Masks have gone beyond being part of a Halloween costume.
Okotoks went past 15 active COVID cases on Oct. 26, triggering a bylaw that masks must be worn at indoor public facilities in the community — including businesses such as stores and banks for example.
There were 16 cases announced by the provincial government on Monday in Okotoks. Much like Alberta and most of Canada, Okotoks has seen rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, as winter nears and possibly because of being on the heels of Thanksgiving.
Regardless for the reason of why the numbers went up, now is the time to grin and bear it, even if the public can’t see the grin.
It’s important now more than ever to support those business that support you.
Businesses are not the ones who brought in the bylaw.
To boycott Okotoks businesses now over masks is to boycott the community.
Don’t hang the villain label on town council either. Councillors listened when concerns were raised to go with a mask bylaw in July back when there were five cases. The 15 number puts Okotoks unofficially at the watch status with Alberta Health Services, which is at least 10 active cases and more than 50 active cases per 100,000. This translates to 15 cases based on Okotoks’ population of 30,000. Council has to look at the health of the community — while balancing the economic health of Okotoks.
Okotokians — and those coming here to shop — will have to get used to it. The mask bylaw states Okotoks must be under 15 cases for 30 consecutive days before being lifted. It’s not a hardship to don a mask to go the grocers.
A Grade 5 student has to wear a mask in school, surely, as adults, the community can follow their lead in an amicable way.
Okotoks is a caring place to live. Now is the time to put on a brave face and mask up.
