After today's special meeting, a showdown over masks looms on the horizon
A properly noticed special meeting of the Anchorage Assembly was held this afternoon, where a proposed ordinance was introduced that would require masks to be worn indoors and at large outdoor gatherings.
The ordinance, introduced by Assembly members Meg Zaletel and Pete Peterson, comes when Anchorage hospitals have become more vocal about emergency departments being flooded with COVID-19 patients. Last week, Alaska's largest hospital, Providence Alaska Emergency Center, announced that it had begun rationing care to patients.
Zaletel and Peterson previously introduced a resolution asking Mayor Bronson to direct that masks or face coverings be required in public indoor areas of Municipal buildings. That resolution was ultimately passed by the assembly but has been ignored by Mayor Dave Bronson, who has repeatedly refused to enact measures that would help reduce the volume of patients streaming into Anchorage hospitals and protect public health and safety.
The proposed ordinance is expected to face fierce opposition from Mayor Dave Bronson and his loyal Save Anchorage supporters.
The ordinance could be voted on at the September 28 meeting of the assembly.
RELATED: Providence Alaska Medical Center Implements "Crisis Standards of Care."
During today's special meeting, members of the public accused the assembly of attempting to control an individual's right to oxygen and referred to the coronavirus as the flu. Others who provided public testimony said that they had taken it upon themselves to adjust the state's collective COVID-19 data and had arrived at a different conclusion than health experts who have said COVID-19 mitigation strategies are effective at reducing the transmission of the virus.
In January, a report released by the state Section of Epidemiology showed that COVID-19 restrictions helped slow the spread of the coronavirus in Anchorage.
Alaska Watchman legal analyst Mario Bird testified at today's special meeting, telling assembly members that he didn't want to see more recalls, urging them not to violate the separation of powers doctrine.
The assembly's legal counsel drafted the proposed ordinance, however, and no concern was raised by them that the ordinance might violate the separation of powers doctrine. Both branches are charged with protecting public health and safety.
Also providing testimony today was longtime Republican operative, Frank McQueary. McQueary is also the director and president of "Alaskans for Open Meetings."
Shortly after today's Special Meeting concluded, Eagle River Assemblyperson Jamie Allard posted to "Save Anchorage," writing that it was clear to her that the assembly had a "savior complex" and was "hell-bent on violating the public's constitutional rights." Allard, a supporter of Mayor Dave Bronson, frequently uses "Save Anchorage" to rally support for political causes important to her.
It seems likely that members of the pro-COVID "Save Anchorage" group will attend next week's Anchorage Assembly meeting and share false information on mask-wearing, vaccines, and the coronavirus in the form of public testimony.
Comments made in response to Allard's post alleged that the assembly was attempting to usurp Mayor Dave Bronson's powers, while others suggested COVID vaccines were a marketing ploy turned political.
The full recording of today's special assembly meeting can be viewed here. A copy of the proposed ordinance by Assembly members Zaletel and Peterson can be found below.
