Name: WILLIAM EUGENE GOODGION Address: 1122 Saint Cloud Street Meeting: City Council Comment Type: General Public Commnet Agenda Item: Ord. # 6453 Comment: I think the city council would better serve the community though education instead of a mask mandate. The evidence that masking in public has not shown to significantly decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus UNLESS additional safety measures are also taken, such as directional flow within buildings, frequent sanitization, 6' distancing, frequent replacing/washing of masks, and limited exposure time within close proximity individuals in enclosed environments. The ordinance does not adequately address these issues and is beyond the city's ability to monitor and enforce. I personally expect cases to rise simply because of the season and environment we are approaching, regardless of implementation of this ordinance or not. Education on when and where transmission of the virus occurs most will better suit the community for prevention. Personal note: My heart goes out to the city council in making this decision. It is a no win scenario. Name: Nicole Musfelt Address: 4110 Troon Ct Rapid city, SD 57702 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: General Public Commnet Agenda Item: Mask requirement Comment: I am begging you to please pass the mask mandate. I wear a mask anywhere I go. I work in healthcare. I wear a mask at work 9 hours a day. Yet because of those that refuse to wear masks I have covid. And I passed it on to my children. I also am immunocompromised and am struggling with my lungs right now due to covid. With no leadership in this state you need to step up and do what is right for ALL. Protect the vulnerable please. Name: Russell Widener Address: 6117 Bendt Dr., Rapid City, SD 57702 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: General Public Commnet Agenda Item: Mask Mandate Comment: We recently left Kansas for Rapid City and were glad to leave because of the draconian regulations in Kansas. The REAL Science shows that 7 of 10 people who have had COVID were WEARING MASKS. The vast majority of people in Rapid City are already wearing masks. Even the signs above masks in stores warns, “These masks are not guaranteed to protect you from a virus!” The inventor of the test being used for COVID invented the test for another purpose and specifically said this test should NOT be used for any type virus. When walking into a restaurant with a mask, if you can smell the food, the mask is not working! Name: Amy Wagner Address: 13105TimberLane Rapid City SD 57702 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: Public Comment Agenda Item Agenda Item: Masks Comment: https://thefederalist.com/2020/10/12/cdc-study-finds-overwhelming-majority-of-people-getting- coronavirus-wore-masks/ I am of the opinion that masks give a false sense of security. They do no good when messed with all the time. Seriously, watch people. Also you are breathing in all sorts of germs trapped in the mask. Hand washing is much more effective. And you can’t make enough rules and signs for people to do that. Mandatory masks are a sign that you think you have that much authority over other people. Encouragement is one thing. Mandatory will get you into trouble with liberty and people will out and out rebel. Not a good choice. I don’t live in town but I pay your tax every time I come in to shop. I can choose what town I shop in. Name: Tim Trithart Address: Community Health Center of the Black Hills 350 Pine Street Rapid City, SD 57702 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: Agenda Item: Masks Comment: I'm the CEO for the Community Health Center of the Black Hills. Our staff has been on the front lines testing and dealing with this virus from the start. And we're tired. Tired of arguing the science behind masks, tired of having to convince folks who walk through our front doors to wear a mask to reduce our risks as health care workers, tired of seeing the strain on our health care system. I'm also not a big fan of the government telling me what to do. I don't think any of us in this part of the country are. And I'll wear my mask in public regardless of what you decide tonight because it's the right thing to do. But I also recognize that during a public health crisis like this, it's up to our elected representatives to sometimes make that hard call to set a mandate - so that the community as a whole gets the importance of it. I'd urge you to follow the numbers and the science. It's time. Name: Kristen Ellingson Address: 6871 Greenfield Drive, Rapid City Meeting: City Council Comment Type: General Public Commnet Agenda Item: Mandatory Masks Comment: Dear City Council, I am praying that you do no impose a mandatory mask mandate. I believe that South Dakotans are intelligent enough to make their own decisions and to use their discretion in their own businesses. I believe it takes away the owner's rights and is UN-American. I have been wearing masks when in the public and still contacted COVID, and now the NY Times reported yesterday that those who have had it, may be immune for 8 months to years! So if I'm not a carrier, why would I have to wear a mask if just for show? Please just keep the awareness campaigns going, but don't MANDATE what private businesses and folks are doing. Keep America Free!! Thank you! Name: Katie Grant Address: 4508 Jewel court rapid city sd 57701 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: Public Comment Agenda Item Agenda Item: Mask Comment: Please pass a mask mandate! It can only help and please make it clear that the nose and mouth both need to be covered! I know many may disagree with me, but it is time we swollw our pride and do what is best for others! Name: Kyle Dean Address: 5813 Pine Crest Ct. Blackhawk, SD 57718 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: General Public Commnet Agenda Item: Covid-19 Mandate(s) Comment: I am against the mask mandate or any other type of shutdowns in the Rapid City area. I know that specialists believe that mandating masks and having another lockdown will help flatten the curve. While this may be true, I don't think the whole community/economy should have to suffer to do so. I also believe that until there is a mass vaccine administered, this virus is not going anywhere. What has proven true is eventually you have to let people go back into society, and the virus explodes. I think you should look into solutions for the people that have a high likelihood of being hospitalized or worse. My personal thought is if we can help those people stay home and keep themselves safe we may have a chance at stopping this thing in it's tracks and keeping hospitals in a functional capacity. Name: Gabrielle Schroder Address: 3720 Ivy Ave Rapid City, SD 57701 Meeting: City Council Comment Type: General Public Commnet Agenda Item: Mask mandate Comment: Please consider rejecting the mask mandate. Creating a mask mandate is going to cause a lot of turmoil in this wonderful, freedom-loving city. With the virus already in full swing, all across the county, there is little to no good in creating a mask mandate. The virus is here and no amount of masking will keep it from spreading. It is on surfaces, people's mail, groceries, etc. I would gladly support an infectious disease education class- this would include the etiology of how viruses are spread and would give the public the knowledge and tools to be able to fight the virus and ANY virus that may come our way. The masking is so controversial- why would we cause more unrest and anger in our community. Those that are for masks can very easily wear one without a mandate. This is a choice people need to make for themselves. Name: Katherine Ginsbach MS, JD Address: 2050 Wilson Ave. Hot Spring, SD 57747 Rapid City serves as a regional hub for most small towns in the area, myself included. That's why I feel compelled to voice my position and support for a mask mandate Meeting: City Council Comment Type: Public Comment Agenda Item Agenda Item: Mask Mandate Comment: I write to express my support of a mask mandate. The first case of COVID-19 was over a year ago. We have had notice of what is coming and now it's here. The community spread in South Dakota is concerning, masks are a proven public health tool in reducing the spread along with washing hands, physical distancing, testing and contact tracing. As the city that championed in banning smoking in indoor spaces out of the concerns of others, this should not be a difficult decision. A mask is not a form of oppression, it is a statement of consideration, that you respect the lives around you and don't want to restrict their freedom by chaining them to a debilitating virus and potentially a life sentence. There are many missteps that have happened in response to COVID-19 both at the federal and state level, please do not let this be another one. I appreciate your time and consideration on this and ask that you be a leader for the Black Hills. Name: Lisa Fisher Address: 621 Field View Dr Rapid City, SD Meeting: City Council Comment Type: Public Comment Agenda Item Agenda Item: Mask Mandate Comment: As our Governor has stated, people can be trusted to make the best decisions for themselves and those around them.