, may be asked to make a decision on this matter," said Kirkwood-Whyte.
South Kent Councillor Mary Clare Latimer said she believes that it isn't council's place to override the decision of Dr. Colby.
“I continue to feel it is not council’s place or job to pick and choose which public health issue to mandate or not," she said. "That remains Public Health’s job and for good reason. Dr. Colby has demonstrated excellent leadership throughout this pandemic and he and Public Health are the reason Chatham-Kent has remained ahead of this virus."
Latimer said she is leaning towards voting no against the mandatory mask order. She said she agrees with Colby's direction that masks would not have kept the number of COVID-19 cases any lower in Chatham-Kent.
"These increased cases are not due to increased community transmission. They are due to individuals ignoring recommended distancing restrictions and same minded individuals are going to continue non-distance whether masked or not," said Latimer. "Personal bias and community fear is palpable neither of which should be the basis for legislated acts"
If the item gets pulled out for discussion on Monday night, Colby will present the facts to council.
Mayor Darrin Canniff has previously said that he expects a healthy and lengthy discussion on the topic come Monday night.
He has also said he has chosen to back Colby's direction.
"I’ve talked to several councillors and they’ve never run into an issue that they’ve gotten so many comments on and it’s on both sides saying please put this mask in. People look at the mask as a wonder drug like everyone wears masks and no one will get COVID, versus the flip side. People are very concerned," said Canniff.
Regardless of if or how council votes on Monday night, Colby said he will ultimately be fine with the decision.
"I respect the democratic process," he said. "I would like all decisions to be based on science and fact and expert opinion but they'll do what they think is best and I will support that."