500!
That was the estimated number of concerned county residents that attended the County’s Legislative Committee meeting this past Monday morning to express their outrage with the proposed
Covid-19 Ordinance
. To say that people are aroused about this issue would probably be an understatement. Frankly, in my entire Chamber career, I have never seen that number of people appear before any unit of government to comment on a single issue.
The short take on this proposal, if enacted, is the County’s Health Department Director would have the sole authority, along with enforcement powers to “issue orders to close schools and forbid public gatherings in schools, churches, places of employment, public buildings, private property, and other places, when deemed necessary.” It further would authorize the Health Department Director to extend “any rule or order may be made applicable to the whole or any specified part of Winnebago County.” The County administration has accused me of misstating and misrepresenting these provisions. These are verbatim from the proposed
Ordinance
. Please read it and decide for yourself.
Further, the proposed Ordinance, if enacted, gives the Public Health Director far-reaching authority for “orders that are issued under the authority herein supersede conflicting or less stringent regulations, orders or ordinances.” To put this in perspective, the US Department of Defense has previously issued an order to all defense contractors, like Oshkosh Corporation, that they must continue defense production throughout this Covid-19 pandemic. However, this Ordinance, as written, would give one person, the Public Health Director, the sole authority to supersede an order by the Department of Defense. Does anyone else see this as a reason for concern? The authority that would be granted by this proposed ordinance goes way beyond reason and way beyond that vested in one person – the Public Health Director.
There is an appropriate role for the Winnebago County Health Department. Public Health officials should monitor, measure and worry about an exponential rise in cases – that’s their job. Public health officials should also be a resource to businesses by suggesting and recommending ways to provide safer business environments for their employees and customers. If they have any input in this regard, we are all ears and would welcome those suggestions. Beyond that, we would suggest the Public Health Director stay in his lane. As a reference, the Oshkosh Chamber compiled a list of
best practices
being implement by local employers. This document serves as a guide to help you to maintain a safe environment.
As we continue on the path of economic recovery, our efforts must focus on protecting both livelihoods and lives. It is not an “either-or” choice. As the public continues to venture out, flare-ups are inevitable, but new lockdown orders aren’t the answer. In my mind, shutting down the economy again is a non-starter and would be fatal to some local businesses. We should not be thinking in those terms. Four short weeks ago, the economy was opened up. People are slowly coming back into the marketplace. Now is the time we should be looking for ways to further stimulate the economy, not seeking County Board authorization to shut it down. Whether we like this or not, until there is a cure or vaccine, we need to come to terms with co-existing with Covid-19, while maintaining a fully functional and open economy. More testing has produced more confirmed Covid-19 cases. However, in Wisconsin and locally, we have recorded no uptick in hospitalizations. Our elected leaders have to consider overall economic and public health, and locking down again doesn’t seem justified by the evidence.
There was no action taken by the County’s Legislative Committee, nor was there any imperative for the Committee to do anything. So where does this go from here? That answer lies with Shiloh Ramos, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors and Chairman of the County’s Board of Health. At this moment, it appears this proposed Ordinance is headed for a vote of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors, most likely at its regularly scheduled July Board meeting, unless Chairman Ramos decides otherwise. We ask that you remain vigilant by continuing to reach out to your
County Board Supervisor
.
John Casper
President & CEO
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