Resolution requiring Businesses to make Face Masks Mandatory for Customers to be considered at Terrebonne Parish Public Services Committee meeting

Zaronte’ Lamar Coleman, Jr.
July 10, 2020
2,642 new cases reported in Louisiana, largest increase since March; Terrebonne reports 120 new cases
July 10, 2020
Zaronte’ Lamar Coleman, Jr.
July 10, 2020
2,642 new cases reported in Louisiana, largest increase since March; Terrebonne reports 120 new cases
July 10, 2020

At the Terrebonne Parish Public Services Committee meeting on Monday, July 13, a resolution “requiring businesses to make it mandatory that customers/clients wear face coverings/masks in their establishments due to increased cases of the COVID-19 Virus and to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public and residents of Terrebonne Parish,” will be considered. 

 

Councilman John Navy, who proposed the resolution, said he’s noticed COVID-19 cases are rising again. “I’m fearful of the fact that school is about to start. I’m trying to be proactive and be conscientious about the health, welfare and safety of the general public and also protect our economy and way of life,” he said. 

 

“I don’t want to shut down again,” Navy continued. “If we don’t do some outside-the-box-thinking measures to protect our residents’ health, welfare and safety… they’re going to shut this thing down again, and we’re going to suffer from that.” 


 

He’s been visiting local stores and restaurants, Navy said, and employees are asking why if they have to wear a mask, doesn’t the public have to. 

 

Navy said he’s not trying to take away anyone’s constitutional right or liberty. “I’m just simply saying let’s do something for a short period of time so we could protect each other and protect our economy,” he continued. 

 

The virus has been politicized too much, Navy said, which is causing people to be blinded to the fact that it is actually a virus and not a political issue, therefore creating detrimental effects in the economy. 


 

“You got some people that want face coverings to be mandated, and you got some that don’t,” Navy said. “…We should find some kind of common ground and make sure we satisfy and please everyone if we truly are about democracy.”  

 

There are people advocating for the ones that don’t want mandatory masks, but there should be people advocating for the ones that do want it, Navy said. 

 

Navy said he has spoken to several healthcare workers that have seen people who have had the coronavirus walk around in stores while not wearing face masks because they are asymptomatic or not showing severe symptoms.  


 

“There’s people out there that’s dying,” he added. “We got to stop being silly about this situation and be concerned and be proactive…We are always reacting. Well I’m trying to be proactive; I’m trying to save lives.” 

 

The meeting will be held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center and starts at 5:35 p.m. 

 

The agenda for Monday’s meeting can be found here.


 

Read the full resolution below: 

 

A RESOLUTION REQUIRING BUSINESSES TO MAKE IT MANDATORY THAT CUSTOMERS/CLIENTS WEAR FACE COVERINGS/MASKS IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENT DUE TO INCREASED CASES OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS AND TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC AND RESIDENTS OF TERREBONNE PARISH.

WHEREAS, COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019; on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency concerning the coronavirus, a novel (new) coronavirus known as SARS-Co V-2 which has spread globally; and


WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards issued the Governor’s Declaration of Public Health in response to COVID-19 after consulting with public health authorities who determined that a public health emergency occurred, which empowered him to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation in accordance with La. R.S. 29:766(A); and

WHEREAS, since then, the disease has spread to over 216 countries including the United States with approximately ___ confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, although most individuals who contract COVID-19 do not become seriously ill, people with mild symptoms, and even asymptomatic persons with COVID-19, place other vulnerable members of the public at significant risk; and


WHEREAS, evidence indicates wearing face coverings reduces the transmissibility per contact by reducing the transmission of infected droplets; and

WHEREAS, wearing face coverings in the public is most effective at stopping the spread of the virus when compliance is high and orders requiring face covering are in place statewide and locally; and

WHEREAS, face covering should be worn by individuals in public spaces while conducting business in addition to maintaining six foot social distancing.


NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Terrebonne Parish Council (Public Services Committee), on behalf of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, require businesses to make it mandatory that face coverings be worn by customers/clients in their establishments due to increased outbreaks of the Covid-19 virus to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public and residents of Terrebonne Parish.

 

Photo by Mika Baumeister.